Burlington Central's Ege ready for Top Times

Lucas Ege is counting the days until the outdoor boys track and field season launches a new campaign.

“I'm not a big fan of indoor,” the Burlington Central defending Class 2A state champion in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles said. “I'm moving to California next year. I hope this weekend (at the Top Times meet) is the last indoor meet I ever do.”

The Stanford-bound Ege, who earned four all-state performances last year in guiding Central to third place, won the 55-meter high hurdles — one of two individual events — of the Bulldog Relays Thursday evening in Batavia.

The coed competition was an unscored team event in which the focus was on the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 relays as well as an individual 1,600 run plus the hurdles.

In the opening girls race, Batavia Upstate Eight Conference sprint champions Hannah Schlaman and Tori Ortiz provided the Bulldogs' 800 relay a commanding lead.

But senior anchor Caitlin Ross would need every inch of it as West Aurora sophomore JeMya McClendon had an arresting 200-meter leg.

Ross defeated McClendon by one-hundredth of a second as the Bulldogs set a new indoor record in 1:46.98.

“When (McClendon) was next to me, I could tell she was really close,” Ross said. “The focus for the four of us (Hailey Plata was the third leg) was not only to win but also go for the field house record.”

“The older girls have really pushed me,” added Ortiz, the Bulldogs' prized freshman. “I'm so insanely happy I chose track over softball.”

In the girls hurdles race, Rajiyah Andrews won her second title in the distance since Saturday.

The younger sister of former West Aurora state champion Shanise, Andrews, who won the Upstate Eight title at the same venue, and sophomore teammate Kiyanna Rodgers swept the event for the Blackhawks.

Burlington Central senior Bryce Weinrich was sixth in the event in making her return from an ankle injury incurred in the Rockets' season-opening meet.

“It was hard even going to the meets to watch,” Weinrich said. “But I'm a senior and wanted to watch my teammates.”

The open mile offered a source of renewal for Miranda Rae and Connor McCue.

Rae, a Batavia senior, and McCue, the West Aurora junior who has the fastest Class 3A 800 time in the indoor season, cruised to victories.

“This year I have been focusing on the mile, because it's an in-between race in case (the coaches) need me in the 2-mile,” Rae said.

The Batavia 1,600 relay of Matt Cuartero, Chad McMarrow, Ryan Wieties and Peyton Piron won in 3:32.53.