Miller, Barrington get started fast
Barrington senior Scotty Miller has a long list of goals for his final track and field season, and that list started with an impressive season-opening performance on Saturday at the Stogey Relays at Prospect.
Miller, who will play football at Bowling Green next fall, contributed on three relay wins, including one that set a meet record as the Broncos captured the team title for the first time, scoring 174 points. The host Knights, who usually win this meet, took second with 165 points. Wheeling and former Knights coach Mike Kamedula finished third, scoring 106 points.
"We look at it as one meet at a time," Miller said. "We came away today happy with how we performed. We usually aren't this fast this early, so it's a really good start for us."
Teaming with Terrance McGovern, Griffen Claes and Brandon Melyenchuk, Miller anchored the Broncos 400 relay to a narrow win over Proviso West in 43.18. Miller then anchored the Broncos' 800 relay team of Jack Niccoletti, Mark Landwer, Melyenchuk and Miller ran 1:29.70 for the event win.
"Our handoffs were really good for this time of year," Miller said. "It's something since last year we have worked a whole lot on."
The third win of the afternoon for Miller came courtesy senior Konraid Eiring and the huge anchor leg he provided. Eiring, who anchored the Broncos' 3,200 relay team to a state title two years ago, provided the finishing touch on the Broncos' 800 sprint medley in a meet-record 1:34.39.
Eiring was also part of the winning 3,200 relay team with Kurtis Monahan, Kyle Monahan and Andrew Gensberg in 8:19.93.
Barrington took top honors in the high jump relay event with Matt Haller and Daniel Stermer both clearing 6 feet, 1 inch.
The runner-up Knights were distance-dominant again. Prospect captured the distance medley relay with Teddy Eckhardt, Greg Suarez and Matt Cozine (10.57.49). The same group plus Luke Filipic also captured the 3,200 DMR in 8:20.79.
Prospect also won a field event, the pole vault. James Estrella and Mike Tomasetti both cleared 12-3 to lead the Knights.
Kamedula he returned to Prospect for the first time this track season since leaving for Wheeling. The improvement from one year to the next was clear to see for the Wildcats, as their third-place finish was in their first appearance at this meet.
The field events were strong for Wheeling. Evan Brown jumped to 40-10.25 in the triple jump to key a third-place effort. Alex Mendez showed he is a thrower to watch as his toss of 145-10 was best in the discus as the Wildcats finished second.
"It was a good day but we still have a ways to go to get to where we want to be," Kamedula said.
Elk Grove senior Paul Ifianyi started the sun-splashed afternoon with a quick win in the 300 hurdles. His school record effort of 38.79 was the fastest time on the track Saturday.