Historic sectional win for Vernon Hills
On paper, Vernon Hills looked to be a heavy favorite in the team race at the Class 2A Richmond-Burton boys track sectional Friday night.
After the meet was over and the Cougars were the only ones left under the lights as they waited for results, the paper that predicted their success was neatly wrapped around the sectional champion's plaque.
The Cougars totaled 126 points to capture the first sectional title in the 15-year history of the program. Johnsburg (83), Antioch (65), and Carmel (53) rounded out the top four teams.
"This is a program 15 years in existence that has never won a sectional title," said Vernon Hills coach Mark Whitney. "We told the guys that we looked good on paper, but we had to do it on the day - and they came ready tonight and performed great."
It started long before the running events, actually, with senior Noah Agnew in the high jump. Agnew easily cleared the required 6-3 mark. He proceeded to clear 6-5 and 6-8 before bowing out after narrowly missing 6-10.
"I've been working really hard with my coach on the little things," Agnew said. "I feel like if I clear up one or two little things, I can get another couple of inches."
On the track, the Cougars roared through the first two events, qualifying the 3,200 relay team of Caleb Ju, Travis Moyers, Alex Geier, and Shane Williamson in a season-best 8:07.64.
The event also saw qualifying efforts from Carmel and its foursome of Patrick Pastica, Collin Psenka, Mike Cusack and John Caffarelli (8:13.38), and St. Viator's Miles McConnell, Chris Beirsdorf, Brian Peters and Jacob Bonanotte (8:13.94).
The sprints were next and it was clear that Cougars senior Richard Clark was healthy and ready to roll. He anchored the relay of Josh Williams, James Hamer, and Juan Martinez to the win in the 400 relay in 43.62.
Clark was just getting started as he also contributed to the relay win in the 800 relay as well. Joining Clark on the relay were Hamer, Williams and Jay Holloway in 1:30.21.
"I struggled early in the season but it was nice to see my hard work pay off," Clark said. "Getting both relays down I think is my favorite because I get to run with my teammates."
Clark and Williams finished 1-2 in the 100 running 11.38 and 11.40, respectively. Williams later took the top spot in the 200 in 22.85.
Distance has always been a strong suit for the Cougars program and it was again Friday. Ju and Tim Krashevsky took the top two spots in the 800 with Krashevsky winning it in 1:59.96 to 2:00.79 for Ju.
Williamson and Tyler Smith also qualified for the Cougars running 9:39.97 and 9:42.06 in the 3,200.
The night also started out well for Antioch and sophomore hurdler Landon Keefover. He only took up hurdling two years ago - and didn't exactly fall in love with it from the start.
This season he embraced it a little more and his disdain has turned to excitement. Keefover earned his first trip to state in the 110 high hurdles by winning the event in 14.95.
"I wanted to go to state from day one this season," Keefover said. "After the Lake County meet a few weeks ago, I felt like tonight was possible."
Joining Keefover on the voyage will be Alan Taylor, who took second in the discus (136-5), and Tim Christian, who earned his second straight trip down state in the shot put (47-2.5).
To go with their state-qualifying 3,200 relay, Carmel earned multiple qualifiers in the field and on the track. Senior David Biondo won the pole vault, clearing 14-0. Patrick Foster earned his first trip to state in the high jump, finishing second and clearing 6-2. In the triple jump, Julian Johnson took second, leaping to a personal-best 42-2.
Hampshire earned state qualifiers on the track in two events. Andy Pederson finished third, running a state-qualifying 40.13 in the 300 hurdles. In the 3,200 run, Jacob Oury ran 9:44.02 to earn his trip to state.
When St. Viator senior Zach Gyuricza took to the blocks in the 300 hurdles, he carried just a little bit of extra motivation. After false starting in the 110 high hurdles for the first time in his high school career, Gyuricza bounced back for the best race of his career in the 300 hurdles.
Gyuricza ran a school-record 39.22 to win the sectional. Just behind him was teammate Denzel Downing, who qualified for state for the first time.
It marks Gyuricza's first individual trip to state.
"It's very nice to get this one," Gyuricza said. "I have a few things to get fixed in my race, and when I do I feel like I can run even faster."
Gyuricza added to his work load next weekend by running on the Lions' 1,600 relay team, joining Bonanotte, Downing and Brian Peters in 3:28.19 to earn a state meet spot.