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St. Edward wins relay event at MSC meet

St. Edward is banking on a foursome perhaps stronger than that which earned a 2015 Class 1A downstate berth in the 800-meter relay.

Speaking of banking, Dwayne Allen, Zach Olenek, Alec Uscila and Albert Lopez navigated the tight spaces of Glenbard South's indoor track as if it were a velodrome.

Taller runners nearly skidded out on the turns while the Green Wave crew's comparatively vertically-challenged frames expertly leaned in to capture the 4-by-160 relay during Saturday's Metro Suburban Conference Boys Track & Field Indoor Invitational in Glen Ellyn.

"It's weird to be running on a 160-meter track," said Lopez, like Allen a senior returner. "Myself, this is my first indoor meet, actually, so it was really interesting. I feel like when it comes to outdoor it'll be much better and much different, in my opinion."

In some regard, not that different. Olenek, the freshman son of St. Edward coach Mike Olenek, is the sole newcomer to an 800-meter relay that won the Seneca sectional title.

Lopez felt confident enough to believe this group could reach the state finals outdoors. They will also run the 400 relay, individual events and, if Mike Olenek can convince them, the 1,600 relay as well.

"I think it's the relationship that we've had with two of the most recent players, Dwayne Allen and Alex Uscila. They're both major contributors," Lopez said. "With a freshman stepping up in a big role for us as a team, I feel like with him we have a much faster team. Zach Olenek, major contributor to our team."

Allen contributed individually as well Saturday, taking second in the 55 dash .08 seconds behind IC Catholic Prep all-stater Jordan Rowell.

Glenbard South won the meet with 78 points to Ridgewood's 74.

Aurora Central Catholic took fifth place among a tight bunch. The Chargers scored with the likes of high jumper Patrick McNulty, the one-two punch of throwers Christian Marchis and Brant Krpan, omnipresent sprinter Griffin Zajac and relay leaders Josh Jerwers and Matt Mendoza.

Sophomore McKimmon Englehardt was ACC's sole victor. He captured the low hurdles in 8.01 seconds, third in the high hurdles at 8.81.

ACC coach Troy Kerber sees outdoor versatility with this "naturally gifted athlete" - who, like the other three Englehardt children, is an Irish dancer.

Englehardt said at ages 12 and 14 he attained his highest world ranking, sixth in the world for his age. He gets a kick out of hurdling.

"I'm doing track this year, not dancing as much," he said. "That's kind of what made me choose to do this. Some of the moves are similar."

  Aurora Central Catholic's Patrick McNulty competes in the high jump during the Metro Suburban Conference indoor boys track meet Saturday. Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
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