Boys track and field: Vernon Hills unseats Kaneland at Crystal Lake Central

Sometimes good things do come to an end.

After winning the Crystal Lake Central Invitational the last two years, Kaneland's boys track team had to settle for second place with 118 points.

Scoring 135.5 points, Vernon Hills claimed Friday's 43rd Annual CLC invite championship.

"We tried some different things tonight and didn't run our loaded relays," said Kaneland coach Eric Baron. "Vernon Hills is a talented team which will be a team we will probably battle at the Class 2A meet."

Mike Rinella was the lone individual winner for the Knights posting a first place effort in the pole vault (13 feet, 9 inches).

Kaneland, with Tyler Paulson, Matt Noel, Tanner Robertson and Brandon Cruz, won the 400 relay in a clocking of 43.95.

Vernon Hills, which won the CLC Invitational for the first time, was led by Josh Williams, who won the 100 (11.13) and 200 (22.29). The Cougars claimed top honors in five individual events and two relays (3,200 and 800).

"This is always a fun meet for us," said Vernon Hills coach Mark Whitney. "There are so many talented teams in this meet. It as a total team effort."

Burlington Central placed third with 82 points.

The lone individual winner for the Rockets was Dionte Smith, who won the triple jump with a leap of 43-2¾.

'It was nice to win the triple jump, but I am not pleased with my landing," said Smith. "I have a lot to work on in practice."

Central secured third place by winning the 1,600 relay (3:30.17), the final event of the evening. The Rockets' winning relay team included Drew Kries, Brad Sorensen, Nick Harvey and Adam Kries.

'It was a very good way to close out the meet," said Central coach Mike Schmidt. "The 1,600 relay team ran great against some very good competition. Dionte did very well and is getting better all the time. We are a very young team and I am pleased with a third-place finish in a meet with a lot of good teams."

Antioch, led by a double win from hurdler Landon Keefover, was eighth with a score of 45 points.

Keefover won the 110 hurdles in a time of 15.01 and grabbed top honors in the 300 hurdles in a clocking of 39.80.

"I had a good night and I liked the way I cleared the hurdles," said Keefover. "It was a good night to race."