Huntley stands tall with FVC title
Huntley boys track coach Jim Rolando had every reason to smile.
With five first-place finishes, the Red Raiders strolled to first place honors with 122 points at Tuesday's Fox Valley Conference boys indoor meet held at the Huntley Field House.
Crystal Lake South was a distant second with 64 points while Dundee-Crown was third with 63 points.
"We made great progress tonight,' said the Huntley coach. "We are a completely different team than we were a week and a half ago at the (Homewood Flossmoor) meet."
A double winner for the Red Raiders was sprinter Dubem Anikamadu, who won the 60 meters (7.03) and 200 (22.31).
Lukas Bolas garnered top honors in the 60 hurdles in a clocking of 8.51. He was pushed by teammate Brian Bala, who was a close second in a time of 8.61.
"Brian and I have a very good competition in practice," said Bolas. "We try to make each other better."
The Red Raiders also recorded first place efforts in the 800 (1:33.14) and 1,600 (3:35.38) relays.
Crystal Lake South received first place accolades from Sam Peschke (pole vault, 14-0), Jon Prus (800, 1:58.55) and Jack Becker (3200, 9:31.24).
Becker crossed the finish line a little less than 9 seconds better than Dundee-Crown's Anthony Hurgoi, who was second with a clocking of 9:40.17.
"I got a good lead because I attacked from the beginning," said Becker. "I have some improving to do before the outdoor season but I have had a solid indoor season."
The third place Chargers received their only first place effort from Ace Aclaro, who won the triple jump (43-10).
Jacobs, with three first place finishes, placed fourth with 58 points. Loren Strickland lunged to a top finish in the long jump (20-09) while sophomore Zach Albrecht won the 1,600 in a time of 4:20.33.
Senior Conrad Beech, who is still recovering from wrist surgery after the Golden Eagles' football season ended, won the 400 in a time of 52.88. Beech nipped Huntley's Sam Pitrone (53.01) at the finish line.
"I am still rounding into shape after my surgery," said Beech. "I really pushed it tonight."
Cary-Grove, with two first place finishes, placed fifth with 44 points.
Top finishers for the Trojans were Andrew Stokes (shot put, 50-7) and David Aulert (high jump, 5-10).
Stokes unleashed his winning toss on his final throw of the night.
"I knew I had a good throw when I let it go," said Stokes. "It was good to end the night on a high note."
Hampshire, seventh with 30 points, got a second place effort from Jacob Oury in the 800 and the Whip-Purs were runners-up in the 3,200 relay.