Boys track: Batavia holds up fine in Hodge display

The unconventional boys track and field invitational brought very expected results Friday evening in St. Charles.

Batavia has a unique ability to thoroughly cover all 18 events in the sport.

"In my dream world, I would like to see the sectional winners send their whole team to the state meet and have a state meet for teams," St. Charles North coach Kevin Harrington. "(The Bulldogs) have some gold; all you have to do is look up and down the scoresheet."

The Bulldogs' six-team invite was held at St. Charles North due to the impending installment of a new track, but the change of venue made little difference to Batavia.

The Bulldogs captured half of the 18 titles to dominate the Les Hodge meet, which features unlimited entries and no team points.

"I think this is a great way to kick off our outdoor season," Geneva coach Gail Gross said.

Jay Hunt had a part of three championships for Batavia.

The senior began his late afternoon by soaring 6 feet, 6 inches in the high jump.

The Bulldogs swept the three sprint relays, and Hunt was an integral member of the two shortest distances at 400 and 800 meters.

Batavia was in class by itself with winning times of 23.38 seconds and 1:20.67, respectively.

"We were just being moderately safe and just wanted to get the 'stick' (baton) around," Hunt said. "We just wanted to get times on paper and go from there. We haven't had an outdoor practice (for relays) yet."

Will Akers and Sam Conger were lethal in the two hurdles races for Batavia.

The former won the 330 intermediate hurdles in 41.09 with Conger coming fast behind; the results were reversed in the 110 highs as Conger won in 15.4.

"This is just an opportunity to get a good 300 mark," said Akers, who was also on the victorious 1,600 relay and runner-up in the long jump. "I haven't run a 300 since last year at state."

Charles McMorrow was also a double winner for the Bulldogs as the junior won the 200 and 400 dashes in 23.07 and 51.12.

"Coming out of spring break, it's a nice reset," McMorrow said. "I just went and did (the double)."

"They cover things that are unusual," Harrington said of the Bulldogs' athletes.

Freshman Joey Knanishu was the final Batavia track champion with his victory at 800 meters.

Geneva returning all-state 1,600 runner Tyler Dau skipped his specialty event for a once-a-year collection of events.

The Florida State-bound senior won the 3,200 run in 9:35.52, before running two 400 legs and the 200 dash.

"The 2-mile was my focus tonight," Dau said. "The two quarters and the 200 were kind of a work out. We haven't done any speed work. That's what gives our (distance) team an edge at the end of the season."

The Vikings' Brian Kuehl, normally an 800 runner, pulled away from Kaneland junior Matt Richtman on the gun lap to win by ease at 1,600 meters.

"I have thought of myself as having a good kick all four years," Kuehl said. "I put it on display today, I guess."

The last of the three Geneva individual winners came via Ben Ramage in the triple jump.

St. Charles North earned wins from Eric Lins in the 100 dash (11.45) and pole-vaulter Cam Wright.

"It was a good start," said Wright, who defeated the Bulldogs' Nick Krella and 2015 Class 2A state champion Danny Walker (Kaneland) on criteria at 14-0. "We're going for 15-3, the (school) record."

Kaneland thrower Clayton Hannula swept the shot put (56-0) and discus (150-3).

Josh Teets' anchor leg was critical for the Burlington Central quartet at 3,200 meters.

Michael Kalusa was the Rockets' lone individual champion as the senior won the long jump.