Boys track: Prospect powers to Niles West sectional victory

Prospect's boys track and field team produced an impressive show of strength Thursday.

The Mid-Suburban East champions led the field in the Niles West sectional, sending a big group through to next week's Class 3A state championships while amassing 96 points.

Evanston (65) was second, followed by Niles West (58) and New Trier and Glenbrook North (tied at 54). Wheeling (42) finished seventh and Hersey (31) was ninth.

Leading the strong showing was perhaps the strongest of Prospect's athletes, senior Billy Matzek. He was a double individual winner, taking top honors in both shot put (57 feet, 3 inches) and discus (156-9).

Key to the team outcome were Prospect's high-scoring relays, three of which qualified to state. The Knights won the 4 x 400-meter in 3:26.32, took second in the 4 x 800 (7:54.59) and third in the 4 x 200 (1:28.82).

Prospect had two more individual winners - senior James Estrella in pole vault (14-7) and senior James Riordan in the 800 run (1:56.50). Senior Kevin Sherwood also advanced with a third-place effort in the 400 dash (50.06).

Wheeling had a winning effort in the 4 x 100 relay (1:27.52) and also had two individual qualifiers. Senior Jason Shannon won the 100 in 10.87 and also advanced in the 200 with a runner-up placement (21.93), and junior Lawrence Knish was a winner in the high jump (6-5).

Hersey will be represented at state by its 4 x 800 relay (third in 7:56.59), by senior Grant Wagner in high jump (second, 6-3) and by freshman Josh Methner in the 3,200 (9:25.75).