Boys track and field: WW South seniors have much to reflect on
Celebrating senior day on the occasion of Wheaton Warrenville South's first boys outdoor track meet sounds rushed, but given the weather and how their schedule works, that was the Tigers' lot.
Hosting Glenbard North - also in its outdoor debut - the looser atmosphere of the Tuesday dual meet allowed athletes to stretch out.
WW South returning 100-meter state qualifier Cedric Rowzee instead trained at 400 meters, besting the field at 53.80 seconds. Glenbard North high jumper Randy Schmitz topped the field at 6 feet then bounded over to try long jump for the first time.
"I'm very impressed with their work ethic, especially with how hard they're getting after it in the weight room and how that's translating to them on the track," said Glenbard North coach Mark Karwowski.
The meet also afforded reflection by Tigers seniors as they and their parents were recognized on the track.
"It's pretty bittersweet in the sense that I've had a long career here that I'm pretty proud of, but the bitter part is I have just a little while left to make a bigger mark on my school. Making a huge run down at state, that's my goal this year," said hurdler Joey Zubak, accompanied by parents John and Meg.
A 300 hurdles state qualifier in 2017, Zubak went 15.93 in the 110 version his first time outdoors this year.
"It's mainly about senior day, but the meet itself (is) just to see where I'm at right now," he said.
Though WW South sophomore David Zeller ran the fastest 800 meters at 2 minutes, 4.40 seconds, the Tigers bring experienced seniors such as triple jump winner Haisong Yang and Tuesday's top three 1,600-meter runners, Andrew Dixon, John Keys and Cole Dixon.
Glenbard North has a blend of athletes. Sophomore Xavier Curtis' time of 11.79 seconds in the 100-meter dash led all comers, including Panthers seniors Janari Fisher and Joseph George, WW South senior Ryan Young and Glenbard North sophomore Jordan McQuarters.
Glenbard North junior Marat Schatz is mainly a 3,200 runner, but that was not held. Instead Schatz ran both the 800 and, as temperatures dipped, the 1,600.
"It's part of the sport," Schatz said of the cold spring day. "I prefer being outdoors, honestly. It's just less laps to run and it's also nicer and more people come to outdoor meets."
Being part of the sport has helped Thailand-born WW South senior Pyai Aung, who with parents Minthein and Aye Aye immigrated first to Fort Wayne, Indiana, then to Wheaton as a high school freshman.
"It definitely helped me become a better person," Aung said.
His 43-foot, 3-inch shot put tipped Glenbard North's Prince Goodlow by 2 inches; Aung's discus mark of 125-10 edged the Panthers' Jared Skildum at 121-11.
Two dual-meet wins didn't overshadow the meaning of senior day to Aung: "Appreciation for all of us, going through all four years doing everything and working hard getting to this moment."