Girls track and field: Cary-Grove's Gleason soars at county meet
Cary-Grove senior Tabor Gleason, with her college choice of Division II Grand Valley State finalized, is ready to excel during her final high school campaign.
Gleason leapt 5 feet, 6 inches to take top honors in the high jump at Thursday's McHenry County Meet at Huntley High School.
"I really rested and didn't test myself too much in the indoor season," said Gleason. "My jump of 5-6 is a PR (personal record) and my next goal of 5-8 is something I can achieve. I was close to clearing 5-8 on my last jump. We have had such bad weather. this was a nice night to jump. I changed my approach and felt comfortable with it tonight. I am glad I have my college choice taken care of. I have no more visits to worry about it. I can just concentrate on my senior year."
Gleason also finished fourth in the triple jump (35 feet, ¾ inch).
Izzy Ramirez (9-3) and Katie Stadler (8-9) were fourth and fifth respectively in the pole vault for the Trojans.
The discus and shot put were postponed until Friday because of poor conditions in the respective areas. The throwing events along with all the running events will begin Friday at 4:30 p.m.
After 4 events, Huntley leads with 37 ½ points followed by Cary-Grove (29) and McHenry (26 ½).
The Red Raiders' top efforts came from Rhian Whitfield (pole vault, 9-3) and Kendal Only (triple jump, 37-1 ¼) who each were second.
McKenzie Krich (high jump, 5-4) and Daryn Davis (triple jump, 36-4) garnered third place honors for Huntley.
Boys: Jacobs senior Loren Strickland seems to be in midseason form.
Strickland claimed his second straight county long jump championship with a leap of 21-9.
"I actually jumped better last year," said Strickland. "I am happy with finishing first but I know I can do better and will do better. I am ready to pop a 22-footer and if I am lucky maybe a 23-footer. I am looking forward to getting some work in some warm weather."
Huntley, with 34 points, leads McHenry (32) by 2 points after 4 events.
The Red Raiders received runner-up efforts from Michael Benner (pole vault, 12-3) and Josh Guyer (high jump, 6-0). Huthafiah Khan (pole vault, 11-3) and Lukas Bolas (high jump, 6-0) posted fourth place finishes.
Crystal Lake South, fourth with 16 points, finished second and fourth in the long jump. Kolade Ayedun finished second behind Strickland with a leap of 21-3 while Matt Reall was fourth with a leap of 20-9.
Jacobs is currently fifth with a score of 12. Other than Strickland's first place finish, Luke Benner (high jump) and Connor Frank (triple jump) registered eighth place finishes.
Cary-Grove got a fourth-place finish by David Aulert in the high jump (5-10).