St. Peter track off to a fast start
After a successful 2016 season and a large number of returning athletes, the St. Peter track and field team from Geneva is looking forward to an even better season in 2017.
The team began their competitive season with an indoor exhibition meet at Marmion Academy in Aurora. No team scores were kept but the competition was fierce as conference rivals from the Aurora Catholic League squared off against each other for the first time this season.
Most notable was the competition between the St. Peter's boys 4x400 team and the boys 4x400 from Holy Angels in Aurora. Holy Angels had the edge on St. Peter by slightly over one second but the two teams are sure to be neck and neck as the season progresses. The rivalry will make it worthwhile to stay until the end of the meets to watch the battle unfold. Both teams are also in the same sectional and will be putting it all on the line for a chance to qualify for state in May.
Eighth-grader Eric Ford looked strong in the 200-meter dash finishing third while eighth-grader Josh Caceres was once again dominant in the 400-meter dash winning the event by a wide margin. Newcomer Tommy Rittenhouse (eighth grade) finished fourth in the 55-meter dash, his debut event in the sport.
Seventh-grader Greta Prange had a good start to the season in the 400-meter dash placing fifth in a talented field with the top runner finishing in an astounding 1:05.01. Eighth-grader Mary Tork kept her high jump win streak alive dating back to the beginning of last season with a jump of 4'5".
Overall St. Peter looked solid in their field events. Despite being so early in the season many personal records were set which makes the future look bright.
The very next day a small contingent from the team traveled to Mooseheart for a non conference exhibition meet in the early spring cool wind. Once again the team looked strong and competitive overall and gained some great experience competing in less than optimum conditions.
St. Peter's first conference meet will be this Saturday at Aurora Central Catholic High School where they will take on perennial powerhouses Holy Angels and Annunciation in their first true test of the season.