Bassett, state hopefuls ready to go
Mundelein senior Adam Bassett is just happy to be back again.
After struggling through nagging leg injuries the last few weeks, Bassett came bounced back and achieved his best efforts of his career in the high jump. His 6-foot, 6-inch clearing in the high jump established a new career-best and also marked the return of one of the top high jumpers in the area.
"I felt fresh and my legs felt a lot better," Bassett said after his conference winning performance at Antioch last week. "My legs were sore after the triple jump, but today they felt good."
Bassett will get another chance to show off his jumping skills at the Grayslake Central sectional tonight.
The field event prelims will start at 3:30 p.m. with finals on the track slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.
While Bassett bounced back at the conference meet, Carmel looks to bounce back after a less than stellar day at the East Suburban Catholic meet last week.
The Corsairs have the potential for a big night at Grayslake and it could start early in the 3,200-meter run. Cameron Rieger is the top seed and should earn a repeat trip to state. Mo Bahrani of Vernon Hills has been right on the edge of state qualifying and with a fast pace should also get to state.
Carmel will then focus on the sprints as Jordan Nasebeny, Socrates Kaitson and their teammates will try and get the Corsairs' 800 relay to the state meet. The 1,600 relay team, which will add James Halford and Joe Jeka to the mix, should battle with Zion-Benton and Lake Forest for a trip to state.
Lakes should have its best representation at state since its inception three years ago. Marcell Kirkmanbey is one of the top 110 high hurdlers in the state and should qualify with ease. Jon DeGrave figures to do the same in the 300 hurdles and Andrew Stein should make a serious push in the long and triple jumps.
Right next to Kirkmanbey will be Antioch senior Lamarr Pottinger. He has come close to Kirkmanbey at the county meet and conference meets each of the last two weeks and should be step-for-step again on Friday.
Grant will also look to fill up the state meet and with seniors Derek Hall and Pavel Zurkowski leading the way, Grant will be in the mix for multiple state berths. Zurkowski figures to bounce back in both the shot and disc and should earn a berth in at least the shot put. Hall could qualify twice, but his best bet is in the open 800.
The 800 figures to be a battle with Hall, Alex Mena of Mundelein and Karsen Greene of Warren all at or below the state standard.
Besides Bassett in the high jump, Jamell Ross of Mundelein figures to not only qualify for state, but also be in medal contention in the long jump. His 22-7 effort is among the 10 best jumps in the state so far this spring.
Grayslake North senior Nick Lane continues to drop time in the 1,600 and the newly crowned Fox Valley Conference champion will be the top seed and tough to catch in the event. The Knights could earn a pair of qualifiers in just their second year. Brian Verwijst has been close in the pole vault and could get into the mix in hopes of earning a trip to state.
Vernon Hills senior Zach Wheeler should keep the strong tradition of Cougars vaulters alive by returning to state again.