Relays key for Huntley

One of the catalysts behind Huntley's surge in the boys track and field racket in recent years has been the development of its relay teams.

And this year has been no exception when it comes to relay excellence for the Red Raiders, who sport talented 1,600 and 3,200 relay teams that will have an eye toward state berths at today's Class AA Hononegah sectional in Rockton.

Both Huntley 1,600 and 3,200 teams hold the school records in those respective events. Huntley has won the last two McHenry County titles in the 1,600 and 3,200 relays. The 3,200 relay team has won the Fox Valley Conference title the last two years and the 1,600 quartet won the league title last week.

The 3,200 team (which at the sectional is scheduled to consist of Justin Cassidy, Casey Popenfoose, Alex Beruscha and Todd Farbiak) has gone as low as 7:55.16, while the 1,600 team (scheduled sectional lineup of Casey Popenfoose, Cassidy, Farbiak and Josh Sivila) has ran as fast as 3:23.79. Both times are under the state qualifying standards.

"We've been running strong and have been putting in hard workouts up until the end," said Casey Popenfoose. "It's helps to have Todd running a 1:54, 800 and Josh breaking 50 seconds in the 400. Josh has run exceptionally well for us this year."

Popenfoose said hunger will factor into the team's goal of getting to Charleston.

"We can't be satisfied with what we ran last week," said Popenfoose. "We have to strive to want to do more."

Popenfoose's sophomore brother, Marcus, will look for a return trip to state in the discus. Popenfoose was a state medalist in that event as a freshman.

Popenfoose will face stern local competition in the discus from Jacobs' Brad Foote and Prairie Ridge's Brett Ramirez. Popenfoose has gone as high as 179-5 this year, but Foote won the FVC title last week and set a league record with a 170-8 toss. Prairie Ridge's David Carbajal has the area's top throw in the shot put this season.

Speaking of Jacobs, the Golden Eagles are fresh off their sixth straight FVC title, a performance senior Tim Constant said opened the team's eyes.

"Our big goal as a team was to win the conference title," said Constant, who will run the 400 and be part of Jacobs' 400 and 1,600 relays at the sectional. "It wasn't as pretty as we thought it would be. We were predicted to win by like 30 points and we won by 9. It's important for us to do well at sectionals. We want to see if we can try and win the sectional. It's a big deal. We want to set the tone for next year and for the younger kids."

Constant said the legacy of the track program holds an extreme amount of weight.

"Being on this team has been a highlight of my career athletically," said Constant. "Everybody works so well together to reach a common goal. It's almost a fear factor. You don't want to be on the team that breaks the streak of winning. We wanted to make sure that we could pass on the torch to the next team by winning six so they could have the chance to win seven and not have to start all over again."

Jacobs came out of the FVC meet with key contributors Darius Bowers and J.M. Salcedo nursing injuries.

"We are having J.M. and Darius take it easy this week," said Jacobs coach Jason Borhart. "They are doing what the trainer says and getting treatment for their injuries. (Today), we will have them warm up and give it a try. Both of our sprint relays could be competitive if we are healthy enough to get the baton around the track."

Crystal Lake South is also in the field at Hononegah, while Cary-Grove will head to Grayslake Central and Dundee-Crown will compete in the Palatine sectional.

The rest of the local Class AA schools will be part of the Class AA Streamwood sectional today at Millennium Field.

Burlington Central, which recently won the Big Northern Conference title, is led by Cornell-bound hurdler Dan Hagberg and track standout Ryan Phebus.

Central junior Joe Manzie is 6 inches shy of the state qualifying standard in the pole vault (he's gone 13-3 this year).

Manzie has improved his vault by 6 inches in a year's time.

"My goal this year was to go at least 14-feet," said Manzie. "Hopefully I can do that at sectionals."

Manzie credits some of his improvement to the presence of fellow vaulter Paco Wleklinski.

"My friend Paco has been challenging me to get better," said Manzie, who said he's hoping to get on a 160-pound, 14-6 pole at the sectional. "I know I have to work hard if I'm going to stay top dog. He's getting better, too."

Bartlett's Dan Karys will be a contender in both the long and triple jumps at Streamwood. Karys recently won Upstate Eight Conference titles in both events. A junior, Karys now has three conference crowns to his credit in his career.

"I've gotten a lot stronger," said Karys. "The workouts we are doing are a lot more explosive. They focus more on muscular strength and that's helped a lot with my jumping ability."

Karys has gone 22-9½ (22-3 is the state standard) in the long jump and 43-6½ (45-0 is the state standard) in the triple this year.

"The long jump is my best event," said Karys. "I have to make sure I don't scratch. I've had trouble in the past with scratching. I can't let that get to my head. I'm a lot more confident this year. But I know I still have to be on the top of my game."

Adam Kuforiji has been a key for Elgin this season. Only a sophomore, Kuforiji will run the 400 at Streamwood and will be part of Elgin's 1,600 relay.

"I've learned how to keep working hard and keep pace during races," said Kuforiji, whose lowest 400 time this year has been a 49.9 (he finished third in the UEC in the 400). "Last year I had problems. This year I'm closing out races a little more. I have to remember what I've been doing all year and come to compete hard."

Kuforiji's top time this year is 0.2 seconds off the minimum state standard (47.7) in the 400.

Hampshire and 2007 state hurdles medalist Quinn Walker will compete at the Class A Genoa-Kingston sectional, which also includes St. Edward, Elgin Academy and Westminster Christian.

The top 2 finishers in each event and any individual or relay team satisfying the minimum state qualifying standard will advance to next weekend's state competition in Charleston.