Emerging talents appear at Wheaton North

Devin Harkins' impact for Glenbard North's varsity boys track team is pretty straightforward.

"It just comes down to speed," said the sophomore, at Wheaton North on Tuesday for a boys track triangular with West Chicago.

Speed and distance. In March Harkins set a DuPage Valley Conference indoor sophomore long jump record at 21 feet, 31/2 inches.

Another sophomore DVC record-setter is West Chicago's Jeff Foreman, who went 6-4 indoors and won Tuesday's nonscoring competition at 6 feet even.

"It's a lot more fun jumping varsity because it challenges me more. But at fresh-soph I guess it's just fun jumping and knowing that you're going to do good," said Foreman, whose brother Jim placed fourth in 2006 Class AA pole vault. His father, Ed, shares Glenbard East's high jump mark at 6-10.

Emerging talents such as Foreman, Harkins and Wheaton North sophomore high jumper Tyler Ester contribute to varsity on a fluctuating basis.

"Since I've been jumping a lot higher (West Chicago coach Paul McLeland) is putting me in the fresh-soph meets, the invites, to try to beat the records," Foreman said. "If I'm able to beat those records then he'll put me in them. If not then he'll put me in varsity just to score more points."

Glenbard North coach Eric Manuel has used Harkins a lot on varsity, such as last week at Downers Grove South.

"He just needs to continue to mature, and he'll have more success," Manuel said. "And that hopefully will transform into varsity full time."

"He's giving me a lot of opportunities to show myself at different levels, sophomore and varsity," Harkins said. "And it's just whether I show up or not."

Another emerging talent is a senior. Wheaton North's DeMarcus "D.A." Covington showed up from Iowa City after his mother, Lynn, got a job in the area.

"I'm definitely having fun here," the sprinter said. "The first day when I came the team already made me feel like I was a member of the team."

It makes it easier when you can run 100 meters in 11 seconds flat and the 200 in 22.7, as Covington has.

On a team as fast as the Falcons that makes him part of a crowd. Even if he only contributes as a reserve, it's a crowd he wants to be part of.

Covington's goals don't focus on clinching a relay position or open spot, he said.

"It's more like teamwork and helping out."