Geneva rolling heading into sectionals

After battling the elements for the past two months, the local boys track and field teams have finally reached the portion of the season that creates both excitement and anxiety.

In the Class 3A sectionals, nine of the teams that competed against each other in the Kane County meet will compete against each other once again in the St. Charles North sectional for the right to advance onto the state meet next weekend in Charleston.

Geneva placed second in the Kane County meet two weeks ago and won the Western Sun Conference meet last weekend.

The Vikings are led by senior Andrew Nelson, who will compete in the 1,600, and could end up seeing action on the Vikings' 3,200 relay team as well. Nelson was on the team that finished third in the state a year ago and has been running individual 800 races below the two minute mark.

"We have a pretty good 3,200 relay, so we'll be looking to do some damage," Nelson said. "The 1,600 is my race, so I'm really hoping to run better this year than I did last year."

Nelson turned in a time of 4:27 on the first round of the state meet a year ago and has consistently turned in times nearly 10 seconds less than that this year.

Viking junior thrower Frank Boenzi qualified for the state meet last year in the shot put, and will be looking to double his duties this year by adding the discus to his repertoire. Boenzi's toss of 57 feet that won the shot put at the WSC meet last weekend is five feet further than his toss last year at this time that earned him second in the Streamwood sectional. His discuss toss two weeks ago of 159-6 would have easily won the sectional last year.

"I'm going to try to go in more relaxed and focused this year," Boenzi said. "I was focused, but I thought I choked in discus. I just need to go in there and do what I can do. I'm hoping to hit a PR in the sectional in shot, and I'd like to really get more consistent in discus."

Batavia isn't too far behind the Vikings, placing only a half of a point behind them at the Kane County meet, and 6.5 behind them at the WSC meet.

Batavia senior J.R. Kabba nearly won the WSC meet a week ago by himself for the Bulldogs, and has looked impressive in the 100, 200, and 400. He's currently tied with the best 100 time in the state (10.64), second in the 400 (48.87), and the top seven in the 200 (21.81).

"I've really been working on my block starts over the past week since I lost to (West Aurora's Josh) Zinzer in the 100," Kabba said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to run the 400 along with the 100 and 200."

Marmion might represent the best overall team at the St. Charles North sectional because of its depth in all areas. Two weeks ago at the Kane County meet, senior sprinter Alex Rindone placed third to Kabba and Zinzer in the 100 and 200, Oscar Aguinaga placed in the top three in both the 800 and 1,600, and Andrew Larson won the 3,200 in a time of 9:08 that currently ranks as the fourth best in the state. Junior Sam Duffield and sophomore Ed Grahovec provide depth in the hurdle events.

"We really want a sectional title and the way our team is running we think we have a shot at it," Larson said. "All I really care about is placing in the one (1,600) and the two (3,200) and get as many points for my team."

The North Stars' best chances to advance to the Eastern Illinois campus next weekend will lie on the feet of seniors Max Clink (800) and Stephen Miller (1,600).

Like Marmion, West Aurora fields a strong overall team and will compete in the Plainfield Central sectional with schools such as Naperville North, Naperville Central and Neuqua Valley.

Zinzer won the 100 and placed second in the 200 two weeks ago in the Kane County meet. Zinzer placed sixth in the state a year ago in the 200 with a time of 22.23, and his best time this year of 22.18 ranks in the top 15.

"I definitely would like to qualify in three or four events," Zinzer said. "It's my senior year, so I don't have anything to lose. Hopefully, I'll qualify and come back with a medal or two this year. I'd really like to hit under 22 (seconds) in the 200."

Sophomore hurdler Marcus Waller has been improving each week and is currently ranked in the top 25 in the state in both the 110 and 300 hurdles, and senior thrower Kevin Costin should be a solid challenger for Boenzi in the shot put and discus.

In Class 2A, Kaneland heads north to Freeport for its sectional, while Aurora Central Catholic travels to Glenbard South.

Junior Nick Sinon cleared 6 feet, 8 inches to win the Kane County meet two weeks ago, which ties him for the highest mark in the state so far this year.

Junior Logan Markuson ranks in the top five in the 110 and 300 hurdles, as well as the pole vault, and fellow hurdler Taylor Andrews ranks in the top 10 in the 110 hurdles.

While the Knights are young and still learning on the job, coach Eric Baron feels that they're poised to show their true potential very soon.

"We're still such a young team, but they all work very hard," Baron said. "We've been gearing up for sectionals all year and feel like we're a pretty good team, so we're going to see what we can get done."

The Chargers' 3,200 relay team posted a top-25 state time two weeks ago, so coach Troy Kerber will look to put together a lineup that can advance another week.

In Class A, Aurora Christian travels to Plano High School.