Gators' Gamez shines in 400

CHARLESTON - Before the state track and field championships at Eastern Illinois University began this weekend, the experience was already a dream come true for Crystal Lake South senior Emmanuel Gamez.

While Gamez already experienced a medal in the 1,600-relay last year at state, this time he had a chance to earn one individually by competing in the 400-meter finals on Saturday. Out in lane 9, Gamez was at a major disadvantage because the field wouldn't come into view until the final 200 meters of the race.

When the race came into the home stretch, Gamez was right with the leaders and it was that burst that carried him across the finish line in fifth place overall with a new personal best of 49.11.

"To get down here and qualify in three events is like a dream come true to me," Gamez said. "The race felt good but it didn't feel as fast as my time was - but this was a great experience for me."

The weekend was also a great experience for Burlington Central senior Paco Wleklinski. In his first state finals in the pole vault, Wleklinski hardly showed any nerves as he cruised through his early heights. After breezing through 12 feet, 6 inches, 13-3, 13-6 and 13-9, Wleklinski finally ran into a snag when he attempted 14 feet. Though he missed his first attempt at both 14 and 14-3, 13-9 is where his day finally came to an end.

"For having started vaulting two years ago and to now be one of the four best in Class (2A), it's just an awesome experience," said the North Central-bound Wleklinski. "My coaches did an excellent job of getting me here and prepared to compete."

Huntley's Marcus Popenfoose provided a scary picture of what the future will look like for the Red Raider junior. In the fall, Popenfoose will line up, all 6-5, 280 pounds at running back for the football team.

"That's going to be great," Popenfoose said. "I can't wait to get started with football."

Before Popenfoose could think about football he had to take care of a little business in the discus and shot put state finals. In the shot put, Popenfoose maintained his place and finished second overall with a best put of 59-11.75.

The discus event was again a battle between Popenfoose and Lake Park senior Dan Block. On his first throw of the state finals, Block took the record back from Popenfoose throwing the disc 205-8 besting the previous mark set by Popenfoose in the Friday prelims.

"Today was a lot different because I couldn't go out and throw before Dan," Popenfoose said. "Today, I was throwing after him and that was a big difference from (Friday)."

Popenfoose ended up second in the event with a new personal best of 199-8. He has now earned three medals in the discus, while picking up his first shot put medal this year.

Just behind Popenfoose in the discus was Cary Grove senior Ryan Psenka. Psenka rode his strong prelim performance to a sixth-place finish with a best toss of 165-11.

While the day was nearly flawless for Huntley and Crystal Lake South, the day went from bad to worse for Dundee-Crown and sophomore standout Anthony Manfrin.

Manfrin ran in the finals of the 3,200-relay with teammates Dan Magnant, Jon Magnant and Nathan Prom. The Chargers competed in a blazingly fast race and wound up 12th in 7:59.55.

Manfrin then took to the track in the much-anticipated 1,600-meter run. In a race that saw a 24-year old state record fall, Manfrin ran a season best 4:14 to place, what he thought, was sixth place overall. Unfortunately, some 20 minutes after the race, Manfrin was informed that he had been disqualified for running out of his zone before the runners merged at the 100-meter stagger.

Bartlett senior Dan Karys earned his first medal in the long jump. His jump of 22-6.5 from Friday's prelims held up for sixth place overall.