Balanced West Aurora claims DVC championship

Tenure apparently doesn't count for a whole lot on this year's West Aurora boys track team.

"We have a very young team," said Blackhawks senior high jumper Aviance King. "These freshmen, sophomores and even the juniors, they are working hard. We've got to (say), 'Hold on, We're the seniors, we've got to show you all up.' They're kind of showing us up in practice."

At Friday's DuPage Valley Conference indoor meet the seniors held up their end.

King, shot putter Tony Ellison and particularly blistering sprinter Leon Spears all won their events to lead West Aurora to its second indoor title in three years with 121 points. Closest behind were host Wheaton Warrenville South (102.5) and Wheaton North (77).

"We were very well balanced," said Blackhawks coach Cortney Lamb, fielding another ace squad despite graduating the likes of Josh Zinzer, Kevin Costin and Marcus Cocroft.

"We scored points on the field events, we scored points in the sprints with Leon and then we scored points in the distance. It was awesome," Lamb said.

Spears, who would have been man of the meet if one had been named, personally scored more points than two teams.

After junior hurdler Marcus Waller won the 55-meter hurdles, Spears won the 55-meter dash, the 200 and the 400, reeling in WW South junior Andrew Dabisch to win the longest race.

"I'm pretty satisfied," said Spears. "Last year I didn't even get first in anything, I was like third (in the 200 and 400). Didn't even make finals for the 55. I just feel stronger and it paid off in the end."

It also paid off at the start, knowing he had strong-like-bull teammate Ellison bracing his starting block. Ellison won shot put at 52 feet, 21/4 inches.

"Like pushing off a wall, it kind of helps," Spears said. "It's also a mental thing. It might not help a lot but psychologically it's helping me."

King, an all-state high jumper each of the last two outdoor seasons, had to win a jumpoff against Wheaton North's Austin Cristofaro. He did, taking the title by an inch at 6 feet, 4 inches.

"I got first," he said afterward, "now I'm trying to cheer up my team to help them get first."

He did and they did, aided by some of those underclassmen he'd praised: distance runners Matt Muth, Ryan Bartell and Steve Loran, and Matt Souvannasing in the horizontal jumps. The Blackhawks also earned second-place finishes in each of the three relays.

"The kids tried really hard and it was a real team effort," Lamb said.