Burlington Central looking for banner year
It's shaping up to be a good year on Rocket Hill.
Burlington Central boys track and field coach Mike Schmidt has high hopes for a successful season with three returning state qualifiers and a bevy of returnees and newcomers who performed well during the indoor season.
"Once we get over a couple of injuries and put this whole team together we'll be tough," Schmidt said. "I think we're the favorite for (the Big Northern) conference. And if it wasn't for Kaneland we'd have a chance at the (Class 2A Sterling) sectional. Kaneland is awfully tough."
The Rockets had their five-year string of Big Northern titles snapped when they finished third in the BNC last season, not a bad finish considering the teams ahead of them - Oregon and Winnebago - took first and second place, respectively, at the Class 1A state meet.
Some reasons for Central's optimism are its returning qualifiers. Senior Mitch Plum reached state in the 400, and junior Tre Llanes qualified in the triple jump. Plum and Kyle Kita were both members of Central's state-qualifying 400- and 800-meter relay teams.
Llanes' triple jump of 45 feet, 6 inches during the indoor season ranks second in the state this year and eclipsed his 2009 sectional jump by over three feet. An All-Area football running back, he is also one of the Rockets' best hurdlers and a quality high jumper.
Another talented high jumper is senior Cam Ostrowski, who has already cleared 6-4. He finished fifth at the indoor Top Times meet in Bloomington last Saturday.
Central will be strong in most field events. Senior shot putter Justin Ott won the Big Northern indoor meet with a throw of 48-3, and senior pole vaulter Matt Laurich finished third at the Top Times meet (13 feet). High jumper Brent Ferstl cleared 5-10 in a meet at Carthage College last week. Junior Evan Billek took second at the indoor conference meet in the long jump (19-9). Jumper Brandon Westergaard and discus thrower Rob Bolster will earn the team points.
The Rockets remain strong on the track, thanks in part to a talented collection of sophomore distance runners. Clint Kliem is a two-time cross country state qualifier who just missed making it to the state track meet last year in the open 800. He was part of a 3,200-meter relay team that took seventh at the Top Times meet alongside sophomores Mike Gulik, Joe Gannon and senior Nick Laggett.
A versatile runner, Kliem will compete in events ranging from the 400 to the two-mile race. "We're looking for him to make some noise at state," Schmidt said.
Gulik will push Kliem in the 800 and compete in the 400. Gannon will run the 800 and the mile. Laggett will run the open 800 and relays. Tyler Panariello was a member of the 800-meter relay team that traveled to Charleston last year.
Sprints will be handled by junior Brian Peltonen and sophomore Parker DeMoss, who is nursing an early season hip flexor injury. Junior Mike Kellenberger and Llanes give the Rockets a "nice 1-2 punch" in hurdling events, Schmidt said.
The main goals for the Rockets are to reclaim their perch atop the BNC and qualify multiple individuals for Charleston.
"I don't think we're state trophy material, but we have a very good invitational team," Schmidt said. "I think we'll get a lot of guys to the state meet."
Hampshire: The Whip-Purs will be led by returning state qualifier Ray Quesada, a junior. He made state last season in the 300 intermediate hurdles and "looked strong" in the much shorter 55-meter hurdles at Top Times last week, according to ninth-year coach Steve Bruhn.
Other returning Whips include senior middle distance runners Tanner Holman and Robert Murphy. Jared Butler can score points in the 800, mile and two-mile. Newcomer Lorenzo Brandon, a junior, shows promise in sprints and jumps.
"As usual, we want to qualify as many guys downstate as possible, keep improving times in the distance races as we go through the season and have a strong finish," Bruhn said.
St. Edward: Senior Shane Finnane is a returning Class 1A state qualifier in the shot put. A weight room devotee, he looks to improve on last year's sectional qualifying throw of 44-10. Sophomore Evan Finnane lifts as adamantly as his older brother and could develop into a force in the shot and discus.
Senior Nick Kerger is a strong sprinter. He'll compete in the 100, 200 and sprint relays along with senior David Smith and first-time track competitor, senior Sam Pozezinski. Ryan Murray missed state by 10 seconds in the 800 last year. Second-year coach Sean Collins said Murray has improved and he expects good results.
The 22-man program will get a boost from transfer Mark Olenek (Marian Central), a natural runner able to compete in the 100, 200, 400 or 800. His freshman brother, Kevin, will add depth. Sophomore transfer Daniel Jaimes (Larkin) was one of the school's fastest football players at the lower levels. Senior Chris Brumfield is a raw high jumping talent. He finished sixth at the sectional last year after just two meets.
Westminster Christian: Senior Ishmael Yomeh, ineligible last year after he arrived from Ghana, has already turned heads this season against larger schools with his natural speed. He posted a 10.9 in the 100 this week. Yemoh and talented freshman Travis Battle will provide scoring in sprint events.
Senior Nate Suire finished third at the Class 1A sectional last season in the 800. Senior Ryan Beachler (200, 800 relay) and sophomore Josh Beachler (sprints, sprint relays) are points producers. Junior Stephen Hoeflich is the top Warrior out of the blocks and will be counted on in the sprint relays.
This is the year Westminster's fledgling track program expects to qualify athletes for the state meet for the first time. "With our talent and experience, I expect us to place in the top three in the sectional as a team, I'm really confident in that," third-year coach Larry Cochran said. "We should qualify at least two individuals and two relays to state. No way Ishmael won't get downstate unless he's injured."