Track world converges on Prospect, Palatine
The unofficial midway point of the 2010 track and field season has hit for the boys, and it's almost fitting the two best teams in the area - Prospect and Palatine - are hosting two of the higher-profile invites of the season this weekend.
As per tradition, the Knights kick off the weekend at one of the most prestigious invites in the state each year - their own Wanner Invitational.
Prelims and field events start around 5 p.m. with the finals under the lights slated for a 7 p.m. start.
The star power rolling into Gattas Stadium on Friday night includes Zion-Benton, Niles North, Lane Tech and of course, perennial champion contender York.
But before everyone lines up to hand the Dukes another team trophy, the hosts just might have something to say about who wins the team race.
Led by one of the most dynamic juniors in the state in Nick Batcha, the Knights are poised to begin the second season by claiming the top spot at the meet for the first time in recent history.
"It's hard to think about winning a meet like this because there are so many great teams and great individuals competing," said Prospect coach Mike Kamedula.
Batcha provides Prospect with something it hasn't had in years - pure speed. Batcha is one of the area's best in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and has helped the Knights to impressive efforts in the 400 and 800 relays. Zion-Benton, Niles North and York will all test the Knights sprinter, depending upon what Batcha chooses.
It turns out that Batcha could be at his best in the jumps, where his 22-1 effort this past week is among the 10 best long jumps in the state this spring.
The signature event at this meet is the first varsity race - the 3,200-meter relay. This is a race Prospect annually shoots for, but a race that York seems to dominate.
"How can you not get pumped up for that race considering the history at that meet?" said York junior Jack Driggs. "The competition is so good it just pumps you up, and I know as a team we shoot for that meet and that race every year."
Driggs and his York teammates will have to contend with Prospect, Hersey, Maine West and Lane Tech in what should be another great race.
One event that figures to steal some of the spotlight is the 1,600 run. Loyola standout Nico Composto headlines a field that is consistently among the state's best each year. Driggs and Prospect's Albert Ciolek figure to be right on his heels.
Palatine Relays: On Saturday, one of the state's oldest and most historic meets kicks off its 77th edition with the Palatine Relays at 9 a.m. The afternoon session kicks off around 1 p.m. after the running of the alumni mile.
The mile could be one of the best in recent Relays history. Recent Iowa State signee Alec Bollman of Palatine headlines a very good field this year. Bollman has one of the top times in the state of 4:18.1 and is a serious state title contender in this event.
"This is always a great meet because of the history," Bollman said. "To stand on the podium at home in front of your fans is just great."
Bollman will have his work cut out for him with competitors such as Barrington senior Chris Cogswell and Lakes freshman Ryan Prais in the picture.
The field events have a unique flair to them this year with Huntley standout Marcus Popenfoose headlining a great field in the discus, and Weston Ross from Wheeling in the high jump.
The Auburn-bound Popenfoose will see great competition from Brian Bobek of Fremd, John Pfeiffer of Lakes and Tyler Jones of Palatine. Jones is just a few feet away from achieving the school record in the disc.
"I have been thinking about that record for a long time," Jones said. "It would be so great to get it on Saturday."