Rain just can't dampen star power at Prospect
It was another typical night that turned out to be anything but typical at the 42nd running of the Wanner Knight Invite at Prospect on Friday.
The stars were out early in the sprints, the 3,200-meter run and the jumping and throwing events, but ultimately the only winner was Mother Nature.
For the first time in the history of one of the state's most prestigious in-season invites, heavy rains and lightning forced a stop to the meet after 12 events.
The York Dukes amassed 64 points through the dozen events scored to become the unofficial champion. But even with the inclement weather, outstanding performances could still be found.
The best race on this shortened night was the 3,200-meter run. With stars featured from all over the state of Illinois, two local standouts made the finish of this race one to remember.
York junior Jack Driggs appeared to have the race all to himself as he headed into the final 150 meters of the grueling 3,200. But seemingly out of nowhere, through the rain and wind came Schaumburg senior Pat Lesiewicz.
As the field headed into the home stretch, Driggs didn't see what everyone else at Gattas Memorial Stadium did - Lesiewicz, charging hard from the outside. With 50 meters remaining, Lesiewicz briefly passed Driggs.
Refusing to relent even an inch in the race, Driggs finally saw Lesiewicz and quickly put the Schaumburg star behind him, pulling away to win in an impressive 9:12.84 to 9:13.18 for Lesiewicz.
"I didn't see him at all," Driggs said. "Then when I did, I knew I had to do whatever I could to win that race. I mean Pat is a great runner, I knew he wasn't going to go away."
For his part, Lesiewicz dropped three full seconds off his personal best with the second place finish.
"I can't be unhappy with the race at all," Lesiewicz said. "Maybe I could have waited a little longer, but I am still very happy with my race."
Another star who wasn't slowed by the adverse conditions was Prospect junior Nick Batcha. In what turned out to be his toughest field of competition to date, Batcha showed that he is now a legitimate contender for a medal at the state meet next month.
In the middle of the track in the finals of the 100-meter dash, Batcha seemingly blocked out all of his surroundings. From the seven other runners in the race to the heavy downpour, nothing was going to stop this emerging star from capturing a title.
Out of the blocks Batcha was first. To the middle of the track, he still was - and when he crossed the finish line in 10.92, Batcha was again first.
"I got a great start," said Batcha, who also placed second in the long jump with a 21-5.5 effort. "I didn't notice the rain or anything else; I just blocked it all out."
The Knights, who are starting to show signs of a great sprint corps, broke a school mark in the 800-meter relay. Sophomores Chris Meersman, Nick Meersman and Vito Anzalone teamed with senior Joe Mack to run a 1:31.21 clocking that smashed the Prospect record.
Other event winners included Hersey sophomore Mark Balmes in the discus with a throw of 152-6 and Mike Conneely of Maine West taking the shot put with a toss of 52-4.5.