Prospect has its eyes on MSL title
Coaches around the Mid-Suburban League admit that to win the conference championship in boys track and field, your team must be 'on' for that given night.
In the case of Prospect, the Knights are hoping it will be their night for the first time in many nights.
Prospect, surprisingly, has the longest drought among the 12 teams in the MSL, having not captured the title since 1970. But the 2010 MSL East champions appear to be in prime position to end the four-decade drought.
"We have come close a bunch of times but it's always about the team that is on, on that night," said Prospect coach Mike Kamedula.
The Knights will join the other members of the MSL at Elk Grove tonight. Prelims are scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. start with finals on the track slated to start at 6:30 p.m.
If Prospect is to end its drought, junior Nick Batcha will play a major role. One of the top sprinters in the area and among the best in the state this spring, Batcha figures to be a major contender in any of the four events he competes in.
The likely plan for the multi-talented Batcha is any combination of the 100 and 200 meters and the long jump. The fourth event could be a relay or the high jump.
Either way, Batcha will be counted on for major points. But he won't be the only one that figures to contribute for Prospect.
Albert Ciolek, Pat Ford and Ken Halloran will also play major roles for the Knights in the middle distance and the distance events. Ciolek likely will highlight what should be an all-star field in the 1,600
In the 1,600, Palatine senior Alec Bollman will enter as the top seed as the Pirates will look to challenge Prospect for the top spot and earn the title for the second time in three years. Bollman will be pushed by an outstanding field that features Ciolek, Rolling Meadows' Photis and Angelos Karkalis, Pat Lesiewicz of Schaumburg and Hoffman Estates' Kyle Gonzalez.
For the final time this spring, figure to see the Iowa State-bound Bollman run the 800. Kevin Reddington of Conant, Marlen Hamilton of Hoffman, Nate Knautz of Hersey and Eric Schneider of Barrington will challenge the top seed.
Back in the sprints, Batcha will face his toughest challenges from Taylor Calacci of Barrington, Ryan Darcy of Buffalo Grove, Weston Ross of Wheeling and David Goings of Conant.
The discus figures to be the most hotly contended field event. Meadows senior Jared Diaz leads a talented field that will feature Tyler Jones of Palatine, Brian Bobek of Fremd, Mark Balmes of Hersey and Anthony Babicz of Prospect.