WW South puts a bow on Ribbon
How high was the talent level at Saturday’s Red Ribbon Classic boys track meet at Waubonsie Valley?
The field contained two Class 3A teams that finished in the top 10 at state last season and one Class 2A top 10 placer. Also on hand were two 3A teams that earned top 20 finishes.
And when the 1,600-meter relay finished, Wheaton Warrenville South was the top team for this year’s windy edition. The Tigers scored 105 points, followed by the hosts with 91.5 and Thornwood in third (86.5). Neuqua Valley was fifth (70.5). It was the Tigers’ second straight Red Ribbon title.
“The kids did a great job. They kept plugging away and with the weather conditions that was not easy,” Tigers coach Ken Helberg said.
Athletes were no less aware of the level of competition they were facing.
“It’s very tough. A lot of schools with a lot of fast people,” WW South hurdler Steve Franke said.
In a meet like this, a team’s depth comes to the forefront, and depth certainly helped the Tigers, who earned second, third-, fourth- or fifth-place finishes in 12 events.
WW South’s lone victory came in the 800-meter relay as Charlie Pinedo, Dan Vitale, Titus Davis and Andrew Dabisch crossed the finish first in 1 minute, 30.30 seconds.
Waubonsie Valley finished in eighth place in Class 3A last year at state. Hopes are strong for a good postseason again for the Warriors and this meet is part of the process.
“It’s real simple. In order to be the best, you have to race against the best,” Warriors coach Kevin Rafferty said. “We did not make the fastest times. But it was good competition and we took a step in the right direction.”
It was a big day for Warriors senior Owen Saldana. He not only won both the discus and shot put but set meet records in doing both. He won the discus with a throw of 182 feet, 7 inches and the shot put with an effort of 56-11.5.
“I feel real good. I didn’t know how the wind would affect things,” Saldana said. “Coach (Roger) Einbecker has been helping me get the little stuff right. I’m getting closer to the marks that I want to be at.”
Waubonsie’s Danny Tucker won the 100 in 10.70 but reaggravated a hamstring injury and couldn’t finish the meet. Tucker was taken to the training room and after the meet the extent of the injury was unknown. Rafferty said he’ll err on the side of caution and rest Tucker if needed so he can be ready for the sectional competition.
The Warriors play host to Metea Valley on Tuesday followed by the DuPage County meet on May 6 and then the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division meet May 12.
Neuqua Valley won two events. Jacob Bender won the 200 in 21.50 and Mark Derrick won the 1,600 in 4:30.50. Derrick, about midway through the race, made his move to win.
“I just decided in the last two laps to go take it out,” Derrick said.
It was the first meet this season that Derrick only competed in the 1,600. But he said he’ll stick with the 3,200 for the postseason as his times are better in that event.
The lone Tri-Cities school at the meet, St. Charles North, won three events. Oshay Hodges won the high jump with a height of 6-1, Brandon Baymon won the 400 and Bill Clink won the 3,200.
It was Clink’s first 3,200 race.
“Me and Declan (Duggan, who finished fourth in 9:53.40) were aiming for top five. Every move we made, we tried to make together,” he said.