Prospect again harbors high hopes
The law of averages has to finally catch up with Prospect, and perhaps this is the year.
The Knights have been close to the top of the Mid-Suburban League many times, with second- or third-place finishes in each of the last eight seasons.
Prospect, along with the 11 other MSL teams, will gather at Palatine for the 45th league championships tonight. Prelims start at 5 p.m., with finals on the track slated for a 6:45 start.
This year looks even better than most. Is this the year?
“We hope so,” Prospect coach Mike Kamedula said.
In order for the Knights to take home their first conference title since 1970, Ohio State-bound senior Nick Batcha will need to perform at his typical level. Batcha is seeded second to Ryan Darcy of Buffalo Grove in the 100-meter dash and is the top seed in the 200 dash and long jump.
Batcha will also add the 400 to his arsenal as Prospect tries to rack up all the points it can. Senior Andre Barnes will team with Batcha in that race in hopes for a 1-2 Knights finish.
Prospect also boasts some of the best distance runners in the conference, and senior Kellen Strobel will also be counted on for big points. Strobel will battle through a loaded 1,600 field that features Fremd senior Andy Mack, Schaumburg’s Connor Prizy, and top seed Erik Peterson of Barrington.
Peterson will try for a distance double for the Broncos, as he is the top-seed in the 3,200-meter run as well.
Chasing the Knights will be MSL West champion Fremd and defending overall league champion Palatine.
The Pirates will relay on David DiCristofano, Tim Johnson and Ryan McGough to try and defend their crown.
Fremd has been solid in the sprints all spring and with the emergence of senior Eric Wolski, the Vikings have the athletes to keep up with Prospect. David Ferguson, Justin Wallace, Christian Vail and Jerrell Lewis will be counted on for big points for the Vikings.
Ohio State-bound senior Brian Bobek will try for a repeat conference crown for the Vikings as the top seed in the shot and discus. Bobek’s 60 foot, 3-inch toss is among the five best in the state this spring.
One of the best races on the track will come early in the 110 high hurdles. Conant junior Ben Bowers is the top seed, but Ryan Ward of Prospect, Shepard Little of Schaumburg and Dave Mellado of Fremd will have plenty to say about how that race is won.
The 300 hurdles should be just as tight with Bowers, Lewis, Ward and Skay Nusenu of Elk Grove battling for the top spot.
If the meet comes down to the final relay, Fremd, Prospect, Palatine and Wheeling will all be right in the middle of the track to decide it.