Boys track/Fox Valley sectional preview
Larkin senior Lamonte Norwood did not have an auspicious start to his triple-jumping career in high school.
“I started doing the triple jump in the outdoor season last year,” he said. “Honestly, I was terrible at it. I was jumping in the mid 30s.”
He’s not terrible at it anymore.
Norwood has won county and conference titles in the triple jump this year and has his sights set on a berth in next weekend’s Class 3A state finals in Charleston.
Norwood and his Larkin teammates will compete in the Class 3A Bartlett sectional at Streamwood’s Millennium Field today.
“I wish I would have started sooner,” Norwood stated. “Sophomore year I told the coach I didn’t think that was cool or any fun. It turns out I have potential in it, so I’ve kept going.”
Norwood has continued to work on various nuances of his jump and has seen sparking results.
“My technique and form are better,” he said. “My coach always tells me that I need to get more speed when I approach the board. He told me to stretch out more and that actually works. I was at a 42 (feet) or a 43 and now I’m at 45.”
Norwood, who went 44-11 ½ to win the conference title, has himself zeroed in on his ultimate goal — getting to Charleston.
“I have to go out there and be strong,” he said. “To be successful at sectionals, I have to jump 45 or get in the top two. I’m going to keep focusing on myself and not worry about the other competition.”
Norwood said he usually hits his best jump on this second or third try.
“There is that saying that your last jump is your best jump,” he added. “Mine usually comes second or third. As long as I hit it, I should be fine. I have to have confidence when I go out there and keep myself prepared and ready to go.”
In addition to Larkin, host Bartlett, Elgin, South Elgin and Streamwood will be in the field where the top two finishers in each event and any individual or relay team equaling or eclipsing the minimum state-qualifying standard will head to Charleston.
The area Fox Valley Conference teams will head to Rockford for the Class 3A Rockford Guilford sectional today.
Dundee-Crown senior hurdler Max Kittle is fresh off a double conference championship performance in the 110 and 300 hurdles.
“I need to start well in the 300 hurdles,” Kittle said of his strategy in that race for the sectional. “I think if I can do that that will really push more below the 40 (-second mark).”
State-qualifying in the 300 hurdles 39.6. Kittle ran 39.17 at the FVC meet. He ran a 14.79 in the 110s at conference.
“I’ve been doing the same thing in the 110s all year. I think the key there has been repetition,” he said. “I need more work in the 300s. I need to pace myself more. With the 300s, everybody is on a staggered start as opposed to the 110s. You could be in Lane 8 and think you are ahead. You have to get out quick.”
Cary-Grove’s Anthony Golowach won conference titles in both the high jump (6-3) and the 400 (49.37).
“With the 400, it’s mainly been the work I’ve put in during practice,” he said. “I usually go all out or 90-95 percent the first 100 and then the next 200 I float and keep a steady pace and then the last 100, whatever is left, I just push myself.”
Golowach joked he hasn’t gotten better in the high jump this year. He went 6-9 last year and has gone as high as 6-8 this year.
“I’m hoping to get back to 6-9 at sectionals,” he said. “I would like to stay in that area.”
Golowach is no stranger to the state finals. He qualified in the 200 as a sophomore and the high jump last year.
“I would love to get back there,” he said.
Golowach said there is a possibility of him running in the 1,600 relay as well.
“They have run a 3:24 before, which is pretty good,” he said. “Hopefully I can help them even more.”
Teammate Josh Freeman won the conference shot put and discus titles a week ago. Freeman went 56-2 in the shot and 169-11 in the discus. State-qualifying in Class 3A in the shot is 52-11 and 155-0 in the discus — marks Freeman has waved goodbye to in the rearview mirror already.
“I’ve had a big improvement in the shot put,” he said. “I’ve improved my PR (personal record) 11-1 since sophomore year and my discus has gone up 25 feet.”
Freeman would like to get his work out of the way quickly today.
“My goal is to hit the qualifying mark on the first throw in each event,” he said. “I’d like to get that out of the way and then compete for a sectional title.”
Huntley, Jacobs and Crystal Lake South will also compete at Rockford Guilford.
In Class 1A, St. Edward, Elgin Academy and Westminster Christian will be at the Rockford Christian sectional.
Westminster Christian is paced by seniors Ian Dutcher (shot put) and Steven Hoeflich (400 and 800), along with junior Josh Beachler (100 and 200). Coach Larry Cochran also has high hopes for his 400 relay team of Josh Palmer, Hoeflich, Beachler and Travis Battle (alternates Greg Benson and Michael Sleeting).