Naperville Central changes its fortunes
Naperville Central’s Tyler Haines did high jump and hurdles as a sophomore. Last year he didn’t even run track.
On Thursday night at the Class 3A Naperville North sectional, the senior became a state qualifier, among a bounty for a Redhawks squad that hadn’t sent an athlete to the state meet since 2009.
“It was really weird that I joined it this year,” Haines said after he, Brandon Lau, Kevin Kulling and Sam Bransby beat the clock in both the 800- and 1,600-meter relays.
Redhawks senior David Goodalis made it in discus, as did both Mike Juretschke and Kevin Rzepczinski in pole vault. The Redhawks’ 3,200 relay of Brad Kouchoukos, Ethan Brodeur, Forrest Thayer and Christian Schafer also will compete at next week’s 3A meet in Charleston.
“I don’t know what my motivation was (to rejoin the team),” Haines said, “but I did and I’ve got good coaches and trained hard and I really improved since the beginning of the year.”
Haines was among many first-time state qualifiers, like Naperville North’s James Kerns, second in the 100 and third in the 200 — right at the qualifying time of 22.24 seconds. Drained after running preliminaries and an 800 relay leg, his smile said it was worth it.
“I can’t say I was too optimistic about the idea of running five races, but it seems to work out at least moderately OK, in retrospect,” Kerns said.
Huskies teammate Kareem Midani switched from triple jump to long jump his senior year. The plan worked. Midani punched his downstate ticket at 22 feet, 7½ inches. His first try was long but a scratch, taking off past the marker board. He backed up a tad and let fly.
“I feel like it’s the competitive spirit that just pushes me,” Midani said. “When I long jump I don’t think about anything. It’s so quick, everything happens so quick. I just let it happen.”
Usual suspects excelled as well. Waubonsie Valley weight men Jamaal Bearden and Riley Kittridge qualified in shot put — Bearden making it on his last spin in finals — and will be joined in discus by Neuqua Valley junior Carlos Varela-Hernandez, a two-time qualifier throwing 160 feet consistently.
It was no shock Neuqua’s Mark Derrick and Taylor Soltys went 1-2 in the 3,200. Later, Derrick kicked past a challenge by Yorkville’s Chris Kellogg to win the 1,600.
Neuqua’s downstate potential, however, may have taken a hit when 2011 400-meter runner-up Jake Bender, pushing it, crossed the finish line and fell to the track, grabbing his left hamstring. Bender placed second to qualify and walked off the track but was unable to anchor the Wildcats’ 1,600 relay. Andy Martinez, Kevin Skrip, Ty Moss and Roland Dewgard heroically took up the challenge but were unable to qualify, which may affect Class 3A standings.
Neuqua Valley did qualify its 400, 800 and 3,200 relays as well as first-timer Andrew Peterson in pole vault at a personal-best 14-3. He joined seven vault qualifiers, including Naperville North’s Nick Lyon.
“I couldn’t let my nerves get to me, which is what happened last year, so I just had to stay focused,” Peterson said.
Waubonsie Valley sends down both its 400 and 1,600 relays, with Dee Gray, Austin Ameri and 300 hurdles winner Kyle Schafer running on both. Sophomore James Travis won triple jump at 44 feet, 1 inch to reach the grail.
“I really just wanted to hit like a 43-something this year,” said Travis, who prepped with a sound sleep and a good breakfast. “I didn’t think I’d make it to state this year. It’s a great experience. I’m really excited.”
Minooka won the sectional with 80 points, 2 more than Neuqua Valley. Waubonsie Valley was third with 72.60 points. Naperville North and Naperville Central tied for seventh and West Aurora followed in ninth.
West Aurora’s Aaron Kennebrew shook off his right heel injury, which came on a 44-foot triple jump at the DuPage Valley Conference meet, to qualify in that event.
The heel bothered him in high jump, as he looked out of sorts in his approaches and failed to make 5-11 and the finals.
Heading to the triple jump finals — squeaking into the ninth and last position — he had support in parents Alan and Angela and family friend Randy Norman.
“My family kept telling me mind over matter, mind over matter,” said the Blackhawks junior. “And that’s what I just kept telling myself and eventually I couldn’t feel it anymore. I just kept jumping. I had so much adrenaline going, I was shaking. You have no idea. But I’m glad I pulled it together.
Kennebrew went from 41-6 entering the finals to 42-10½ and then 43-6 for second place and a berth at the 3A state meet.
“(West Aurora jumps coach Chuck Hilby) just told me to put one out there, and that’s exactly what I did,” Kennebrew said.
The Blackhawks also qualified the 3,200 relay of Calvin Robinson, Zach Truckenbrod, Vontrel Hawkins and Brandon McKay. A rough handoff foiled what looked to be a qualifying 800 relay.
“It was real close on a couple of fronts,” said West Aurora coach Cortney Lamb.