Healthy or not, Grant’s Wells is cookin’

When Grant senior Sean Wells is feeling good, there is nothing scarier for opponents. When Wells is feeling poorly, there is still nothing scarier for opponents.

Take the North Suburban Conference meet as an example.

Wells missed practice most of the week due to a lingering illness and was barely able to make it through the finals of the 200 meters.

“I just knew I had to keep my focus and concentrate on the task at hand, which was to win a conference title,” Wells said. “I knew if I stayed focused on that, I could handle it.”

Wells has handled most every obstacle he has faced in his four years at Grant. Now he is prepared to take on all comers at Grand Valley State University in Michigan next season, as he is signed to run for the Lakers next season.

“I loved it up there,” Wells said. “The coaches were great, the facilities. All of it was just great. I knew it was the right kind of place for me.”

The right place for Wells most times is in the kitchen. As much as he loves taking down the hurdles and winning races for the Bulldogs, whipping up a batch of jambalaya or lasagna gives Wells the same kind of joy.

Even his younger brother and teammate Jonathan thinks so.

“Yeah, I guess he can cook,” Jonathan said. “But he learned it all from me.”

One thing that Wells figures to pass along to his talented younger brother is his tremendous work ethic. Wells has established himself as one of the best hurdlers in the state. He has been to state in the 110 high hurdles the last two years, finishing seventh last season. Today in downstate Charleston, he is making his second appearance in the 300 hurdles. He still seeks the school record held by 2005 medalist Eric Horvath.

“I think that is something that still motivates him because he is so close,” first-year Grant coach Tom Evans said.

This weekend Wells will face a great challenge in a pair of hurdles races that are simply loaded. But Wells seemingly takes it in stride no matter who he races against.

“I go into each race with a goal,” he said. “Whether it is striding, or getting to a hurdle by a certain time, I have a goal for each race.”

Wells also has seemingly flown under the radar around the rest of the state, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I think he takes that as a challenge,” Evans said. “He likes to race against the best and he works so hard to be the best, so he welcomes the challenge.”

Wells will have plenty of company at the state meet this weekend. Here is a look at some of Lake County’s best competing at state this weekend.

Ÿ 3,200 relay — Lake Zurich was a high medalist in this event two years ago and is in prime position to do it again this year. John Ramirez was on the relay that placed fifth in 2010. Warren will also compete in Class 3A, while Grayslake Central will compete in Class 2A.

Ÿ 400 relay — Grayslake North’s wild ride will take the Knights to their first state meet in this event in their short history. Alex Rotter, Jake Geary, Andrew Soulis and Brendon Uribe make up the Knights’ group. The crosstown rival Rams will race in 2A.

Ÿ 3,200 run — Will Brewster of Grayslake Central is no stranger to this event. He medaled as a freshman and is a heavy favorite to do so again. Martin Martinez of Warren will race in his first state meet in 3A.

Ÿ 110 high hurdles — Wells is one of the top five seeds in this event for Grant and should be in the middle of the track Saturday in a loaded event. Tommy Barnes of Stevenson will race downstate for the first time as a sectional champion. Brian Kadowaki of Carmel will also race at state for the first time in Class 2A.

Ÿ 100 dash — Stevenson’s James Vestuto will be plenty busy at state and this is his first race of the afternoon in 3A. Shaun Beutlich of Lakes and Class 2A sectional champ Devonta Jennings of Grayslake Central will battle for medal spots.

Ÿ 800 run — This event could produce the first state champion in Grayslake Central history, as Butler-bound senior Luke Zygmunt is one of the favorites in Class 2A. Danny Gardiner of Stevenson will race in his first state meet in 3A.

Ÿ 800 relay — Grayslake North and Stevenson will be in hot pursuit of a very fast field. Vestuto leads a Patriots group that includes Parker Deloye, Kiwhan Kim and Carl Miller. Grayslake Central is back for the third year in a row in 2A.

Ÿ 400 dash — After shaking the rust off at the conference meet two weeks ago, Round Lake senior Antonio Farley looked like a state title contender at sectionals last week. The Illinois State-bound Farley will be joined by Mike Rantis of Lake Zurich in 3A and Trevor Ray of Lakes, Christian Horcher of Carmel and Leroy Chapman of Antioch in 2A.

Ÿ 300 hurdles — Wells will be up for his second race in his second shot at a medal spot. AJ Wilson of Libertyville will get his shot at a medal as well. Travis Gantz of Antioch will race in 2A.

Ÿ 1,600 run — It’s hard to pick which mile race at state will be better. Will it be the 2A race, where Zygmunt and Brewster will battle? Or the 3A race, where returning medalist Pat Juras of Lake Zurich and Libertyville teammates Easton Huch and Shane Reilly will shoot for medals?

Ÿ 200 dash — Vestuto’s final race will come in a hot sprint field. Gabe Cotton of Vernon Hills is a serious medal contender in 2A and will be joined by Dan Lonski of Antioch.

Ÿ 1,600 relay — This event has become a source of pride for outgoing Lake Zurich coach Chad Beaver. Last season, the fourth-place finish was the best ever for the Bears. Warren will race there too, as will Carmel, Antioch and Lakes in Class 2A.

Ÿ field events — Matt Dziedzic of Libertyville has been a pleasant surprise and will get his shot in the shot put. Two more surprises came at sectionals in the discus. Ben Guhl of Grayslake North and Michael Dolan of Stevenson earned trips to state. Joey Valdivia of Grayslake Central will throw in two events for the first time, as he tries to become a three-sport all-state athlete this year. Ty Summers of Lakes looks to keep the throwing events alive for the Eagles.

Jonathan Wells of Grant and Deloye will battle in the high jump, as will Troy Swindel of Lakes in 2A.

Chris Bednarski will represent Wauconda in the long jump with Carmel senior Brendan Zawaski. Kadowaki will compete in the pole vault.