McCue shines, but Batavia dominates team title
The 800- and 1,600-meter runs constitute one of the most mentally and physically exacting twin events in track and field for those athletes who attempt to double in them.
But West Aurora senior Connor McCue was a solitary figure Friday night in Batavia.
McCue broke his own Batavia field house record at the shorter distance to post the top Class 3A time in the state this winter and won the open 1,600 by more than 75 meters at the Coach DiDomenico Invite.
McCue negotiated the 800 run in one minute, 55.19 seconds, only to return three events later for an equally masterful metric mile in 4:24.63.
"I got disqualified last week (at Proviso West)," McCue said of his motivation at 800 meters. "It was a bit of a bummer. I thought they were both good (races). Obviously, the 800 because it was the top mark in the state (was the better race)."
McCue was one of three double individual winners as Batavia dominated the overall title of the six-team meet behind twin champions Jay Hunt and Nick Stuttle.
Hunt established a new personal-best in the high jump by over two inches with his winning effort of 6 feet, 7.5 inches.
The junior came back to win the penultimate running event - the 200 dash - in 23.9 over Burlington Central senior Jason Berango.
Batavia totaled 145.5 points to easily outdistance runner-up Kaneland, Lake Park, Burlington Central, West Aurora and Bartlett.
"I tried 6-8 a couple of meets ago," Hunt said. "I had a really good jump at it. I was way over, but my hip was too low. I think I really want to do both (open sprints and relays for outside).'
Stuttle also captured titles for Batavia in both the field on the track.
The senior started his night with a 21-9 effort in the long jump and edged Bartlett senior Pat Karys by one-hundredth of a second in the 55 hurdles.
There is a certain symmetry for Stuttle in the two events.
"If I get a good mark in the long jump, then it carries over to the hurdles," Stuttle said. "Being good in one events helps me in the other."
Jason Schlicher anchored the Bulldogs' 3,200 relay to another track win in the opening race for Batavia.
"We have a lot of high-quality juniors and sophomores to go along with the seniors as always," Batavia coach Dennis Piron said.
Matt Richtman won the lone Kaneland individual title at 3,200 meters; Tanner Robertson anchored the Knights' championship sprint relays at 800 and 1,600 meters.
Central triple jumper Dionte Smith took advantage of the absence of West Aurora reigning state champion Chris Walker and runner-up DaVion Cross to win in 45-10.5.
West Aurora junior Mike Pryor was the Blackhawks' other title in the 55 dash.
As is typically the case for the storied Lake Park program, the Lancers' heritage in the field continued once again.
Dylan Scheirich, third in the state last spring in the shot put, bettered teammate Chago Basso to win with a throw of 55-8.
"I kind of want to carry on the torch," said Scheirich, committed to Central Missouri for both football and track. "We've had a lot of state champions the last few years. I want to keep the torch going for Lake Park (throwers)."
In the pole vault, the Lancers' Kyle Brown and Ethan Koval were declared joint champions with their 14-foot clearances.
Peter Szkaradek employed his reserve energy to win the 400 in 52.26.
"There was good competition," the senior said. "I have been bothered by my hamstrings. I was barely lifting my knees (over the last lap), but I had enough to hold (Karys) off."