Boys track and field: Kaneland's Hannula excels at Crystal Lake Central
Windy, rainy and cold conditions.
The miserable weather didn't bother Kaneland senior Clayton Hannula at Friday night's Crystal Lake Central boys track and field invitational.
Hannula, who by his own admission didn't throw his best, won the discus with a throw of 161 feet, 10 inches and the shot put with a heave of 56-9 ½.
Hannula won the discus and was second in the shot put a year ago. He placed third in the Class 2A state meet in 2017 in both events.
"I have to be more mentally stronger and tougher in bad weather," said Hannula. "As the weather gets warmer I want to see my marks get higher. I want to get ready for the sectionals and state meet."
Hannula's effort helped propel the Knights to a first place finish with 134 points.
Dundee-Crown was the runner-up with 113.33 points followed by Antioch in third with 82 points.
Other first place finishers for the Knights were Grant Wilk (pole vault, 12-9), Matt Richtman (3,200, 9:46.78), Drew Gould (110 hurdles, 15.24), and Daniel Occhipinti (1,600, 4:32.07).
The second place Chargers won three individual events and two relays.
In the 800, Adam Swanson was first with a clocking of 2:05.03 followed closely by teammate Jorge Hernandez with a time of 2:05.80.
"I took this meet as just a workout," said Swanson. "I got the lead in the first lap and was able to have enough left at the end to win. I am ready for some warm weather and I can get my times lower. I went to the state meet in cross-country and I want to advance to the state meet in track."
D-C also went 1-2 in the 100 with Dylan Becker winning in a time of 11.28 followed by Kyle Belknap (11.46).
Jason Miller won the 200 (22.94) followed by Belknap (23.04).
The Chargers won the 400 (44.06) and 3200 relays (8:25.75).
Antioch placed third with a score of 82 points.
The Sequoits, without a first place finish, got second place efforts from Nico Fier (pole vault), Matt Becker (shot put), Zach Grindley (long jump), and Charlie Smith (3,200) while Antioch placed second in the 800 relay.
Burlington Central placed fourth with a score of 47.33 points.
The Rockets received first place efforts from Patrick Mayfield (high jump, 5-10) and Connor Wagner (300 hurdles, 40.45).
"I thought I did well in some tough weather," said Wagner. "I really had to concentrate and had the lead most of the way. I had enough kick left at the end. When the weather gets warmer I hope to get my time in the 38s. My goal is to finish in the Top 9 at the Class 2A state meet. There is a lot of tough competition in that event."
Central garnered top accolades in the 1,600 relay with a time of 3:29.73.
Vernon Hills, ninth with 22 points, got a first place finish from Tyler Gonzalez (400, 51.83).