Boys track and field: Geneva crowns four champions to win boys home invite
Ryan Kredell has unfinished business for his spring sports season.
"I have been super motivated because my previous track seasons haven't gone too well," the Geneva distance runner said. "After having a positive finish in cross country (all-state), I wanted to keep the momentum up."
In one of the marquee races of the Vikings' Van Deveer Invitational, Kredell outgunned St. Charles North miler Ryan Arnold to win a classic 1,600-meter showdown in 4 minutes, 33.37 seconds.
Ben Calusinski had earlier headlined a Geneva sweep in the 3,200 run; Cody Machlet and Frank Martin also paced 1-2 finishes for the Vikings in the long jump and shot put.
With the top-two place-winners in three events, Geneva 182 (points) captured its home invitational over Dundee-Crown (141.5), St. Charles North 131), Burlington Central (94), Larkin (57), West Chicago (48.5) and Reavis (28).
"It's a good thing we vary practice in the distances between 800, 1,600 and 3,200 (meters)," Calusinski said. "I am getting the feel for the 32 for outdoors because I haven't run it yet."
Jason Miller and Trevor Fed were double winners for Dundee-Crown.
After collaborating for a dominant win in the 800 relay, Miller and Fed won respective individual titles in the 200 dash and long jump.
"I enjoy that event a lot," Miller said of his twin triumphs at the distance. "The wind has been on and off, so you have to adjust to it. The key (to the relay) was consistency."
Miller won the final individual race in 22.76; Fed claimed the long jump at 20 feet, 11 inches.
Eastern Illinois University-bound senior standout Adam Swanson won the 800 for D-C in 1:59.19.
St. Charles North used its sprint corps to major effect Saturday afternoon at the coed meet.
Josh DiNatale and Jacob Aalfs were the bookends of the North Stars' 400 relay championship quartet.
The former won the 100 dash a short time later in 11.37.
Aalfs and Ben Cook were first and second for the North Stars in the 400 in 52.01 and 52.31.
"It feels nice, knowing that I'm a sophomore," DiNatale said of winning the shortest sprint. "I am running against guys who are 18, 17 years old."
"The 400 is my race," Aalfs said. "I am excited to keep that up and see where it goes."
Returning pole vault state qualifier Gil Braglia was also a champion in his specialty event at 13 feet.
Larkin lone state qualifier Jahari Stubbs denied Burlington returning all-state sprint relay member Connor Weber to win both hurdles events.
"I just got stronger over the offseason," Stubbs said. "When I came back to run, it feels so much more easier."