Stevenson's Bartlow proves value of work ethic
While most people were only dreaming of green grass and warmer weather during another long, cold Chicago winter, Stevenson senior Tyler Bartlow was training for the 2009 track season.
Whether it was early mornings on the indoor track at Stevenson or long runs in the snow and cold outside in January, Bartlow put in the work.
By the looks of things, the training is paying off.
On Thursday night at the Lake County boys track and field invitational at Mundelein, Bartlow put his training to the test in the 1,600-meter run. On a night that was far different weather-wise than anything Bartlow trained in over the winter, the Notre Dame-bound standout shined.
Leading from start to finish, Bartlow, who was named a National Merit Scholar earlier this week, controlled the race and at times looked effortless in his win. His clocking of 4:23.80 is a season best.
"The race just felt comfortable," Bartlow said. "Tonight the weather was perfect. It was easier for me to take control of the race at the start and that's what I did."
Bartlow helped Stevenson finish fifth with 54 points. Lake Forest captured the team title with 99 points, holding off runner-up Deerfield.
While a veteran starred in the mile for the Patriots, an up-and-coming sophomore showed signs of things to come. Brandon Stryganek earned a pair of third-place medals in the 100- and 200-meter dashes - both in sparkling times. His 100 time in prelims broke the school record (10.6), while his 200 time 22.5 was a season best.
Derek Chmielewski was the Patriots' only other event winner as he captured the shot put with a winning toss of 53-2.
It's becoming pretty clear that there is little Barrington senior Ryan Mangone can't do on the track. Mangone won all three races he ran - but his anchor leg on the 1,600-meter relay team to close the meet had everyone at Mundelein buzzing.
Trailing Warren and Lake Forest into the final leg by more than 5 meters, Mangone took the baton from teammate Kevin Crowley and quickly reeled in the front runners. As the runners headed down the backstretch, Mangone caught and passed each runner and blew past them as if they were standing still.
When he crossed the finish line, Mangone closed out the relay in a 47.5 split and helped teammates Kurt Stanke, Eric Schneider and Crowley to a season-best time of 3:22.2.
"I don't really like being the guy that is in the lead," said Mangone, who also anchored the Broncos' 3,200-relay team to a win and won the 400-meter dash in a season-best time of 48.7. "When I am in front, it gives other guys something to chase after. So I would rather be the guy that catches the leaders than the other way around."
Sam Ojuri and Jason Taylor had the Broncos' other individual wins. Ojuri took the long jump (22-0), and Taylor held off a hard charge from Wauconda's Sean Lichterman to win the 110 high hurdles in 14.7.
Warren had one of its best racing days of the season as the Blue Devils' sprint relays were impressive. The 400 and 800 relay teams both captured titles as Chet Michna. Leonard Brady, Kyle Ward and Trevor Raupp ran to victories.
Senior Karsen Green was the Devils' lone individual event winner as he took the 800-meter run in a season-best 1:56.6.
Lake Zurich's Gerry Perez captured the 3,200-meter run in a season-best time of 9:31.9. Cameron White captured Antioch's lone event win, taking the 100 in 10.8.