Better weather can't come soon enough for area track teams
The quirks of Mother Nature have been particularly cruel to the track and field teams this spring.
The sport encompasses virtually the whole second semester of the school year, and the events take on an entirely different character when it moves outdoors.
The repetitiveness and limitations of the indoor season give way to a psychological unleashing of emotions and greater opportunity with the onset of the outdoor campaign.
But the rash of cancellations and postponements due to inclement weather has taken a toll.
"It seems as though the season has been pushed back a week," Batavia girls coach Chad Hillman said.
"It's kind of frustrating," Geneva girls coach Peter Raak said. "The girls have been working so hard in practice, and we don't have anything to show for it."
"It is so hard to get a gauge right now," West Aurora girls coach Teresa Towles said.
"We've been moderately lucky so far," St. Charles North boys coach Kevin Harrington said. "The biggest thing with the weather has been not being able to train outside."
Batavia aims for repeat: The Batavia girls team is poised to duplicate its feat of consecutive Friday nights from last season; that is, the Bulldogs are looking to sweep titles at their invite tonight and the county title at Streamwood next week.
The Bulldogs have an enviable combination of individual brilliance, depth, experience and a dedicated coaching staff that make them a threat at every meet.
Junior superstar Natalie Tarter draws plenty of attention, and classmate Melissa Norville is ready for a breakout season. In addition, the emergence of sophomore standouts Alexa Sampson and Kathryn Warner cannot be discounted.
But the squad also has its fair share of unsung heroes.
Batavia annually has a strong cadre of sprinters to anchor its relays, and senior Brooke Bernardoni has been particularly effective.
"(Bernardoni) is doing an awesome job," Hillman said. "She is having a really strong year for us. She is going to be a factor in the mile relay for us."
Lisa Reger is another experienced sprinter for the Bulldogs, and Hillman also considers himself blessed in the pole vault with Warner and Allison Moran as state threats.
Julia Gross is yet another key member of the Bulldogs' rich sophomore class, and the team has high hopes for its 3,200 relay behind such half-milers as Sarah Fruendt, Sydney Spain and Hillary Cooper. Becca Heimsath is one to watch in the two throwing events.
Blackhawks rolling: The West Aurora boys team is in the midst of establishing further legitimacy to its indoor accomplishments.
The Blackhawks added another first to their indoor conference championship: the title at their own invite, named in honor of long-time coach John Bell, last Saturday under trying conditions.
"There were bad weather conditions, but the kids were still focused," West Aurora coach Courtney Lamb said.
"We scored well in the field events."
West Aurora has a storied tradition of producing outstanding weight men, and throwers Juan Perez, Kevin Costin and Dan Newhouse are intent on continuing the legacy. Newhouse recently signed at Iowa State to throw the javelin.
Perez and Costin swept the shot put, and the latter teamed with Newhouse for a 2-3 finish in the discus.
"Coach Bob Fowler does a great job with the throwers," Lamb said.
Colton Winston and Joel Vincent are a potent one-two punch in the triple jump for West Aurora.
On the track, Tony Knight was victorious in the 400 meters; the senior also teamed with Josh Zinzer, Winston and Leon Spears in the winning 800 relay.
"(The results thus far have) given our kids some confidence," Lamb said.
Saints' sprinters strong: St. Charles East was the only other local team at West Aurora last weekend, and sprinters Keenan Sellers and Wes Allen had a day to remember to lead the Saints' sixth-place showing.
Sellers and Allen swept the 100 and 200 dashes, and coach Ben Provencher is excited about the prospects of seasoned half-milers Dave Arends, Tyler Dettro, Pat Matthews and Joe Mushrush, who captured the 3,200 relay.
"I think our distance group is very strong this year," Provencher said.
Vikings face big test: Typically off this weekend of the outdoor season, the Geneva girls secured a last-second invitation to Glenbard West Saturday to offset its lost opportunity at home last Saturday.
One of the premier invites in the state, the deep field is headlined by defending Class AA state champion Barrington as well as state powers Hinsdale Central, Downers Grove South, Proviso East and Naperville North.
"We're really looking forward to see what our girls can do," said Raak, whose team opened the invite season with a win at Kaneland two weeks ago.
Barometer for Batavia: The Batavia boys hope to do some galloping of their own tonight at Wheaton Warrenville South at the Red Grange invite.
"We should have a good team from top to bottom would be my general assessment," Batavia coach Dennis Piron said. "We have some good sprinters and half-milers. I think we'll get a good idea after this weekend to see where we stand."