Batcha helps Prospect end MSL drought
On the bus ride to Palatine on Friday night, Prospect seniors Nick Batcha and Kellen Strobel could see a difference in their teammates.
“You could tell on the bus ride over tonight that we were ready,” Batcha said. “Guys were focused — I was focused all day today, couldn’t wait.”
The time it took the Knights to drive from Prospect to Palatine paled in comparison to the time the school has had to wait since its last title. The Knights last carried the trophy around the track in celebration in 1970 and that drought finally came to an end Friday night.
Thanks to four wins by Batcha and tremendous depth, Prospect captured its first MSL conference championship in boys track in 41 years by scoring a near-conference record 171 points in the process. MSL West champion Fremd was second (114.833) followed by defending outdoor champion Palatine (84), Hoffman Estates (56) and Hersey (52.333).
“These kids on the varsity have been so focused all year long,” said Prospect coach Mike Kamedula. “We really had great performances all the way around from all of the kids tonight.”
Batcha was at the top of the list of the great performers in the meet. The Ohio State-bound Knight became the first athlete at Prospect to win four individual titles at the MSL meet. Batcha captured the 100-meter dash (10.83), defended his titles in the 200 (22.21) and the long jump (21-3) and stole the show with a scintillating performance in the 400.
Batcha and teammate Andre Barnes battled back and forth before Batcha pulled away for the win, beating Barnes for the first time this year. His time of 49.72 was a personal best. Barnes ran second to Ryan Gundersen of Rolling Meadows (49.85).
“This was a great night and a great night by our team,” Batcha said. “I thought about this night a lot today and the possibility of winning all four.”
The Knights 3,200 and 400 relays also were victorious. The 3,200 relay sparked the Prospect to the type of start that led to the team title. Strobel, Mike Thill, Bob Koertgen and Josh Campos ran a solid 7:56.57. Nick Meersman, Ryan Ward, Barnes and Vito Anzalone took the 400 in 43.67.
Fremd’s best finish at the conference meet in five years was paced by an incredible night from Ohio State-bound senior Brian Bobek. Bobek captured the discus title with a personal best launch of 177-5, just ahead of a personal best effort from Anthony Babicz of Prospect (166-8).
In the shot put, Bobek’s toss of 60-10 was another personal best and gave him a conference title in the process.
“Overall this was the best throwing night of my career,” Bobek said. “This was definitely the most PR’s (personal records) in one night for me for sure.”
Fremd also captured the 800 relay with Eric Wolski, Justin Wallace, AJ McGhee and Tyrone St. Jean running a 1:31.30.
“Usually when you score over 100 points in this meet you win,” Fremd coach Jim Aikens said. “Prospect was just incredible and you have to give them all the credit for a great performance.”
Conant junior Ben Bowers was just behind Batcha in titles as he earned three. He ran season bests in the 110 high hurdles, the 300 hurdles and cleared a modest 6-1 to win the high jump. Bowers edged Ward in the 110 high hurdles in 14.42 then battled past Jarrell Lewis of Fremd in the 300 hurdles (38.96).
Erik Peterson was a double winner for Barrington as he pulled off the distance double. He battled through the wind and rain to take the 3,200 in 9:26.21 and a cold and blustery race to win the 1,600 in a tight race over Strobel (4:24.15).
Other event winners included Ryan McGough of Palatine in the 800 (1:57.65), Nick La Rocca of Palatine in the pole vault (13-9) and Steve Grajek of Hoffman Estates in the triple jump (42-3.5).