Popenfoose, Manfrin shine
Sure, Marcus Popenfoose would have to like to have set Fox Valley Conference records in both the discus and shot put. But the talented Huntley junior will settle for a new mark in the discus.
Popenfoose heaved the discus 174 feet, 1 inch to claim first place honors at Friday's FVC meet held at Crystal Lake Central High School. His throw broke the record of Jacobs' Brad Foote, who threw the discus 170-8 last year. Popenfoose also won the shot put with a throw of 58-10 3/4.
"I was happy with my throw in the discus and I threw the shot put OK," said Popenfoose." I will have to break the shot put record next season. I had an average day. I just wanted to gauge my speed in both events and get ready for the sectionals next week."
McHenry, which broke Jacobs' 6-year strangle hold on the FVC championship, claimed top honors with a score 113.50. Huntley placed second for the third straight year with a score of 93 and Dundee-Crown placed third with 70 points.
D-C got a record-setting performance from 1,600-meter runner Anthony Manfrin.
The Chargers' sophomore phenom won the race in a new conference record time of 4:18.81. Manfrin broke the record of All-American Evan Jager of Jacobs, who ran a 4:22.3 in 2006.
"The competition in this race is incredible," said Manfrin. "There are so many talented runners. I wish I would have gone out a little faster. I felt strong the last lap and everything went smoothly."
The Chargers also got a first place effort from Aaron Reams, who won the triple jump with a leap of 43-7 1/2.
The Chargers' 3,200 relay team of Dan and Jon Magnant along with Nathan Prom and Manfrin won the FVC title in a clocking of 8:00.90.
Other than Popenfoose's 2 titles, the Red Raiders won the 400 relay (43.76) and the 800 relay (1:31.19). Jeremy Hansen, Matt Hammer, Josh Sivila and Tor Larkin were members of both relay teams. Larkin also won the 100 in 10.72.
Crystal Lake South, behind a first place effort by Emmanuel Gamez in the 400 and a record setting effort in the 1.600 relay, placed fourth with a score of 52 points. Gamez blitzed the field in the 400 with a blazing time of 49.81.
"I got off to a great start and was able to maintain great speed the entire race," said Gamez. "I had a lot left at the end and
had a good kick. "
Gamez, along with Steven Rogers, Victor Adenekan and Kenny King set a new conference record with a time of 3:23.14 to win the 1,600 relay. The Gators' foursome eclipsed the old mark set by Jacobs' Mike Connolly, Aaron Russo, Jager and Sam Shepard, who ran 3:23.2 in 2005.
Cary-Grove was seventh with a score of 41 points. Phillip Fairleigh won the 3,200 in a time of 9:26.61 for the Trojans' lone first place effort of the evening.
Jacobs placed eighth with a score of 28 points. Danny Trevor won the 110 hurdles in a time of 15.13.
Grayslake Central placed 11th with a score of 21 points. William Brewster was second in the 3,200 in a time of 9:51.23.