Stevenson’s Stryganek hits his stride

In a matter of just two years, Stevenson senior Brandon Stryganek has become the face of the Patriots’ track and field program – literally.

At last season’s state championships at Eastern Illinois University and O’Brien Field, Stryganek became the first Patriot to race in four sprint events at state in history. To commemorate this historic event, the coaches and parents of the Patriot sprinters captured the event with t-shirts.

On the back of the shirts was a list of the sprinters that were competing at state, including the Stryganek and teammate John Fajardo, both seniors this spring.

On the front with a wide smile that could have covered the entire O’Brien Field turf was a picture of Stryganek with the caption “Fast Times at Stevenson High.”

“I still don’t know who came up with those shirts but to see coach (Bill) Mitz wearing one and seeing how pumped up he was made it great,” Stryganek said.

A program that has long been a power in the distance events with three individual state champions in its history has taken on a different role – that of a sprinting power — thanks to Stryganek.

“We just don’t have many kids like Brandon in this school,” Stevenson coach Andy Farrissey said. “We have had a lot of gifted athletes come through here when you talk about the distance kids, but having a sprinter is somewhat unique.”

Stevenson had won only four medals in its history in events shorter than 800 meters before Stryganek, who has signed with Illinois, captured a pair of medals at last year’s state meet. He finished third in the 100 meters and captured a fourth place finish in the 200. No other Patriot had ever medalled in the sprints more than once.

“He has an incredible ability, but he also believes in his workouts and believes in the fact that he is capable of achieving any goal he sets out for himself,” said Stevenson assistant and sprints coach Scott Summers. “He still is learning how to run the sprints, but he is a lot stronger and is learning the phases of his races better.”

The light went on brightly for Stryganek during his sophomore season at the sectional state qualifying meet at Buffalo Grove. After a disappointing outing in the 100 meters, his last chance to qualify for state in his first full year as a member of varsity came in the 200.

And in the 200, Stryganek was lined up next to then Warren senior Leonard Brady.

“I was still upset after my 100 and I wanted to get by Brady because he was the best back then,” Stryganek said. “I think that was the first time I believed I could compete with guys like that.”

Stryganek did more than compete. He stunned Brady and the crowd at Buffalo Grove and earned a trip to his first state meet competition. While he failed to make the finals in the 200, it was clear the Patriots had their first sprint star in nearly three decades.

“You could see the dedication he put in during the off-season,” Farrissey said. “From sophomore to junior year he came in, lifted and did the work. Some guys you have to poke and prod and get them to do things and we had to push him, but he has responded.”

When the sprint events would come up in previous years at Stevenson, the interest would waver while fans would be getting ready for the 800 or the mile. With the emergence of Stryganek, sprints now take center stage.

A perfect example came during the Lake County Invitational last spring at Deerfield. By that time, everyone knew who Stryganek was, but everyone still wanted a look at the new face of the program.

In his signature race, the 100 dash finals, the stands at Paul Adams Field and all along the track were people lined up to watch the emerging star.

Stryganek went through is pre-race routine of shaking hands of all the competitors.

“I think that helps me relax and the other guys are like ‘Wow, what’s he doing?’ ” he said.

When the gun went off, the field got out ahead of the 5-foot-7 Stryganek. At the 50-meter mark the field was dead even. Some 25 meters later, the race was over. Stryganek had found another gear that no one had seen from him or any other sprinter in Lake County. His fully automated time of 10.58 was the fastest in the state last year and one of the 10 fastest in the country.

“I remember his start, and not in a good way,” Summers said. “But he went through his phases so fast and when he crossed the line I think we all were stunned, but not surprised.”

So just how does one of the best get better?

“He would text me even over the summer and want to know what time the weight room was open,” Farrissey said. “You could tell there how dedicated he was.”

Stryganek then took his talents to the national circuit over the summer and competed in the USATF Junior Olympic Regionals in Indianapolis. In the 200-meter final, Stryganek ran away from Thornton Township senior-to-be Timothy Faust in a personal-best 21.23.

“You could definitely tell that he has gotten faster and stronger,” Fajardo said. “I myself have gotten faster, but then I look up and all I see ahead of me is Brandon.”

The goal for 2011 is simple enough – to win state titles in his two events and continue to rewrite the Patriots record book.

“I owe this to coach Summers and coach Farrissey,” Stryganek said. “Without them I couldn’t have done any of the things I have done so far.”