Huntley runs away with Fox Valley title

Without talented hurdler Kyle See, who was out with a twisted ankle, Huntley coach Jim Rolando realized a total team effort would be needed for the Red Raiders to capture the Fox Valley Conference boys track and field championship.

Mission accomplished.

With 3 first-place finishes, Huntley compiled 116 ½ points to claim top honors in the FVC meet held at Cary Grove's Al Bohrer Field Friday night.

McHenry was a distant second with 88½ points.

“Without Kyle See I knew on paper a lot of kids would have to really step up and they did,” said Rolando. “It was a great night. We had upperclassmen and freshmen have great nights. We had 10 personal bests and the kids were really awesome. Everybody stepped up.”

Huntley had two individual champions. Justin Herbert won the discus with a throw of 159 feet, 8½ and Brennan Bell tied for top honors in the 400 intermediate hurdles with Cary-Grove's Michael Saxon, each with a time of 40.40.

“ I haven't beaten (Saxon) all year so I will take a tie, ''said Bell. “ I am really excited with the way I competed. I hit all the hurdles clean.”

The Red Raiders ended their championship night in grand fashion by winning the 1,600 relay with the team of John Los, Trevor Obecny, Brendan O' Donnell and Mike Dollar.

With 4 first-place finishes, Grayslake Central placed fourth with 76 points.

The Rams received individual titles from Jourden Swopes in the long jump with a leap of 41-10.10 and Davonta Jennings in the 200 with a 22.81. Dundee-Crown's Austin White was a close second with a time of 22.82.

“I just leaned in at the finish line and felt that was enough,” said Jennings. “It was an exciting finish.”

The Rams, with Swopes, Jennings, Kacey Adams and Matt Weatherhead, won the 400 relay in 42.90 and Grayslake Central won the 800 relay with the same four guys in a clocking of 1:30.77.

Cary-Grove, with first-place efforts from Ricky Hurley in the shot put and Saxon in the 300 hurdles, was fifth with a score of 61 points. Hurley won the shot with a heave of 53-1½.

Grayslake North finished sixth with 57 points. The Knights got first-place efforts from Dylan Toole in the high jump (6-7), Titus Booker (100, 11.11) and Alex Shulga in the 400 (49.30). Mike Gleeson of Cary-Grove was second with a time of 50.56.

“It was an all out sprint for 400 meters,” said Shulga. “I knew I had to go all out the entire race because there were so many competitors in the race.”

Dundee-Crown, with a second place from Kiwaun Seals in the triple jump, was seventh in the meet with 52½ points.

Jacobs, with Nick Matysek winning the 800, was eighth with 46 points.

Matysek claimed top honors with a clocking of 1:59.88. Obecny of Huntley was a close second in a time of 2:00.50.

“I ran a smart race,” said Matysek. “There was no wind to hinder me. It was beautiful. I have had a lot of good races with Trevor this year. He really pushes me.”

Crystal Lake South was ninth with a score of 30 points. The Gators were led by fourth-place finishes from Kyle Hedge in the discus and shot put.

Prior to the start of finals, the FVC coaches honored longtime Dundee-Crown coach Tom Smith with a plaque recognizing him for his many years of service to D-C and the FVC track community.