Boys track and field: Batavia wins fourth straight county championship
Sam Conger did not need any additional inspiration for the historic event in Aurora Friday night.
The top seed of the 110-meter high hurdles at the Kane County Invitational, Conger was disqualified for a false start.
"I have never false started before," said Conger, a Batavia senior. "I was (irked)."
But Conger returned with a vengeance in the 300 intermediate hurdles, winning with ease in 38.71 seconds.
It was the centennial of the second-oldest continuously run boys track and field meet at East Aurora.
Conger was the lone individual winner for Batavia, but the Bulldogs' had an appropriate finish with a triumphant 1,600 relay to complete their fourth consecutive county championship.
Batavia denied Kaneland - newly elevated to Class 3A this season - 111.75-93.5.
West Aurora (87.75), Dundee-Crown (83) and Geneva (64) rounded out the top five.
"I won county last year, but this year my focus is on state," Conger said. "We've had some injuries. We are getting a lot stronger."
"We have a great group of young coaches who are able to disperse our kids into events to get the most out of them," Batavia coach Dennis Piron said.
Kaneland will bank on Clayton Hannula and Matthew Richtman in coming weeks.
Hannula, third in Class 2A in both the shot put and discus last year, swept the two events for the second straight year with respective efforts of 58 feet, 2 inches and 176-5.
Richtman, also a two-event all-stater last May, is the new county record holder at 1,600 meters after an unrelenting closing rush resulted in a time of 4:18.71.
"It would be a special meet without it being the 100th anniversary," Richtman said. "This is the meet where we show our real times. It's definitely one of those meets you'll never forget."
Camron Donatlan was clearly looking to add the centennial festivities.
The Wyoming-bound West Aurora senior is the two-time reigning state high jump champion.
After needing all of one attempt to win the competition at 6-6, Donatland had the bar raised to 7-1.
"I was over it," Donatlan said. "I just clipped (the bar) with my leg. Every time I come (to East Aurora), I feel more motivated."
Donatlan also won the long jump (22-11.25).
The Blackhawks' Andre Jones cleared 14-6 to claim the pole vault.
The original Dundee High School was one of five schools at the inaugural competition in 1919.
The Chargers had a blistering start on the track with wins in the 3,200, 400 and 800 relays.
Sophomore Jason Miller was part of three championships for D-C with his 22.16 time at 200 meters.
Adam Swanson anchored the Chargers' longest relay and later won the open 800 in 1:56.39.
"We're just having a great year," Swanson said.
Charlie Wade is a top candidate for all-state inclusion in the 400; the St. Charles East senior was a solitary figure with his win in 48.68.
"It's my favorite event in track," Wade said.
Geneva sprinter Andrew Olenek earned the distinction of fastest boy in the county with his title at 100 meters.
Sean Galle was the lone champion for Marmion in the 3,200.