Unusual ending gives WW South DuKane title over Batavia
Batavia held only a 2-point lead over Wheaton Warrenville South at the start of the 1,600 relay, the last event at Friday's DuKane Conference indoor track and field meet. The Bulldogs needed to finish ahead of the Tigers to win the conference crown.
The race was tight at the start. Batavia pulled ahead of the pack during the second leg of the contest and led the rest of way for an apparent victory and league title.
However, officials disqualified the Bulldogs. Wheaton Warrenville South finished second, earning eight points to overtake the Bulldogs and win the meet, 105-99.
"They said our number one runner cut in a little bit before some cones on the track for the 200 meter cut mark. It's kind of a weird ending," said Batavia coach Dennis Piron. "I'm not pleased at all. It was a very fine outing by our kids, we competed our butts off and a technical thing on an indoor track cost us a victory. It's devastating."
The disappointing finish ended what had been a good day for the Bulldogs.
Paced by Adam Kennedy's first place finish in the 800 dash and Brandon Vines' top score in the long jump, Batavia finished fourth or higher in six of the 10 races and four of the five field events.
"I'm happy with our performance," Piron said. "Kennedy has been outstanding all year long for us and his effort in the 800 was unbelievable."
The 800 title was a 3-peat for the junior.
"I've won the indoor 800 meet the past two years and I really wanted to win it again this year in the new conference because our old conference was not as good as this one," said Kennedy. "I figured if I could run with some of the top guys that I could win it."
In addition to winning the title, the Tigers set a Batavia field house record in the 200 dash when Cedric Rowzee crossed the finish line first with a time of 22.44. Rowzee also won the 55 dash.
Geneva jumped out to early lead by taking first and second in both the shot put and the triple jump. The Vikings finished fourth (87.50).
Frank Martin and Jacob Uhlman took top honors in the shot put for Geneva while teammates Cody Machlet and Lawi Djuma finished first and second, respectively, in the triple jump.
St. Charles East (fifth with 77 points) took top honors in the 3,200 relay. Alek Crawford won a first place medal for the Saints in the high jump.