Boys track and field: James, Odell push Wheaton North to DuKane Conference championship
Wheaton North's Josh James and Eli Odell have pushed each other all season in the two hurdle events.
So it wasn't a big surprise that trend continued in Friday's inaugural DuKane Conference boys track meet at Lake Park.
Led by a strong showing from James and Odell, the Falcons tallied 150 points to cruise to the conference title. Wheaton Warrenville South claimed second with 127.5 points, and Batavia placed third (118). Geneva (104), St. Charles East (69), St. Charles North (62), Glenbard North (42) and Lake Park (28.5) rounded out the team results.
James, a senior, placed first in the 110 hurdles in 14.88 seconds, beating out Geneva's Onyi Ukaobasi and Odell. James credited Odell for pushing him to reach new heights. He reached state for the first time last season.
"I didn't feel good at all in the 110, felt really slow," James said. "I hit the first hurdle but still got it done. I've raced next to Eli pretty much every race of the year. It's nice because he challenges me. We're training partners."
But Odell, a senior, relied on a late kick in the final 25 meters to edge James for first in the 300 with a personal-record time of 38.94. James placed second with a PR of 39.03.
When he finished the 300, Odell quickly made a dash to James to give him a big hug.
"I powered through at the end and got Josh," Odell said of his 300 win. "I thank Josh for him pushing me in the 300. He pushes me to be my best. These were some big points for the team that helped us win it."
Wheaton Warrenville South senior Cedric Rowzee added to his growing reputation as one of the best sprinters in the state. He won the 100 and 200 and ran the anchor leg of the Tigers' first-place 400 relay.
But Rowzee, a two-time state qualifier, expressed frustration about a missed opportunity to score 10 points in the 800 relay.
"The 800 relay was all on me because I couldn't get my sweats off," he said. "I couldn't finish the race. It was my only mistake all day. I didn't zip them, and tried to yank them off. It happened during the race, so that's why we didn't finish. We were in the lead. That's on me.
"But the 100 was a great race with some good competition. I'm going to do what I can to help the team. … I'm still waiting on my moment. When we get down (to state), we will see what happens. But we still have to get down there."
Geneva junior Lawi Djuma notched two wins, claiming first in the long jump and the triple jump.
"It feels good to win both," he said. "My friend, Cody Machlet, has been pushing me in practice and helped me. I'm excited for sectionals. I was close to qualifying for state last year. I'm hoping to go to state in two events."
Wheaton Warrenville South senior Sean Maison overcame a pack of runners with a kick in the final 250 meters to win the 1,600 run. Earlier in the meet, Maison won the 3,200 run in 9:15.07, another PR.
"I had a simple formula today," Maison said. "It was about the kick. I have to be stronger in the middle laps for sectionals and state. It's all coming together right now. It was a great day."