Boys track and field: Palatine honors Nalley, then wins its annual relays
Midway during the 89th Palatine Relays Saturday homage was paid to retiring Pirates boys track and field coach John Nalley.
It was at that moment the sun broke through what had been a dreary, rainy morning at Chic Anderson Stadium in which 13 boys and 12 girls teams had navigated and negotiated their way through those weather conditions.
Even more special than the sunshine was the appearance of Nalley's family highlighted by his parents, Carlin and Nancy.
They had moved to Lisle from Kansas 56 years ago planting roots in the community that they gave back to service with Nancy serving as an elementary school teacher while Carlin embarked on a 30-year career starting as a teacher at Lisle High School then serving as AD before retiring as District Superintendent in 1998.
Together, they provided an inspiration to their son.
"Without a doubt. This is why I do this," John Nalley said. "When I was a young kid I'd go out and mark the track with him. He got me started."
His last Palatine squad may give some more memories before this season concludes like they did Saturday as it captured team title honors earning placement in all 20 events. The Pirates took home gold in seven events amassing 157 points putting them comfortably ahead of runner-up Schaumburg (89) and third-place finisher Portage, Ind. (88).
It's the 27th time a Pirate squad has taken home top team honors and first since 2017.
"It's a special week. The Palatine Relays to our kids means something," Nalley said. "It's a special group of seniors this year and they have paved the way for our young talent. It's been just a lot of fun."
In addition to relay wins in the 4x200, 4x400 and 4x800, they got a win from senior Mukal Verma in the 3,200 (9:36.64). The Southern Indiana recruit bested junior teammate Mason Krieg (9:37.06) and fellow Palatine senior Tyler Murphy (9:55.63) in a 1-2-3 finish.
Iowa football recruit Jacob Bostick took home top honors in the long jump clearing 22-5 3/4 while senior Pirate mates Jhermari Mary and Kieran Maude traded top two positions in the shot put and discus.
The Wisconsin-Oshkosh-bound Maude took first in the former with a throw of 52-1 1/4 besting Mabry's 50-4 while he returned the favor with a 165-3 top turn in the discus besting Maude's 139-6.
Mabry, who is still deciding between a trio of Division II and III schools where to continue his athletic and academic career, impressed upon his team seeking to put its best foot forward as it heads toward the MSL conference meet in a couple of weeks.
"We're trying to make every meet our best," Mabry said. "We knew we had a goal. We wanted to score in all 20 events for Nalley's last relays. He's a great guy."