Boys track and field: Plenty of highlights on opening day at state

CHARLESTON - Patrick Hilby is sticking to Plan A.

With a strong showing in sectionals, the Aurora Central Catholic junior qualified for the Class 2A state track and field meet in the 800 and 1,600 meter individual events.

He entered the two-day state meet unsure about his intentions to compete in the 1,600, partly due to the short window of time between his two events on a hot and sunny day.

"I did the 1,600 (in sectionals) just in case I false-started or did something (bad) in the 800 and then I would have a backup event with the mile," Hilby said. "I was just thinking with prelims that it would be hard to double and succeed in both. If the state meet was spread out a few days, I would've done both but with prelims and all the races, it's a little too much to succeed."

Hilby didn't have to worry about any missteps at Friday's state preliminaries, cruising to the top time of 1 minute, 55.70 seconds in the 800-meter run to set himself for a big showing in Saturday's finals.

His teammate, Armando Acosta, ran a personal record time of 1:56.76 to also head to the finals. Benet's Griffin Schneid and Glenbard South's Tim Jochum were among the qualifiers in the 800.

Meanwhile, Jochum also ran the anchor leg of the Raiders' 3,200 relay (8:06.92) which clocked the second-best prelim time.

"I just wanted to get out in the front and qualify and survive and don't worry about the time and qualifying for the next round," Hilby said. "I took a quick peak behind at the end and saw I had it, so I slowed down."

After collecting a third-place state medal in the 800 last spring, Hilby, who plans to finalize his college decision by late fall, credited cross country for building his strength. He also played basketball and ran indoor track in a busy junior season.

"Cross country helped me and I played basketball and had a good indoor season, and outdoor has gone really well," Hilby said. "I've concentrated more on the mile and the 800 this season. The first objective is to win tomorrow, but if I'm feeling good, the second objective is to go get the state record from last year."

Also in 2A, Glenbard South junior Cameron Williams missed the cut to finals in the long jump (5.94 meters) but bounced back with a time of 10.94 to reach the finals in the 100. Williams, an elite wide receiver who committed to Notre Dame, said he's aiming for a bounce-back showing on Saturday.

"I've had a good track season even if I didn't accomplish what I wanted to do," Williams said. "I started the season really good in the high jump and sure what happened today. I know I can do better in the high jump. I'm happy with my 100."

Burlington Central senior Nolan Milas showed his ability by running care free in the 100, winning his heat in a time of 10.86 to stamp his spot in the finals.

Milas added to his memorable day by advancing to the finals in the 200 in a time of 21.78.

"I learned to have more fun with it because last year I was super nervous and it kind of took the fun out of the meet," Milas said. "This year, with it being my senior year, I just wanted to have fun with it and whatever happens, happens. It means everything to me to finally get into the finals for an individual event. I was worried coming in, even though I said to just have fun. I really wanted to make finals. Now that I got that off my chest, it's a relief of pressure. I wasn't sure about the time, so I just worried about winning my heat."

Kaneland sophomore Fredrick Hassan set himself up for a milestone showing on Saturday, leaping into the finals in the high jump (1.88). Teammate Brayden Farmer advanced in the pole vault.

In the Class 3A afternoon state meet, Wheaton Warrenville South sophomore Amari Williams is making running track seem like a natural sport for him. He ran a PR time of 38.28 in the 300 hurdles to put his name into Saturday's finals. He also ran a prelim time of 15.20 in the 110 hurdles.

"Before this season, I didn't know I would be at this spot and be at state and having this experience as a sophomore,' Williams said. "This is the first year that I've run track. My coaches have coached me up, making sure I have the basics and fundamentals. That's helped me a lot. I know I was seeded 13th (in the 300), so to be in this position and in the finals with a huge PR, I'm really proud of myself."

Neuqua Valley was among the teams to advance several athletes to the Class 3A finals, with senior Austin Belle sparking the Wildcats in four events. He capped off a busy day by qualifying for the finals in the 200 in a PR time of 21.55.

He also advanced in the 100 dash (10.79), while running a leg of the 400 and 800 relays that are in contention for the top medal on Saturday.

"I'm tired, but Saturday is the big day and am going to try and score as many points as possible," Belle said. "In the 200, it might be hard to get first with three events before, but I'll try my best and see what happens. Last year I stressed too much and wasn't as focused or ready, but this year I took it event by event. I know I could've done better in the 200, but hopefully I'll recover and do better."

Naperville North's Danny Eloe punched his spot into the finals in the 100 (10.86).

Naperville Central junior Foster Shelbert wowed the crowd with a super strong push with 200 meters left in the 800 to post the best time in the event with a PR of 1:53.66.

"I was feeling great coming off that turn and just told myself to put it away," Shelbert said. "I just took it with 200 to go. That wasn't my plan. My plan was to sit in the back, but I made a split second decision to just go. I feel really great with my kick, and think I can win it if I can do that in the finals."

Also in the 800, York senior Aiden Hill was among the qualifiers into the finals with a time of 1:55.52. Batavia senior Quintin Low, Glenbrook North's John Ihrke, Downers Grove North's Ryan Eddington and 2022 runner-up and 2021 state champion, Hinsdale Central's Dan Watcke, were among the local qualifiers into the finals.

"I was kind of scared being the first seed, but no one really wanted to take it out with 200 (left), so I made the decision to take it there and knew my speed and kick," Hill said. "It feels good to finish it up strong."

Naperville Central senior Maverick Ohle had a productive day with the second-best prelim toss in the discus (52.44). Metea Valley senior Evan Sweeney, Lake Park senior Tyler Michelini and Stevenson junior Ethan Aghakhan also advanced in the discus.

Michelini added the shot put to his strong day by tossing a top mark of 17.72. Lake Park senior Gino Cardone also is headed to the finals in the shot put (16.05).