Wheaton North took the lead in the 4x800 right
away with an overall time of
8:05.7, gapping 2nd place (Neuqua) by almost 10
seconds. After Downers Grove North’s 8:18.5, the field was wide open
with 4th being 8:35. Slightly disappointing, in
comparison to previous years.
Now on to the feature event – the 3200. With
Tom Achtien being out due to injury, NTN/State Champ Chris Derrick
had to run alone. The entire field went out fast, being 13th
at the time, my first 800 was 2:22, with Chris leading in a 2:14.
The race continued to be bunched through the mile with Chris at 4:34
and the main ‘pack’ around 4:45. After the mile, the race started
spreading out as runners fell off the fast starting pace. With about
500m to go, Chris was lapping the main pack and closed in a 4:28
with a 9:03.1, good for a
US#3. As for the rest of the race,
top 12 were under 9:50,
a time in which previous years would place you in the top five.
Chris Derrick’s Approximate Splits:
65 low, 69 high, (2:14) 69 high, 69 mid
(4:34.94), 68 mid, 68 mid, (6:50) 67 mid, 63
-
9:03.1 (4:28.15 second
mile)
The 800 wasn’t as great as it has been in
previous years. Every heat of the 800 (both Soph and Varsity) went
out slow with the Varsity-A heat going through the 400 in about 63.
Evan Thayer from Naperville Central took the lead with 300m to go
closing in 58s for the win in 2:01.2, although he was followed
closely by Thomas from York with a
2:01.6 and Josh Budnik
from Neuqua with a 2:02. Note that Ghram Farnsworth from Wheaton
North was absent as he won the 600m in
1:25.1
The mile (full 1609m) was also an exciting race
to watch. Jim Riddle took the lead from the gun, putting about a
10-15m gap on the field. At about the 1000m mark, Steve Couch surged
ahead pushing the pace for laps 5-6. Jimmy regained the lead, and
Couch got outkicked by Chase Kadlec for a fine finish. Riddle won in
4:24.4 (about 4:23 for
the 1600), Chase with a 4:25.8 and Couch with a 4:26.9. Downers
Grove North was well represented by Aaron Silver with a 4:31 and
Mike Lifson with a 4:31.1.
The 4x400 was primarily a trio between Proviso
East, Proviso West and Wheaton North, as PW outkicked PE
3:30.1-3:30.7, and WN following behind with a 3:32.
Other outstanding performances were Wheaton
North’s Ken Collier in the 200 with a 22.5, Naperville Central’s
Aaron Petty with a 6’5” high jump, Proviso East and Wheaton North in
the 4x200 with 1:33.6 and 1:34, and Dan Block of Lake Park’s
59’-6.5” Shot Put throw.
Overall, one of the best indoor track meets in
Illinois at this point in the season.
