Distance stars align at Joe Newton Field house though not in the same events

By Michael Newman

mike@dyestat.com

Some of the top names in Illinois prep distance running will converge on York’s Joe Newton Fieldhouse Friday afternoon for the annual competition of the York Boys Invitational. Graham Brown (Palatine HS), Matt Plowman (York HS, Elmhurst), and Zach Dale (Conant HS, Hoffman Estates) will be running but not against each other. This track does produce some fast times annually. The fields in the distance events led by these runners should produce some fast times.

Here is a look at some of the events at Friday night’s meet. Field events will begin at 5:00 PM, Track Preliminaries at 5:30 PM, and Track Finals no earlier than 6:30 PM.

Distance Events

This could be a work day for Zach Dale. He is scheduled to compete in the 1600 Meter Run along with the 1600 Meter Relay. He might also participate in the 3200 relay but that was not finalized as of Thursday morning. Dale is in great shape. Three weeks ago at Proviso West, he ran a state leading 9:14 in the 3200 Meter Run. His chief competition in this event will be Kerry Gschwendtner (North HS, Naperville). He ran 4:25.1 two weeks ago at Plainfield South. He is capable of pushing Dale under 4:20 in this race. Last year, Dale was sucked into a tactical race and left disappointed running 4:22.61. I would not be surprised if the winning time goes under 4:20 in this race.

Matt Plowman steps down in distances at this meet after winning the 3200 and 1 mile last Saturday at Proviso West. Plowman should be the favorite in the 800 on his home track. Gavin Falotico (Palatine HS) ran 1:26 in the 600 at Proviso West in early February. He has the wheels that could challenge Plowman at the end. David Rodriguez (Hersey HS, Arlington Heights) could also be a threat up front. Plowman ran 1:25.3 last week in the 600 and should be the big favorite in that event. Kevin Ziegenhorn (Hersey HS, Arlington Heights), Pat Cooper (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS), and Steve Lewandowski (North HS, St. Charles) should be Plowman’s chief competition.

The 3200 Meter run should be interesting. Graham Brown is 100% healthy after a year of battling mono. His 4:24 at Proviso West at the beginning of February is evidence of that. Brown is capable of running sub 9:20 in this meet. He will be pushed by Jon Klaiber (North HS, Naperville) and Kyle Cepeda (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS) towards the front. This will be the first 3200 on the track for York freshman Charlie Kern. We should see a fast time from him. Grant Vonderlippe (Hersey HS, Arlington Heights) and Jimmy Funteas Jr. (Willowbrook HS, Villa Park) will be two of the runners that you should also see up front.

Sprints / Hurdle Events

Alex Teague (York HS, Elmhurst) looked strong last week at Proviso West running 6.58 in the 55 and 7.87 in the 55 Hurdles. Teague will concentrate on the 55 High and Low Hurdles at this meet. Harrison Beard (North HS, Naperville) should be Teague’s chief competition. The 55 Meter Dash is wide open with Cam Cornelius (Palatine HS), Corey Riley (Hoffman Estates HS), and Jeremy Rower (Hononegah HS, Rockton) will be a few of the sprinters vying for the win. Riley and Devon Kelly (St. Charles East HS) will challenge in the 200 Meter Dash. Kelly should also be the big favorite in the 400 Meter Dash.

Field Events

Jack Curtis (Glenbard South HS, Glen Ellyn) is one of the top returning athletes in the 2A High Jump this season. He should be the favorite in that event in this meet. Sam Garcia (Prospect HS, Mt. Prospect) and Ryan Polfliet (Hononegah HS, Rockton) should battle for the win in the Long Jump. Collin Hamill (York HS, Elmhurst) and Blaze Barista (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS) have the only seed marks over 40 feet in the Triple Jump. They should be the favorites in this event.

Jake LaRocca (Palatine HS) has cleared 14-0 in the Pole Vault this season. He should be the favorite in that event. Josh Pelock (East HS, St. Charles) and Mark Egan (North HS, Naperville) will also be threats to win. John Terry (Hononegah HS, Rockton) and Javonte Brownlee (Hoffman Estates HS) will be the front runners in the Shot Put.