DGN at Little Four Meet

At the 2013 Downers Grove North Sectional, Downers North senior Nick Steichmann surpassed 50 feet in shot put for the first time.

”I threw over 50 a couple of times. I threw over 50 in warmups and I knew, ‘All right. Today’s going to be a good day.’ In the preliminary round, I hit 50 (50-1 3/4) and that got me fourth place,” Steichmann said.

”It was really motivating because there are kind of benchmarks of 40 feet, 45 feet, 50. Those are the big numbers that you’re trying to beat. Now the next thing I have to beat is 55. That’s the new goal.”

At the season-opening Little Four Meet Feb. 14 at Hinsdale Central, Steichmann got off to a good start by taking first place in shot by throwing 47-1.

Senior Tony Zea (600-meter run in 1:29.3) and junior Jack Diamond (1,600 in 4:41.6) also were individual event winners and joined senior Jared Spilky and junior Joe Carter in capturing the 3,200 relay (8:34.9).

The Trojans (73 points) finished second to the host Red Devils (120) while beating Downers Grove South (33.5) and Oak Lawn (22.5).

op-two sectional finishers automatically advance to state as well as individuals who achieve state-qualifying standards at the meet, regardless of place. The 3A state-qualifying standard for shot is 52-11.

Steichmann has many reasons to be optimistic from the season opener. He’s well ahead of his pace from last year’s Little Four, where he threw beyond 41 feet and did not place among the top five. By the indoor conference meet, Steichmann improved by six feet for a third-place 47-8 1/2.

”I feel like by the time indoor conference comes around, I should be hitting 50 or above,” Steichmann said.

Junior Nick Janicki, a 2013 state qualifier in discus, also started strong with a fifth-place 44-6. Janicki was third at sectionals behind two seniors but his 155-4 beat the 155-0 qualifying standard.

At sectionals, Steichmann also was beaten by three seniors and the only non-senior to finish among the top seven.

“I definitely think (state is possible), considering that being the first meet, doing this. I should definitely improve and hitting those (plus-50) marks regularly,” Steichmann said.

”Focusing on form and hitting the weights, that’s really all you can do. I think I’m using the most of my power and really what I can improve the most on is form. That’ll really help me reach that goal of state.”

Several of the Trojans’ distance runners are coming off state experience in cross country, where they helped the team finish second to Hinsdale Central.

This was the first time since state Nov. 9 at Peoria’s Detweiller Park that the teams competed against each other. One of the memorable moments came after the awards ceremony when almost all of the park had cleared. The conference rivals cheered for and congratulated each other. Both were the respective school’s highest state finishes.

”It’s not like that big of a competitive thing (tonight), but it’s nice to see them,” said Diamond, who was among the Trojans’ seven state runners. “We got to know them pretty well towards the end of cross country, the postseason, seeing them every time, so talking to them, messing around between races. It’s nice to talk to them. They’re cool guys and we like them.”

The Trojans won most of the distance races. The 3,200 relay won by 12 seconds over the second-place Red Devils. In the 800, Diamond edged senior teammate Jared Spilky (4:42.6) with junior Zac Christensen fifth (4:46.0).

Spilky and Christensen also were part of the state cross country lineup.
Spilky sat out most of the cross country season recovering from injury but returned for the postseason. He grabbed the lead toward the end of the 1,600 before Diamond passed him on the backstretch of the final lap.

”Basically, we just came in with the mentality that Zac and I definitely were going to run as a pack. Spilky surprised us a little bit with how fit he actually was,” Diamond said.

”I made a move with five laps to go. I took the lead from Hinsdale and I was just praying, ‘I hope Zac and Jared would go with me. That’ll make it way easier.’ They did. They took the lead for a couple of laps there and that (winning) time is because of them. They made it so much faster taking the lead for those couple of laps.”

Zea is another senior seeking a state track berth for the first time. At last year’s sectional, he was fourth (1:57.89), 2.08 seconds from second place, and just missed the 1:57.24 state-qualifying standard.

”I’m out with a vengeance. Trust me, definitely,” Zea said. “Senior year, it’s my last year. This is the year. I’ve been working my butt off in practice.”

At the Little Four, Zea finished nearly two seconds of ahead of Hinsdale Central senior Billy Magnesen (1:31.2), who was a team-best ninth at the state cross country meet. Zea’s personal best in the 600 is 1:28.

”It felt pretty good. The first lap, I took it out pretty hard. I had no one to really go with me so I kind of just cruised it,” Zea said. “Usually I like to kick so I waited until the last probably 80 meters and just kicked it home for the win.”

Zea handed off to Diamond in the 3,200 relay at last year’s sectional. Besides that race at the Little Four, they became last-minute teammates for the 1,600 relay when two runners in the B lineup dropped out.

The Trojans’ A lineup Andrew Adams, Jim Barkei, Ryan Clevenger and Jack McGinnis (3:47.2) took second to Hinsdale Central’s 3:45.0.

”I’m always willing to run another race. It’s my last season so make the best out of it,” said Zea, who had been “on call” as the first alternate.

”Tony told me he’d be on call. I told (distance coach John Sipple) he might not need me but I’m always find with doing a 400,” Diamond added. “Tony’s offseason has been crazy compared to past years. He’s always worked, but this season it’s an obvious change. It’s a lot harder work this year.”

Charles Creamer, Zack Hogan, Adams and Jazz Charrier had multiple top-five individual finishes. Creamer was second in the 55 (8.6), the 55 low hurdles (8.3) and third in the 200 (24.8). Hogan was second in long jump (18-8) and triple jump (39-2), Adams was second in the 400 (56.3) and fourth in triple jump (38-4) and Charrier was third in the 55 (8.7) and fourth in the 200 (25.6).

”It was just getting my feet wet, just trying to get back in the hang of track. I was trying to get good times and prove myself, just trying to get better and better every day and see what I need to improve on and just capitalize,” said Creamer, fifth in the 100 (11.24) at the 2013 sectional.

”Definitely my strength in my legs (has improved). I feel like I hit the weight room really well. It got me prepared. I don’t die out fast any more. I can push through a lot now more comfortably.”

Eric Wisz was second in pole vault (12-0), losing out on a tiebreaker for fewer misses with Hinsdale Central senior Ian Martell. The 4-lap relay (Andrew Bender, Jamal Cox, Justin Fortes, Damian Margarites in 1:30.3) was third and Josh Stirn (55 low hurdles in 9.2), Nathan Powell (10-6 in pole vault) and Richard Barker (16-8 in long jump) were fifth.

Frosh-soph

Downers North sophomore Justin Weisner ended his freshman track season with a personal-record 9-6 in pole vault to finish third at the freshman conference meet.

He opened this season with a victory at the Little Four Invite with a victory by clearing 9-0. Weisner, who won on a tiebreaker for fewer misses, had the lone first-place finish for the Trojans (43.5), who were third behind Downers Grove South (111.5) and Hinsdale Central (92) and beat Oak Lawn (13).

”I didn’t get to PR, but it was nice to win. A great way to start the season, that’s for sure,” Weisner said. “It’s not quite where I wanted to finish (in height), but I’m still glad I came out with the win.

”(Last season) was a great experience because it was my first year ever vaulting. I was really excited to try it and it turned out a lot better than I expected. I’m really excited for this year for sure.”

Chris Wilford was second in long jump (18-2), two inches behind Hinsdale Central’s Kareem Muhammad.

Alec Danner (1,600 in 5:10.3) and Nick Torres (800 in 2:26.1) also were second. Anthony Giordano (200 in 25.0) and the 3,200 relay (Jack Barkei, Danner, Devin Johnson, Andrew Marek in 9:48.3), 4-lap relay (Giordano, Andrew Marszewski, Tariun Triplett, Wilford in 1:23.5) and 1,600 relay (Barkei, Johnson, Marszewski, Wilford in 4:13.9) were third, Michael Avdich was fourth in triple jump (34-3) and Triplett tied for fourth in the 55 (7.1).

-by Bill Stone