DGN at Hinsdale South

Downers Grove North’s Nick Janicki enjoyed quite a throwing breakthrough in 2013.

Janicki not only qualified for the Class 3A state meet in discus as a sophomore but also did so by exceeding the qualifying standard of 155 feet (155-4).

While Janicki has to wait to compete in the event until the outdoor season, his shot put also is making big strides. On Friday, March 14, Janicki threw a season-best 47-8 1/2 to win the event in a four-team meet at Hinsdale South.

“I just can’t wait for discus. That’s my bread and butter,” Janicki said. ”I think I can (qualify for state in discus and shot). I just have to work really hard. I’d have to have a great throw that day (in shot) to really make that (qualifying standard of 52-11), but in discus I’m feeling confident.”

The Trojans (41 points) finished third in the meet behind the host Hornets (120) and Downers Grove South (51) and ahead of Hinsdale Central (21). Downers North and Hinsdale Central both did not use several varsity regulars in preparation for the indoor West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet Friday, March 21, at York.

Janicki and senior Nick Steichmann (46-10) had a 1-2 finish in shot with Janicki coming near his lifetime best of 47-11.

Seniors Jack Ronan (2:19.5) and Anthony Iacovetti (2:24.5) were 1-2 in the 800, and junior Dillon Murphy (4:58.8) and senior Sam Ronan (4:59.8) finished 1-2 in the 1,600.

With four throws, Janicki opened with a 44 and 45-6 before the 47-8 1/2 on his third.

”It was a pretty good day, pretty consistent. It’s something I take pride in, my consistency,” Janicki said. “(Steichmann and I) push each other pretty hard because we’re pretty close in the throws distance wise.”

Janicki began throwing with the glide technique but he soon developed spinning in the ring as discus emerged as his stronger event. As an eighth grader, he won the Florida state title in discus and nearly set a state record. He arrived at Downers Grove North for the second semester of his freshman year, just in time for track.

”In Florida, they don’t have as many good throwers compared to here,” Janicki said.

Sectional competitors qualify for state either automatically with top-two finishes or by achieving the state-qualifying standard in the sectional. Last year, Janicki was among only three sophomores or freshmen that qualified for state in 3A discus and also threw the qualifying standard at sectionals.

Janicki was third at sectionals behind two seniors, Hinsdale Central’s Nick Piker (175-1) and Brother Rice’s Marcus Cheatom (158-5). Especially considering the conditions, Janicki eluded most of the pressure by surpassing 155-0 during his preliminary throws.

”It was just really wet. I threw pretty well because the ring was really slick. I’m surprised I actually got a throw out that was that far,” Janicki said. “The first meet I threw in rain was the sectional. I know I can perform in the rain now because I did make state in the rain.”

Even though it was sunny at state, slick conditions in the ring persisted. Janicki and Piker were among three throwers who fouled all three of their attempts in the preliminaries. Cheatom ended up sixth (159-6).

”I was one of those (who fouled all three). Hopefully this year I won’t be,” Janicki said.

For 2014, the 3A qualifying standard for discus has been increased to 156-6. Janicki, however, already has his sights on the school record of 173 from 1981 by Joe Marconi, who finished fifth at state that season in Class AA and won the shot state title (62-0).

As for now, Janicki has remained focused completely on shot.

”I’m kind of waiting until after conference to do discus form work because it’s a little bit different than shot put and it’ll interfere slightly. I don’t want to mess (shot) up for conference,” Janicki said.

The shot title at the Silver Meet appears wide open, and the Trojans could easily finish 1-2. Last year, Janicki won the sophomore title (47-11) and Steichmann was third on varsity (47-8 1/2) as the only top-six finisher who was not a senior.

”I’ve been throwing 50s in practice so I’m hopefully going to pull one of those out, hopefully take first. That’s my goal,” Janicki said.

In the 1,600, Murphy set an indoor personal best and just missed his all-time best of 4:54.0 from the 2013 outdoor junior varsity Silver Meet.

The key to breaking 5:00 Friday probably was training partner Sam Ronan, who also edged that mark.

”Having my teammate Sam Ronan in the race was huge,” Murphy said.

”I was leading the first seven laps and starting to fall off my pace and slow down but then Sam came up next to me. Having a teammate next to you is so helpful. He passed me and that gave me something to think about and motivated me to keep going. It was awesome.”

Senior Andrew Adams (39-4) was second in triple jump with Damian Margarites (36-9) fifth.

The 1,600 relay (John Michka, Margarites, Justin Fortes, Josh Stirn in 4:07.6) and the 4-lap relay (1:26.0) both finished third. Josh Naponiello was fourth in the 400 (1:08.5), and Fortes (55 in 7.47) and Stirn (55 low hurdles in 9.38) were fifth.

The sophomore level, the Trojans (44 points) finished behind Hinsdale South (79) and Downers South (54) and edged Hinsdale Central (38).

Freshman Joe Keys won the 55 low hurdles (8.75) by .13, and freshman Jack Barkei won the 800 (2:20.9) by 2.5 seconds.

Tariun Triplett was second in the 55 (7.08) by .05. The 1,600 relay (Keys, Andrew Marszewski, Jordan Wilde, Anthony Giordano in 4:02.9) was second by 1.2 seconds, and Alec Danner (5:01.1) and Barkei (5:03.9) finished 2-3 in the 1,600 to Hinsdale Central freshman Ethan Planson (5:00.9), whose previous best was 5:14.

Michael Avdich was third in long jump (15-9). Brad Wilcoxen (1:44.5) and Drew Murphy (1:58.8) were 3-4 in the 600, and Romeo Jones was fourth in the 200 (26.97).

-- by Bill Stone