SWSC Indoor Recap

Two years ago at our conference post season coaches meeting, it was suggested to host an indoor invite with both sides of the conference at Olivet. What a great idea. With combination of both sides of the conference the track would be loaded with talent in most every aspect of track. The first year of the meet we finished 6th overall and 2nd our of the teams that compete on our (Red) side of the conference at the end of the year. This past weekend we finished 3rd and were the top team from the Red side. We have certainly developed into a strong TEAM. We have guys in every area who can compete at a high level. Here are a few of the highlights from Friday at Olivet.

A big highlight for the team was the return to competition for Nick Miranda. Nick had a special spring last year running 49.0 and 21.5, this fall Nick tore his ACL and meniscus. If you know Nick you know what a warrior he is and you knew when he was back he would be ready to roll. After stumbling out of the blocks in the 60 and ran a great rust busting 200 (23.36). As Nick continues to get his racing legs under him, look for big things.

Jamir Hunt ran great races in both the 60 (7.21) and the 200 (22.79). Jamir is now the second fastest LWN runner in the indoor 200, only multi-time all state runner Julian Hylton was faster. Jamir put in a great winter and is a name to look out for this year at EIU. Jamir also continues to improve as a long jumper, now being pushed by teammate Jaylen Branch and they both close in on the school record in the long jump.

Drew Slager continues to impress in the triple jump. Drew took 2 jumps on Friday night. One in prelims (42'7') which was a new school record, and then one in finals (43'11.25) another school record. Triple jumps takes unique skill set of speed and strength, a combination that Drew certainly possesses. Drew was one of two event winners on the night for us, and I would be on the look out for Drew to continue to progress.

The other event winner and school record setting was Demetri Panici who ran the 5th fastest time in the state this year in the 800. Taking control from the gun and winning by 6 seconds in 1:56.25. I think when Demetri gets in a race we will something really special.

A great race was run by the 4x200 team of Drew Slager, Jimmy Barkauskas, Sam Broda, and Danny Kazmierczak. They ran within 1 second of the school record. The big leg in this race was Jimmy's second leg in 22.8. Jimmy looked like a man possessed as he blew open a huge lead in our heat. This team finished 4th overall out of the slow heat. Great racing!

Opening height in the pole vault was 9 feet. A height Micah Cox has not cleared. It didn't matter Friday as Micah cleared 9, 9'6 and 10' Setting a 2 foot PR.

Mark Harris ran a huge lifetime PR in the 3200, running 10:12. An awesome run, looking for Mark to be sub 10 come outdoor. We could potentially have 6 sub 10 minute two milers. John Chomiak ran a tough race as well finishing 3rd overall in 10:01. John is one of many distance guys who was battling a cold and flu all week.

Mike Trost came back from a tough leg in the 4x800 to run a lifetime PR in the 1600, running 4:38. Mike is our 4th guy under 4:40 this spring.

Kyle Graff battled tough making the finals in the 60 meter hurdles.

As a team the Phoenix continue to improve in all areas. Next week at Proviso we will have our last chance at indoor PRs and then we head outside and get ready for the big blue track.