By Michael Newman

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What a weekend it was! I am still waiting on that request for the cold weather to leave us for good. There have been some glimpses of it wanting to go away but no luck yet.

It’s time to take a look at the stories that you might not see in the everyday recaps that we do on DyeStat Illinois. Some stories that will make you laugh. Some of the stories will make you think. I do not think there are any stories that will make you cry. I hope not at least.

Here we go.

Getting to know the roads of Illinois

The Rock Island Girls will have their 4 x 200 Meter Relay on the line at the New York Armory for this weekend’s New Balance Indoor Nationals. But in the past week, Coach Michelle Lillis and her team have hit the roads going to the SIU Girls Invitational in Carbondale on Friday night, then making it to Bloomington for the Bloomington Girls Invitational at the Shirk Center Saturday morning.

“I initially set up to go to the SIU meet because I wanted the coaches there to see Mystique Thompson and LaCresha Linton,” said Lillis. “We already had the Bloomington meet scheduled and paid for so couldn't get out of that.  They have a F/S division that we wanted to participate in anyway.  The 11 girls I took to SIU were up for the challenge.  We looked at it as training.  We realized that the Saturday results would not be great, but hoped the experience would instill a mental strength to give your best even in difficult situations.”

Lillis then talked about the actual journey itself. 

“We left here at 6:00am to travel to Carbondale.  Competed at SIU.  I thought we did fairly well.  After the meet we traveled up to Bloomington.  Arrived at our hotel about 2:30am.  We got back up at 7:30 and the girls prepared to compete again.  I limited each of the 11 girls to 2 running events.  I think my sophomore, Agok Ayuen, actually slipped in three.  They performed well considering how tired they were.  They more than exceeded my expectations.  I would not say I would choose to do that again.  I hope the exposure for girls will pay off.”

How tough will the WSC-Silver be in the 2014 Track Season?

We noticed last fall during the cross country season when four of the top five 3A teams were from the West Suburban Silver Conference. The same thing could be happening again this spring. After the Mustang Relays, five of the top ten times in the state 4 x 800 Meter Relay are from WSC-Silver teams. In the 4 x 400 Meter Relay, five out of the top 20 teams are from that conference.

When seeing Downers Grove North finishing second at the Mustang Relays well under 8 minutes, Hinsdale Central Coach Jim Westphal just shook his head. “It just doesn’t get easier does it?” He just smiled after that. That is what makes that conference so tough. Each school raises there game. That’s a good thing.

From our "Really?" files

I had to laugh when I saw Hall of Fame Coach Steve Currins mention this on his Facebook page. He now helps out with the Palatine Girls Program.

So in all my years in coaching I had a new moment at meet last night. Girl finishes race, comes up to coaches, and says "I guess next race I should run without this." She then proceeds to reach inside of her running bra and remove her phone.

Did you know?

The Mustang Relays are building a tradition of some fast relays on the lightning fast Res-Rec Center track at North Central College. Lane Tech’s time of 7:54.21 in the 4 x 800 Meter Relay is the second fastest ever run in the state of Illinois trailing York’s 7:42.57 that they ran in 2000.

This was the eleventh year that the Mustang Relays has taken place. But, did you know that none of the teams that have won the 4 x 800 Meter Relay in this meet have not won that race at the state meet in May?

Maybe the Downers Grove North Girls team or the Lane Tech Boys will buck that trend this May.

Danville’s secret

Johnny Leverenz has torn up the track so far this indoor season running 1:54 and 4:16 as we head into this weekend. The defending 3A champion has his sights set on winning the 800 Meter Run again this year.

Caleb Hummer could be the unknown factor for this Danville team. He was running with Leverenz through half of the cross country season before he came down with an Achilles injury. He has not raced this season, but when he does, he could be under 9:20 for 3200 Meters.

“One of the reasons of the improvement of Johnny (Leverenz) is because Caleb pushes him in the workouts,” said Danville Coach Steve Luke. “He is so smooth in his style. He has a hot spot just above his Achilles. We do not want to take any chances with Caleb. When he is ready to race, we will race him.”

Danville has an up and coming distance program led by Leverenz with Distance Coach Todd Orvis leading this team. At Thursday’s Hoosier Relays State Qualifier in West Lafayette, Leverenz anchored Danville’s Distance Medley to a state leading 10:41.57. Leverenz had a 4:17 split for 1600 Meters. Other members of that squad included Jeremiah Cooley (3:24 – 1200), Jelani Day (53.1 – 400), and Tommy Session (2:05.3 – 800).

This weekend

The focus will be on what is happening with the Illinois athletes that will be competing at the New Balance Indoor Nationals. The top meet on Friday Evening will be the Tiger Classic at Principia College hosted by Edwardsville. Cahokia, East St. Louis-Senior, Belleville West and host Edwardsville will gives up some fast times in the sprints. Also watch for Patrick Perrier (O’Fallon HS) in the 3200 Meter Run. This will be his only race of the evening. We could see him going under 9:10 in this event.

Two great Girls meets will be the main focus on Saturday. Eastern Illinois University will host the Charleston Girls Invitational on Saturday. The small schools will go in the morning with the larger schools in the afternoon. Anna Sophia Keller (St. Anthony HS, Effingham) is scheduled to compete in this meet. Proviso West will host the Proviso East Lady Pirate Classic. This meet usually produces some great sprint times.

Byron High School will host its First Chance Meet. The Girls Meet will be in the morning with the Boys Meet in the afternoon. Plainfield South will host Girls and Boys Invitationals Friday and Saturday. Plainfield North will have their Boys Invitational Saturday morning. The Dan Phillips Relays will take place at Evanston High School Friday Evening.

Have a good weekend!