By Michael Newman, ILXCTF.com Editor

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Elmhurst --- York High School’s Joe Newton Fieldhouse track facility received a makeover last summer. The facility, opened in 2004, had their 12-year-old surface replaced. In meets last year, athletes were having trouble with their footing around the curves. Coaches at Friday night’s York Boys Indoor Invitational had nothing but complimentary raves for the new Mondo surface.

The athletes competing on the track spoke out also using some fast performances in the meet as their voice.

Declan Rustay of Hoffman Estates High School demonstrated that he is ready to go for the 2017 season. The junior, who was All-State in the 100 and 200 Meter Dashes last spring, won the 55 Meter Dash tying him for the third fastest time in the state for that event (6.51).

“My start was okay. It could be better,” Rustay said. “It has improved since my freshman year. All I can do is keep improving as the season goes on.”

Rustay was also a key part of Hoffman Estates relay teams that won the 800 and 1600 Meter Relays. Rustay led off with a quick 22.8 split to give the Hawks the early advantage. They finished running 1:33.91 to win their section and the event. It was nip and tuck during the 1600 Meter Relay until Rustay got the baton for the anchor leg. He closed with a 50.4 split as Hoffman Estates ran 3:30.85 (IL #11) for the win ahead of York (3:31.90) and Wheaton-Warrenville South (3:32.13).

Charlie Kern of York already has gotten used to the surface through the workouts that he has done in the facility. He showed off his fitness level with a win in the 1600 Meter Run. Kern took control of the pace early in the race going out in 64.3 seconds for the first 400-meters. The pace slowed to 2:12.1 at 800-meters when Campbell Koch of St. Charles East surprised Kern and took the lead. The pace slowed to 3:19 with 400-meters to go. Kern pulled away in the final two laps to run 4:21.92 for the win.

“When he (Koch) went by me, I was like what?” Kern said after his race. “I was definitely surprised but that is what makes a good race. I just went with him.”

Kern’s time is the fastest FAT (Fully-Automated-Timed) time for the event in the state so far this season. Clayton Mendez of Whitney Young and Jack Worman of Hoffman Estates have faster hand timed performances in 2017. Koch finished second (4:25.68) improving his personal best by 18 seconds.

Wheaton-Warrenville South only won a single varsity event in the meet but their depth took over scoring in 14 of 17 varsity events. The Tigers scored 120 points for the team championship ahead of Prospect (111 points), York (97 points), and Hoffman Estates (87 points). South’s only win came in the Pole Vault as Tom Ansiel cleared 14-7 for the win. They also picked up a win in the B-Level 1600 Meter Relay that was figured in the final team scoring.

Meet Notes

Jack Worman ran 4:21.6 on this track nine days before in a triangular meet. Worman bided his time in the pack in the 3200 Meter Run before breaking away in the final kilometer to run 9:25.25 (IL #7) for the win ten seconds ahead of teammate Alex Makrounis.

Luke Sutherland of St. Charles North was a part of his team’s 3:30.85 1600 Meter Relay at last Monday’s Mustang Relays. Sutherland went out on his own to win the 400 Meter Dash in 51.06 (IL #5). York’s Kurt Namini ran 51.94 to finish second.

Keith Freeman of York has been a positive note for his team this season after leaving the track team early in his junior season. The senior finished second behind Rustay in the 55 Meter Dash (6.63). He then came back to run 22.67 (IL #11) to win the 200 Meter Dash.

Vince Shields of Prospect won the Shot Put with a seasonal best of 52-7. He won by only one inch ahead of Hononegah’s John Terry who had a 52-6 put.