After many varsity boys on track placed well in an array of events such as the LT Relays and Indoor Conference, the team is heading towards state on a hot streak and with a tough mentality. Additionally, valuable underclassmen and senior leaders will try to pave the team’s path to success at state and end the season on a high-note.

“For our distance team we broke the indoor track school record for the second straight year in a row by running a 7:55 in the 4×800 meter relay,” distance runner Vincent Zona ‘17 said. “And at indoor conference Connor Madell ‘16 and I finished first and second in the mile event while the team as a whole took second place overall.”

Similar success has followed the performances of the varsity sprinting team

“Up to this point in the season the biggest highlights have been winning the LT Relays, which is our home invitational meet,” varsity track sprint and hurdler coach Luke Taylor said. “Additionally, we won the 21 team Prospect Wanner Knights Invitational for the first time in school history, defeating the defending state champions, Edwardsville, as well as Minooka, who many see as a favorite to win a trophy at the state meet this year.”

With experienced returning sprinters such as Reggie Terrell ’17, Tyler Delitko ’16, Jack Luxem ’16, Robert Hatch ’17 and a new blazing-fast varsity sprinter, Antwan Thigpen ’17, the team has gained depth and further advantages at state.

“I am at practice every day giving a 110 percent to get better and ready for state,” Thigpen said. “Our team is very strong at coming together and making each other better, which will help us state.”

As state approaches, coaches are busy figuring out how to prepare their racers for state. Whether it be finding more time for conditioning or practicing baton handoffs, every detail counts.

“We are a very good team across the board with a lot of underclassmen coming back to sprint,” Madell said. “For state, we are starting to get down to the nitty-gritty, sprinters have been practicing blind handoffs while Coach Mike Danner has been implementing morning runs into our training.”

With state occurring on the same day as prom, many seniors on track will be missing the dance, which is an unfavorable situation to be in Madell said. However, missing prom is not the team’s center of attention as state approaches. Rather it is the preparation for the fierce competition that will take place.

“For me, as a senior, this last state meet is going to be something special,” Madell said.

Hinsdale Central, Buffalo Grove and West Aurora all have top mile and two-mile runners that will be there.

Despite pressures to succeed, Zona knows his teammates are ready to perform their best.

“The seniors have a lot of experience running at state, so they have the ability to run really well this year,” Zona said. “Nobody is too nervous for state, because this is not our first time competing there and we know how to prepare and what to expect.”