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Grayslake North’s Titus Booker, the defending champion and Class 3A runner-up, saw his senior track and field season end with a hamstring injury.
McHenry’s Jack Machometa, the McHenry County champion, also suffered a hamstring strain and will wait until next week’s Class 3A Guilford Sectional to run.
It knocks some luster off what could have been the fastest 100 meters race in the history of the Fox Valley Conference Track and Field Meet. Although the race still packs intrigue with three sprinters who have eclipsed 10.9 this season.
Jacobs’ Josh Walker (10.84), Dundee-Crown’s Malik Dunner (10.85) and Huntley’s Connor Boos (10.89) plan on making the 100 at Crystal Lake South’s Ken Bruhn Field Friday memorable. Field events start at 4:30 p.m., with running finals at 6. That means the 100 should go off a little after 7.
The other competitors were disappointed that Booker, who will play football at Wisconsin, and Machometa will miss the race.
“I don’t even remember what place I got last year,” Walker said. “It was a stacked race. If I was running against Titus, I would be more motivated than usual.”
Friday’s temperatures should reach around 80 degrees, so with favorable wind conditions, Walker, Dunner and Boos could run season-best times. The FVC Meet record (10.7) is shared by Crystal Lake Central’s Mark Diserio, Cary-Grove’s Chad Asprooth and Rashad McDade and McHenry’s Noel Figueroa.
Machometa, Walker and Boos all broke 11 seconds at last month’s McHenry County Meet. Dunner was not there because D-C is located in Kane County. Machometa strained his left hamstring later in the county meet’s 200 and has not competed since. He and Warriors coach Dennis Hutchinson decided Wednesday he will sit the FVC Meet out, but will run at the sectional.
“It’s feeling great,” Machometa said. “I know I can run, but the risk we worry about.”
Machometa says he has been running close to full speed in practices. Walker was the 100 runner-up to Machometa at the county meet and Boos was third. Boos later came back and won the 200.
“It may be one of the best races this year,” Boos said. “Without Titus, it’s a little lower, but there’s a few ways it can go. A good start might be the difference-maker. Get a good start and hold people off.”
Dunner, who will play football at Ball State, welcomes the top-flight competition.
“The opportunity to compete against these fast guys is great,” Dunner said. “The more competition you have, the faster you run. That’s the best part of it.”
Speed to burn
A look at the top competitors in the FVC Meet’s 100 meters on Friday.
Connor Boos, Huntley
Best time: 10.89.
College: Marquette (track).
Boos’ pick: “I don’t want to doubt myself. We’ll see how it goes. I’m hungry for it.”
Malik Dunner, Dundee-Crown
Best time: 10.85.
College: Ball State (football).
Dunner’s pick: “It’s a race that’s up for grabs. Whoever gets out of the box faster is going to win it.”
Jack Machometa, McHenry
Best time: 10.81.
College: Undecided (likely will go NAIA for a year, then transfer to Illinois for track).
Machometa’s pick: “They’re all great competitors and have massive speed.” Note: Because of hamstring injury, Machometa will miss the FVC Meet, but plans on running at next week’s Class 3A Guilford Sectional.
Josh Walker, Jacobs
Best time: 10.84.
College: Army Prep School (football).
Walker’s pick: “I hope I’m going to win it. It’s basically who has the better day at that moment. We all have the talent to take the race. I would like to say myself. I’m pretty sure they’ll say themselves too.”