CHARLESTON – After entering Saturday’s IHSA Boys Track and Field State Meet state finals as the top seed in the Class 3A 400, Minooka senior Brandon Adams was hoping to complete his career as a state champion.

But Adams came up a bit short of his goal, settling for a second-place finish in 48.56, which left him behind Grant’s Jason Thormo, who turned in a 48.18.

The Indians sprinter placed in three relays in 2016, claiming one second and two third-place finishes. He became the first medalist in the 400 for his program.

“It’s my senior year, and I was really striving for that first place, but it was also a blessing to get second place,” Adams said. “It’s a big accomplishment and also something for the younger class who come here who do sprints to strive for. Seeing how good our sprints, distance and field events have been, it’s also a big thing to look for. The past four years have been a great experience being coached by our coaches.”

Minooka, which placed 11th with 18 points, also received a sixth-place finish from senior Antonio Hayden in high jump (6 feet, 6 inches) while senior Dominic Ruettiger took seventh in pole vault (14-6).

“I was ranked tied for third, and I jumped the same height that I did in the sectional and got sixth,” Hayden said. “So I’m very happy with how I competed today. When I got out, I wasn’t even upset but was super excited for the other athletes since they were doing crazy.”

“This was exciting,” Ruettiger said. “I didn’t jump what I wanted, but it definitely was a good feeling being able to place. Everyone jumped good, but it just came to skipping at 14-9 while others jumped that.”

The Indians also claimed seventh in the 4x800 relay (7:54.95), with sophomore Jason Hoffman, senior Matthew Schofield, sophomore Hector Ramos and junior Jordan Freese.

Plainfield East senior Brian Keubeng took fourth place in long jump (23-1¾). In the process, he became the first Bengals athlete to earn a medal in a field event.

“This feels pretty great,” Keubeng said. “I didn’t let the nerves get to me this year and went out and just had fun. I’m happy with the fourth place, but I would like to have jumped a little farther.”

Later in the meet, junior Alex Babbington joined Keubeng as a field medalist after taking fifth place in high jump (6-6).

“It was a great experience, and I’m really happy about my performance,” Babbington said. “I wish that I did a little bit better, but I’m really happy that I [hit a personal record]. I’m hoping to maybe get 6-10 or 7-0 next year. My teammate Brian medaled, too, and I’m happy for him.”

Joliet West senior Dontae Rooks took fourth in the 400 (49.18) and also was a member of a seventh-place 4x400 relay (3:23.55), which included seniors Anthony Sain and Colt Dolak and junior Jabari Harris. He is the first JT athlete to place in the 400 since 1990.

“I feel like I deserve this because even though I’ve been in track for two years, I worked for this,” Rooks said. “This feels amazing. My coach has always been there for me, working to make sure that I was doing my best in school and on the track, and it paid off.”

Lincoln-Way East junior Fard Farrakan placed fifth in triple jump (46-1¼). It was the first time that the Griffins have won a medal in the event. Sophomore Brett Gardner was 17th in the 3,200 (9:30.69).

“The whole experience was pretty cool, especially with this being my first full year of running track,” Farrakan said. “In the four meets I [set a personal record], and that really gave me a big confidence boost.”

Plainfield Central junior Geremiah Lawson also placed seventh in long jump (22-10½). It was the Wildcats’ first medal in long jump.

Romeoville senior Xavier Jones was his team’s lone medal winner, taking ninth in triple jump (45-10¾). The Spartans just missed out on getting two more individuals to the awards stand as senior Dan Ford was tenth in the 800 (1:56.08), and junior Amiri Buchanan placed 11th in shot put (55-8).

“This whole season my goal was to be on the podium,” Jones said. “I didn’t get to where I wanted to, but at least I got a medal and got recognition for us, so that’s what I was working for. Over the years, it’s been a struggle with injuries, and last year, I came here and didn’t do that well. So in my senior year, I had to make my name known.”