Boys Track and Field: Kaneland captures Crystal Lake Central Invite title

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CRYSTAL LAKE – Nathan Rebacz’s decision to go out for track and field as a senior at Kaneland High School certainly has paid dividends.

Rebacz went 6 feet, 2 inches to win the high jump at the 48th annual Crystal Lake Central Invitational on April 29.

The senior’s efforts helped the Knights win the team competition with 109 points.

Burlington Central was second with 91 points.

“It has been a lot of fun so far,” Rebacz said. “I am glad I came out. I am working on technique and hope to keep getting better.”

The Knights won the 4x200 relay in 1:31.7, the 4x100 relay in 43.58 seconds and the 4x400 relay, the final event of the evening, in a time of 3:28.70.

Lucas Bass claimed top honors in the triple jump with a leap of 42 feet.

The Knights were second in the 4x800. Individual runners-up for the Knights came from David Valkanov (3,200), Nolan Allen (400) and Brayden Farmer (pole vault).

Burlington Central was paced by Yusuf Baig.

Baig, who usually runs the 1,600 and 3,200, won the 800 in a time of 2:00.53. Baig’s teammate Zac Schmidt was second in a time of 2:03.8.

“I am pushing to finish high in the state in the 1,600 and 3,200,” Baig said. “The 800 was good for training.”

Baig, who will compete at Illinois State next season in cross country and track, was eighth in the state last season in the 3,200 and 12th in the 1,600.

The Rockets also got first-place efforts from Nolan Milas (100, 11.31) and Grayson Burton (pole vault, 12-11 ).

In addition to Schmidt, second-place honors for the Rockets came from Milas (200) and Gavin Sarvis (triple jump, long jump).

The Rockets were second in the 800 and 1,600 relays,

Round Lake’s top finisher was Jamariel Brown, who won the 400 in a time of 51.47, which is a personal best.

Brown, who hopes to compete in college, is accepting his leadership role on the team as a senior.

“I am being a leader on the team for the younger guys,” Brown said. “I am totally accepting of the role.”

Dundee-Crown placed fourth with 67 points. The Chargers got second-place efforts from Diego Farias (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles) and Henry Kennedy (100).