CHARLESTON — On a very hot day, which saw the running events moved three hours later because of the dangerous heat, the Sandwich Indians didn’t let any of that bother them as they came away with an individual state champion, four all-state medalist performances, and a sixth-place team finish, scoring 34 1/2 points.
It was the best team finish for the Indians track program in school history. The only other top-10 finish was a seventh in 2004 under the old two-class system.
Jayden McCulskie-Green was Mr. Everything for the Indians as he won the triple jump (47 feet, 10 inches), placed second in the long jump (22-9) and was seventh in the high jump (6-2 3/4).
The title in the triple jump was only the third individual championship in school history, following Dan Christensen’s pole vault title in 2002 and Ryan Njegovan’s discus title in 2013.
McCulskie-Green did the high jump and long jump at the same time and had to run back and forth between the two events.
“Running between the two events [long and high jump] was awful, but mentally you have to be prepared for it,” McCulskie-Green said. “You have to stay mentally focused, stay hydrated on a day like today and that is what I did.”
— Sandwich senior Jayden McCulskie-Green
“Running between the two events [long and high jump] was awful, but mentally you have to be prepared for it,” McCulskie-Green said. “You have to stay mentally focused, stay hydrated on a day like today and that is what I did.”
McCulskie-Green took the lead in the long jump on his third of four attempts on a picture-perfect jump which was his best ever. Urbana’s Daniel Mboyo won the event on his final attempt by two inches.
“I had a rough season in the long jump, and I was so happy to come through when it mattered in that event,” McCulskie-Green said. “This is all about team points and us as a team finishing as high as we possibly can. So every place you can get matters at the end.”
But the Sandwich star left no doubt who the best 2A triple jumper was, as he won by two and-a-half feet.
Michael Marrs added to the Indians’ point total with a third-place finish in both the 100 meters (10.95) and the 200 (22.18). The third-place marks were each the best in school history in those events.
“I’m very happy with my races, two third-place finishes, that is great,” said Marrs, a senior. “I placed better than my seed and my time was faster than sectional. I was in races with the big dogs and performed well. Plus, I’m coming to school here [Eastern Illinois], so I hope the coaches noticed.”
Also taking part in the day for Sandwich were Steve Aguilar, who posted a time of 52.23 in the 400-meter run, placing him 15th, and Wyatt Miller, who failed to make the opening height in the pole vault competition. The 800 relay squad of Noah Klossing, McCulskie-Green, Jaedon Thompson, and Marrs placed 11th in a time of 1:31.68.
The only other Times-area 2A competitor was Streator speedster Kody Danko. The Bulldogs sophomore standout finished with a time of 2:02.55 in the 800 meters to give himself 13th place.