Plainfield South wins boys title, North wins girls title at Hunt Invitational

PLAINFIELD – The four Plainfield schools came together Thursday evening for the annual Stephen P. Hunt Invitational under almost ideal conditions, which has been a rarity for this meet. This meet, also dubbed “TrackTown Illinois” pays tribute to Hunt, who was tragically killed in the 1990 Plainfield tornado.

Those ideal weather conditions changed dramatically as South’s Niko Schultz, one of the best middle distance runners in the state, was running the 800, a storm blew through and as Schultz crossed the finish line to win in 1:58.14, a 30 minute delay was called as the stadium was emptied. Schultz would come back after the delay and win the 400 in 50.76.

“I’m disappointed I didn’t get the meet record,” Schultz said. “But I really felt the wind on the backstretch as that storm was coming through.”

The boys meet was close as it usually has been the past few years as South and North battled it out with South claiming the title with 100.5 points. They were followed by North (89), East (36.5) and Central (30).

Other Cougar wins came from Liam Drapeau, long jump (20′-6 1/2); Jeremiah Wilson, triple jump (40′-2 3/4); Tyler Schultz, 110 hurdles (16.35); the 4 X 800 (8:16.81); Brian Stanton in the 200 (22.93); Chris Garrett, high jump (5′-10 3/4).

The Tigers won the 4 X 100 (43.60) and 4 X 200 (1:34.32) and 4 X 400 (3:30.02) relays, along with the 100 by LaVell Patterson (11.18); Cooper Shelton, 3,200 (9:58.60) and Jalyn Given; 300 hurdles (42.28).

North’s Ryan Maseman set a new meet record in the 1,600 with a time of 4:25.24 which broke the 2011 record by just .02 seconds.

East had winners in three field events as Adam Jackson won the pole vault (11′-11 3/4); Zach Barlev, shot put (44′-2) and Tony Zajac in the discus (149′-2).

North won the girls title, scoring 115.5 points to easily distance second place East (65), South (48) and Central (43.5).

The Tiger received wins from Aminah Hussain in the 3,200 meters (12:40.83); the 4 X 800 relay (10:38.86); Michelle Masis, 800 (2:36.34); Aahnti Leflore, 100 (13.01); Sara Pasch, shot put (33′-10 3/4); Gabby Bonasera, discus (91′-7); Ava Pardo, 300 hurdles (50.67); Abby Anderson, 1,600 (5:54.49) and the 4 X 400 relay (4:15.00).

“It feels great to win this meet in the 100 and as a team, but I’m a little disappointed in the time, but a win is a win,” Leflore said.

East won the 4 X 100 relay as Ava Spencer, Allyson Wojciechowski, Zynian Pendleton and Elissa Perkins clocked a 51.42 which was their season best. Only Pendleton is a junior, with the other three just sophomores, as the group also won the 4 X 200 (1:50.32).

“We finally executed our handoffs today in the 4 X 100 and that helped,” Spencer said. “That was the first time we really put it together, but there is always room for improvement.”

The Bengals also received a first from Carmen Trillo in the pole vault (10′-11 3/4); Arianna Burkes, 400 (59.62); Mazie Gierat, triple jump (35′-2).

South had a first place from Janiya Bowman in the long jump (16′-8 3/4) and 200 (26.63).

Central’s Gianna Trent won the 100 hurdles (18.61).