Newcomer Bethke earns State berth

Grayslake Central's Jeremy Bethke, seen here running in the middle of the pack during the first lap of the 800 meters, races to a first-place finish in Friday's Class 2A Sectional.
(Rob Dicker/Staff Photographer)

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BOYS TRACK-- There is nothing quite like a senior coming out for track for the first time and making a big splash.

Jeremy Bethke, a senior midfielder for Grayslake Central soccer team, took some advice to stay in shape and joined the Rams' boys track team this spring. His new venture has earned him a field trip to Charleston for this weekend's IHSA Class 2A State Meet at Eastern Illinois University.

The defensive-minded soccer star is now a sectional champion. During Friday night's sectional at Grayslake, Bethke won the 800-meter run in 1:59.23. He now owns the 12th-best time in Class 2A.

"He ran a great race," said Central track coach Brent Pitt. "He's a very determined young man. He had a great kick at the end."

"He ran a great race," said Central track coach Brent Pitt. "He's a very determined young man. He had a great kick at the end."

Pitt and his fellow coaches felt the Rams might struggle a little this spring with their youth. But this team has surprised. A fourth-place sectional (58.33) finish in a field of 14 teams sits well with Pitt. His Rams were in second place for a time Friday night before settling in fourth.

"We talked about our needs," Pitt said. "Our frosh/soph took second. We ended on a high note. We had kids medal."

Bethke will have plenty of company for his trip to the state meet. Kendall Smith took on strong throwers from Antioch and won himself a shot put title. His sectional-best throw of 54-11.5 is listed as the fifth best toss in the field. It also earned him a school record.

"He's gone 56-0 in practice," Pitt said. "But that the furthest he's thrown in a meet."

Pole vaulter Chris Makey placed third (13-3), but his mark beat the state-qualifying mark.

"It was very dramatic," Pitt noted. "He went from 12-3 to 13-3 on his third try. He's an inch away from our school record."

There is a freshman in the mix as well. Will Brewster finished third in the 3200 to qualify for the state meet. His time was 9:44.76.

"He ran cross county and played basketball," Pitt said. "He's a very talented runner."

He was a foot short.

But Carmel sophomore John Thumel accomplished a notable feat during Friday's IHSA Class 3A Buffalo Grove Sectional. He cleared 12-9 in pole vault to match his personal-best and finish fifth.

The state-qualifying standard in the event is 13-9.

Teammate Sean Madison was a spot away from earning a finals berth in triple jump; he went 40-11.5 (12th place). Carmel's Anthony Paul placed eighth in the 100 dash (11.4).

Carmel's 3200 relay team earned a team point with a sixth-place finish in 8:22.6.