Maine West may not have qualified any team members to State from Friday's super-tough Palatine Sectional, but the still-young Warriors did set the table for bigger and better things in 2009.
The squad's most likely chance to make State was in the 3200-meter relay, but with ace junior Martin Chavez hampered by a hamstring injury, the foursome (including fellow junior Pawel Myrick, senior Mauricio Sierra and Chavez's twin brother, Juan) was unable to advance with a time of 8 minutes, 9.5 seconds.
"It was our only real shot for State, and it didn't happen. Martin was not 100 percent with the pulled hamstring," lamented West head coach Andy Trotter, who won't be serving as a mentor in the state meet for the first time in at least a dozen years. "But it was a great effort by the guys. They handled themselves well. It's unfortunate no one was a State qualifier this year, but we are young."
Myrick, Sierra, senior Eric Nash and Juan Chavez also competed in the 1600 relay at Palatine, finishing in 3:29.7 but not making finals.
"We're disappointed. We wanted to keep the State streak going," Myrick said afterward. "But the future is bright. Next year, we can do some damage. It's going to be exciting. We got experience from the sectionals, and that's good for our young guys. It will help with our future."
Overall, other sectional highlights for West included sophomore Kevin Schaefer's personal-best time of 10:00.9 and freshman Tim Bugajsky's personal-best 10:19.5 in the 3200, and a personal-best leap of 19 feet, 9 inches in long jump by sophomore Carlos Trejo.
"Kevin and Tim both ran well, and Carlos, he'll be good next year. He's a nice kid and a good athlete," Trotter said.
Other personal bests came from senior Brian Sloma, who went 20-2 in long jump, and from senior Rick Sloma, who finished the 800 in 2:04.6. Senior Jared Golojuch finished up with a toss of 50-11 in shot put.
"It was a nice way for the seniors to end their careers," Trotter said.
Sophomore Trevor Kelly delivered a personal-best 2:04.2 in the 800, and Tony Fitzpatrick, another sophomore, posted a personal-best 43.1 in the 300 intermediate hurdles as well.
"Tony was right there, and he's only a sophomore," Trotter said. "Team-wise, we really had a good meet -- a number of personal records and good efforts all in all. Unfortunately, the one event we hoped to advance -- the (3200) relay -- didn't pan out. But we've got some nice freshmen and sophomores, including the Chavez brothers, coming back. The young kids we have enjoy track, and they have a good attitude. The future's looking pretty good for Maine West track. We'll be reckoned with next year."
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