Vocational’s Smith impresses at city meet

Updated: May 9, 2011 10:34AM

Two years ago, Darius Smith wasn’t running track. Today, he’s the fastest prep runner in Illinois.

The Vocational senior ran the best times in the state this season in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and also took first in the long jump during Saturday’s Public League meet at Hanson Stadium.

Not bad for a kid who came to the sport later than most. “All my focus was on playing football,” Smith said. “I ran to condition.”

But he was good enough last year to finish runner-up in the 100 at the Class 3A state meet in 10,81 seconds. After running a 10.70 on Saturday, he has bigger dreams this spring.

“Last year was my first year out,” said Smith, a University of Houston recruit. “If I went 10.7 today with the work and training I’m doing, I can do the low 10s [at state this year].”

Smith won the 200 in 21.73 and was first in the long jump with a 22-foot leap.

The only other boy to win multiple events was Lake View senior and Southern Illinois recruit Oscar Medina, who was first in both distance races. Medina edged Lane’s David Timlin by less than three-tenths of a second to win the 1,600 in 4:32.21 after taking the 3,200 in 9:37.67.

“That’s been my goal since sophomore year,” Medina said of the sweep. “I was trying to run smart [in the 3,200] and make sure I had something [left] forthe mile.”

Lindblom sophomore Shamier Little just missed matching Smith’s three titles on the girls side. She set the day’s only meet record in the 100 hurdles (14.28), won the 200 in 25.05 and took second in the 400 (55.77).

“I wish I could have done a little better in the [400],” said Little, whose 100 hurdles time was the state’s best this season. “I like the hurdles more [but] people say my strongest event is the [400].”

Little was beaten in the 400 by defending Class 3A champ Raena Rhone of Young, whose 54.85 was yet another state season-best. She saw this as redemption for a disappointing showing two weeks ago.

“At Glenbard [West] I had a really crappy day,” Rhone said. “I had to prove something to myself and everyone else.”

The other double winners on the girls side were Lane senior Jazmyne Durrah, who took the shot put (39-0) and discus (120-2), and Mather senior Aden Alemu, who was first in the 1,600 (5:18.25) and 3,200 (11:27.10).

“I’m trying to get ready for state,” said Durrah, who is heading to DePaul. “I think I’m definitely getting there. I’m pretty consistent in all my throws so far.”

The team races brought more of the same. Lane’s boys, led by 800 champ and 1,600 runner-up Timlin, beat Perspectives-Calumet 91-53 for their sixth straight city title. “I’m glad for these guys,” Lane coach Kris Roof said. “It’s really a pretty young team.”

Young’s girls gave outgoing coach Bob Geiger his third straight championship, 131-125.5 over Lane.

“They really stepped up and ran with some passion,” Geiger said. “It would have been bittersweet not to win it.”

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