Kaneland wins Class 2A track sectional

Updated: May 19, 2011 10:54PM

Capturing the Rochelle Class 2A Sectional title was Kaneland’s goal, but so was continuing an impressive tradition.

The Knights achieved the major goal by amassing 90 points to outdistance runners-up Burlington Central and Sterling, which shared second with 78 points, followed by Ottawa (71.5) and Yorkville (62.5). Sandwich’s 23 points put the Indians ninth among the 13 schools competing Thursday.

The second Kaneland accomplishment came thanks to Kory Harner’s second-place finish in the pole vault (clearing 13-3), which meant this is the 30th consecutive year the Knights have had a qualifier for the state meet in that event.

“It’s not so much pressure as it is extra motivation,” Harner said in regard to his efforts along with teammate Alex Gill, who didn’t advance but placed fifth in giving the “KHS Pole Vault Factory” its latest success story.

“It’s all about the technique,” Harner said.

Gill added, “It starts off with the run, a good plant, you have to hit it hard to propel yourself.”

“After the takeoff, you’ve got to swing the trail leg up and you try to connect your shins to your hands,” Harner said. “Then comes the ‘Bubka,’ which is the move where you pop your chest while you’re upside down.”

Most of that explanation was echoed by the pole vault champion, Sandwich’s Sam Hill, who dominated the event taking first by clearing 14-8œ, but just came up short in a trio of attempts at 15 feet. The Sandwich senior placed 10th at last year’s state meet.

“I’m going for first. I’ve worked hard and believe this is my year,” Hill said. “I always try to rush the first part and drive through and then at the end, I visualize popping the top off a Pringles can. That’s one of the lessons I learned from Victor Baltron, our volunteer coach.”

In addition to Hill, Sandwich’s other highlight performer was high jump runner-up Joe Worley (6-5), who admitted he didn’t “think it would be this easy, but once I got into my steps, it all felt right and was so fluid. I can only hope things go as well at state.”

Kaneland’s 400-meter relay unit of Jesse Balluff, Brandon Cottier, Taylor Andrews and Tommy Whittaker took first in 42.76 with Andres also winning the 110 hurdles in 14.35, while the 1,600-meter foursome of Dylan Nauert, Brandon Bishop, Cottier and Curtis Secrest captured that event in 3:20.95.

“Tommy (Whittaker) became a four-time state qualifier for us and he, like all our seniors, showed tremendous leadership and I just can’t say enough about them,” Kaneland coach Eric Baron said. “Taylor (Andrews), Curtis (Secrest), Trevor (Holmes) stepped up.”

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