MSJHS boys’ track places second at Danville meet
By FRED KRONER
Both the M-S seventh-grade and eighth-grade boys’ track and field teams placed second on Monday (April 26) in a seven-school meet at Danville North Ridge.
Four Bulldogs won individual events: Blake Dillman (800 meters), Ethan Peterka (1,600 meters), Parker Wilkins (high jump) and Ty Clark (pole vault).
Additionally, two M-S relays were victorious. The 800-meter foursome of Justus Verona, Isaiah Benson, Wade Manuel and Landen Dowers triumphed as did the 1,600-meter group of Augie Gaudio, Manuel, Jonathan Franklin and Peterka.
On Monday (April 12) at home, Clark was a two-event winner (pole vault and high jump) against Rantoul Eater and Tolono Unity.
Four eighth-grade teammates won one event: Dillman (400 meters), Ian Dobrucki (hurdles), Ethan Ramirez (800 meters) and Joshua Franklin (1,600 meters).
The 800-meter relay topped the competition. Joining forces for the win were Will Slezak, Dylan Smith, Dobrucki and Kaden Jackson.
In the seventh-grade portion of the meet, Peterka was a double winner, taking first in the 400- and 800-meter races.
Other seventh-grade winners for M-S were Manuel (200 meters) and Hawke O’Malley (hurdles).
On Thursday (April 8), the Bulldogs opened the outdoor season at home against St. Joseph.
M-S’ individual event winners were: Dillman, Dobrucki, Noah Frank, Joshua Franklin, Gaudio, Manuel, O’Malley, Camden Snodsmith and Camden Wood.
M-S returns to action on Friday (April 30) at home against Champaign St. Matthew, Danville North Ridge and Tuscola. On Saturday (May 1), the Bulldogs will compete in the Mount Zion Invitational.
“After losing out last year to Covid-19, we have seen a tremendous amount of growth from all of our student-athletes,” M-S coach Bobby Boykin said. “Our goal for this year is to get better every day, and the MSJH boys’ track team has really taken that to heart, as we see them improving times and distances at every meet.”
