DGN at Class 3A state meet (story)

Senior Zack Smith, the most successful distance runner in Downers Grove North history, is a great role model to emulate.

Junior Ryan Clevenger did just that and more in their final race together at the Class 3A boys track state meet Saturday, May 31, at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

After his first all-state cross country season, Clevenger earned his first all-state medals for track with top-nine finishes.

When Clevenger finished third in the 1,600-meter run in a  school-record 4:11.20 fully automatic time, he duplicated the same finish Smith had as a junior in the 2013 finals in 4:14.49. Smith was ninth Saturday (4:14.82) after earlier taking sixth in the 3,200 (9:19.75).

”Oh wow, this whole year I just give it all to Zack. He’s just led me through everything and just helped me to get to where I am,” Clevenger said.

”In cross country, I was just some young junior trying to run with the top guys. I wouldn’t really know how to race up there. He taught me how to tactically race and just through the whole cross country season taught me how to get top two, work as a team and work as a group and how to just compete with the top runners in the state. I think that’s part of the reason why I got seventh in state (in cross country) and this track season hasn’t been much different.”

Smith and the Trojans set new standards for all-state performances in program history. Their combined eight all-state medals among five performances clearly ranks as the most in any one season for the program.

Senior Tony Zea also broke a school record Saturday by taking fourth in the 800 in 1:54.44.

The 3,200 relay of Zea, juniors Jack Diamond and Zac Christensen and Clevenger ran a season-best 7:47.95 to finish eighth. Senior Eric Wisz reached the finals in pole vault and equaled his career best of 13 feet-9 inches for the third straight meet but ended up 10th.

The Trojans tied for 12th as a team with 20 points and were second-highest finishing team among West Suburban Conference Silver Division teams to York (40 points), which won its first state team title since 2009.

”It was great. Any time you can get five events to Saturday, to the finals, that’s a pretty big accomplishment,” Downers North head coach Eric Buhot said.

“That’s tough to do. It’s the elite of the elite. These guys responded in an awesome way. The distance events were absolutely brutal from a competitiveness standpoint. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but we had some great times and it didn’t necessarily show through in the places, but you can’t really control that.”

The Trojans brought 10 state entries. In the 3,200, which is only run in two heats Saturday, senior Jeremy Craven was 12th (9:28.51) out of the slower heat, .74 from ninth. In other preliminaries Friday, May 30, senior Jazz Charrier was 16th in long jump (21-5), just 4 1/4 inches shy of a berth in the 12-jumper finals, and senior Nick Steichmann was 23rd in shot put (48-9 3/4) in their first state trips. Junior Nick Janicki was 19th in discus (150-6) in his second straight state berth in the event.

Smith and Janicki were the only Trojans with previous state track experience. Smith, Clevenger, Diamond, Christensen and Craven were part of the cross country state lineup that finished a program-best second at the 3A state meet Nov. 9.

Zea was among the Trojans’ five first-time seniors at state. Zea ran his two fastest 800s ever Saturday, starting with a 1:54.9 split to start the 3,200 relay.

Zea and Smith are excited to continue their running careers as teammates at the University of Illinois.

”Oh yeah, a three-second PR in the 800 this year, that says it all right there,” Zea said.  “Most important (was), just the coaching and the team around me. They were all just really supportive and every day, every workout, every run they would push me to my best.

“I wouldn’t be here where I am right now without those guys. I’m really grateful to those guys and especially (distance coach John Sipple). He’s been with me all year. He knew I had the potential and I’m happy that he believed in me and so I proved him right.”

According to IHSA.org, the Trojans earned as many as five all-state medals in 2011 and 2006 with one relay and one individual. Two individuals were all-state in both 1996 and 1993, but no relays.

”It’s pretty neat that we ended up with so many distance guys with medals around their necks. That was the goal going in,” said Sipple, also the Downers North head boys cross country coach. “We could have scrapped it and just gone with (Clevenger also) in the 3,200 and done stuff like that but this gave us the most opportunities to try and do it and if everything went right for us, maybe we would have scored a little better (as a team), but tied for 12th in pretty good.”

With three all-state track medals, Smith has the most in Downers Grove North history and equals the three by Arthur Schlauder. Competing for Downers Grove High School, Schlauder won the 100-yard dash in 1938 after taking third in 1937 and was second in the 220-yard dash in 1938.

Smith is the Trojans' first runner to earn all-state in both the 3,200 and 1,600, much less the same meet. No previous runner ever was all-state in the 1,600 twice.

”It’s pretty incredible. Obviously, Ryan coming up here is probably going to take my spot at the top after next year, but it’s nice to say I have the most medals in school history while I’ve got them,” Smith said.

“All of the great runners that have come through Downers Grove North, (I’m excited) just to be up in the conversation with some of those guys that I’ve kind of looked up to and kind of dreamed about in a sense since freshman year. It’s kind of crazy to think like in 10 years maybe some of the kids on the team will be talking, ‘Wow, I wonder what he was like.’ I couldn’t have been on a better team with better coachers. I know I wouldn’t have done any of it without them so it’s just been incredible to have this opportunity.”

Smith leaves with school records for the 3,200 both outdoor (9:07.10 April 25) and indoor (9:10.76 in 2013) and was part of the indoor school 7:55.87 for the 3,200 relay with Zea, Diamond and Clevenger March 10 at North Central College.

On Nov. 9, Smith also posted the program’s highest individual finish and fastest time at the boys cross country state meet (3rd place, 14:23 for 3.0 miles) in helping the Trojans finish a program-best second in Class 3A.

”Quite a career for Zack Smith. It’s pretty incredible if you think about what he’s been able to accomplish over his time here,” Sipple said. “It’s just awesome. It’s been a great ride.”

Clevenger broke the school record of 4:12.8 manual time set by Tony Laskowski in 1988. In the 800, Zea broke the school record of 1:55.3 manual time by Matthew Galas in 1995 after Zea's previous best was 1:55.83.

”It was hot so I am beyond surprised (about the record),” Clevenger said. “I did not think that today would be the day to get it, but it just all worked out – and a huge PR. Jeez, wow, OK, I can’t believe it. It just went great because we went out perfectly.”

Clevenger appeared as though he was going to finish fourth in until the final 25 meters. He put on a vicious final surge to just miss catching O’Fallon senior Patrick Perrier (4:10.34), the cross country individual state champion.

Second-place Saint Ignatius senior Chris Korabik held off Clevenger by .005 of a second (4:11.194 to 4:11.199), and two juniors were fourth and fifth, Conant’s Zach Dale (4:11.28) and Yorkville’s Jake Hoffert (4:11.71). The only other junior in the race was McHenry’s Jessie Reiser (7th, 4:13.05), who earlier won the 3,200 in 9:03.60.

”Something like the adrenaline kick hits you and you just go at it. Then suddenly I realized I was about to get second place,” Clevenger said. “Even I was coming up on first place and I was like, ‘Whoa,’ but I held it together and got third so it was good.”

Clevenger maintained a steady pace and maintained fifth most of the race before beginning his move in the final 200 meters. By contrast, Smith was among the leaders with a lap left but didn’t have enough energy left for a strong final 400 meters.

Smith did have enough fortitude to hold onto the last all-state spot among the 12 finalists. He finished 1.54 seconds ahead of 10th-place New Trier senior Chase Silverman (lifetime-best 4:16.36).

”When the guys started passing me on the bell lap, I was thinking, ‘All right, there’s maybe going to be four, five guys that hung on to that pace.’ Then, all of a sudden, just like eight guys flew by me. I was like, ‘All right. Well apparently no one’s feeling the (fatigue from the) double today, ‘ ” Smith said.

”I was definitely counting (places). In the end, I knew I just wanted to be top nine. I’m like, ‘All right. Just hold on.’ It’s just one of those days, one of those years in the mile. Even with this hot day, I think the only race that it really affected was that (3,200). Times were not as fast as people were expecting, but every other race the talent of Illinois showed through today.”

Smith had been determined to compete at state in both the 3,200 and 1,600 this season. He only qualified for state in the 1,600 in 2013 but took full advantage to finish a surprising third at state behind two seniors.

”I was in eighth place going into the last lap and I was the one that just flew by people because I was coming in fresh,” Smith said. “(Clevenger) had a great double today. A 4:11-low today is incredible so he’s going to do some crazy stuff next year for sure.”

In the 3,200, Smith also went out with the lead group early. At the start of the fourth lap, Hinsdale Central senior Billy Magnesen, whom Smith beat at sectionals in both races, pushed the pace but no one followed. Magnesen took a sizeable lead and held it until the trail pack closed at the start of the final lap and passed him in the next 100 meters.

The top three finishers – McHenry junior Jessie Reiser (9:03.60), Perrier (9:07.10) and Dale (9:07.82) – later also earned all-state in the 1,600. At the finish, Yorkville junior Luke Hoffert (9:12.10) came from behind to edge Magnesen (9:12.13), who was 7.62 seconds ahead of Smith.

According to DyeStat Illinois, the only two all-staters to run season-best times Saturday were Magnesen and Danville junior Caleb Hummer (7th, 9:23.41), who won the first section.

”Maybe if I would have gone out with Billy, that would have been smarter,” Smith said. ”Looking back on it, I almost wish I would have tried to move earlier and push the pace. I knew I didn’t really have that gear change in my legs at this stage. When they got going with two laps, I just couldn’t really get my legs going that quick and they dropped me really fast.”

Smith and Sipple felt that the hot weather might have had a great effect on Smith because he had been battling a cold the week leading into sectionals. Smith said he did not consider scratching from either race at state.

”It was tough. It was a hot day, but I went out, give it everything I had, especially in the mile, my last race,” Smith said. “I went out, went for it and just fell a little short. But it’s been a great four years here for me. I’ve got no regrets. You can’t really dwell on that (illness). I gave everything I had. I don’t’ regret going for both of them. I got two all-state medals and I’m happy with it.”

Zea displayed his incredible improvement in the 800 in the state final. Five of the nine all-staters from the 2013 race were in Saturday’s final.

The only two to beat Zea were Danville senior Johnny Leverenz (1:52.00), who defended his title, and second-place Homewood-Flossmoor senior Matt Anyiwo (1:52.38), who was seventh in 2013. Third-place Neuqua Valley junior Ty Moss (1:54.02) earlier anchored the Wildcats' 3,200 relay to the state title by .56 over Sandburg (7:40.21 to 7:40.77).

”It’s a good way to end the season, fourth place, school record. At the beginning of the year, my goal was just to come down here. It’s huge for me to come down here and do so well,” Zea said.

”Tony just wasn’t going to be denied today. He was just awesome,” Buhot said.

Zea received one of his first indications that this year could be special Feb. 22 when he ran an indoor school record 1:56.28 to win the Proviso West Invitational.

One of those Zea beat was his good friend and racing rival,  Downers Grove South senior Jacob Amiri (1:58.15), a 2013 state qualifier after beating Zea by two spots at sectionals. Amiri, who finished second to Zea at this year’s sectional, was 22nd Friday (1:58.91).

“After the Proviso West Invite, I kind of knew maybe I was hoping for a little better than just qualifying, to get on the (all-state) podium,” Zea said. “Even after the prelims, my goal was to get top nine, especially after four races in two days, I knew I was going to be hurting.”

Sipple said he talked to other coaches and Zea and Moss are believed to be the first runners to earn all-state in both the 800 and 3,200 relay in roughly 15 years. Besides anchoring the Warriors to first in the 3,200 relay, Moss added an anchor leg for the third-place 1,600 relay.

”You’ve got to run back-to-back-to back. It was great. I’m super proud of Tony,” Sipple said.

”(My 3,200 relay leg) gave me the confidence that I could compete with some of these kids out here (in the 800),” Zea said. “I knew it would be harder since most of these guys weren’t doubling back from the 4-by-800 so I’d have to give it all that I had just to compete with the field. It’s a great group of guys. I’m just happy to beat some of these high-quality kids.”

What made the difference this season for Zea? He may have gotten off to a slower start because his fall sport is soccer instead of cross country, but he committed quickly to offseason training and made additional sacrifices to excel.

“Hard work, new diet. I ate a lot healthier this year, a lot less fast food, no soda. I love soda so I just gave that up. I miss probably Dr. Pepper the most. I still have some fast food. I love a good burger. (But) a lot more home-cooked meals, a lot more fruit and vegetables in my diet. It worked out.”

Collectively, the 3,200 relay ran great but a fast field kept the Trojans from a typically higher finish with 7:47.95. The time would have taken fourth in the 2013 final and second in 2012 by hundredths of a second.

”Unfortunately, it was a faster year than usual but it was still nice. We still got eighth place. It’s another medal, a great experience for the younger guys,” Zea said. “At the beginning of the year, with the 4-by-800 we weren’t hoping for that much. These guys worked their butts off. They all the mentality to be able to compete with the state. That’s huge that we came out here and ran a 7:47.”

The Trojans' previous season best of 7:48.89 Friday was the fifth-fastest preliminary time. With an even better time Saturday, the 3,200 relay posted the Trojans' first all-state performance in the event since 2011 and highest state finish in the event since 2006, when the Trojans were sixth in a school-record 7:46.38.

”That’s like a lock time for top five (in the state finals) and just today, boy it was rough. To be eighth there, it’s just tough to swallow that one,” Sipple said.

With the indoor school record, the 3,200 relay certainly showed potential for state success. Still, Smith would be focused on the 3,200 and 1,600, so at least another strong relay leg would be needed.

As Clevenger and Zea displayed individual all-state capabilities, the progress of Diamond and Christensen especially elevated the relay to all-state contention.

”To be a pivotal part of the lineup and have to do well in order for your team to score puts more pressure on it, but we like the pressure,” Diamond said. “Zac and I knew that our parts of the relay were crucial because we just had to get Clev into the pack (for the anchor leg). The middle two legs are most important for sticking with the pack. We tried to keep him in there. We did our best today.”

Cross country and track, especially an 800, are quite different, but Diamond and Christensen agreed their previous state experience at least helped Friday and Saturday.

One common thread between the state races was to compete consistently.

”We knew all we had to do was take this as business as usual, which is what Sipple has been saying all week, and things will take care of themselves,” Diamond said.

”(State track is) fast and fun, honestly. It’s a whole different experience than a normal meet. It was crazy,” Christensen said. “Everyone ran well today. I think we would have liked to get that record, but we’ve been getting better all season all the way up to the state finals. I don’t know what else more we could have asked for.”

Thanks to Zea’s leadoff leg, Diamond found himself in first place when he received the baton. He handed off to Christensen in fourth.
 
”It’s a little unsettling (being first). I know the names of every guy in this race, and I’m having them come up behind me,” Diamond said. “I think maybe we wanted a little bit more but we’re definitely satisfied. It was an extremely fast race. I’m really impressed with the way everyone ran today.”

Wisz finished his pole vaulting with the best performances of his career. He will not compete in track when he attends the University of Minnesota.

Among 15 finalists, Wisz would have had to clear a career-best 14-0 Saturday to contend for ninth place. Plainfield Central senior Luke Winder won by clearing a state-record 17-3.

”(Finals) was great. It was surreal, to be honest,” Wisz said. “I was just so happy to be in finals, get to compete one last time, a lot of great athletes and everything, a lot of great guys. I got to talk to a lot of them and it ‘s really just a great community to be vaulting in. Everyone is so supportive and everything.”

After clearing a then career-best 12-3 at sectionals as a junior, Wisz needed to clear the state-qualifying standard of 13-9 for the first time at sectionals to advance. He did so on his first attempt to also win the sectional title.

On Friday, Wisz also had to clear 13-9 to advance to finals.

”I’m happy with how I did. With the whole season, how far I’ve come and everything, I can’t be upset about this,” Wisz said. “I jumped 13-9 on my third attempt (Friday) so I was definitely cutting it close, but I managed to get over and that’s what mattered. That’s what got me in.

”It’s been great. I had so much fun on this team and this season has been great. I’ve worked hard and seen that hard work pay off, and it’s been rewarding.”

Craven ran a lifetime-best 9:24.81 in the 3,200 at sectionals, but the time still wasn’t fast enough to get him to join Smith and the state contenders in the faster of Saturday’s two heats.

In the first heat roughly an hour earlier, Craven still ran a great race – and he didn’t even realize it. Taking third in the heat with a slower time than sectionals, Craven still nearly had a time fast enough to earn all-state honors.

”I didn’t expect to be even close to top nine so I’m happy with that but that I was so close (was hard),” Craven said.

”I wasn’t even watching for it when I was watching the fast heat, until my dad pointed out with like 200 meters to go. He was like, ‘You could be ninth,’ but then they closed just hard enough and got it. I thought I was going to be like 20th or something. (All-state) didn’t cross my mind.”

In 2013, Downers North graduate Ben Eaton earned ninth in state in a then school-record 9:10.26, when race conditions were much cooler. Craven will be joining Eaton in running at Purdue University.

Craven spent most of the second half of his race a somewhat distant second to Hummer (9:23.41). York senior Kyle Mattes (9:27.85) passed Craven on the final lap and ended up ninth overall.

”The York guys always have pretty good kicks. I was going as hard as I could, but I just didn’t have it,” Craven said. “The heat started to get to me the fifth, sixth lap. Then it just went downhill from there. I’ve been running by myself all season usually so it wasn’t anything different. I wish I could have been able to stick on (Hummer) for just a little bit longer.”

Charrier had hoped to jump a little bit longer than 21-5 to make the long jump finals cut of. He had jumped a career-best 22-10 3/4 at sectionals, which shared the fourth-best sectional jump in 3A.  It was pretty impressive progress for a first-year jumper who didn’t start until late in the indoor season.

”I’m proud of that, but I came down here to compete. I didn’t really want to not place in finals,” Charrier said. “As good as it sounds, I started jumping like two months ago, I still want to compete. That’s good that I came down here and everything, but I want to compete. I don’t like losing.”

With three attempts in prelims, Charrier felt that a scratch on his first attempt set a bad tone, especially as a less experienced jumper. He followed with jumps of 21-5 and 20-8 1/4.

Charrier usually was good enough in most meets to reach finals but then take advantage of three more jumps to make adjustments and get his best marks.

”Especially when you only get three jumps and you scratch on the first jump, it’s kind of hard,” Charrier said. “I wish I could have made it to finals at least (for more attempts). Especially when you scratch on the first jump, (you don’t) at least get a feel so your second jump might be better.”

Buhot said Charrier’s ability to work with jumps coach Justin Ashton made the most out of his natural ability in a short amount of time.

”He was very coachable. What Coach Ashton would do was give him a cue and he’d immediately implement it,” Buhot said. “That was probably the toughest one of the day (for us Friday). It’s one of those things where you get three jumps, he scratched the first jump and then the pressure builds. It happens in events every year.”

Janicki also had hoped to contend for finals, but he missed the discus finals cut of 155-1 by 4-7. Janicki had thrown 157-10 at sectionals and a career-best 162-4 to win the Silver Meet.

”(Friday) was average. Nothing to be proud of, nothing to be ashamed of. I had a couple of good warmup throws so I feel like I could have done better,” Janicki said. “Any other meet, I would have been OK with it. (This will) put a little fire in me for next year. I want to make finals and be top nine definitely.”

In his state debut in 2013, Janicki fouled all three of his attempts. He and many other throwers had problems with their footing in the new but slippery throwing area.

Janicki was prepared for the footing but still fouled his first attempt Friday. He followed with throws of 150-6 and 149-9.

”I just got excited with my arm. Everything else was fine. I just hooked it right. My footing was normal, great. It’s just my arm. I rush. I’ve just got to fix that this summer,” Janicki said.

”The only reason I feel that I didn’t do so well was I fouled my first one so I tried to play it safe so I got just one decent throw off. The last one, I tried to go for it but I just overrotated.”

If Janicki can return to state next year, he is hopeful to add shot. Steichmann and fellow junior thrower Max Sale were the shot entries for the postseason after Janicki injured a finger on his right throwing hand that affected his release.

”Next year, I’m going to train a lot more offseason. I’m going to try and get a lot bigger. Bust 180 (feet in discus), maybe more, see if I can do it,” Janicki said.  

Steichmann reached state in shot by throwing at sectionals, pulling out the second and last qualifying spot by one inch with a 50-1. He had hoped to beat his PR in the low 50s but had distances of 47-11 1/2, 48-7 1/2 and 48-9 3/4.

”I definitely feel like I could have done much better but three throws was all I got and I didn’t capitalize on it,” Steichmann said. “Just with the way I had been throwing, I was just expecting much more out of myself and I just couldn’t do it when the tape was out.”

Steichmann was able to adjust his work schedule for state after not originally asking for all of the necessary days off. Steichmann plans to continue throwing at Augustana College.

”Just being here was a lot of fun, seeing the competition, just the best people in the state,” Steichmann said. “I think there was definitely more pressure, but it was a lot like sectionals, good competition and just some of the best. Just being at state, I had the longest season possible.”

State alternates were senior Andrew Adams, junior Joe Carter, freshman Jack Barkei and Smith for the 3,200 relay. Adams nearly qualified individually in the 400, but his lifetime-best 51.11 for third at sectionals was edged for the last qualifying spot by .02.

”That’s just the way the cards played out. It’s unlucky and lucky (in various sectional events). You’ve just got to deal with it,” Adams said.

With more focus on the 400, Adams improved upon his best time from junior year by more than four seconds. He hopes to continue the momentum when he competes in track at Augustana.

”Coming into high school, at the beginning of track and field, never did I think that I’d even be in contention for the state meet,” Adams said. “Once I look back at where I started and where I finished with that close to reaching the state meet, I’m still happy with how I did overall this season. I’m hoping that this is just the first season of (my breakthrough).”

With three returning all-staters, the Trojans already are setting their sights on more success in track and cross country. The Trojans enjoyed most of their success under the radar state-wise for both sports, and they possibly could be underrated with so many key seniors graduating.

”Just the thought that we could be down here again is a lot of motivation,” Christensen said. “Now that we’ve been here, it’s just a big push to work hard, know we have experience, we’ve done this before and we kind of know how all of this goes.” 

”Nothing’s guaranteed, but definitely the experience of running with the best teams in the state, that helps us out a lot confidence wise,” Diamond said. “Coming into regular invites, we’ll know we’ve been on the biggest stage and we can compete at the highest level.”

Clevenger will return and, like Smith this season, as the highest returning finisher in the 1,600.

After the 3,200 relay, Clevenger returned to the dorms for a while to rest. He spent the time in the check-in tent just before the 1,600 to get mentally prepared.

”I was thinking I had to keep focused on winning or placing in the top three and believe in my training and believe this is the last mile of the year and the last race of the year. I have to go after it and get the job done. I just went out and executed,” Clevenger said.

”I hope to build off (this season) a lot, from going into cross country especially just into summer running just to have more confidence that I can compete with Jessie (Reiser) and Zach Dale. Now that I know that I can beat Jessie (in track), I’ll start looking to beat him in cross country and see how that goes.”

-- by Bill Stone