Junior sprinter Keyante Johnson is now emerging as a standout 400-meter runner for the Oak Park and River Forest boys track & field team with help from senior Brian Jackson.
“Initially I worked out with the 400 runners to build my speed endurance and Brian’s always been pushing me since day one,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be tough catching him so (Jackson) pushing me in practice every day is really, really rewarding.”
Johnson ran another 400 personal best at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet Thursday at Proviso East that carried him to the title in 49.39 seconds, his second straight sub-50 performance. Jackson, who was battling an injury, was sixth.
“Winning conference is pretty big, that’s more important, but a (personal record), both are pretty good feelings,” Johnson said. “I really wanted to get points for the team and just run my race. That’s what I’ve been working on, being able to run my race, running at the pace I’m comfortable at.”
Senior Jonathan Sibley-Diggs (52.34 meters/171 feet-9 inches in discus) and junior Addis Wilson (1.95m/6-5 in high jump) also were event champions, but the Huskies saw their streak of eight consecutive outdoor titles snapped.
They finished third (93 points) behind Hinsdale Central (122) and Downers Grove North (112). The Huskies, however, easily won the frosh-soph title (141) for the first time under longtime head coach Tim Hasso even with six competitors moving up to varsity.
“We’ve got some holes in our lineup that have existed all year,” Hasso said. “Brian’s been one of the top kids in the state (in the 400) all year and for Keyante to win that was great. As much as we got kicked in the teeth, there were some bright spots.”
Johnson also was second in the 200 (22.50) and third in the 100 (11.04).
Wilson and senior Malik Griffee (1.93m/6-4) went 1-2 in high jump. Finishing third were Sibley-Diggs (16.26m/53-4 1/2 in shot put) as well as the 4 x 100 relay of Jackson, sophomore Kelden Jones, junior Michael Degnan and senior Emilio Nery (42.72).
Top-six finishers earn team points. OPRF had both entries score in seven individual events but had no points in three others. The top-seeded 4 x 200 relay was disqualified for a zone violation.
The Huskies now go after Class 3A state berths at the OPRF Sectional Thursday, May 21.
“At this point it’s get ready for sectionals with not our strongest team so we have to make some calculated decisions,” Hasso said.
Fenwick
In the Chicago Catholic League track & field championships at Loyola Academy, May 15, Fenwick finished 13th in the team standings with 16 points.
The Friars are hampered by injuries to two key contributors. Senior two-time All-State hurdler Aiden Williams, a Valparaiso University signee, has been held out of competition the last two weeks, but Fenwick coach David Rill anticipates Williams being ready for this week’s sectional.
Rill added that senior Matt Simon, committed to Washington University of St. Louis, tweaked a muscle during the 4 x 100 relay, and his sectional participation is uncertain.
“Matt pulled up, so we’re not sure yet. It’s such a quick turnaround, he might not be ready,” Rill said. “He went home and started recovery immediately, so we’ll see.”
The potential loss of Simon, an All-Stater who finished fourth in last year’s Class 2A state meet in the 400 meters, could impact Fenwick’s chances of winning the 2A Ridgewood Sectional title on May 20. Yet Rill remains confident that the Friars will fare well.
One reason for optimism is the performance of Adrien Dubois at the CCL meet. The junior took third in the 400 with a personal-best time of 50.93 seconds.
“Adrien’s been doing really well,” Rill said. “Every week he gets better and it’s exciting.”
Fenwick’s 4 x 200 relay team of senior Eugene Terrell, junior Patrick Deneen, sophomore Landon Johnson, and junior Noah Diaz placed fourth in a time of 1:34.94, something Rill described as a “really nice surprise.”
As for the mindset of the team heading into Ridgewood?
“I think we’re going to get a few guys down (to state),” Rill said. “If we run really well, we might surprise ourselves. The 4 x 200 has a really good shot of making it, and the 4 x 800 should make it if they run well.
“Aiden and Adrien should make it, and if Matt’s good, who knows? He hasn’t run a lot outdoors because he’s had hamstring issues, but he ran well at Hinsdale Central last week and was looking good.”