HP Wins Antioch Invite

The first two meets of the season for the Giants helped to get some solid efforts for athletes in their events before our first invite of the season, the Antioch Invite.   With 14 schools competing in the meet at an outstanding University of Wisconsin Parkside facility, the coaching staff knew that this would be a great opportunity to run fast times, get strong marks, and clear high heights.   Many of the Highland Park athletes were able to do that and more.

In the field events the highlight was certainly the pole vault.   All three of HP's vaulters cleared new personal bests.   Junior Eddie Smoliak won the event as he soared to 13'3" (Eddie also placed 5th in the shot put with a 41'7.5").  He was followed by senior Alec Deer who was second with a clearance of 12'3".   Junior Justin Gunzel cleared 9'0" for the first time this season.  Another strong performance in the field events was by senior Shealtial Isreal in the high jump.   He cleared 6'2" to take second place in the event.

On the track the team's strongest event was the 55 Meter Hurdles.   Senior Benjy Rogin ran 7.7 hand time (7.92 FAT) to break the school record and win the event.   Sophomore Ryan Kriozere ran 8.1 (8.3 FAT) to break the sophomore record and finish in second place behind Benjy.   Also, freshmen Zev Motew 8.8 (9.23 FAT) just missed the freshmen record.    The only other event winner was senior Angel Estrada as he ran 4:28.25 in the 1600 Meter Run to out-kick a Vernon Hills runner and win the event.   This gives Angel the 4th fastest indoor time ever by an HP athlete in the event.  He also finished third in the 800 Meter Run (2:04.77).  

Other top performances: Junior Ben Casey in the 1600 Meter Run (3rd 4:37.21), junior Deven Greenleaf, Kriozere, senior Jeremy Bloom, and Rogin in the 4X400 Meter Relay (2nd 3:40.47).

Highland Park won the meet with 77 points.   Crystal Lake South was 2nd and Grayslake Central was 3rd.