Smoliak, Rogin, and Estrada Qualify For State Meet!

Highland Park had three state qualifiers out of the 2014 Loyola Sectional.    

Junior Eddie Smoliak continued his outstanding success this season in the Pole Vault.   He cleared a new personal best of 14'4" to win the event by more then one foot!  This puts him 5th on the All-Time Top 10 List for HP.   He is also the 3rd top HP individual in the event behind Schwartz (14'6" 1989) and Berk (15'0" 2011).   With the roll Smoliak is on look for him to have a great shot at making it to the finals down in Charleston.

Senior Benjy Rogin ran 14.89 in the 110 High Hurdles to finish in second place and qualify for the State Meet.   He ran an superb race to finish just .04 behind the winner.   Rogin also placed 4th with a time of 40.32 in the 300 Intermediate Hurdles, barely missing the state qualifying time of 39.84.  

Senior Angel Estrada battled tough, as he always does, in the 1600 Meter Run.  He finished 5th in 4:21.31 to qualify for the second year in a row in this event.   It was a thrilling race as he had to have a tremendous kick to hit the time.  This time is the 6th fastest on the All-Time Top 10 List for HP.  Estrada continues to get better each week after an injury sidelined him earlier in the season.   This race speaks volumes of his dedication to making a comeback as well as his incredible toughness as a racer.

Good luck to all three of these great athletes as they will represent the Giants down at EIU in Charleston, Illinois!

Other Sectional Highlights:

Shealtial Isreal tied for 5th place in the High Jump with a 5'11" clearance.

Doug Kirsh placed 7th in the Discus with a 134'3" toss.  

Alec Deer took 7th in the Pole Vault at 12'3".

James Rector finish 10th in the 3200 Meter Run 9:52.19 to go under 10:00 for the first time.