Davidson Qualifies For IHSA 3A State Track & Field Meet

The IHSA 3A Loyola Sectional is an extremely competitive meet.   Qualifying for the State Track & Field Meet from this Sectional is no easy task.  Athletes can have their dreams become a reality or they can come to an abrupt end.   Highland Park had both ends of the spectrum.  

In the 3200 Meter Run, senior Brett Davidson ran another gutsy race.   This week Davidson went with a more conservative first mile as he went through in 4:38.   He then began to push the pace as his rival Martin Barr from Niles North tagged along just behind him.  Barr took the lead with 600 to go, but Davidson fought back to regain the lead with 200 to go.  In the end Barr just got by Davidson and they finished in 9:13.02 and 9:13.15.   This is the second time Davidson has qualified for the State Track & Field Meet (he qualified in the 3200 in 2015).  His time is the number 3 all-time 3200 meter run in HP history (he also owns the 2nd and 4th fastest).   He will be competing for a state medal in a tough 3200 field at the State Meet.

In only his second year participating in track & field senior Tucker Thompson has improved by a tremendous amount.  At the Sectional Meet he threw another personal best in the Shot Put.  His 50’8.75” mark got him 3rd place.  Despite another great performance by Thompson, he was just 4.5 inches from qualifying for the State Meet.   It was amazing to see how much improvement he was able to make with dedication and hard work to being the best thrower he could be.  It will be exciting to follow his track & field career as he will continue to compete at Carthage College.

Senior Ryan Kriozere had what appeared to be a season ending knee injury after a bad fall at the Deerfield Dual during the indoor season.   Instead, he was focused and determined to make a comeback.   Kriozere worked very hard as he went to physical therapy, then started training again despite not being 100%, and even get a cortisone shot to help get him ready to compete again.   In only his 3rd meet back, he put his heart and soul into giving his all in the 300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles at the Sectional Meet.   It was an amazing performance and showed what kind of athlete he is and how much this meant to him.   All of his teammates and coaches were so proud and impressed with this inspiring performance.  Sadly, his 5th place finish and 40.22 time was just .53 seconds short of qualifying for the State Meet.   This is the #5 time on the HPHS Top 10 for the event.  Ryan has meant so much to the HPHS Track & Field program and will be greatly missed.  It will be a thrill to follow his career as it continues at Tulane University.

Other Sectional highlights for the Giants:

Freshmen Jose Reyes took 8th place in the 1600 Meter Run with a time of 4:32.20.   This is the new HPHS freshmen record in the event.  He beat the old record by over 5 seconds!   Reyes now holds both the indoor and outdoor freshmen school records in the 3200 and 1600 Meter Runs.

Sophomore Zach Auerbach made finals in the Discus and finished in 8th place with a 129’8.5” toss.  He was the top sophomore in the event at Sectionals.   

Senior Mark Gilling ran his best race in the 100 Meter Dash as he took 8th place.  His time was 11.43.

Sophomore Alec Glazier broke the 10 minute barrier for the 3200 Meter Run as he raced to a 9:58.25.  

Senior Nick Castelli ended his hurdle career with his best race ever.  He finished with a big personal best in the 110 Meter High Hurdles running 16.77.

Junior Jared Levine had a personal best in the Pole Vault after being injured for a majority of the season.  He cleared 11’1”.

Junior Steven Weathers ran his best time in the 400 Meter Dash with a 53.99.

Junior Nick Kirsch had his best series in the Long Jump with a best mark of 18’6.5”.