Members of Galesburg boys track & field team set for state. Streaks will compete in five events

GALESBURG — Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Illinois High School Association didn't hold any prelims for the boys and girls state track and field meet the past two school years.

The organization only had its state finals, but that's not the case this spring.

And members of Galesburg High School's boys track and field team will partake in five events —  4x2 relay, 400-meter dash, high jump, triple jump and shot put — in Friday's Class 2A prelims with the hopes of moving on to Saturday's finals at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

Silver Streaks coach Craig Hillier has made plenty of trips to O'Brien Field, and Galesburg always has the goal of running on the blue oval and competing in field events around it.

"There's a little bit more expectation this year. We had three events last year. We're taking kids in five this year with a lot of athletes we didn't have last year," Hillier said before Monday afternoon's practice. "I think that's a big positive for us, and they've competed all year.

"I think one of our proudest accomplishments of the season is at any meet — indoors or outdoors — we didn't have one kid scratch an event unless I did it for an injury or something like that," Hillier added. "It tells you a lot about how bad they want to compete."

Hillier knows what it's going to take for his state qualifiers to accomplish their ultimate goals. They want to finish in the Top 9 in their respective events, as they'll be guaranteed a state medal.

"Getting a medal is what it's all about," Hillier said.

Galesburg's student-athletes have a chance of doing just that. Last Wednesday in Metamora, the Streaks were four points from taking a sectional title and qualifying for state as a team. In other words, there's plenty of talent among those listed on Hillier's roster.

Aguirre likely running in Outlaw's place

Galesburg's 4x2 relay team (junior Bryson Thomas, sophomore Amarie Richardson and seniors Koen Derry and Adrian Outlaw) clocked a time of 1:32.53 for a second place finish in the Metamora sectional, and they'll compete at EIU.

Well that's everyone but Outlaw. He will likely sit things out this weekend due to an injury, and junior Cam Aguirre, a running back on the gridiron, will fill in for him.

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"Adrian is probably not going to run because he's had an injury and it's been bugging him. We kind of gambled at the sectional and he struggled," Hillier said. "Unless things change this week, Cam will run for him. Cam's been consistent all year long. This is his first year of track, and he's done an outstanding job all year.

"I like our heat draw in that one. We're capable of running faster than 1:32. We didn't have the greatest handoffs at the sectional, so there's room for improvement," Hillier added. "I don't know if we'll make the finals or not but we'll give it a shot and see what happens. You never know."

Carl mixes things up heading into state

Senior Aaron Carl is wrapping up his time as three-sport athlete — basketball, football and track and field — for the Streaks.

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All spring, Carl had his sights set on making it to state in either the discus or shot put. He will throw the latter in Charleston, and he's the 17th seed (14.88 meters) heading into Friday's prelims. Salem's Caleb Smith holds the top seed in the shot (16.57m).

Carl, who won a Western Big 6 title in the shot, could turn some heads at EIU, and he'll have a different throwing technique.

"At the sectional, he threw well enough to get into the finals and then on his very last throw qualified for state. That says a lot about him," Hillier said of Carl. "With how he threw at the sectional, we're going to go with a different direction with how he's going to throw this weekend.

"He's going to throw out of the power this weekend. He spun at the sectional and his footing and balance was all off," Hillier added. "Power is easier. It's simpler. There's less room for error. There's not as much movement.

"He's kind of one of the dark horses, I think."

Derry state qualifier in two events

Before the 2022 track and field season began, it had been a while since Derry competed in the sport. He hadn't put on a track uniform since the seventh grade, and Derry didn't think fondly of it.

Carl, a basketball and football teammate, convinced Derry to give track another chance, and the leaping ability Derry displayed on the hardwood has translated well.

Derry placed first in the triple jump (13.39m) and secured a sectional title in the event last Wednesday in Metamora. Derry will take part in the festivities at EIU in the 4x2 relays, and he is seeded fourth in the triple jump. Cahokia's Nicholas Deloach is the No. 1 seed in the triple jump (14.01m).

"He's been consistent. He's only a few inches off the school record," Hillier said of Derry. "Obviously, we expect him to make the finals. He's just got to be consistent to do that.

"We're hoping he can pop off a big jump," Hillier added. "I'd like to see him break the school record. That would be awesome for him."

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Albert Greene holds Galesburg's triple jump mark. He leaped 45 feet, 8.5 inches and set it in 2001. In the triple jump, Derry's furthest leap is 45 feet, 5.25 inches, and he accomplished that feat in the WB6 meet.

Derry's finished atop the field in eight of nine outdoor meets this spring in the triple jump.

Nseka back to state in 400

In the Metamora sectional, Galesburg sophomore Plamedi Nseka took second in the 400-meter dash (51.01 seconds), and he qualified for state in the event.

Nseka is seeded 17th in the 400 heading into Friday's prelims. Aurora Central Catholic's Patrick Hilby is the No. 1 seed (49.54) in the event.

More: This senior is 'heart' of Galesburg's boys track and field team. Meet Adrian Outlaw here...

"At the sectional, he ran a solid race. That was his second fastest time he's ran this season," Hillier said of Nseka. "With him, he's young still. He sometimes can be a little bit inconsistent but if he's having an on day he can certainly be right in the mix of things.

"I know he has a goal of running under 50 seconds, and he's capable of doing that."

Nseka will be making his second appearance at EIU in the 400. As a freshman, he placed second in the 400 in 50.84 seconds at the Geneseo sectional, and he punched a ticket to state. Nseka ending up placing 17th (52.39) in the state finals in Charleston last spring. Nseka did earn a state medal as a member of Galesburg's 4x4 meter relay team.

Bile taking part in high jump

Streaks senior Merveille Bile will compete in the high jump at EIU. Bile placed second (1.87m) in the Metamora sectional for a chance to do so. He's seeded 12th in the high jump heading into Friday's state prelims. Lisle Benet Academy's Jack Chvatal is the top seed in the event (1.92m).

Titans' Davis will also toss a shot

Like Carl, Monmouth-Roseville junior Ethan Davis (14.85m) will also compete in Friday's Class 2A state prelims in the shot put, and Davis holds the 18th seed.

Matthew Wheaton can be reached at (309) 315-6073 or at mwheaton@register-mail.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewlwheaton

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: IHSA Track: Galesburg's boys have big goals