With the majority of college conference meets taking place next weekend, this weekend’s college highlights are rather quiet compared to weeks past. Here are the notable results:
Big East Championships – Results
Notre Dame middle distance standout Jack Howard (Libertyville H.S.) set the goal to win the Big East 800m title, and the ND senior did just that, cruising to the title in 1:51.24, winning by nearly a second. Howard used a big kick to outdistance himself from the rest of the field. Scoring two more points for his team, Howard also placed seventh in the men’s 500m dash in 1:04.37.
On the women’s side, Notre Dame’s Rebecca Tracy (Barrington H.S.) placed fifth in a tactical women’s mile race, kicking home in 4:55.47. In the women’s 1,000m event, Tracy’s ND teammate Abby Higgins (Benet Academy) placed sixth in 2:50.23. Meanwhile in the women’s distance medley relay, Molly Sullivan (York H.S.) and Tracy teamed up to guide the Fighting Irish to a fourth place finish in 11:39.42.
Cardinal Classic – Results
The North Central College men continued their dominating performances this indoor season, running well at another home invitational. This time, the Cardinals went 1-2-3 in the men’s mile, as Ryan Carrigan (Chatham-Glenwood H.S.) won in 4:16.51, while teammates Kyle Brady (Wheaton Warrenville South H.S.) and Alex Knoblach (Rock Island Alleman H.S.) ran 4:17.89 and 4:18.14. Wheaton College freshman Parker Thompson (Tremont H.S.) placed fourth in 4:19.48.
In the men’s 800m dash, NCC senior Jacob Austin (Hinckley-Big Rock H.S.) won in a NCAA provisional qualifying time of 1:54.24, while junior Mike Spain (Schaumburg H.S.) returned from illness with a runner-up performance in the men’s 5,000m run, crossing the line in 14:51.02.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 3,000m run, NCC junior Cody McCullough (Manteno H.S.) won the event in 8:55.16, while Wheaton College sophomore Collin Christensen (Wheaton North H.S.) placed second in a strong time of 8:56.94.
EIU Friday Night Special – Results
While many of the top distance runners from the schools competing sat out, some other runners got a chance to shine. In the men’s 3,000m run, University of Illinois freshman Jordan Herbert (York H.S.) won in a solid time of 8:36.17. Herbert simply ran away from the field, while EIU sophomore Matt Feldhake (St. Anthony’s H.S.) finished fourth in 8:44.10.
Meanwhile, EIU senior Erin O’Grady (Prospect H.S.) won the women’s mile in 5:01.05. She simply outran the competition, closing strong over the final 400 meters, claiming the top prize. University of Illinois freshman Courtney Yaeger won the women’s 3,000m run in 10:23.25.
Iowa Invitational – Results
On the men’s side, University of Iowa middle distance runner Nick Kuczwara (York H.S.) won the men’s 600m dash in 1:19.74. Kuczwara’s performance is his second big-time performance in as many weeks.
In the men’s mile, Iowa Hawkeye Mark Battista (Lincoln Way Central H.S.) placed second in the event, running a solid mark of 4:16.37. Following Battista, Elmhurst master’s runner Charlie Kern placed fourth in an exceptional time of 4:21.88.
Other Highlights
University of Wisconsin standout Caitlin Comfort (Peoria Notre Dame H.S.) won the women’s 5,000m run at the Red and White Open. Comfort won in a convincing 17:08.55.
We’re road tripping it out to Boston, MA this morning for Nike Indoor Nationals. NIN takes place Fri-Sun, and we plan to be there doing work for Runnerspace, the NIN website, and WCR. We’ll catch up with the few Illinois athletes that are there and give you updates on what’s going down.
