Boys Track and Field: Fisher going (middle) distance for Huskies

Updated: April 10, 2012 6:24PM

It took some advice from a physical education teacher for Evan Fisher to realize how big of a season his senior year would be.

With Wisconsin-bound Malachy Schrobilgen handling the distances and Duke-bound Carl Heinz on jumps, someone was needed fill the gaps for Oak Park-River Forest. That burden has fallen on Fisher, who has become one of the West Suburban Conference’s top middle distance runners.

He won the 800-meter run March 16 in the West Suburban Silver’s indoor meet.

In the first major outdoor meet of the season, Fisher helped lead the Huskies to a convincing win at the Hornet Relays at Hinsdale South in Darien. He teamed with Ruben Bauer, Nick Reyes and Schrobilgen to win the 3200 relay (8:08.2). The win came after Fisher placed second in the 800 at the Illinois Prep Top Times meet March 24, which is considered the state’s unofficial indoor state meet in Bloomington. Belvidere North’s Will Crocker (1:54.87) beat Fisher (1:55.79).

The Huskies were ranked No. 2 in the Chicago area by YourSeason.com in rankings released Sunday. Two-time defending state champion Lake Park is ranked No. 1.

“I think I have the competitive spirit,” Fisher said. “I love racing against those guys.”

The teacher that predicted greatness for Fisher happened to be OPRF boys cross country coach Jose Sosa.

“He said, ‘This is your senior year. You get to make a name for yourself and represent your school especially doing things that you love for the last time.’ ”

One other standout at Prep Top Times, sprinter Zach Booth, contributed to a pair of titles at the Hornet Relay in the 400 and 800 relay with the same foursome, including Victor Polk, Jamal Baggett and Lionel Towns. Booth took fifth place in the 55 dash at Prep Top Times.

One of OPRF’s other winning relays at Hinsdale South was the 300 intermediate hurdles with Harrison Gay, Isaac Favero and John Burns.

The Huskies scored 130 points at Hinsdale South. Fisher said the meet provided a preview of Lane Tech, one of the meet’s teams assigned to the OPRF Sectional May 17 at Concordia University in River Forest. The Indians scored 65 points to finish sixth in the nine-team meet. OPRF’s toughest opponent at the sectional will likely be Lyons Township, which had its three-year streak of wins ended by OPRF at Hinsdale South. LT placed second for the fourth time in eight years.

“It was really good competition (at Hinsdale South),” Fisher said. “We’re starting to learn who is in our sectional.”

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