Boys Track: Providence makes impressive statement in 2A
Updated: May 17, 2012 11:48PM
Regardless of class or division, Providence would be force at any sectional.
In their first meet at 2A since the inception of the three-class system, the Catholic League champion Celtics used a methodical all-around performance Thursday to win the Lincoln-Way West Sectional.
Providence finished with 119 points, ahead of Hillcrest (87) and Bremen (74). Lincoln-Way West finished sixth with 37 points.
Providence sprinter Troy Sheppard led the charge, surviving some close calls to win the 100 meters (11.05 seconds) and 200 meters (22.49). Sheppard narrowly beat out Bremen’s Demetrius Shelton (11.15) in the 100 and Lincoln-Way West’s B.J. Bello in the 200 (22.54).
“We’re sending a lot of people down to state, so we’ll have some good camaraderie. I’ll get to goof off with the guys a little bit, but I’ll still stay focused,” Sheppard said.
“I don’t want to just go down to state; I want to make it to the second day (of finals).”
Providence teammates Chad Weaver (15 feet) and Brandon Denler (12-9) took 1-2 in the pole vault. Weaver appeared to clear 15-6 on three occasions but caught the bar with his arm each time.
“I’m excited to go down (to state) with Brandon. It should make practice a little more fun this week,” Weaver said. “I’ve been experimenting with some different poles to help me push off and get up. I felt like I was really close today to hitting 15-6 today.”
After barely missing out on the state meet last season, Lincoln-Way West senior Mark Pedziwiatr set a personal record to win the 800 (1 minute, 56.16 seconds).
“It feels good to win because I’m coming out of nowhere. Nobody really knows my name because I didn’t qualify for state last year; I missed it by .3 seconds,” Pedziwiatr said.
Pedziwiatr, who hasn’t lost an 800 all season, also helped the West 1,600 meter relay team (3:23.32) finish second behind Hillcrest (3:22.68).
“After I missed out on state last year, I told myself it would never happen again. I started to turn up my workouts and its paid off,” Pedziwiatr said.
Providence sophomore Mike Monroe (6-7) beat Hillcrest senior Dwight Snowden (6-3) for the sectional high jump title. The pair has soared upward of Monroe’s winning mark, which puts both into Illinois’ top 10 on the season.
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