State qualifiers head up all-BCR track and field team

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The 2009 track campaign was filled with many memorable moments, including 12 area athletes earning the right to compete at the 1A state meet in Charleston, and a host of conference championships for area tracksters. Here’s a look at the Bureau County boys who made this spring one to remember.

Kevin Blair, St. Bede senior: The Tri-County conference champion and area leader in the 400 (52.44), Blair battled a nagging injury this spring that he suffered in the first race of the year, and was unable to make a return trip to the state meet in the 400. Despite the injury the senior leader helped push the Bruins to a Tri-County Conference title this spring. “Kevin came back (from the injury) and did absolutely everything he could do to put himself in position at the end of the year,” St. Bede coach Mike Skoflanc said.

Adam Fredenhagen, PHS junior: The PHS junior was a key component to the success of the Tigers’ sprint relays, helping PHS lead the area in both the 400 and 800 relays. Along with his role on the relays, Fredenhagen also finished the spring among area leaders in the 400 (55.3). “He’s been real consistent for us over the years,” said Princeton coach Dan Foes. “He’s a hard worker for us.”

Anthony Griffin, PHS junior: One of three juniors on the Tigers’ area leading 400 and 800 sprint relays, Griffin also had solo success, finishing third in the area in the 100 (11.3), and was also among the area leaders in the 200 (24.2). Foes said that Griffin’s willingness to work through a nagging back injury for most of this season highlights his toughness and dedication to the team. “That shows a lot about his toughness and his grit,” Foes said. “He’s a good kid for us.”

Evan Hale, PHS senior: The PHS weightman qualified for state, and was the NCIC Conference champ in the shot put. He ends the year on top of all area shot putters after recording a personal best throw of 46-4 this spring. Foes said Hale’s accomplishments were very impressive given that he started track his junior year. “It’s a very great credit to him that he was able to learn the shot put in two years,” Foes said. “He picked up on it to the best of his abilities and was rewarded with a trip to state.”

Wade Herrmann, Hall senior: The Hall senior ended his career as a Red Devil among the area leaders in the 400 (55.14). Herrmann was also heavily involved in the Hall relays, running a leg on the Red Devils’ state qualifying 1600 relay squad, as well as being a part of Halls’ 400 and 800 sprint relays.

Jake Holland, PHS sophomore: A part of Princeton’s talented core of throwers, Holland qualified for state in the discus with a second-place finish at the Erie sectional. He led the area with a top throw of 149-9 recorded at the NCIC fresh-soph conference meet, where he finished first. “I’m really excited that he made it down to state,” Foes said, adding that he was looking forward to working with his sophomore standout in the years to come.

Ben Howes, Bureau Valley senior: Howes finished the year tied with teammate Austin Peterson on top of the honor roll in the high jump, clearing a season best 6-2. Howes was also among area leaders in the 110 meter hurdles, with a best time of 16.91. “Ben is a kid who just always loved track,” BV coach Nick Hartz said. “He’ll only get better as he goes on into college.”

Scott Janusick, Hall sophomore: Janusick was the area’s premier distance runner this spring, leading the area and qualifying for state meet in Charleston in both the 1600 (4:38.25) and 3200 (9:56.45). An NCIC Lincoln and NCIC Lincoln fresh-soph champion in both events, Janusick also was among area leaders in the 800 (2:08.7), and was part of Hall’s area leading 3200 relay squad. “He’s a hard worker, his goal was to make it down (to state) and he made it down,” Hall coach Rob Malerk said, adding that Janusick’s goal for the future is to become a state champion.

Ethan Kloster, PHS senior: Kloster finished off his senior campaign by qualifying for the state meet in the shot put. He ends the year second among all area shot putters with a top heave of 46-3 1/4, and is also among the area leaders in the discus with a season-best toss of 135-6. “He had a great year, I’m very proud of him,” said PHS coach Dan Foes. “He worked hard all four years.”

Kyle Miroux, Hall senior: Miroux finished this spring among the area leaders in the 1600 (5:02.9) and 3200 (11:02.1). Miroux also ran a leg on the Red Devils’ area leading 3200 relay squad. Miroux will continue his track career at Mt. Mercy College where he will join his brother Mike on the Mustangs’ track and cross country squads. “I’m very proud of the way he came out and performed,” Malerk said. “He’s ready to go on to the next level.”

Matt Monroe, LaMoille senior: As a member of the Amboy/LaMoille Clipper co-op, Monroe made his first state appearance in the discus this spring since medaling in the event in eighth grade, and ended up just out of medal contention with a 10th-place finish. Monroe’s top throw of 156-0 this spring leads all area competitors in the discus, and his season best of 45-9 1/2 in the shot put ranks third.

T.J. Mosbach, Hall junior: Mosbach finished the spring second in the area in the 800 (2:05.19), and was a key part of the success of Hall’s state qualifying 1600 and area leading 3200 relay. “He’s a hard worker, and he’ll do what you ask,” Malerk said. “He’ll do whatever it takes to help the team.”

Austin Pozzi, Hall senior: A hurdling standout, Pozzi was dual NCIC Lincoln conference champ, and area leader, in both the 110 and 300 hurdle events, qualifying for the state meet in Charleston in the 300 hurdles (40.6). His area-leading time of 15.72 in the 110 hurdles also set a new Hall record. Along with his hurdling prowess, Pozzi ended the spring third in the area in the long jump (19-5 1/2), and ran a leg on Hall’s state qualifying 1600 relay squad. “What a great kid,” Malerk said, “his goal as a senior was to make it down (to state), and that’s what he did. I’m very proud of him.”

Austin Peterson, Bureau Valley junior: After playing baseball for two years, Peterson came out for track and qualified for the state in the high jump, and tied for the area lead in the event this year with a season best jump of 6-2. He was also the TRAC-8 conference champ in both the high jump and long jump where he had a season best jump of 20-1, tops among area competitors this spring. “Austin is just a great all-around athlete,’ Hartz said, “It was great having him out for track this year.”

Blake Quiram, PHS freshman: Quiram burst on the scene this spring as a freshman, and quickly established himself as one of the fastest athletes in Bureau County, setting an area-leading time of 11.0 in the 100, which earned him a new PHS fresh-soph record and NCIC Lincoln fresh-soph title. Quiram was also the Lincoln fresh-soph champ in the 200 (23.5), and finished among area leaders in the high jump (5-10). Along with his solo success, Quiram also ran legs on PHS’ area leading 400 and 800 relay squads. “Blake is phenomenal for a freshman,” Foes said.

Adam Sanden, Bureau Valley junior: The Storm junior finished the season as the only Bureau County boy to medal at state, finishing seventh in the Class A triple jump, after setting a new Bureau County record with his leap of 45-0 1/2 at the Erie Sectional. A versatile performer, Sanden was also tops in the area in the 200 (22.99) and second in both the long jump (19-9), and 100 (11.08). Hartz said that Sanden always comes ready to perform. “He’s somebody you can build your track team around,” Hartz said.

James Thompson, Hall senior: The NCIC Lincoln pole vault champ and meet record holder soared to lofty heights this spring in the vault, clearing 13-6 at the Erie sectional to lead the area and earn a trip to the state meet in Charleston. He will continue his vaulting career in Charleston at Eastern Illinois University starting this fall. “I know he’s ready for the next level, hopefully he succeeds in college,” Malerk said.

Tyler Tyne, PHS junior: A crucial part of PHS’ relay success, Tyne ran on both the Tigers’ area leading 400 and 800 relay squads, and was among the area leaders in the 200 (24.3). Tyne returned to the track team this spring after taking last year off. “It was great to have him back,” said Foes, “he has some great talent in the sprints.”

Anthony Urbanski, Hall sophomore: Urbanski finished the spring as the area leader in the 800 (2:00.76) and qualified for state in the event. Along with his success in the 800, Urbanski finished second in the area in the 400 (52.86) and was a valuable member to Hall’s state qualifying 1600 and area leading 3200 relay squads. “He’s determined to get back there (the state meet),” Malerk said, “I’ve already seen him working at the track this summer.”