ROCHELLE ― The first round of IHSA boys track and field sectionals went off in a stiff breeze on Wednesday, but few were discouraged, especially not Rochelle pole vaulter Andrew Nuyen, who soared to state in two events this time around.
Nuyen, who owns the Rochelle school record and the state’s third-best pole vault mark of the year, with a clearance at 17-feet, dominated the event at the Class 2A Rochelle Sectional on May 20, clearing the bar set at 16-9, and just missing at 17-5. Nuyen also set the Rochelle school record at sectionals while qualifying for state in the long jump. He flew 22-3 to win the event.
“It’s just really going to be special going to state in two events this time,” Nuyen said. “It’s going to keep me warm and focused the whole time.”
Nuyen took second in 2A state with a make at 15-feet at state last year, and tied for third in the pole vault two years ago, clearing 14-7 1/4. Now, as a senior, he’s taking aim at a state title, but it won’t come easy.
The two best vaulters in the state will be staring him down in the 2A competition at state ― Bloomington Central’s Isaiah Whitaker, whose clearance at 17-11 1/4 is the second best in the entire nation this outdoor season; and Glenbard South’s Kyle Quaid-Bowman, who cleared 17-3 this season, which is eighth best in the nation.
Nuyen’s make of 17-even from the May 5 Ogle County Meet is the 21st best in the country this season.
“I’m excited to go up against those guys at state; it’s going to be a great competition,” Nuyen said. “We’ll definitely push each other to higher bars, that’s for sure.”
And while Nuyen was powerful, the throwers at the 2A Rochelle Sectional were impressive as well. Using the stiff breeze to their advantage, nine throwers advanced to state in the discus alone, four from the Rockford area. Freeport’s Jamarion McClain made it down with a second-place effort in the discus, throwing it 161-7.
Byron’s Brady Kann placed third but advanced to state in the discus because of his 160-8, and Freeport’s Israel Goodman placed fifth but moved on with a 152-9. And even Byron freshman Brooks Auker, who placed ninth in the sectional showdown, is headed to state after his throw of 146-4.
Seven throwers from the Rochelle Sectional galloped to state in the shot put, but just one was from the Rockford area: Freeport’s Goodman, who took fourth at 50-feet.
And eight soared to state in the high jump, led by Byron’s Evan Northrup and his make at 6-3. Lutheran’s William McCoid, Freeport’s Kazion Morehead, Byron’s Landon Bonvallet and Rochelle’s Justin DeClerck all qualified for state after clearing the bar at 6-2.
Three from the Rockford area qualified for state in the 800 run, and none of them placed in the top two. Rochelle’s Tyler Johnson took third in 1:58.54; Lutheran’s Jacob Schroeder took fifth in 2:00.08; and Boylan’s Luke Wedwick took sixth in 2:00.32, and all of those times were better than the state standard.
Here are the other state qualifiers from the Rockford area in 2A:
Other state qualifiers
CLASS 2A
The Rockford-area 3A track and field stars will look for their shots at state bids in Thursday’s 3A Antioch Sectional, while the 1A stars from the area will take part in the 1A Oregon Sectional on Friday. Only the top two, and those that eclipse the state standard, advance to the IHSA boys state track and field meet in Charleston from May 28-30.
Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and sign up for the Rockford High School Sports Newsletter here at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears and Blackhawks to local youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Sparked by Rochelle’s Andrew Nuyen, Rockford-area boys soar to state
Reporting by Jay Taft, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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