Neuqua Valley and Batavia ran neck and neck for much of Thursday’s Upstate Eight Conference Meet. The Bulldogs’ necks proved just a little bit longer.
Batavia won the championship among 16 teams present at Metea Valley over second-place Neuqua Valley, but the Wildcats weren’t complaining much.
“We definitely had a nice day,” Neuqua coach Mike Kennedy said. “We came out and competed. We’re focused on qualifying individuals next week, but we always want to have great team meet here each year, and we did that.”
Neuqua’s Ty Moss won the 800 meters in 1 minute, 54.39 seconds, just .2 seconds ahead of second-place West Aurora’s Connor McCue. Neuqua’s Isaiah Robinson finished third in 1:56.87.
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“(McCue) is a great runner and I just had to fend him off the best I could,” Moss said.
“I was happy with my time on a chilly, wet day like this. On a day like this I go out and just try to win, overall, and not worry about my time. At this time of year you just want the mentality that you’re going to win. That’s all that matters.”
The day was a grueling one for Moss in more ways than one.
“I had AP testing this morning and then I had to prepare mentally for this meet,” said Moss, the Nebraska recruit. “I’m mentally wiped out. I’m ready to go to bed.”
Also winning an individual title for Neuqua was Connor Horn, who won the 1,600 in 4:25.02.
“I’m not necessarily happy with the time but I’m a little bit sick right now,” Horn said. “I’m happy with how our team did. The big risk is next week’s sectional meet. This was just a tune-up for that and we’re encouraged by how we competed.”
Neuqua’s Zac Espinosa won the 400 in 49.14 and the Wildcats’ 200, 400 and 800 relay teams all finished atop the field.
Metea Valley’s Brett Boddy’s toss of 52 feet, 2 inches won the conference title in the shot put, and he needed his final throw to beat the 51-9 toss that West Aurora’s Hunter Siler posted.
“We always battle back and forth and the same thing happened at the indoor conference meet,” Boddy said. “I love the pressure of that last throw to beat someone. Some guys can throw really far in practice but struggle in the meet.
“I’m the opposite. All my good throws have been in meets and if I go into the finals and need the last throw, that’s exactly where I want to be.”
For Waubonsie Valley’s Tyler Kirkwood, Thursday’s meet was largely about getting back into form since returning from early season injury.
Kirkwood placed second in the 110 hurdles with a time of 15.48, behind St. Charles East’s Kyle Decker’s 15.21.
“We locked arms hard enough at the end to throw off my balance a little,” Kirkwood said. “I’m a little sad about taking second but I’m happy I was even able to compete. I only feel like I’m about 70 percent.”
With the postseason upon him, Boddy is chomping at the bit to do well at next week’s sectional meet and beyond.
“I need to lift the week before, the day before, and I’ll go get some yoga in with my team on Tuesday,” Boddy said. “I’ll get ready to do well at sectionals and hopefully qualify (downstate).”
Larsen is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.