There has been no answer for West Aurora’s Connor McCue.
For example, the Upstate Eight Conference indoor track meet went down to the wire last month before determining a champion.
“You’re not going to beat McCue,” Batavia boys track coach Dennis Piron said.
McCue swept the 800- and 1,600-meter runs to give West Aurora a 3.5-point victory over the Bulldogs, and he enters the outdoor season full of confidence after a near-flawless indoor campaign.
The Loyola-bound senior is on a mission after posting the top 800 indoor time in Class 3A.
Still, there are few challenges more mentally and physically exacting than doubling up in the 800 and 1,600. McCue plans to run both throughout the season.
“I would like to be a state champion in the mile and 800 as well,” McCue said. “Truthfully, I think I am a better miler.”
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McCue will travel to suburban Los Angeles this weekend to run against national competition at the Arcadia Invitational. He will concentrate on the 1,600.
“(My coaches and I) think this will give me the best chance to run a fast mile against good competition,” McCue said. “I am confident in my training and my coaches.”
At the indoor conference meet, McCue won the 1,600 in 4:28.1 after dominating the 800 in 1:55.23.
Between the 1,600 and 800 races, he can only rest during the 200. McCue also is a key component of the 1,600 relay.
“(McCue) is so team oriented,” West Aurora coach Courtney Lamb said. “He will do anything to help us win.”
West Aurora has aspirations of winning a trophy at the state meet in late May in Charleston. McCue, triple jump state champion Chris Walker and triple jump state runner-up DaVion Cross and provide a strong core.
“I think my team is cognizant of what we have,” McCue said. “We have some really good individuals. I am kind of a team leader. (The 1,600 relay) is something I enjoy doing.”
Neuqua Valley heads West: Thirteen athletes from Neuqua Valley also will travel to the Arcadia Invitational.
“We want to show them that they can run with some of the best track and field athletes in the nation,” Neuqua coach Mike Kennedy said. “I want to expose them to a high level of competition. I just want the guys to go out there and try their best.”
Sprinters Myles Gascon, Kevin Sager, Dan Gaynes, Chris Muoghalu, Ryan Lucas, JaQuere Williams and Isaiah Robinson will be busy with the Wildcats relays.
Distance standouts Connor Horn, Jake McEneaney and Scott Anderson will compete in the 3,200.
Huntley rich in sprinters: Huntley experienced an unprecedented season a year ago by winning every outdoor invitational.
Despite graduating all four members of an All-State sprint-relay team, the Raiders have simply reloaded.
Brendan O’Donnell, Trevor Dell’Aquila, Jeremie Allen and Dubem Anikamadu had the state’s fastest 800 relay during the indoor season. They took third at the Top Times meet last month in Bloomington.
“They may not be the four fastest guys we have,” Huntley coach Jim Rolando said. “We have a lot of options (in the sprint relays). (Top Times) was a great experience for those kids.”
Senior Tim McCloyn is a thrower who helped Huntley take the Fox Valley Conference indoor title by winning the 55 dash.
Kevin McGavin is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.