In last year’s Class 3A boys track state finals at Eastern Illinois, Yorkville’s Sam Weisz was the epitome of being on the outside looking in.
Weisz, an Illinois State recruit, was the Plainfield North Sectional champion in both the shot put and discus, then made the final cut in Charleston. But he missed being All-State after finishing 10th in both events.
“I was pretty proud of making it (to Charleston), but pretty sad I couldn’t be All-State,” Weisz said. “That’s kind of what motivated me to push harder this year.”
The lone returning state qualifier for Yorkville, Weisz is in the midst of a banner senior season. He has finished first in both events at every meet this spring.
In last weekend’s Peterson Prep Classic at Kaneland, Weisz continued his flawless season by sweeping the shot put at 56 feet, 10 inches and the discus at 164-7.
“I have put up 20 points in every meet,” Weisz said. “I haven’t lost yet. I don’t plan on losing, either.”
This spring, the Foxes’ captain has established personal records of 57-9 in the shot and 179-9 in the discus. He carries elite status among statewide discus competitors.
The Yorkville boys track team has a different identity this year. Celebrated twins Jake and Luke Hoffert, who led the Foxes to back-to-back Class 2A cross country state championships, are redshirt freshmen at Bradley.
It’s Weisz’s turn to provide leadership.
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“I kind of sorta got used to it last year,” Weisz said. “I was a point leader last year, but this year I have transitioned into that (role).”
Weisz has particular numbers in mind before the season ends.
“I definitely want to hit around the 60-(foot) mark (in the shot put) — it’s going to be tough,” Weisz said. “I want to be around 185 in the disc.”
Meier wears many hats: Matthew Meier is the unquestioned senior leader for Naperville Central. He is the final member remaining from the 1,600-meter relay of two years ago that placed runner-up in 3A.
Meier led Naperville Central at last weekend’s prestigious Rock Island Invitational with second-place finishes in the 400 and long jump. Versatility is his calling card.
“He is running anything from 100, 200, 400 and even on occasion helps out our (3,200 relay) team,” Naperville Central coach Steve Wiesbrook said. “He allows us to do different things.”
Meier is the Redhawks’ best bet to qualify for state in a field event as well.
“He has been consistently jumping over 21 feet in the long jump,” Wiesbrook said.
Adkins diet of wins: Streamwood hosted last weekend’s Sabre Invitational, and Brian Adkins was front and center.
The senior barely missed placing in the 100, but was third in both the long jump and triple jump. He ended his afternoon with a fifth-place finish in the 200.
“The best thing about Brian is that he is a great all-around athlete,” Streamwood coach Dylan Lau said. “We (coaches) think he can make it to state in the 200 and long jump. He just started long jumping this year.”
Lau liked the progress his team made at the meet.
“Overall, I thought we did very well (at our invite),” Lau said. “We had a lot of PRs.”
Kevin McGavin is a freelance writer for the Beacon-News.