Aaron Lewis had firsthand experience christening a new boys track program.
The only coach in Metea Valley’s nine-year history, Lewis held the same position when Grayslake North opened its doors in 2004.
He remembers advice his collegiate coach in Michigan once shared.
“He told me that you can never have enough quarter-milers and half-milers,” Lewis said. “That is the foundation of a track and field team.”
Neuqua Valley captured the Class 3A state title in the 3,200 relay for the second time in the last four seasons last May at Eastern Illinois.
Waubonsie Valley senior Wes York is one of only two area returning all-state performers — Neuqua Valley junior Zach Kinne in the 3,200 run is the other — in an individual event.
York finished seventh in the 800 last year at O’Brien Field in Charleston.
Senior Tyler Bombacino is the lone returnee for Neuqua in the 3,200 relay. Metea’s Michael Varzino, Derek Roberts, Rokas Gudinavicius and Charlie Schafer have designs of their own in the event.
Metea edged DeKalb to win the 3,200 relay championship at the Top Times Invitational — the unofficial indoor state meet — in 8 minutes, 1.11 seconds last month in Bloomington.
“It’s a nice little bridge to outdoor,” Roberts said of the accomplishment. “We think we’re a pretty talented group of guys. I think this is a nice launchpad for us. (Running the 400) gives me confidence. It helps me toward the end of the race (in the 3,200 relay).”
“They’re motivated, they’re hungry,” Lewis said of his relay group.
Schafer said that Neuqua’s success in the 3,200 has been a motivation.
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“They’re consistently one of the top teams in the state,” Schafer said. “It gives us a lot of confidence that we can be right up there with them.”
“We have all run it before.”
Metea’s 3,200 relay broke the program record at the Hoffman Estates Sectional last year, but did not advance to state.
“Last year we were really close,” Roberts said. “I definitely want to make up for that.”
“They are so versatile as athletes,” Lewis said.
It made Metea’s finish at the Top Times meet that much more important..
“They really wanted to make a statement,” Lewis said of Metea’s 3,200 relay. “We want to get on the lead.”
Neuqua, however, still remains the team to beat outdoors in the event.
“Unlike some past years, we are going to have some guys who are pretty even,” Neuqua distance coach Paul Vandersteen said of his 3,200 relay.
Kevin McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.