Track and Field | Oak Lawn’s Robert Wagner gets jump on season with highest leap at Top Times
By Tim Cronin
Correspondent
BLOOMINGTON — Robert Wagner, with a name straight out of Hollywood, starred in the high jump at the Illinois Top Times meet, held March 25 at Illinois Wesleyan University. The only thing missing for the Oak Lawn senior was a spotlight — and, from Wagner’s viewpoint — breaking his indoor personal best of 6 feet, 7 inches.
Wagner had to settle for victory in Class 3A and a best clearance of 6 feet, 6¾ inches, beating Chris Taylor of Normal High, who cleared the same height but had one more miss. Both missed three jumps at 6 feet, 8 inches.
A year ago, Wagner placed fifth at Top Times, held annually at Wesleyan’s Shirk Center as the de-facto state championship to the indoor season. He credited coaching and plenty of reps for his improvement.
“I was sitting over the bar at 6-4 last year,” Wagner said. “After I got the arch down and holding it, they taught me things to say in my head as I held it and it very much helped.
“It might seem easy, but there’s more to it than jumping and being athletic. You need form, you need to figure out how high to raise your leg, when to arch, how long to hold it.”
Wagner, who rejoined the track team after the basketball season ended, nearly cleared 6-8. His best chance came on his second attempt, but his backside hit the bar as he started to come down.
The two-month outdoor track season will provide plenty of opportunities to get there, or as high as his new goal of 6-11 and the IHSA state finals in May. That is likely the next time he’ll have a crowd the size of the one at the packed Shirk Center.
“Being around this environment, everyone in the stands cheering for me, it’s nice,” Wagner said. “Outdoor, there’s going to be a lot of people watching.”
Marcus Kennedy of Brother Rice was fourth in the high jump at 6 feet, 4¼ inches.
Quick Turnaround
It is routine for track athletes to compete in multiple events in the course of a meet, but to participate in two finals 12 minutes apart is another thing entirely.
Jaden Bossie of Mount Carmel doubled-up in sprint and hurdles races in the Class 2A portion of the meet, and while he did not triumph he earned something better than the shiniest medal.
“Confidence,” Bossie said. “I didn’t get the results I wanted; I gained confidence.”
Against the best collection of talent he’ll see until the state finals, Bossie blazed with a season-best 8.16 in his 60-meter hurdles heat, then took second in the final with 8.21 while nearly falling over the last hurdle.
That was only half the battle. A little more than 10 minutes later he was back in the starting blocks for the 60-meter dash. He took fifth in that in 7 seconds flat after qualifying in 7.09.
Bossie had to change both his stride and his mindset going from hurdles to the dash twice, first in qualifying and then in the final.
“I did it in the Catholic League (finals in 2022),” he said. “It’s a hard adjustment. You’ve got to give your best effort in both races. I’ve always been focused on hurdles. I’ve just gotten into the sprint events, so it’s pretty interesting to challenge myself.”
Other notable placers included Marist sophomore T.J. Girzadas, who took third in the pole vault at 14 feet 3¼ inches; Evergreen Park’s JaKobi Turner, who finished eighth in the 2A triple jump (40 feet, 5 inches)’ and Reavis’ Charles Campbell, who placed ninth in the 200 with a time of 23.04.
In girls events, Shepard sophomore Kyla Motley was sixth in the 60-meter hurdles (9.32), fifth in the triple jump (36 feet 8¼ inches) and 11th in the long jump (16 feet 5¼ inches). Stagg’s Amanda Pocica was 10th in the 800 (2:20.48) and Sandburg’s Carrington Landers ran 22nd in the 200 (26.66).
The Class A competition held March 24 included Chicago Christian junior Grace Mullin placing fourth in the 1,600-meter run with a personal best time of 5:16.31. Mullin also anchored the Knights’ 3,200-meter relay, which placed fifth in 10:15.02. The relay team also featured Mia Caporale, Kihra Mes and Anna Enderle.
For the boys, Knights freshman Zachary Van Wyk was 21st in the 60-meter hurdles (9.56) and junior Ryan Heard took 22nd in the 60-meter dash (7.57).
Local News
Nazareth Academy celebrates ‘special talent’ J.J. McCarthy in NFL Draft
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Dennis Moran has no doubts that J.J. McCarthy – the former Nazareth Academy quarterback who is now with the Minnesota Vikings – will succeed in the National Football League. Moran was among about 60 or so Nazareth Academy fans, friends and coaches who gathered Thursday night at The Stadium Club…
Fake Christians close eyes to Gaza carnage
Spread the love. By Ray Hanania . Many of you know I am Palestinian Christian. I’ve written about it a lot because I believe American Christians need to be reminded that their faith comes through my family origins in Bethlehem and Jerusalem. I’m Orthodox Christian and will celebrate Easter this Sunday, which always comes after…
Brother Rice names Al Perez next soccer coach
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent A few new coaches are dotting the area high school athletic scene. One of the more notable hires was Brother Rice bringing Al Perez aboard as the soccer coach. Perez led Chicago Public League power Washington to a Class 2A state championship in 2013, a fourth-place finish in 2015…
Police Council rallies to save ShotSpotter
Spread the love. By Alexis Bocanegra Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (773) 949-1509 • grcl.alex23@gmail.com . Chicago Lawn (8th) District Police Council members Mark Hamberlin, Al Cacciottolo and Jason Huff have created an online petition to save ShotSpotter. As you may have read in the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound back in March, Mayor…
Chicago sports stadium drama heats up
Spread the love. By Rich Miller . More sports team stadium drama could be on the horizon as the Chicago White Sox are said, as of this writing, to be preparing to announce a significant private investment in a new South Loop ballpark. The ballclub has already demanded a share of the Illinois Sports Facilities…
Capacity crowd speaks out against Evergreen Park dispensary
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Additional chairs had to be brought out to seat an overflow crowd of Evergreen Park residents who attended a meeting April 15 regarding a proposed cannabis dispensary for the village. And many who were in attendance voiced their opposition to having a dispensary in Evergreen Park. Most of the people cited…
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Neighbors
House GOP advances 2 human trafficking victim protection bills as others remain in limbo
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com After Illinois received another failing grade from a national advocacy group, state House Republicans have introduced legislation aimed at further protecting victims and prosecuting perpetrators of human trafficking. Shared Hope International, an advocacy organization that works to prevent sex trafficking, said in its 2023 Illinois report card that…
Remembering Lee Milner
NEWS TEAM Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com On Wednesday, April 17, the Springfield, Illinois Capitol and journalism communities lost a devoted friend and advocate when Lee Milner passed away. As Dean Olsen wrote in his piece in the Illinois Times earlier this month, “Readers of Illinois Times often have seen Milner’s work as a freelance photojournalist. But…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?
by Meredith Newman, Illinois Answers Project April 16, 2024 This story was originally published by the Illinois Answers Project. The electricity in Mary Buchanan’s home in West Garfield Park was not working – again. The outage lasted four days, starting just after a crew dug up her front lawn to install a check valve in…
Lawmakers pitch sweeping changes to energy industry and Chicagoland transit system
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com A group of lawmakers and influential environmental advocates are calling for broad changes to the state’s energy industry and a massive increase in state oversight of Chicagoland’s transit system – which faces a projected $730 million budget shortfall. Advocates for the policy platform, which is broken up into…
Democrats flex muscle to kick off final month of session as revenues remain on track
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – With about three weeks to go before the Illinois General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn its spring legislative session, supermajority Democrats showed their strength this week as fiscal forecasters noted state revenues remain on track. April is typically a make-or-break month for state coffers, as income…
Former state trooper who caused fatal crash halts effort to get driving privileges restored
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com The former Illinois State Trooper who pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter of two sisters in 2007 has abandoned his efforts to have a hearing into the restoration of his driving privileges – for now. Matt Mitchell, 45, requested at least two delays in the hearing after he failed…
Capitol Briefs: Senate advances elections bill, measure targeting ‘predatory’ lending
By PETER HANCOCK & HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – A bill that would put more controls on certain kinds of high-cost loans to small businesses cleared the Illinois Senate Thursday. Senate Bill 2234, known as the Small Business Financial Transparency Act, targets a relatively new kind of nontraditional lender in the credit…
Law enforcement community honors fallen officers at Illinois Capitol
By COLE LONGCOR Capitol News Illinois clongcor@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Six fallen police officers were honored at an annual memorial service outside the State Capitol Thursday. The Illinois Police Officers Memorial occurs annually on the first Thursday of May to honor officers who died in the line of duty and to support their families. “No one…
Democrats muscle through changes to ballot access, advisory questions
By JERRY NOWICKI HANNAH MEISEL & PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Supermajority Democrats in the Illinois House moved quickly Wednesday to push through a change to state election laws that partially limits ballot access and adds three nonbinding referendums to the 2024 general election ballot. It’s a move that caused minority party…