Boys' Track and Field continues the beginning of the indoor season with the North Central College Boys Invite this Thursday, February 20th. This is only the second year of this invite, so we see many returning teams hoping to start the season off with some strong numbers. Some of the top athletes to look out for here are returning faces to North Central, with some new competitors to this meet in the mix.
1. Owen Horeni (Jr., Yorkville)
The returning 2nd place finisher in the 800 of this meet last year is back looking for the win this year. He finished 4th at the IHSA 3A State Championships last year and is already off to a strong start this season with his performance this past Saturday with a time of 1:58. As he enters his junior season, he looks to be an extremely promising competitor for the next two years.
2. Tayshawn Austin (So., Downers Grove South)
Austin also competed in the 55m and 200m last year at this meet, earning 12th in the 55 and 4th in the 200m as only a freshman! He is already off to a fast start this season, clocking in a 6.57 55m and 6.96 60m times early on this season. He will be a serious competitor in the state for the next few years.
3. Josiah Narayanan (Sr., Wheaton Warrenville South)
Narayanan returns as the 3200 winner from the 2024 NCC meet with a 9:34 and looks to be on pace for another successful year with some strong season starts in the 800 and 1600. Will he defend his winning title at North Central? He was 6th in the state last year in the 3200m.
4. Taelor Clements (Sr., Yorkville)
Clements opened his season last Saturday with a 6’6 mark in the high jump, just shy of his PR of 6’6.75 mark last year. A new face to the NCC meet, he will be a top contender in this event, bringing in some new talent from last year. His season looks to be extremely promising, especially with such a small gap between putting up a personal record jump.
5. Francesco Benelli (Sr., Batavia)
Another returner to this meet, Benelli placed 3rd in the 1600m at North Central last year and is fluid throughout the distance events. The distance side of the meet is going to be entertaining with so many top runners coming in with some fast times already.
6. Dionte Shaw (Sr., West Aurora)
Shaw is familiar with the state competition as well, qualifying last year in both the shot put and discus, placing 10th in discus and 13th in shot. Shaw transferred back to West Aurora after recording both these throws at Moline High School this past year. He is looking for North Central to get him back into the groove at West Aurora and bring home a great senior season.
7. Aidan Murphy (Sr., Wheaton North)
Murphy placed 2nd at this meet last year in the 1600 with a time of 4:30 and also was part of the 6th place 4x400 team. The potential competition between Murphy, Narayanan, and Benelli on the distance side of the meet will make for an interesting turnout.
8. Isaiah Brown (Sr., Batavia)
Brown competed in the 4x200 as well as the long jump at North Central last year, however is extremely well-rounded, having competed in numerous other events in his career. A highlight finish was his trip to the 2024 IHSA 3A State Finals last year for the Triple Jump. With so much diversity in his skill set, which events will he dominate at North Central?
9. Patrick Clune (Sr., Naperville Central)
Clune made multiple appearances at the 3A IHSA State Finals last year and adds to the competition in the 3200 at North Central. He is another familiar face to this meet and recorded a 2nd place finish in the 3200 last year.
10. Henry Kane (Jr., Naperville Central)
Kane is an excellent pole vaulter who placed 13th at the 3A IHSA State Finals last year and is back and ready for a strong junior year. He placed 2nd at North Central last year and is looking for the win the second time around.
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