West Aurora High School’s football program held its 24th annual Battle of the Big Butts challenge Thursday.
A record 520 athletes in 27 five-man teams, varsity and junior varsity linemen, schools competed in running, throwing and strength contests.
Points are awarded to all teams who finish is the top ten of each event. The top varsity team was West Aurora 1-Jesse Estrella, Kieran Duncan, Leo Manning, Juan Pacheco, and Dionte
West Aurora 1 placed first, winning three events. West was followed by Wheaton North, Lockport 2, Oswego 1, Geneva 1, St. Patrick 1, West Aurora 2, Lockport 1, Plainfield North 1, Batavia 1, Downers Grove South 1, Oswego East 1, Marengo 1, Aurora Christian, Hillcrest 1, Harlem, Neuqua Valley 1, Wheaton-Warrenville South 1, PLainfield Central 1, HIllcrest 2, Romeoville 1, St. Patrick 2, East Aurora 1, Plainfield North 2, and Wheaton Warrenville South 2.
Individual varsity winners were D. Folorunsho, St. Patrick, who recorded 33 repetitions of 185 pounds on the bench press; Christian Balock, Batavia, who the 40-yard dash in 5.0; Aydez Mais, St. Patrick, who threw the medicine ball 9 feet 10 inches; and Rogelio Ochoa, WA 1, who won the agility run in 12.25.
Batavia High’s team erected its own tent and entered about 90 players said Coach Adam Kowloski.
Michael Runge, Blackhawk assistant football coach, and Nate Eimer, head coach, coordinated the event. Runge said, “During the summer skill players compete by throwing, catching passes and making interceptions. This week is about the other positions on the field–the linemen.”
Events scheduled were bench press, 40-yard dash, agility run, medicine-ball toss, tire-flipping relay, five-man sled drive, tug of war and watermelon eating contest.
Runge explained, “This event was organized in 1999 by Mike Powers, assistant coach at St. Charles High School. He brought the competition with him when he came to West Aurora in 2006. In 2015, it gained national recognition when it was covered by Sports Illustrated.
“In 2016 Mike retired from coaching football. West Aurora is proud to continue this event in Mike’s honor and for all of those unsung heroes of the gridiron, the linemen!” Runge said.
—Al Benson