By Bobby Narang –
Seth Groom was almost a one-man team at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 2A State track and field meet last weekend.
After placing second in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump at the 2A meet last season, Groom anticipated a big showing in his final season.
The Iowa recruit had an historic showing.
Twice.
Groom managed to score 32 of Marmion Academy’s 44 points to lead the Cadets to their first team championship in track and field and edged out Mahomet-Seymour, which scored 40 points, and Normal University, 36. Groom cemented his legacy by capturing first place in both the triple jump and long jump, notching second place in the high jump, and earned a sixth-place medal in the 200. See page 1 photo.
Groom is a University of Iowa recruit.
Prior to this season, Marmion’s only other team State championships had occurred in swimming and chess. Bob Sharpenter’s discus State championship in 1958 was the only other individual track and field championship for the Aurora-based school.
Groom established a personal record in the triple jump with a top leap of 48 feet, 3.50 inches. He added a first-place distance of 23-5 in the long jump, which carried over from Friday’s State preliminaries.
Groom managed to set a personal record in the high jump with 6-9 and ran a time of 22.30 in the 200.
“I just had the mindset to come in and do better and try and get a PR (personal record) in every event,” Groom said. “I’m most pleased with the triple jump and 200. I never expected to jump 48 (feet) or go to the finals in the 200.”
In the Class 3A field, West Aurora’s Camron Donatlan claimed the long jump championship with 24-1.75, but missed notching his third consecutive high jump State championship. He placed fourth with a 6-6 jump.
Batavia senior Sam Conger earned the State championship in the 110-meter high hurdles in a time of 14.02, and took home an eighth-place medal in the 300 hurdles (40.07).
“I went out really hard and had the confidence,” he said. “I warmed up properly, it was a great day and I really felt it. As the season progressed, I kept pushing myself and working hard and practicing.”
St. Charles East senior Charlie Wade had a solid showing in the 400 meters and finished with a third-place time of 48.97.
“I definitely kept that (last season’s place) number in my mind all season,” Wade said. “I tried to go out as quick as possible and finish as strong as possible. My goal was to just compete, not worry about times and let everything happen. It’s a great field.”
Marcellus Moore of Plainfield North won both the 100 meters (:10.31) and 200 meters (:21.30).
St. Charles North senior Peter Willis placed eighth in the high jump with a top leap of 6-5.
Neuqua Valley won the team championship with 52 points, Homewood-Flossmoor was second with 48, and Plainfield North was third with 43. West Aurora was tied for seventh place with Sandburg, each with 20 points, and Glenbard West was tied for ninth with Barrington, each with 19 points. Ridgeview won the Class 1A championship.
