By Bobby Narang
Hinsdale Central High School senior Colby Revord is ready to add a few more medals to his family’s growing track history.
After missing his entire sophomore high school season because of the coronavirus pandemic, and losing most of his junior campaign due to an injury, Revord had a late start to his varsity outdoor track career.
Then, when you add this Spring’s historic bad weather, Revord has been forced to wait a long time to make an impact on the outdoor season.
He intends to make up for lost time.
“I ran just two indoor races last year and had no sophomore races,” Revord said. “I ran one mile last year. I was injured all of last year, so this is really my first varsity year of track.”
Last Friday at the West Suburban Silver Conference track meet, Revord took a big step toward becoming an athlete to watch at the upcoming sectional meet and State track and field meet. He relied on a strong kick in the final 150 meters to notch first place in the 1,600-meter run in a time of four minutes, 15.74 seconds, narrowly beating York’s Ethan Summer (4:16.75).
Revord admitted he’s hoping to carve out his own legacy in the final few weeks of the outdoor season.
Both of his older sisters, McKenna and Reilly, were outstanding track and cross country athletes at Hinsdale Central and compete for Missouri’s women’s track team. Colby Revord, a Missouri recruit, added another first-place medal in the Conference meet by running the anchor leg of Hinsdale Central’s 3,200-meter relay (8:04.82).
“This Conference meet is always super competitive, so the goal was just to win,” Revord said. “I wanted to make sure I was in the race with a lap to go, and am confident in my kick. I was feeling good, but starting to hurt with 500 to go. I knew I had to make a definitive move. Ethan is such a great athlete. I made a move on the backstretch, about with 250 meters. I just tried to give it all I had.”
Meanwhile, Hinsdale Central sophomore Brody Marcet entered the Conference meet as a relative unknown because he hasn’t competed in track since seventh grade; swimming is his main sport.
Friday’s performance in the discus might change a few things, especially after his stunning throw.
Marcet set a personal mark by destroying his previous best with a toss of 142.50 to win the discus in the Conference meet held in Western Springs. Overall, Oak Park-River Forest claimed first place with 230 points to nudge Hinsdale Central (212.5). Downers Grove North (181), York (175), Glenbard West (148), Lyons (95.5), and Proviso West (74) rounded out the rest of the field.
“Coming into this event, I threw 124-0, so to come out here with what I hit was shocking,” Marcet said. “I’ve been throwing 130s in practice this week, so I knew I definitely could hit a big number.”
Marcet gave credit to his record-breaking effort to working with his father.
“My dad told me to get tighter and faster with my footwork,” he said. “That’s all I focused on, and it left my hand and that’s what happened. This (track) season has been great, taking a break from swimming and letting my mind take a break. This makes me feel good to be outside.”
Downers Grove North just missed a top-two placing, but managed to close out the meet in style. Sophomore Vince Davero, a newcomer to the relay, closed with a strong kick to help his team win the 1,600 relay in a time of 3:26.20. Davero added a first-place medal in the long jump (21-10), and took second in the triple jump (43-3).
“I was in second place but very close when I got the (baton),” Davero said. “My goal was to stay as close as I could to the York kid. I had to start going with about 120 meters. It was painful. My teammates told me to go get it and run my best. I was motivated to help them. This is my first year of high school track, came out here and had a lot of fun this season. The Conference meet was amazing.”
Downers Grove North senior Sam Bowerman said he was happy with his showing in the triple jump. He won the event with a top mark of 44-8. He notched a personal record in the long jump to earn third place (21-3.5).
Downers Grove North senior Roy Llewellyn, a Carleton College recruit, scored 10 key points for his team by winning the 3,200 (9:17.43) in decisive fashion. Hinsdale Central’s Michael Skora placed second in a time of 9:37.
Glenbard West sophomore Anthony Nitti managed second in the 800 (1:56.97), as Downers Grove North’s Ryan Eddington placed first (1:56.85).