Wells and Phillips Lead Oakwood to Victory in Season-Opening Outdoor Track Meet at Hoopeston Area
By Fred Kroner
Thomas Wells was a double winner in individual events and Macen Phillips anchored two winning relays on Monday (March 25) as the Oakwood boys’ track and field team cruised to team honors in their outdoor opener at Hoopeston Area.
Wells won the 1,600 meters (5:06.85) and the 3,200 meters (12:11.41).
On the winning 1,600-meter relay, Phillips teamed up with Jakob Rupp, Kaden McDaniel and Saul Carrillo for a time of 3:53.26.
He was joined by Rupp, Lucas Tyas and Ben Darling in the winning 3,200-meter relay (10:09.61).
The Comets had three other individual winners.
Bryson McDaniel captured top honors in the triple jump (37 feet, 6 inches).
Connor Smith prevailed in the 400 meters (53.36) and also ran second in both the 100-meter (12.30) and 200-meter sprints (24.00).
Hurdler Trevor McCall won the 110-meter event (18.29) and took second in the 300-meter hurdles race (48.72)
Other individual runners-up for Oakwood were Rupp (800 meters in 2:22.32), Kyler Johnson (110-meter hurdles in 20.20 seconds) and Sailer Harrison (triple jump at 36 feet, 1 inch).
The Comets had two other relays finish in second place.
The 400-meter foursome, featuring Bryson McDaniel, Connor Moss, Jacob Pricer and Smith was timed in 45.55.
The 800-meter unit included Moss, Connor Taflinger, Pricer and Jacob Taflinger. Their combined time was 1:44.51.
Other Comets with top-six performances were Tyas (third in the 800 meters in 2:23.95), Bryson McDaniel (third in the long jump at 18 feet, 7 inches), Phillips (fifth in the 400 meters in 58.74 seconds), Darling (fifth in the 1,600 meters in 5:42.12) and Cale Thomas (sixth in the discus at 87 feet, 10 inches).
In the team chase, Oakwood amassed 151 ½ points. Runner-up Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin finished with 124 points and was followed by Westville (72 ½ points) and Hoopeston Area (59 points).
The Comets return to action on Thursday (March 28) in a five-team meet at Tuscola.
