Warriors Compete at IHSA State Championships

41 Warriors Compete at IHSA State Meet

On Friday May 30th Junior Chris Douglas and Senior Dominic Dibenedetto competed at the 2014 IHSA State Championships in Charleston, IL on the campus of Eastern Illinois University.  To put it simply, to be at the State meet in 3A is an honor and the level of competition is at a National level.  For whatever reason the State of Illinois can put up numbers as good as anyone in the United States and is probably one of the TOP 5 Track & Field States in the United States.  Once the IHSA moved to 3 classes and set the new qualifying standards the Field of competitors down state has gotten smaller and smaller and more elite.  This year was no different and in many ways the meet results were some of the best I have ever seen in many events. 

Senior Dominic Dibenedetto made his 2nd trip downstate after finishing 34th and 3nd Team All State last year.  Dom wanted to go after that medal as he has been consistently one of the top 7 throwers in the state all year; however, a hand injury in practice a week after County would not allow him to really practice at high levels and be ready for this meet and it showed. This year Dom finished 14th and 2nd Team All State as only the TOP 12 make finals and Top 9 medal.  His last throw was his bets of the day and it was great to see him not give up on his last attempt as a Deerfield Warrior.  We always say last attempt best attempt and it was great to see that happen and move Dom up about 10 places on the last throw.  Dom leaves DHS at the 2nd best thrower All Time with a mark of 57’0” as well as 2014 Lake County Champion and CSL North Conference Champion.  Thanks for a great 3 years DOM! 

Junior Chris Douglas was next for the Warriors as he blasted a 14.76 FAT 110HH effort which now moves him to 5th All Time at DHS as he finished 16th and earned 2nd Team All State.  This was a great race as he was seeded 23rd and really attacked the race and ran with poise and guts.  For a Junior to go down state and set almost a full tenth PR in his 1st ever State meet race is impressive and really sets the stage for a Senior year that could be one for the ages.   This was not a surprise as Chris is one of the hardest workers in the summer, fall, and winter and he earned what his works deserved!   Simply an excellent race out of Chris and a key experience for him.  Chris’s next race was the 300IH which he will be the 1st to tell you didn’t go nearly as well or as planned.  Actually coming into the meet we felt he had a real shot of dropping a big time as he has yet to run a clean 300IH race this year and from the start that was the case again as Chris ran a 40.51 and finished 26th out of the 30 man field earning 3rd Team All State.  After such a huge performance in the 110HH it’s tough to come back as a young hurdler in such a long day to pop again.  That is usually reserved for Seniors as the State meet is always a Senior dominated meet and this year was 100% no different.  Big lessons and key experiences for Chris that will no doubt serve him well next year.  Congrats on a stellar season Chris as the best is yet to come.   Congrats Chris!

Thank you Deerfield Warriors for another memorable Track & Field Season. 

Now it’s onto Summer Orion and the R15E Track & Field Season

Full Meet Results can be found at www.ihsa.org