VIDEO: HPHS Duo Qualify for State Meet

The Boys Track team will be represented at next week's state meet by their two senior captains.

David Berk won the Palatine Sectional title in pole vault after clearing a height of 15'0", a new personal record (PR).  Ari Rothschild also set a new PR in the 3,200 meter run and finished fifth in the sectional with a time of 9:26.2, two seconds under the state qualifying standard.

"It's awesome," Berk said.  "I love my teammates and we're more like a family than a team so I want to do the best I can for them and make them proud."

"It's really special to be one of the select few to get down to the state meet from Highland Park," Rothschild said.  "To make it in track has always been a goal of mine.  I just always thought it would be great to run in front of that huge crowd on that really cool blue track."

The blue track at Eastern Illinois University is the annual home of the Illinois High School state meet.  It's the second time that Berk has qualified to get there in pole vault.  It will be the first trip for Rothschild, who also finished 22nd in the state in cross country earlier this year.

For more on this Highland Park duo's run to state, click on the video link above.

Download the movie