Four Titans qualify for state track meet
It was a solid day for the Glenwood High boys track team at last Friday's Class AA Springfield
Sectional, as the Titans have qualified for the state meet in five different events.
Led by senior Neal Anderson, who got out in both the 1600 and 3200 meter runs, the Titans took
fourth as a team with 61 points, and were only four points out of second place.
The Central State Eight Conference had the top four teams, led by Lanphier (95), Springfield High
(65), Southeast (62) and Glenwood.
Also qualifying for state for Glenwood were Greg Staley in the 800, Mike Ranos in the 110 hurdles
and Ryan Frederking in the long jump.
"That was a surprise," said GHS coach Len Onken of Frederking's day. "For a young man to come
out and jump a foot farther than he has ever jumped before, and then come back and jump four
inches farther than that, that's something. And it's not a fluke thing. He came back and legitimized
that first jump."
Frederking maxed out at 22' 5", where his previous personal best was 21' 1". He placed second
behind Derek Wilkerson (22' 6") of Springfield High.
Anderson claimed the 3200 in 9:28.8, eight seconds ahead of runner-up Aaron Werths of Granite
City, then came back later to take second in the 800 in 4:28.9, five seconds behind winner Marc
Amarillas of Quincy Senior.
Staley, coming off his school record performance in winning the 800 at the CS8 meet the week
before, took second at sectionals in 1:57.1, which was also ahead of the state qualifying standard.
And Ranos, who barely got out of the preliminary round, came back strong in the finals of the 110
hurdles, posting a 14.9 from lane 8 to take second, two-tenths of a second behind Morr'quem
Hobson of Lanphier.
"That says something about his desire, work ethic and attitude," Onken said of Ranos. "To get
second place out of lane eight after what was a terrible run in the prelims."
Of Staley and Anderson, Onken added, "Those are two classy kids who have a great attitude and
work ethic. They are fun to be around."
Onken also said that the University of Iowa recently inquired about Staley, with Anderson already
signed to SIU-Carbondale.
•Those that came close but didn't qualify included brothers Carter and Caleb Cox, who both
cleared 11' 6" in the pole vault but each missed at 12', which ended up getting second place.
"They'll be in the hunt next year," Onken stated. "They're coming on and getting better and they're
only sophomores."
John Hagemann had a strong run in the 110 hurdles, leading early on but just falling short at the
end. Also, Greg Garrett had a chance in the 300 hurdles but didn't have his strongest run.
"I was real sad for Greg Garrett," Onken added. "It seemed like he got a little bit off his stride, and
it just didn't come together for him that day."
•The state meet will be held this weekend at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Onken said
it will be up to Anderson and assistant coach Jay Rogers to determine if Anderson will double up and
run both the 1600 and 3200, or concentrate solely on the 3200.
"That's up for Neal and Coach Rogers to decide," he explained. "That's a tough double for him.
He's right up there in the 3200 and should be in the fast heat on Saturday."
•Onken handed out the year-end awards to the boys track team Monday. Award winners included:
School Record Holder Award - Mike Ranos, Greg Staley.
Newcomer of the Year - Tony Giovannelli.
Field Event Award - Caleb Cox.
All-Around Award - John Hagemann.
Sprint/Relay Award - Ranos.
Distance Award - Neal Anderson.
Ironman Award - Greg Staley.
It was a solid day for the Glenwood High boys track team at last Friday's Class AA Springfield
Sectional, as the Titans have qualified for the state meet in five different events.
Led by senior Neal Anderson, who got out in both the 1600 and 3200 meter runs, the Titans took
fourth as a team with 61 points, and were only four points out of second place.
The Central State Eight Conference had the top four teams, led by Lanphier (95), Springfield High
(65), Southeast (62) and Glenwood.
Also qualifying for state for Glenwood were Greg Staley in the 800, Mike Ranos in the 110 hurdles
and Ryan Frederking in the long jump.
"That was a surprise," said GHS coach Len Onken of Frederking's day. "For a young man to come
out and jump a foot farther than he has ever jumped before, and then come back and jump four
inches farther than that, that's something. And it's not a fluke thing. He came back and legitimized
that first jump."
Frederking maxed out at 22' 5", where his previous personal best was 21' 1". He placed second
behind Derek Wilkerson (22' 6") of Springfield High.
Anderson claimed the 3200 in 9:28.8, eight seconds ahead of runner-up Aaron Werths of Granite
City, then came back later to take second in the 800 in 4:28.9, five seconds behind winner Marc
Amarillas of Quincy Senior.
Staley, coming off his school record performance in winning the 800 at the CS8 meet the week
before, took second at sectionals in 1:57.1, which was also ahead of the state qualifying standard.
And Ranos, who barely got out of the preliminary round, came back strong in the finals of the 110
hurdles, posting a 14.9 from lane 8 to take second, two-tenths of a second behind Morr'quem
Hobson of Lanphier.
"That says something about his desire, work ethic and attitude," Onken said of Ranos. "To get
second place out of lane eight after what was a terrible run in the prelims."
Of Staley and Anderson, Onken added, "Those are two classy kids who have a great attitude and
work ethic. They are fun to be around."
Onken also said that the University of Iowa recently inquired about Staley, with Anderson already
signed to SIU-Carbondale.
•Those that came close but didn't qualify included brothers Carter and Caleb Cox, who both
cleared 11' 6" in the pole vault but each missed at 12', which ended up getting second place.
"They'll be in the hunt next year," Onken stated. "They're coming on and getting better and they're
only sophomores."
John Hagemann had a strong run in the 110 hurdles, leading early on but just falling short at the
end. Also, Greg Garrett had a chance in the 300 hurdles but didn't have his strongest run.
"I was real sad for Greg Garrett," Onken added. "It seemed like he got a little bit off his stride, and
it just didn't come together for him that day."
•The state meet will be held this weekend at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Onken said
it will be up to Anderson and assistant coach Jay Rogers to determine if Anderson will double up and
run both the 1600 and 3200, or concentrate solely on the 3200.
"That's up for Neal and Coach Rogers to decide," he explained. "That's a tough double for him.
He's right up there in the 3200 and should be in the fast heat on Saturday."
•Onken handed out the year-end awards to the boys track team Monday. Award winners included:
School Record Holder Award - Mike Ranos, Greg Staley.
Newcomer of the Year - Tony Giovannelli.
Field Event Award - Caleb Cox.
All-Around Award - John Hagemann.
Sprint/Relay Award - Ranos.
Distance Award - Neal Anderson.
Ironman Award - Greg Staley.
Chatham Clarion
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Issue Date: May 22, 2008
