Boys Track and Field: Lockport claims invitational title
By Logan Malloy For Sun-Times Media May 5, 2012 12:08AM
Lockport's Aaron Ambrose finishes first in the 300-meter hurdles. | Paul Bergstrom~For Sun-Times Media
Updated: June 7, 2012 8:21AM
Throw, then eat.
That’s the game plan for C.J. Monroe and the Lockport shot and discus squad.
Monroe put the shot 52 feet, 91/2 inches, for a first-place finish Friday at the 15-team Lockport Invitational.
For Monroe, he was just as satisfied cooking burgers in an out-of-sight corner with his shot and discus brethren.
“This is a tradition for the throwers at this meet,” Monroe said. “After we’re done, we sneak off and grill and have a good time. It feels even better having just won. I love big meets.”
Monroe, who was injured in 2011, had a breakthrough this season and consistently has thrown longer than 50 feet. The senior parlayed his newfound success by recently committing to the University of St. Francis track and field team.
“Last year I was nuts when I got into the ring,” Monroe said. “I was strong, but didn’t have technique. A lot of times I would get in there and just black out, not really know how far I threw. Now I’m working on my technique a lot and its paying off. I feel faster.”
Lockport edged Hillcrest 187.33-164 for the team title. Plainfield South finished fourth (143) behind a meet record in the 400 meters by Mitchell Woods (49.22 seconds). Plainfield North (142) was fifth (142) and Plainfield East (117) seventh.
Plainfield North sprinter Marquis Daniels had a strong day. Daniels took first in the 100 (11.30) and second in the 200 (22.99) behind Plainfield South’s Dantrell Wright (22.27).
“I didn’t expect to win this. I’d never won a big meet like this in the 100,” Flowers said. “It was a tough heat and probably the best individual race I’ve ever run.”
Plainfield East smashed the competition to win the 1,600-meter relay (3 minutes, 16:41 seconds) by almost nine seconds.
