CHARLESTON -- Huntley junior Marcus Popenfoose keeps moving up the ladder.
Going on that theory, there is only one more spot to go. In the shot put and the discus, the Red Raiders standout was second in both events at the Class 3A State Track and Field Finals. He finished with a toss of 59 feet, 11 3/4 inches in the shot and 199-8 in the discus.
Dan Block, the Lake Park senior that beat him in both events, set a state record in the discus with a toss of 205-8. The previous state record was 199-8 by Popenfoose one day earlier. Overall, the state record in the discus was broken three times during the weekend. Block finished with a toss of 62-0 in the shot put.
It marked the third consecutive year that Marcus Popenfoose collected a medal in the discus. He was eighth as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore. Popenfoose was 10th one year ago in the shot put and did not earn a medal. Both events were a battle between the two.
In the shot, everyone else was at least 3 feet behind Popenfoose, while they were 23 feet or more behind the pair in the discus. The former State Finals record, before Popenfoose and Block started trading it back and forth was 192-1 set in 1998 by Salem's Mike Minton.
"Our goal coming into the season was to break 60-0 in the shot and 200-0 in the discus," said Chris Maxedon, Huntley assistant and throws coach. "He missed the goals by 4 1/4 inches combined. We want to see him continue to improve. Next year will be a big year for him. Marcus and Dan were two of the best throwers in the country."
While Popenfoose is the top returner in both events, he will have plenty of company in the shot put. Five of the athletes that earned medals in the shot put will be back next year. In the discus, Popenfoose is one of two juniors returning. The rest that earned medals were seniors. Waubonsie Valley junior Alex Kampf finished with a toss of 164-0 and was seventh.
"We drew a huge crowd and that was awesome," said Popenfoose. "When they started announcing the state record was being broken, people started coming over. I am happy, but not ecstatic with the performance. I am going to hit the weights hard this summer. That 205-8 gives me something to shoot for."
St. Charles North runner Max Clink wrapped up his track career by taking fourth in the 800-meter run. The DePaul University-bound runner finished the race in 1 minute, 54.30 seconds. Maine South senior Ryan Lynn finished in 1:51.13. The rest of the athletes were packed up. A time of 1:56.17 or better was required to earn All-State status.
"I wanted to run a 1:53, but just missed it," said Clink. "Concentrating on one race is nerve-racking. I went through the 400-meter mark at 55 seconds and I did that. The leaders ran aggressively and I expected them to wear down. They never did. I ran my race and it is tough to do that. I have no regrets."
Clink was a two-time All-Stater in the 800 and helped the North Stars win the 3,200-meter relay one year ago.
In the Class 2A Finals, Paco Wleklinski vaulted over 14-0 for the second time in his career. He finished with a vault of 14-6, which was good for fourth place. The winner, Streator junior Logan Pflibsen, finished with a height of 15-6.
"Paco handled making the state meet for the first time in his life very well," said Central coach Mike Schmidt. "Our pole vault coach (Dave Burner) did a tremendous job with him. We could not have been happier."
Dundee-Crown sophomore Anthony Manfrin was disqualified in the 1,600 in the Class 3A Finals. Manfrin's preliminary time of 4:18.55 would have earned ninth place on Saturday.
The D-C 3,200 relay team finished last among the 12 finalists. The foursome of Dan Magnant, Nathan Prom, Jon Magnant and Manfrin finished in 7:59.55.
Bartlett's Dan Karys placed sixth in the long jump at 22-6 1/2, earning All-State status for the Hawks senior.
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