H&R Staff Writer
TOLONO — Picking out the area’s most successful athlete at the Tolono Unity Sectional on Friday would have been a challenge.
It wasn’t a 6-foot plus kid. It wasn’t an upperclassman who had dominated the area plenty of times before. It wasn’t even someone who competed last year.
It was Monticello sophomore D.J. Gordon, a 5-10 kid sporting glasses, who opponents likely underestimated. There’s no doubt after the meet, the opposition will remember him.
He advanced to state in four events after winning the long jump (21-9) and 400 meter (52.04), helping win the 4x400 relay (3:28.73) and taking second in the 100 (11.33).
“When he came into track he didn’t have any idea of how to utilize his talents,” Monticello coach Jeff Butler said. “He has come so far and has let his talent blossom.”
Gordon’s had an impressive season for someone who last competed in track as an eighth-grader. He made state then in the long jump, but took his freshman year off to focus on transitioning to high school.
Despite playing some summer baseball, he was admittedly lazy.
“I took the year off almost,” said Gordon, who has become more coachable since working with assistant track coach Cullen Welter. “I had a streak where I just didn’t do anything. I kinda’ gained a little weight.”
With that behind him, he returned to the track and even surprised himself with his results on Friday.
“Wow, I had no idea this would happen at all,” Gordon said.
Gordon was a big reason why Monticello dominated the sectional.
The Sages, who had their streak of seven straight sectional titles snapped last year, won the meet with 118 points, 41 more than Tolono Unity. St. Joeseph-Ogden came in third with 76 points and Sangamon Valley finished in fourth at 69.
“These guys knew that last year was a down year and was a bummer and that was on their mind going in,” Butler said. “It feels good to get another one.”
Monticello senior Brett Winterbottom advanced to state in three events. Winterbottom ran in the 4x4, finished second in pole vault and won the 300 hurdles. Sophomore Steve Schroeder moved on in two events. Schroeder crushed the field in the 3,200 (9:48.25) and finished third in the 1,600 (4:36.00).
The Sages advanced five individuals and a relay to next weekend’s state meet.
“The mind is always a tougher place to conquer than another person,” Schroeder said about running alone ahead of the pack in the 3,200. “It’s a lot tougher than running with other guys, so it makes for good preparation for when you get to run against guys who are faster than you who will push you.”
Sangamon Valley fares well
Sangamon Valley notched fourth place behind a record performance by its 4x800-meter relay team.
The Storm added Tyler Ramsey to the mix and re-arranged the order and the result was a school record 8:16.27. The entire bunch had season-best splits, including the fastest 800 junior Casey Acree has ever run.
“We were just doing it for each other,” said Acree, who won the 1,600. “It was good competition and we knew we’d be able to get a good time.”
Along with Acree and the 4x8 team, Sangamon Valley advances three other athletes (Eric Leonard, Jordan McCall and Dan Rentschler).
Warrensburg advances a couple
Warrensburg-Latham nearly advanced three relay teams to state.
The Cardinals’ 4x1 team got edged by .01, but their 4x2 and 4x4 teams took second and moved on. Senior Eric Gibbs, who helped on the 4x4, won the 800 and senior Dejay Salmons took second in the shot put.
“We’re happy to get that team in,” Binkley said about the 4x2 after the same group got bad news in the 4x1. “We’re getting a few out (to state), so we’re happy.”
lbridges@herald-review.com|421-6970
Published in the Herald & Review in May 2010.
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