H-F is leading Illinois in track

Photo courtesy of the H-F boys track and field team

On your marks! The H-F boys track and field team posing for a group photo prior to the 2022 season.

The boys’ track team went to a 30+ team invite in Belleville on April 7-8. After winning first at the meet and having one of their best performances all season the H-F boys’ track team was soon ranked first in their division. 

Head coach Nate Beebe expressed how good it feels to be one of the top track organizations in the state.

“It feels good to have the team competing at the level that we have, not only this year but consistently since 2017,” said Beebe. 

The track team has had a solid history, but the athletes are pulling through on a different level this year. Beebe especially highlighted team leaders Olusoga Adeyiga, John Gore, Robert Scott III, Nelson Speaks, Myles Ellis and Sochim Ozoh

During the season, the H-F track team consistently competes and wins big tournaments. Beebe is delighted with the results of this season, specifically winning the SWSC Conference Invite tournament, the Bob Niehls Invite, the Norm Armstrong Invitational, and the Rock Island ABC Invitational. Even though track is a challenging sport, the track team makes it look easy. 

Senior sprinter Robert Scott expressed how it felt being number one.

 “It’s a good feeling to have the fastest team in the state in the 4×1 and 4×2 for the past three years.” Scott also said, “I’m sure my other relay partners feel the same way about us being the top athletes because we put in a lot of work to be where we are now”.

The track team has some of the top performers in the state with Adeyiga being the #1 200m runner in the state with a time of 21.40 along with junior long jumper Sochim Ozoh being #3 in the state.

The athletes that have really shown out lately were the 4×100-meter squad consisting of Gore, Adeyiga, Scott, and Jeremiah Turner. This group ran a top 30 time in the entire nation with a 41.03 which is third all-time in Illinois. With the season still ongoing they are looking to improve that time even more.

 Head Coach Nate Beebe revealed how he felt about his team.
“I’m happy that the athletes are performing well since they work so hard and deserve the recognition that they are one of the best programs this school has to offer as well as at the state level. Our athletes and coaches are excellent and that shows in the results”, said Coach Beebe. 

Even though track is a challenging and rewarding sport, track is great to develop both physically and mentally. H-F’s track team makes it look easy. We have upcoming stars like Myles Ellis, Nolan Lewis, Joaquin Jordan, and Charles Williams who have dominated on the freshman/sophomore team. 

Also, the girls’ team continues competing with impressive showings. On May 10, The team ended as IHSA class 3A TRG Sectional – #10 Harvey (Thornton) champions.  Ana-Liese Torian finished the season as the number 3 in the country in indoor 60m hurdles.

The boys’ track team continues to compete and looks to win state this year on May 26 and 27.