New Trier Boys Track: King Leads Strong Distance Crew to State Finals

Tommy King killed his two-mile last week at the conference finals, running 9:06.8 to set a new conference record. But the New Trier senior wanted to concentrate on the mile, an event he qualified for state in as a freshman.

The plan worked for King, who led from the start, and finished in 4:15.53. Junior Leland Later (4:16.04) outkicked Maine South’s Dave Eckhart to complete a 1-2 New Trier finish at the IHSA Class 3A Skokie Sectional on Thursday.

“It was great to see, great to have a teammate in there with me,” King said. “Glad to finally be back down where I was last year and hopefully do some damage at state in the event I love.”

King went out hard, running a 60-second first lap to take the lead early. Eckhart and Later caught up with King with 500 meters to go, but King dug in for the last quarter mile.

The mile was King’s only individual event on the day, choosing to give up his 3200 spot to Isa Qasim and Scott Nystuen, who both ran under the qualifying to advance to state. Qasim (9:26.55) and Nystuen (9:28.28) finished fifth and sixth in the two mile.

King fell ill before last year’s state championships so the senior distance star will be looking for a little redemption next weekend.

“It was definitely about showing that I’m one of the best guys in the state and I’m going to be in it to win next weekend,” King said.

New Trier advanced five individuals and one relay to the state championships in Charleston next weekend. Brian Snyder (49.82) finished fourth in the 400, but beat out the state qualifying time by 12 one-hundredths of a second.

The Trevians’ 4x800 run was unexpected because of the personnel New Trier used and the start of Thursday’s race. Leadoff man Eric Underwood got tangled up with another runner on the first turn and tumbled to the track, causing a false start.

“That’s the first time it’s ever happened to me and it happened to me at sectionals,” Underwood said. “But after that I was a little bit jacked up and had the adrenaline going.”

After a clean start, New Trier placed fourth with a time of 7:58.65 to barely qualify under the state time of 8:00.04. Freshman Peter Cotsirilos, junior Chip Schaff and senior Michael Quirke ran the other legs for New Trier.

“At the beginning of the year we were thinking three other runners,” Underwood said. “I thought I’d be in the mix, granted I didn’t think it’d be with this foursome. But it’s just as good of a foursome to get down to state.”

Senior Drew Bobesink placed fourth in the 300 Hurdles and sophomore Taylor Alarcon jumped 44-02 in the triple jump to place fourth, only 10 inches short of the state qualifying mark.