College-bound HHS track leaders poised to end well

HUNTLEY – Two Huntley boys track-and-field seniors, Evan Gronewold and Hayden Swim, are looking to go out with milestone efforts this spring.

Gronewold will again be a force in the sprints, both the 400-meter run and relays, while Swim aims to do well in the throws for the Red Raiders.

Gronewold is coming off a runner-up finish in the 400-meter run at the Class 3A State Meet. Gronewold clocked a 49.01 time at Eastern Illinois University’s track last season. He just missed a state title to winner Brandon Butler of  Edwardsville’s 46.48 seconds. He helped HHS finish 13th in the 4×100-meter relay and 15th in the 4×400-meter relay at EIU.

“I just go out and run real hard at the start,” Gronewold said.

Gronewold selected Grand Valley State, near Grand Rapids, Michigan, to compete. He selected Computer Science as a major.

He took an interesting twist to just before the final outdoor season workouts.

“I went on a hiking trip with my friends to Scottsdale, Arizona area,” he said.

Swim is equally ready to leave his mark in the spring meets.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Swim said of the outdoor portion. “I met my expectations in shot put (in indoor throws). I lost some weight and worked on the weights.”

Swim won the event at the Fox Valley Conference’s indoor track meet.

While Gronewold will be heading east next year for college, Swim selected Colorado School of Mines and received a partial scholarship for his Geological Engineering major.

“I am interested in geology and looked up that school,” Swim said.

Huntley head boys track-and-field coach Chris Maxedon praised the two team leaders.

“These two young men have been fixtures in our varsity lineup for the past four years,” Maxedon said.

“They have both dedicated themselves to being the best they can be. Not only are Swim and Gronewold outstanding athletes, but both are exceptional students as well. The two guys will have outstanding track careers at the next level and they will both earn degrees and be successful members of society as well. That is the most important thing to remember. It will be difficult to replace what they bring to our program.”

Maxedon commented on the upcoming outdoor season, which was scheduled to begin with HHS hosted boys and girls meets April 8.

“We are going to be young as some guys we expected to have this spring are not coming out but we have some good freshmen and sophomores. It will be a fun and interesting season,” Maxedon said.