Huntley’s Hood raises HJ bar

HUNTLEY — A chance post-meet jump was a turning point for Huntley senior high jumper McKale Hood.

“What Hood has accomplished as a high jumper is pretty amazing,” Red Raiders boys track and field coach Chris Maxedon said.

“We found out that he might be a decent jumper last year at an indoor meet,” Maxedon said. “After the event was over, the mats were still out and he jumped over 6’1” in crocks. At that point we told McKale that he needed to try the high jump. Here we are, a little over a year later and he is currently the number one high jumper in Class 3A, with a best of 6’8” and has earned a scholarship to college because of it.”

Hood, who will attend Indiana Tech next year, won the Rolling Meadows meet April 28 in a meet where the Red Raiders finished runners-up.

Maxedon said he was pleased with results at Rolling Meadows. The Red Raiders totaled 107.5 points. Huntley’s finish was second to champion St. Charles North.

“We had 17 total individual personal records, which is pretty impressive,” Maxedon said.

For field events, senior Mike Diversey won the discus with a throw of 37.33 meters. Sophomore Jake Hill finished third in the pole vault at 3.88 meters.

Three fourth-place finishes were recorded in relay events. The 4×100 meter relay of Las Green, Tyler Tapper, Charlie Patrick and Zach Garfio; 4×200 team of Green, Tepper, Patrick and Noah Jensen; 4×800 meter relay of Luke Grubbs, Hudson Fisher, Ty Rasmussen and Zach Donlea.

Talon Sargent accomplished a first and second-place finish. He was the champion in the 400, 51:07 and second in the 200-meters, 23.04. Sophomore Tommy Nitz ended third in the 3,200-meter run, 9:37.43.

Huntley will host the Fox Valley Conference boys track and field meet May 12 prior to competing at the Class 3A boys sectional at DeKalb May 17.