Boys track wins indoor FVC title, coach remembered

HUNTLEY — The Huntley boys track and field team wrapped up its league indoor season with a Fox Valley Conference crown and honored the legacy of a coach who passed away two years ago at another meet.

Huntley secured a FVC championship as they outlasted runner-up Jacobs, 116-79, at the HHS fieldhouse March 18. Huntley competes at the Illinois Top Times indoor track meet at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington March 29. The outdoor track and field season commences at Prospect April 6.

“Our top line kids took care of business, but we also got some places from other kids as well,” Huntley boys track and field coach Chris Maxedon said of the FVC meet. “We challenged the team to do better than their seed times and they did that, which is good for the future because most of those athletes are underclassmen.”

Meanwhile, legendary track and field and football coach, the late  Joel Popenfoose, known as “Coach Pop” and his many contributions to HHS were remembered. He also led Judson University in Elgin for those sports and Waldorf College. Popenfoose passed away March 16, 2023 at age 64.

“This meet would have been heaven for Joel,” Kim Laue, Joel’s widow, said. “We’re so proud coach Maxedon and his staff put this meet together. Joel loved track and field since he was little. He used to tell the story of eating Wheaties cereal with a picture of Bruce Jenner on the box.”

Joel and Kim Popenfoose’s family of four children – Adam, Casey, Marcus and Myra were all long-time athletes. A fifth child, Luke, died at an early age.

The boys all played football for the Red Raiders – the family is in the school’s football Hall of Fame. Marcus Poppenfoose, now a pastor, won the Class 3A State Championship in the discus throw in 2010. Adam, Casey and Kelsey Popenfoose all teach at the Brownsburg, Ind. School District.

“’Coach Pop’ set the culture for track and field, what we have today,” Maxedon told the crowd. “He’s the reason why we have gone from 15 athletes to 120.”

Jim Rinaldo, who was head track and field coach before Maxedon, now an assistant coach, praised Popenfoose’s impact on the program.

In addition to his love of all things Huntley High School, Popenfoose started Westlake Community Church in Huntley.

Popenfoose’s efforts later were dedicated to successful track and field and cross country teams at Judson University and he earned him a spot in the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame.

The fun part of the Friday meet included a costumed “Sasquatch” character, and classic rock-and-roll music. Also throwers had a chance to run a relay (won by Huntley) in the 40 events night. Maple Park Kaneland took home the combined title and the Red Raiders were runner-up. The “ABC” format meet had events contested by divisions.

FVC results

The Red Raiders had the two top spots in the shot put as senior Grant Tucker threw 15.13 meters, a personal best. Junior Ryan Wabel was right behind as runner-up, 14.62 meters.

Senior Zach Rysavy gained the top spot in the triple jump, 13.34 meters, 43 feet, 9.25 inches, for a personal best. He was second in the long jump, 6.45 meters, 21 feet, 2 inches. Sheldon Aninagyei Bonsu was runner-up in the triple jump, 13.30 meters, 43 feet, 7.75 inches, a PR for the senior.

Senior Tommy Nitz earned the championship of the 1,600 meters, with a time of 4:22.59. Senior Jake Hill ended runner-up in the pole vault, with a 3.79 meters best, 12 feet, 5.25 inches.

For relay results, the 4×800-meters quartet of Nitz, Raistrick, Mark Omobiyi and Logan Barreto took home first place, in 8:19.86. The 4×200-meter run contingent of Costa, Giuseffi, Langston Stanley and Rysavy finished in 1:33.30 for runner-up, a PR.

Popenfoose meet results

Costa turned in two division winning efforts, in the 60-meter run with a time of 7.01 and the 200-meters with a time of 22.97 seconds, a personal best. Jordan Oruche finished second in the B division, 24.52 seconds.

Nitz won second in the A Division, 400-meters, 52.04; Dane Peterson also took second, 54.84  in the B division and Giuseffi won third in the C Division, 56.63. Peterson was also second in the 800-meter B group, 54.84 seconds.

The Red Raiders fared well in the shot put, as Tucker gained second in the A Division, 14.01 meters, 46 feet, 3.25 inches; Wabel won the B Division, 14.53 meters, 47-feet, 8 inches and senior Mason Maldonado won the C Division, 13.19 meters, 43 feet.

Rysavy ended second in the A Division triple jump, 12.87 meters, 42 feet, 2.75 inches and third in the long jump, 6.48 meters, 21 feet, 3.75 inches.