CHARLESTON, Ill. — Camron Donatlan began his first track season on the frosh-soph level.
Two months later, the West Aurora sophomore was a state champion at O’Brien Field.
Donatlan did not miss a single attempt Saturday in outdueling O’Fallon senior Aaron Smith in successive one-inch increments in the Class 3A high jump between 6 feet, 6 inches and his winning height of 6-10.
“It all came down to form, speed and the right steps,” Donatlan said. “I have been focused and working hard in practice. My coaches have really helped with my technique.”
DyeStatIl.com editor Mike Newman couldn’t remember another athlete going from the lower levels to a state title in the span of one season. “(Donatlan) is a real unique situation, especially in an event like the high jump,” Newman said.
Donatlan’s teammmates DaVion Cross and Chris Walker seemed headed to top-two finishes in the 3A triple jump for the second straight season. But Lakes’ Cameron Ruiz went 50-6 on his final jump, leaving Cross to settle for second at 49-9.25 and Walker in third at a personal-best 49-2.5.
“I came out wildly excited,” said Cross, who settled for a second straight runner-up finish in the event. “There was nothing else I could do.”
Walker was in dismay.
“I planted a bottle where I wanted to land, and went over it,” said Walker, who was second, first and third the past three seasons. “I knew I went far. I know I did well.”
West Aurora’s Connor McCue passed four runners in the final 50 meters to finish second in the 800 in 1 minute, 53.38 seconds.
“I knew sixth place wasn’t how I wanted to end my career,” McCue said.
McCue was beaten only by Sandburg’s Chris Torpy (1:50.88), who was a member of the Eagles’ 3,200 relay team that set a state-meet record of 7:37.36. The Blackhawks also had an eighth in the high jump from DaQuan Cross (6-5).
East St. Louis turned back defending state champion Edwardsville, 54-42, for the 3A title and Sandburg (40) finished third. West Aurora, which was seeking its first state trophy since finishing first in 1906, took fourth with 35 points.
Yorkville’s Sam Weisz took second in the discus (180-8). Metea Valley had a sixth in the long jump from Amiri Finner (46-8.25) and a seventh from Jordan Cagigal in the 400 (49.14). Finner also ran on the Mustangs’ fifth-place 400 relay team (42.13). Geneva had a sixth from Tyler Dau in the 1,600 (4:19.85) and an eighth from Justin Taormina in the 100 (10.86).
In Class 2A, sprinter Israel Adeoti powered Plano’s 800 relay to a runner-up finish and also placed seventh in the 100 (10.97).
“I think (our relay team) is satisfied,” said Adeoti, who teamed with Mauricio Perez, Jeremiah Murff and Davion Cole to run 1:28.60. “We exceeded all expectations.”
Marmion’s Seth Groom was third in the triple jump (46-8.25), while Kaneland’s Tanner Robertson finished fifth in the 300 hurdles (39.41) and the Knights were ninth in the 3,200 relay.
In Class 1A, Mooseheart’s Josh Gordon was seventh in the 400 (50.26).
Kevin McGavin is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News.
