L-Way Central's Stancato Blazes a New Trail

It was quite a day in New Lenox on Tuesday for a couple of track athletes at Lincoln-Way Central.

In a non-scored meet against Manteno, Marist and Joliet West, Lincoln-Way Central senior captain John Stancato established a school record in the 55-meter dash. He was clocked in 6.3 seconds to eclipse the previous record of 6.4, which had stood for 10 years.

Kyle Counter's effort in the mile was a little overshadowed by Stancato's school-record breaking performance, but Counter set a personal-best in the mile with a 4:29.4.

"We're a very young team overall, but we've got some very good seniors we're expecting big things from," Lincoln-Way Central coach Dustin Waddell said. "Junior Brent Swanberg is also someone we expect a lot from. He hopes to be a decathlete and is a 20-foot long jumper, a 6-3 high jumper and 11-foot pole vaulter. He's one of those guys you can put in pretty much any event."

On Saturday, March 12, the Lincoln-Way Central boys track and field team was in action at the Southwest Suburban Blue indoor meet at Lockport. The highlight of the day came from the 3200-meter relay team of juniors Alex Ahlgrim and Vince DiNello, sophomore Dru Rozewicki and senior Kyle Counter. The four teamed to win the event.

"We have very high expectations for these four guys together," `Waddell said. "They've known each other from cross country and are just fantastic together."

* The Lincoln-Way co-op boys gymnastics team is aiming for a state championship this season. Taking second place and looking up at Stevenson, Glenbard North and York the past three years simply has the program hungry for another state title, the last of which it took home in 2006. This year also will mark the third straight year that Lincoln-Way East will host the state finals as the event has shifted from Barrington.

The L-Way co-op boys will have time to show what its capable of  doing over the next two weeks. The team was to travel to Hinsdale Central Friday for the Neil Krupicka Invite. Then, on March 26, L-Way heads to Rolling Meadows for the Vic Avigliano Invite. L-Way took care of business on March 10 at the Homewood-Floosmoor Invite.

At H-F, Lincoln-Way won all six events and featured five winning gymnasts. Ajani Cargle was the lone multi-event champion, claiming parallel bars with a 9.4 and pommel horse with an 8.9. The team's other winners were Victor Valencia on floor (9.5), Tyler Yost on vault (9.35), Ryan Reif on still rings (9.2) and Jake Gratkowski on high bar (8.9).

"We're right where I want them to be for the most part," Lincoln-Way coach Skip Adamson said. "They're still putting things in and making falls at critical spots, but that's OK. If they were perfecting everything now, they'd be getting bored and then I wouldn't be working them hard enough in the first place."

* Lincoln-Way Central designed hitter Kevin DeMatteo slugged a two-run home run and southpaw Matt Mikolajzak scatted five hits and surrendered just one run in five innings of work to lead the Knights to a 2-1 victory over Marmion in Aurora in the team’s opener on Thursday. For more details, visit www.dailyherald.com/article/20110317/sports/703179721/#ixzz1GxRX6QkJ

* The Lincoln-Way Central girls soccer team started its season in fine fashion, beating Marist 3-2 on Thursday night. Rachel Post led the offensive charge for the Griffins with a two goals and an assist. For more details, visit http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/sports/4369943-417/lincoln-way-c.-in-post...

* Several local basketball players were recognized on all-conference teams.

At Lincoln-Way West, senior guard Robert Hubbard was selected to the Southwest Suburban Red team. On the girls side, Kaitlyn Ray and Sam Villa were chosen. In addition, the boys team was honored for its sportsmanship.

At Lincoln-Way Central, 6-foot-8 junior center Brad Foster was selected to the Southwest Suburban Blue team. He’ll have another year to make opponents sing the blues because of his inside presence and rebounding ability. The Knights were also recognized for their sportsmanship.

For the girls team, Rachel Post was chosen to the all-conference squad, and now has already gotten off to a fast start on the soccer field. At Providence, sophomore Kevin Kozan was selected to the East Suburban Catholic all-conference boys basketball team.