Prom powers up to make impact

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The track and field season has developed quite nicely for Dundee-Crown senior Nathan Prom, because, Chargers coach Tom Smith said, Prom has done everything properly.

“He stretches more than anyone, he thrives on workouts,” Smith said. “He pays attention to all the little things.”

Smith felt Prom was flying “under the radar” for some people this spring, but those days are over. Prom has consistently run under 1:56 in the 800-meter run in his past few meets and is gearing up for a big run at qualifying for the IHSA Class 3A State Boys Track and Field Meet on Friday and Saturday in Charleston.

“The 1:55s have been great for running through training,” Prom said. “Now, with the tapering off in training, I think I can start dropping times more.”

Prom won the 800 and took second in the 1,600 at the Fox Valley Conference Track and Field Meet on Friday.

He has one of the six best 800 times (1:55.10) among Class 3A runners, according to dyestat.com, which makes him a definite contender for a medal.

“He’s having a tremendous year,” Smith said. “He’s so dedicated and smart in the way he’s trained and taken care of himself.”

Prom qualified for the Class 3A State Cross Country Meet, but was very unsatisfied after not finishing in the top 100.

He worked out hard and put in more miles than he ever had before. Part of his training might be a bit surprising coming from a distance runner.

“I did a lot of weightlifting,” Prom said. “That helped me gain power. I’ve never done that, but before I didn’t have enough power. I wanted to get stronger.”

Another adjustment simply came with his outlook.

“I look at training as a way to get better instead of something I dread,” he said.

Prom has been a team leader for the Chargers, who are without their best runner this spring.

Anthony Manfrin, one of the state’s best Class 3A 1,600 runners, has missed the season with a stress reaction in his right femur.

“When I went out, [Prom] was worried about not knowing how to train and I said, ‘You’ll be fine,’ ” Manfrin said. “He has so much talent.”

Prom plans on attending Minnesota next year and is considering walking on to the Golden Gophers track team. Smith thinks he has a lot to offer at the next level.

He has run every race from the 400 to the 3,200 well for the Chargers and was instrumental in their surprising second-place team finish in the FVC Meet.

“He comes out here and runs the 800 and 1,600, then he comes back and runs the 4x400 relay [two events after the 1,600],” Smith said. “That’s just all heart. That’s ‘I’ll give you what I got.’ He’s a great example for everyone on our team. I talk to our guys a lot about them having a [productive] senior year. Now, that’s having a senior year.”