Kremske fast (learner)

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CHARLESTON – What Woodstock senior Mike Kremske lacks in track experience he makes up for with an ability to learn quickly, and by just being fast.

Kremske estimated he ran the eighth 800-meter run of his life Friday. It just happened to be at the IHSA Boys Track and Field State Meet at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Stadium. And he just happened to qualify for today’s Class 2A finals.

Kremske was one of 11 area qualifiers from the Class 2A preliminaries, and one of three local qualifiers – along with Crystal Lake Central’s Mike Bondi and Marengo’s Joe Janssen – in the 800. Three other local runners – Central’s Ryan Alvarez, Richmond-Burton’s Ian Sanchez and Woodstock’s Phil Meyer – will run in the 1,600.

Also advancing were R-B’s Kyle Wismer and Prairie Ridge’s Kerry Kohlbacher in the 400, Central’s 4x800 relay, R-B’s Matt Marzahl in the high jump and Prairie Ridge’s Sean O’Connor in the discus.

“This is my first year running track, so I’m kind of winging it as I go,” Kremske said after running 1:57.13. “I went out way too fast at sectionals and was gassed after the first 200. I decided to change it up and my brother, Dan, who runs at Illinois, was giving me advice. I waited back a little until the last 250 [meters]. It’s nice to have a strong kick at the end.”

Everything worked out well for Central’s 4x800 team of Ryan Alvarez, Bondi, Chris Alvarez and Eric Loria, which won its heat in 8:02.33. When Ryan Alvarez handed to Bondi for the final lap, the lead was big enough that Bondi, who still had the 800 race, could cruise with a 2:01 split.

“Coach [Brian Seaver] said [to] just win the heat,” Bondi said. “They gave me a lead and I was able to run an easy race.”

Bondi then came back to run the third-fastest qualifying time in the 800 and take second in his heat.

Janssen qualified with the 10th-fastest time in the 12-runner field for the 800.

“I didn’t think that was going to qualify for the finals,” Janssen said. “I just have to run my best [in the finals] and see what happens.”

Alvarez survived a tough pack race in his 1,600 heat, in which Meyer also qualified. The pack was so tight that there was plenty of bumping as runners tried to hold position.

“All the soccer I played [growing up] was good for that,” Alvarez said.

Wismer and Sanchez will not repeat as state medalists in two events in which they medaled last year. Wismer missed in the long jump, while Sanchez missed in the 800.

“I don’t know what happened [in the long jump],” Wismer said. “I got too nervous and it got in my head. I can do better [in the 400].”

Sanchez channeled his frustration into the 1,600 and had the eighth-fastest qualifying time in that race.

“That’s what helped me with my kick, thinking about the 800,” Sanchez said. “I didn’t kick in the 800 like I should have, but I did in the 1,600. I blame myself, but at least I’ll have more rest for the 1,600 now.”