Two state titles within Popenfoose’s reach

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There is one thing missing from the most decorated thrower in McHenry County track and field history’s resume: a state title.

Huntley’s Marcus Popenfoose can fix that this weekend in Charleston at the IHSA Boys Track and Field State Meet, where he will be a favorite in the Class 3A discus and shot put.

The only way Popenfoose doesn’t add two more medals to the four he has won in his high school career is if he fouls. It seems fitting that the Auburn-bound senior would go out with at least one title, if not two, although the competition will be stiff again.

“Yeah, I would be disappointed [without a state title],” Popenfoose said. “If I do my very best those two days, there’s no reason I shouldn’t come home with at least one.”

That’s not bragging; Popenfoose’s numbers tell the story. If he throws his best in the discus, it’s unlikely anyone can beat him. He’s the only Class 3A thrower with a 200-foot-plus throw in his career, and he has several more in the 190s. Lake Park’s Jermaine Kline appears to be Popenfoose’s main competition in the discus and shot put, just as the Lancers’ Dan Block was last year.

The discus battle between Block and Popenfoose last year was epic. Popenfoose set the meet record in Friday’s preliminary flight with a 199-8 throw, erasing a record Block set minutes earlier. Block came back on his first throw in Saturday’s finals with 205-8 to win it.

“Both of them [twins Jermaine and Jeremy Kline] are really good, well-rounded throwers,” Popenfoose said. “Hopefully, I’m being pushed and I’m pushing them. I’d rather win a state championship when other people are throwing their best and not choking.”

Popenfoose displayed a flair for clutch throwing as a freshman when he threw personal bests in almost each meet of the last month, culminating with an eighth-place medal in Class AA. The next year, he was fourth in Class AA, and last year he was Class 3A runner-up in the discus and shot put to Block.

At the Fox Valley Conference Meet two weeks ago, Popenfoose talked about how he loves throwing in front of a big crowd.

“I get a lot of adrenaline and throw a lot farther when a lot of people are watching,” Popenfoose said.

Popenfoose was in a funk with the shot put most of the season but finally hit 61 feet in the FVC and at the Huntley Sectional meets.

“I feel like my shot put’s picking up,” Popenfoose said. “And the discus is going to be there this week.”

The main focus will be on winning in Class 3A, but Popenfoose also will have an eye on what Champaign St. Thomas More’s Brandon Noe throws in the 1A discus competition. Noe had a throw of 203-5 this season, and Popenfoose’s career-best was a 202-4.

Gabrys to Elmhurst: Harvard senior Vince Gabrys, the Northwest Herald area rushing leader, has committed to play football at Elmhurst College next season.

Gabrys was a starter at running back and defensive back for the Hornets, who finished 7-3. He was a Northwest Herald All-Area first-team selection at defensive back, where he was third on the team with 72 tackles, and had three interceptions and a fumble recovery. Gabrys led the area with 1,493 rushing yards, 20 touchdowns and a 7.1-yard average. He was a Class 4A All-State selection by the Illinois Football Coaches Association.

“I went there for an overnight visit, and the guys were pretty cool,” Gabrys said. “They said they were bringing in three running backs, so I hope I’ll get some playing time right away. I could be switched to defense, too.”

Gabrys, who is 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, stayed with former Hornets Matt Streit and Josh Schmidt on the visit, so he believed he got a good read on the program through knowing them.

Bernstein to Harper: Crystal Lake South senior outfielder Sammie Bernstein will play softball at Harper College in Palatine next year. Bernstein had planned on attending Harper as a student, but coach Brendan James attended one of South’s games this spring, saw her and invited her to play.

• Joe Stevenson covers high school sports for the Northwest Herald. He can be reached by e-mail at jstevenson@nwherald.com.