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Boys Track: New Trier’s Later wins pair of events in league meet
(L-R) Glenbrook South's Marques Thompson, Glenbrook South's Gus Shipp and New Trier's Jack Macarthy compete in the 110 meter hurdles during the CSL South boys track meet in Skokie, Friday, May 11, 2012 I David Banks~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: June 18, 2012 8:40AM
New Trier’s Leland Later competed in his last 3,200-meter race as a Trevian in fine fashion during the CSL South meet at Niles West on Friday.
A favorite to capture a state championship in the 1,600, Later will participate in only that individual event at the upcoming Loyola sectional.
“My ambition is to win the (1,600) at the state meet,” said Later, who won the state title in cross country during the fall season. “That’s the emphasis right now.”
Later said he might anchor the Trevians’ 3,200 relay team at Loyola, in order to help the foursome qualify for state.
But he made sure to leave the open 3,200 behind with good memories. He easily won the event in 9:16.9, nearly 18 seconds faster than the runner-up. Later followed up with a victory in the 1,600 (4:19.7) as well.
“I feel strong coming out of those two races,” the Cal-Berkeley recruit said. “I feel very capable. This was a good confidence-builder.”
Later holds the state’s top time in the 1,600 (4:10.70). He finished fourth in the event last year, and the three runners who placed ahead of him each graduated.
Behind Later — the CSL South meet’s only two-event winner, and one of four seniors to compete for New Trier — the Trevians placed second with 108 points. Evanston won eight events, including three relays, to total 134.5 points and repeat as conference champions.
Taylor Alarcon and Ethan Smith added victories for New Trier. Alarcon, a junior, won triple jump (44-feet-9 1/2) for the second year in a row, while Smith threw 51-9 in shot put.
Alarcon’s mark in triple jump broke a New Trier record set in 1984.
Next year, Jack MacCarthy may be the New Trier athlete attracting attention. The junior is raw, and most likely a year away from contending for a trip to the state meet, but has the ability to rack up points.
MacCarthy has been a contributor in triple jump, long jump, and both hurdles events.
“He really wanted to do the hurdles, so we gave him a chance in the indoor season,” New Trier coach Mark Wukas said. “He did well, but we thought he’d go belly-up outdoors. He hasn’t. I couldn’t be happier with all of our juniors.”
