Lyons Township High School senior Joey Bockwell not only won sectionals in shot put but set a school record in the process. In some ways, Bockwell was even more excited about a warmup throw that would have been a scratch but was significantly further.
“That just means the ceiling is higher. That’s what I like to think about,” Bockwell said. “Make a couple of technique changes and stay in the circle. That makes a big difference.”
After his second Class 3A boys track and field state meet, Bockwell is already ahead of schedule. He was a somewhat surprised state champion with another school record of 19.27 meters/63 feet-2 3/4 inches that came on his first throw in Friday’s preliminaries.
The Lions’ first state shot champion since Mike Fairbairn in 2005, Bockwell’s previous school-record 18.84m/61-9 3/4 was the No. 4 best sectional throw in 3A.
“A part of me wanted to gun for first place (at state) but it wasn’t a realistic goal with the competition. But the way things shook out, I ended up winning,” Bockwell said. “Of course winning a state meet is awesome but as usual I had my biggest marks in practice and warmups. So I’m looking for more but a win is still a win so I can’t complain.”
Shot and discus throws in Friday’s preliminaries carry over to Saturday’s finals. While he tried to improve, the rest of the 12-finalist field had three chances each to catch him. The closest was Dunlap senior Patrick Peterson by two inches (19.22m/19-0 3/4).
“I was a little nervous obviously. Most of the guys I expected were going to beat me so if one did beat me and I couldn’t catch them with three throws, I could live with that,” Bockwell said. “I was also lucky that no one caught one past 63-0.”
He wasn’t as fortunate in discus (31st, 44.82m/147-0) but said having the event following shot often doesn’t work out. Shot swells his hand and affects his gripping the discus. Bockwell’s distance wouldn’t have won 3A shot the last two years but would have the previous four.
“You can’t express how surprised I am (to win shot). I don’t know. Maybe the starts aligned for me this year and I got lucky,” he said. “I am actually happy with my series. Very respectable, all throws were above 60 feet, no fouls. Great consistency there but no the big jump like I was looking for.”
The Lions’ other state competitors were seniors Tyler Gantt (23rd in 1,600, 4:26.72) and Anthony Pearson of Brookfield (36th in 300 intermediate hurdles, personal-best 40.94), junior Mateo Cue (110 high hurdles in 16.82), the 4 x 800 relay of Gantt, seniors Patrick Collins and Parker Robinson and sophomore Brennan Monohan (21st, season-best 7:57.73) and the 4 x 200 relay of sophomores Lincoln DeMauro and Tremario Roberts and juniors Anthony Bonilla of Brookfield and Owen Bloem (45th, 1:33.20). Sophomore pole vaulter Sterling White missed the opening height of 3.80m/12-5 1/2.
LTHS girls soccer
The Lyons Township girls soccer team’s great season ended in frustrating fashion Friday. The Lions (17-3-3) lost to rival Hinsdale Central 1-0 in the Class 3A Downers Grove South Sectional final by losing 3-2 on four rounds of penalty kicks to settle the scoreless tie.
“I feel like the only way they could have won was penalty kicks because we were getting so many more opportunities,” LTHS senior midfielder Avery Lusk said. “Even when the ball was on our side, I knew they wouldn’t score because I felt like our defense was good enough and (goalie Anna Bigenwald) was having an amazing game as she always has. We were doing a good job controlling the ball, amazing passes. It was super unfortunate that we lost.”
The Lions beat Hinsdale Central 1-0 May 5 when Bigenwald stopped a penalty kick that Lusk cleared. In penalty kicks, Friday, the Red Devils gave Bigenwald no chance with three well-placed conversions and one shot that was over the goal.
LTHS shot first. Senior Carolina Capizzi and Lusk converted penalty kicks for the Lions but Hinsdale Central goalie Gabby Gjeldum stopped the two others.
“Their goalie was tough and their backs are tough too. It’s just two good teams battling. We thought we were going to finish an opportunity here and there and come out on the other end,” said LTHS coach Bill Lanspeary, who graduates a large senior class. “Their leadership on and off the field has been tremendous. This has been a group that’s been as close off the field as on the field and that makes us better on the field. They’ve had a great run and great memories together.”
LTHS led 15-10 in shots while the Red Devils (17-6-1) led 7-5 in corner kicks. During play, Gjeldum also made a solid save on a shot by freshman forward Abby McKenna. Lusk had another attempt after a scramble in the crease off a corner kick but a defender blocked that shot.
The Lions, who lost in the sectional semifinals last year, did win their first West Suburban Conference Silver Division since 2023 with a 6-0 record.
“I feel like out of the all of the years I’ve been on varsity this definitely has been my favorite. Maybe it’s because I’m a senior and I get to do a lot of the bringing people together,” Lusk said. “Even during practice, everything was so close. Everybody wanted to be with everybody and the same with bus rides. We always want to be with each other and that’s the saddest part about the season ending.”