Riverside Brookfield High School senior Luke Smithing thinks often about qualifying again for the Class 3A boys track and field state meet in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles.
After going in 2022 and finishing 21st (43.65), Smithing was in contention at last year’s Proviso East Sectional when he tripped over the second-to-last hurdle.
“I fell at sectionals because I was running too low on stamina,” Smithing said. “This year I’ve been working a lot more on distance running so I can be ready for that.”
The outdoor season has begun like it’s 2022. Smithing swept the 300s (42.44) and 110 high hurdles (16.87) at the annual home Bulldog Relays Saturday.
This marked only the second time he has won both hurdles races at a major event and the first since the 2022 Bulldog Relays (44.39 and 17.42). The only meet where he performed better was the 2022 Morton Sectional, when he reached state by winning the 300 hurdles (41.48) and was third in the 110s (16.34), still his two lifetime bests.
Riverside-Brookfield Brady Norman competes in the 3200 Meters during the Riverside-Brookfield Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Jack O’Brien takes the hand off from Brennan Lester in the 4×800 Relay during the Riverside-Brookfield Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Evan McMullen competes in the 4×800 Relay during the Riverside-Brookfield Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Brookfield. | Steve Johnston
At the 2023 Bulldog Relays, Smithing was second in the 300s (42.37) after a false start for the 110s.
“That’s probably why I was nervous going into the 110s,” Smithing said.
“[Winning both] was a good confidence boost. I was worried I was going to end up like last year. I was feeling a lot slower. I think I’ve been practicing a lot harder and pushing myself a lot more.”
Junior Brady Norman also won the 3,200 (9:51.12) for the fourth-place Bulldogs.
Second-place finishers were senior Jack O’Brien (1,600 in 4:25.62), the varsity 4 x 400 relay (Evan McMullen, Eamon Ryan, Asa Kahle, Hayden Marrs in 3:36.90), the varsity 1,600 spring medley relay (Wayne Torrens, David Kummer, Ryan and Kahle in 3:53.19) and the freshman 4 x 400 relay (Lucas, Williams, Aiden O’Brien, Jack Megall, Bryson Reum in 4:15.47). Hector Parada (1.68 meters/5 feet-6 inches in high jump) and Matthew Torrens (3.35m/10-11 3/4 in pole vault) were third.
RBHS girls track and field
Senior Sophie Singh already needs a new goal this outdoor season.
Singh was impressive at the Bulldogs Relays by taking second in the 100 high hurdles (17.64), a personal-best time by .70 from last April 12.
“I was really surprised. Breaking 18 [seconds] was my season goal and to break it so early, I was so happy,” Singh said.
Riverside-Brookfield’s Morgan Anderson competes in the High Jump during the Riverside-Brookfield Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Antonia O’Keefe competes in the Shot Put during the Riverside-Brookfield Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Jenny Thomas lands her Triple Jump during the Riverside-Brookfield Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Gianna Gelb competes in the 4×800 Relay during the Riverside-Brookfield Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Riverside-Brookfield’s Jenny Thomas competes in the Triple Jump during the Riverside-Brookfield Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark) 
Trinity’s Molly McGreal competes in the 3200 Meters during the Riverside-Brookfield Bulldog Relays Saturday, April 6, 2024 in Brookfield, IL. (Steve Johnston/Riverside-Brookfield Landmark)
“It’s really motivating. It’s really exciting. I just need to work harder and set a new goal.”
The varsity 4 x 800 relay of Addie Vaia, Gianna Gelb, Lily Kocourek and Jorie Eggers (10:41.82) also was second for the sixth-place Bulldogs.
Jenny Thomas (9.65m/31-8 in triple jump) and the varsity 800 sprint medley relay (Isabella Limoges, Thomas, Morgan Anderson, Eggers in 2:04.20) were third.
At her two previous Bulldog Relays, Singh was fifth and eighth in the 100 hurdles. She was an all-conference third at the 2023 Metro Suburban Blue Meet (18.99).
“I practiced a lot during the summer and this indoor season we had a lot of meets we didn’t have last season,” Singh said. “I came out to the track by myself to practice, too.”
