| No surprise: JCA wins Rudy's again |
 |
By MIKE FITZGERALD For Sun-Times Media
JOLIET -- The only surprise at the 28th Annual Rudy's Gym High School Football Powerlifting Championship Saturday at Joliet Catholic Academy was that no lifters threatened any meet records.
The Hilltoppers walked off with their 14th consecutive title with a team total of 11,340 pounds in the squat, bench press and deadlift exercises. Bolingbrook placed second with 9,700 pounds, Andrew was third with 9,495 pounds and Providence finished fourth with 8,690 pounds.
The meet records of 770 pounds in the squat set by JCA's Dan Foreman, 525 in the bench press set by the Celtics' Steve Laski in 2009, and 660 pounds in the deadlift set by Lockport's Tony Pashos were never in danger. Laski's meet record total of 1,750 pounds from 2009 also survived.
"It's all about being committed to the sport," meet organizer and JCA strength coach Francis Ruettiger said. "With football nowadays, you have to be committed to it all year round. The kids were spotty this summer. They had a lot going on, but when it came down to the times to compete and make the lifts, they did it. They showed me a lot of heart and character, but they still have to get more committed to their season because we can win everything. We started the football season out right by winning this meet.
"Powerlifting is not an easy thing to do It's something you have to stay committed to to be good at it. I don't know if it's the summer football. I would attribute some of it (lower lift totals) to that because the kids are kind of getting worn out now. They have 25 days in the summer when they can have the pads on. They get beat up. I think that has a lot to do with it."
Judging from interviews with players and coaches from the other local entrants, the summer work is yielding results that should be seen on the field in the fall.
"Everybody is putting in their best effort and giving it their all," Bolingbrook offensive guard Chris James said. "The strengths of our team right now are our linebackers who will be running down hill to get the stops, our run blocking and our quarterback and running backs being able to execute. We have to be able play together and to learn to trust each other. Everyone has great talent. We just have to be able to trust each other."
Providence, the runner-up in 6A and the winner of the Chicago Catholic League Blue Division in 2009, will play with a target on its back this season. Celtics' offensive guard Mike Kronberg has no problem with that.
"It keeps us working hard because we have to keep thinking about that," he said. "It's good to have a target on your back.
"The summer is going pretty good. We have a lot of positions to fill, but people are stepping up."
Kronberg returns to the offensive line along with Dan Lemke and Frank Markosovic. They will be blocking for a new feature back since Tim Hanrahan graduated.
"We have quite a few guys working to fill that spot," Kronberg said. "Nobody has sealed that position up yet, but everyone is working hard."
JCA doesn't have to worry about who will carry the ball out of its backfield with senior Josh Ferguson, who gave a verbal commitment to the University of Illinois on Saturday, junior Malin Jones and sophomore Ty Issac lining up there.
"We have three Division I running backs in Josh Ferguson, Malin Jones and Ty Issac," JCA linebackers coach Mark Mettille said. "All three of those guys have different styles and they're all gifted. I wouldn't want to have to tackle them. Those guys are special players."
|
eMail
JolietCatholicFootball
"Any man's finest hour - his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear - is
that moment he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted
on the field of battle . . . victorious."
Vince Lombardi
Our Lady of Victory . . .
Pray for Us!
Contents of this site may not be used without prior written permission.
|
|
|
