Loyola Academy’s Declan Ritzenthaler clears a height during the pole vault competition at the Niles West Sectional PHOTOGRAPHY BY TING SHEN
The elevation game just got serious.
Declan Ritzenthaler knows the drill. Knows the thrill.
The prized Loyola Academy pole vaulter wasn’t too worked up about taking runner-up honors in the Class 3A Niles West Sectional on May 18.
The junior has his sights — and heights — set on the meet that really matters: state.
After qualifying to the pole vault finals (top 16) at last year’s state meet, Ritzenthaler is positioned well to make a splash in this weekend’s boys track and field meet in Charleston.
Been there. Done that. Ready to go back.
“I definitely can go higher,” said Ritzenthaler, who cleared 14-1 on the Niles West runway.
“He knows how it’s done there [at state],” said LA pole vault coach Ryan Gibbons, who doubles as Ritzenthaler’s English teacher. “To have qualified to the finals last year is huge for him.
“Declan has really vaulted well the last two weeks,” the coach added. “He had three very strong attempts at 14-7 today. He’s right where he’s supposed to be. He usually rises up in the biggest meets.
The laid-back Ritzenthaler was all but over on his first attempt at 14-7.
“I got my hips over,” Ritzenthaler said. “But my chest hit the bar on the way down.”
Going up against a talented vaulter like Prospect’s James Estrella worked in Ritzenthaler’s advantage. He felt the same way on May 13 at the Chicago Catholic League Championship at Loyola, when he registered a personal best (14-6) in taking runner-up honors to Providence Catholic’s Lucas Weaver (15-0).
“Jumping against yourself gets a little boring,” said Ritzenthaler. “It’s always good to jump against someone good. I love the competition. It elevates my game.”
There will be a crowd of top-notch competitors at state, including reigning state champ Zachery Bradford of Bloomington High School (16-1). The other returning state placers include Weaver (8th, 15-0), Normal West’s Ryan Ashenbremer (5th, 15-3), Crystal Lake South’s Sam Peschke (7th, 15-0) and Wheaton Warrenville South’s Tom Ansiel (9th, 14-9).
The conditions were darn near perfect at the Niles West Sectional: sunny and warm with a slight breeze.
As long as the weather holds out, the jumping conditions at Eastern Illinois University’s O’Brien Field figure to be even better for Ritzenthaler.
“I like the state meet,” he said. “You get plenty of time between jumps. And with no school, you can just focus on jumping.”
Ritzenthaler also plans to change up things at state. He’ll use a 14-foot-6-inch pole instead of a 14-footer.
“That should help me be more competitive,” he said.
Following the season, Ritzenthaler plans to work with legendary pole vault coach Bob Cervenka at the Jump High Athletic Club based in Plainfield.
“I’d like to take it to the next level,” said Ritzenthaler.
Notable: Aidan Ritzenthaler, who won last year’s Class 3A sectional at Loyola, is a freshman pole vaulter at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. … LA scored 14 team points in the Niles West Sectional. In addition to Declan Ritzenthaler, the Ramblers’ other points came in the distance events. Senior Paolo Tiongson finished fourth in the 3200 meters in 9:28.46. He needed a 9:26.72 to make the state cut. Junior Luke Phillips came in sixth in the 800 meters (2:01.76). … At the Chicago Catholic League Meet on May 13, Tiongson won the 3200 with a PR (9:27.57) and placed third in the 1600 (4:33.10), while Phillips took runner-up honors in the 800 with a PR (1:59.44). … Senior Andrew Niewiarowski reportedly didn’t compete in the sectional due to illness. A state qualifier in the 1600 meters last year (4:17.66), Niewiarowski was this year’s 800-meter champ at the CCL Meet. He won it with a PR time of 1:57.22. He added a runner-up finish in the 1600 (4:27.62).
Loyola Academy Girls Track
Margot Dooley put the finishing touches on her LA career by racing to a third-place finish in the 800 meters at the Class 3A state girls track and field meet at Charleston on May 20. The University of Alabama recruit cruised the two laps on the track at Eastern Illinois University in 2:16.3.
The 800 champ was Elk Grove’s Emily Stegmeier (2:14.72).