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Boys Track: Nebraska-bound Sebhart runs fastest 800 time in Niles North history
Lane's David Timlin brings the baton in first for a victory in the 4x800 meter. Patrick Gleason ~ For Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 8, 2012 8:28AM
Aron Sebhat suffered a setback during the cross country season that may have fueled one of the top moments in Niles North boys track history.
An allergic reaction cut his regional race short last fall, and the senior then failed to qualify for the state meet out of sectionals.
Vikings distance coach Dan Horyn said that was enough motivation to push Sebhat and the rest of the Niles North runners this spring.
“That was the lowest of lows,” the coach said of the sectional race in the fall. “We wanted to do everything we could to bounce back.”
Sure enough they did.
Sebhat anchored Niles North’s 3,200-meter relay team to second place in 7:47.96 at the Class 3A state meet in Charleston last month. Lane won the title in 7:47.42.
Niles North’s runner-up finish tied the program’s best place at the state meet. Devonier Casey took second in the 400 in 2010, and Robert Breit crossed second in the 1,600 in 1998.
Over the winter, the foursome of Micah Beller, Carlitos Rangel, Tim Vazquez and Sebhat clocked some of the state’s best times during the indoor season, highlighted by a victory at Downers Grove South’s invitational in early March.
Horyn then spent the spring outdoor season testing out each athlete in individual events before combining them back together for the state series.
“It’s funny,” the coach said. “We kind of shelved it for the outdoor. That’s a little unusual, but we still were trying to figure out each one’s focus. We wanted to make sure we were doing the right thing.
“For some of the guys, the 800 wasn’t their best event. That’s why we did it the way we did.”
Sebhat, who ran 3,200 at the state meet as a sophomore, finally was able to punctuate his prep career before heading off to run at Nebraska.
Sebhat’s 1:52.3 split in the last leg of the distance relay stands unofficially as the fastest 800 in school history by more than two seconds.
“He’s one of the greatest middle distance runners we’ve ever had,” Horyn said. “The Nebraska coaches are excited to have him.”
