Oregon’s Gallardo, ’Bago strut stuff in Hawk Classic

Oregon’s Nick Gallardo made sure Winnebago didn’t run off with all the accolades Saturday.

And Oregon’s Ryan Creegan and Rockford Christian’s Justin Rehfeldt made sure they left their marks at what some consider the toughest small-school invite in the state.

But in the end, Winnebago continued to feed off its two-time state champion discus thrower Alex Thompson as it rolled through a pile of the state’s top Class 1A teams. The Indians claimed the 25-team, powerhouse-filled Hawks Classic title by a 67-point margin. Oregon came in second (78.33 points), Erie/Prophetstown took third (53), Rockford Christian placed fourth (43), and Ottawa Marquette ended up fifth (37).

“They’re just phenomenal,” Oregon coach Jim Spratt said of ’Bago. The Hawks won the 1A state title last year and had claimed 15 of the past 18 Hawks Classic titles headed in. “They remind me of us last year. They’ve got great sprinters, a great leader in Thompson who sets the tone, and just great kids across the board.

“Nick (Gallardo) doesn’t care who’s out there, though.”

Gallardo’s time of 14.73 (FAT) in the 110-meter high hurdles narrowly eclipsed Dick Haas’ school-record mark of 14.74. The fact that it was a 54-year-old school record, and clearly the oldest mark in the storied Hawks record books, was what stood out in Gallardo’s mind.

“It’s always been there; I mean forever. There’s no doubt that’s pretty cool,” said Gallardo, who also set a school record in the 300 hurdles (39.52), and helped the 1,600 relay (3:31.71) to a win. “I’ve really wanted this one for a couple of years, and to do it here just makes it mean that much more.”

Thompson crossed off another obstacle in his way, blasting the former Hawks Classic meet record by more than 14 feet with a 189-feet-7 in the discus. Thompson also won the shot with a put of 50-1/2, and he and teammate A.J. Thomas (50-4) continued their season-long streak of going 1-2 in the event as well.

“We all knew this was a big meet,” Thomas said. “Alex and I just wanted to come out and compete in a big way.”

Creegan came up big as well, storming the field in the 800 (2:03.13), taking over down the stretch. He also helped Oregon’s 1,600 and the 3,200 relay (8:18.21) teams to firsts.

But ’Bago also got three wins from sprinter Michael Mann — including a meet-record performance from the 400 relay team (43.50) — and a pole vaulting title from Nathaneal Rittmeyer (13-even) to pull away early and often. Mann also won the 200 dash (22.66) by a tenth of a second.

“We were close last year,” Mann said of ’Bago’s third-place team at state. “But this year we want more.”

Rehfeldt wanted more as well, and he pulled away late in the 3,200 run (9:29.73), setting the meet record and also serving notice with a difficult mile/two-mile double.

“I want to win both of those at state,” Rehfeldt said. “I’m just as focused as I’ve ever been.”

Clearly, so is Winnebago.