Tom Keane - BROTHER of Everton defender Michael - is set to join Manchester United as transfer chief
EXCLUSIVE: Tom Keane – BROTHER of Everton defender Michael – is set to join Manchester United to replace transfer chief Matt Judge as the club prepare for a busy summer window
- Tom Keane is poised to join Manchester United as their chief transfer negotiator
- Keane is the brother of Everton defender Michael and Wigan striker Will Keane
- Tom is a solicitor from legal firm Brandsmiths and will begin a consultancy role
- Keane will now play a significant role in negotiating transfers and contracts during what is expected to be a busy window under new manager Erik ten Hag
- He replaces transfer chief Matt Judge, who resigned and is leaving this summer
The brother of Everton defender Michael Keane is set to join Manchester United next month to replace outgoing chief transfer negotiator Matt Judge.
Sportsmail understands solicitor Tom Keane, from legal firm Brandsmiths, is joining the Old Trafford club in a consultancy role from next month.
He is expected to take on some of the responsibilities vacated by Judge, the club’s director of transfer negotiations, who is leaving United this summer after handing in his resignation.
Keane will now play a significant role in negotiating transfers and contracts during what is expected to be a busy window for United following the appointment of Erik ten Hag as new head coach; with Frenkie de Jong and Pau Torres among the club’s targets.
Brandsmiths website reads: ‘In sport, Tom has vast experience in the football industry where he has become a trusted advisor and representative for household name players, managers and pundits.
‘His work for these clients includes negotiating high value transfers, contracts and endorsement agreements.’

Tom Keane (left) is set to join Man United in July to replace chief transfer negotiator Matt Judge

Tom is the brother of Everton and former Manchester United defender Michael Keane (above)

Sportsmail understands solicitor Keane, from legal firm Brandsmiths, is joining the Old Trafford club in a consultancy role from next month, replacing Judge, who gave his resignation
Brandsmiths have headquarters in London and Manchester.
Keane is also listed on the website of player agency New Era Global Sports as an FA registered intermediary.
The lawyer is also brother of former United striker Will, who now plays for Wigan.

Keane will now play a significant role in negotiating transfers and contracts during what is expected to be a busy window following the appointment of Erik ten Hag as new head coach

The lawyer is also brother of former United striker Will (pictured), who now plays for Wigan
United are in the midst of revamping their transfer structure, part of which has seen Judge tender his resignation.
The Old Trafford reshuffle is being led by football director John Murtough, and Keane’s expected arrival is the latest important appointment.
Sportsmail exclusively revealed on Thursday United’s interest in departing Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards, who is also admired by Chelsea.
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TODAY
Legion Baseball
Danville Post 210 Speakers at Lafayette, 5:30 p.m.
Prospect League Baseball
Lafayette Aviators at Danville Dans, 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Legion Baseball
Ford-Iroquois County at Danville Post 210 Junior Speakers, doubleheader, 6 p.m.
Prospect League Baseball
Danville Dans at Terre Haute Rex, 5:30 p.m.
ON THE AIR
TODAY
Major League Baseball
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, NBC Sports Chicago, 6 p.m.
Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 6:30 p.m.
San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs, Marquee Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Soccer
CONCACAF Nations League Soccer: United States vs. El Salvador, FS1, 9 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Major League Baseball
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, NBC Sports Chicago, noon
Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 6:30 p.m.
San Diego Padres at Chicago Cubs, Marquee Sports Network, 7 p.m.
National Hockey League
Stanley Cup Finals, Game 1: Tampa Bay Lightning at Colorado Avalanche, ABC, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Stars vs. Pittsburgh Maulers, FS1, 6:30 p.m.
Note — some events are subject to blackout rules and regulations
CONTACT US
Editor: Chad Dare (217) 477-5151
Reporter: Marvin Holman:(217) 477-5210
E-mail: sports@dancomnews.com
Note — The Commercial-News sports desk is staff Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. All results and information should be reported during those times.
TILTON — The Post 210 Speakers started the Central Illinois Classic by reaching a major milestone for coach Allan Shepherd.
A walk-off single by Isaiah Ruch gave the Speakers a 3-2 win over Illinois Steel in the first game, giving Shepherd the most wins in program history with 322, passing Ken Pasco.
Dalton Hobick had two hits with a solo home run, Blake Norton had a RBI and Andy Onnen and Drew Pinkston each had two hits.
In the second game of the day, the Speakers had an much easier time, beating Canton 21-4 in five innings.
Brody Sexton had three hits with six RBIs for Post 210, while Drew Wichtowski had four hits and two RBIs, Andy Onnen had two hits and two RBIs, Ruch and Landon Haurez each had two RBIs, Tuff Elson had two hits and a RBI and Norton, Conlan Moore, Hobick and Brodi Winge each had one RBI.
Elson got the win with seven strikeouts in three innings.
Post 210 will continue action today with a game against the Champaign Dream.
Post 210 Junior Gold 9, Woodridge 3
RANTOUL — The Post 210 Junior Gold started the Rantoul Gameday Tourney with a win over Woodridge.
Chaz Dubois, Pedro Rangel, Cade Schaumburg, Braxton Waller, Grant Morgan and Griffen Walters each had one RBI for Danville, while Caden Keleminic got the win on the mound.
The Junior Gold will play the Effingham Heaters today.
COLLEGE TRACK
Davis finishes in sixth
EUGENE, Ore. — Oakwood native and University of Illinois runner Jon Davis finished his collegiate career on Friday in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
The senior took sixth in the 1,500 meter race with a time of 3 minutes, 46.15 seconds.
PROSPECT LEAGUE
Lafayette 5, Danville 3
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — In a battle of the two top teams in the Wabash River Division of the Prospect League, the Danville Dans battled the Lafayette Aviators on Thursday.
The Dans were able to tie the game at 2-2 in the fourth, but could not do much more as the Aviators won 5-3.
Trevor Johnson drove in the first run of the game in the first inning with a RBI double for the Aviators and added an RBI sacrifice fly in the second as Lafayette took a 2-0 lead.
Chase Vinson drove in Bryce Chance with an groundout in the fourth and BJ Banyon drove in another run with an bases-loaded walk.
In the sixth, Lafayette scored two runs when Brandon Daniels reached on an error driving in Johnson and Jarrett Bickel and Drew Behling hit a home run in the seventh.
Will Carpenter hit a solo home run for Danville in the eighth, but the Dans could not do anything after that.
Danville was coming off a 9-7 win over the Normal CornBelters on Wednesday.
Just like in Tuesday’s game against the Alton River Dragons, the Dans found themselves down, but would make a big rally. Down 6-2 after five innings, Danville scored five runs in the sixth and two in the seventh to clinch the win.
Banyon hit a home run for the first run of the game for Dans in the second inning while Matt Corder drove in Chance in the third inning. But the CornBelters scored four runs in the bottom of the third and scored a run each in the fourth and fifth inning.
In the top of the sixth, Kaito Hara started the inning with a hit and would advance to third on an error. Gray Bane and Trey Higgins each had a walk before Chance drove in Hara and Bane with a single and Corder would clean the bases with a three-run home run.
Chance would drive in two more runs in the seventh to clinch the win. Corder had four RBIs, while Chance had four and Banyon added one RBI.
Christian Jones got the win for Danville, coming in for starter John Gassler in the fifth inning and pitched 3 1/3 innings with three strikeouts. Gassler had nine strikeouts, while Kevin Fee got the save with three strikeouts.
The Dans were in the middle of an doubleheader with the O’Fallon Hoots by Friday’s presstime and the results of those games will be at www.commercial-news.com.
The Dans will face the Alton River Dragons today.
TODAY
Prep Girls Tennis
Covington girls at IHSAA State Finals, 9 a.m.
Legion Baseball
Central Illinois Classic at Gruber Park in Tilton: Champaign Dream vs. Danville Post 210 Speakers, 4:30 p.m.
Danville Post 210 Junior Speakers at Rantoul Gameday Tourney
Prospect League Baseball
Danville Dans at Alton River Dragons, 6:35 p.m.
SUNDAY
Legion Baseball
Central Illinois Classic at Gruber Park in Tilton: Bloomington Game Seven vs. Danville Post 210 Speakers, 9 a.m.
Danville Post 210 Junior Speakers at Rantoul Gameday Tourney
Prospect League Baseball
Danville Dans at Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp, 2:05 p.m.
ON THE AIR
TODAY
Auto Racing
Camping World Truck Series: DoorDash 250, FS1, 6:30 p.m.
College Track
NCAA Championships, ESPN, 4:30 p.m.
Golf
PGA Tour, RBC Canadian Open, third round, GOLF, noon
PGA Tour, RBC Canadian Open, third round, GOLF, 2 p.m.
Horse Racing
Belmont Stakes Prep, CNBC, 2 p.m.
Belmont Stakes, NBC, 4 p.m.
Major League Baseball
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 1 p.m.
Texas Rangers at Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 1 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at New York Yankees, FOX, 6 p.m.
National Hockey League
Eastern Conference Finals, Game 6: Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers, ESPN, 7 p.m.
United States Football League
New Jersey Generals vs. Michigan Panthers, NBC, noon
Houston Gamblers vs. Birmingham Stallions, USA, 5 p.m.
SUNDAY
Auto Racing
Indy Car: Soniso Grand Prix at Road America, NBC, noon
NASCAR Cup Series: Toyota/Save Mart 350, FS1, 3 p.m.
Golf
LPGA Tour: ShopRite LPGA Classic, final round, GOLF, 11 a.m.
LPGA Tour: ShopRite LPGA Classic, final round, CBS, noon
PGA Tour: RBC Canadian Open, final round, GOLF, noon
PGA Tour: RBC Canadian Open, final round, CBS, 2 p.m.
Champions Tour: American Family Insurance Championship, final round, GOLF, 2 p.m.
Major League Baseball
Chicago Cubs at New York Yankees, Marquee Sports Network, 12:30 p.m.
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 1 p.m.
Texas Rangers at Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 1 p.m.
United States Football League
Tampa Bay Bandits vs. New Orleans Breakers, FOX, 3 p.m.
Philadelphia Stars vs. Pittsburgh Maulers, FS1, 6:30 p.m.
MONDAY
Major League Baseball
Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers, NBC Sports Chicago, 6 p.m.
Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 6:30 p.m.
National Basketball Association
NBA Finals, Game 5: Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors, ABC, 8 p.m.
Note — some events are subject to blackout rules and regulations
CONTACT US
Editor: Chad Dare (217) 477-5151
Reporter: Marvin Holman:(217) 477-5210
E-mail: sports@dancomnews.com
Note — The Commercial-News sports desk is staff Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. All results and information should be reported during those times.
TODAY
Legion Baseball
Danville Post 210 Speakers at Rantoul, doubleheader, 6 p.m.
Rantoul at Danville Post 210 Junior Speakers, 6 p.m.
Prospect League Baseball
Alton River Dragons at Danville Dans, 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Prospect League Baseball
Danville Dans at Normal CornBelters, 6:30 p.m.
ON THE AIR
TODAY
Major League Baseball
Chicago Cubs at Baltimore Orioles, Marquee Sports Network, 6 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Tampa Bay Rays, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 6 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 7 p.m.
National Hockey League
Eastern Conference Finals, Game 4: New York Rangers at Tampa Bay Lightning, ESPN, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
College Track
NCAA Championship: Day 1, ESPN2, 6:30 p.m.
Major League Baseball
Chicago Cubs at Baltimore Orioles, Marquee Sports Network, 6 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Tampa Bay Rays, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 6 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 7 p.m.
National Basketball Association
NBA Finals, Game 3: Golden State at Boston Celtics, ABC, 8 p.m.
National Hockey League
Western Conference Finals, Game 5 (if necessary): Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche, TNT, 7 p.m.
Note — some events are subject to blackout rules and regulations
CONTACT US
Editor: Chad Dare (217) 477-5151
Reporter: Marvin Holman:(217) 477-5210
E-mail: sports@dancomnews.com
Note — The Commercial-News sports desk is staff Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. All results and information should be reported during those times.
The following Danville High School Class of 2022 students recently received scholarships totaling in $89,220:
Andrew Barnes: DHS Class of 1966 Science & Math Scholarship; Williford Woodard Memorial
Elizabeth Bergeron: DACC Foundation: Presidential
Alexis Brown: Loretta G. Randle
Jayden Brown: Phyllis C. Blanden Memoria; ISCA; A Story of Self-Belief
Valeria Castellano: Julius W. Hegeler II Memorial; Loretta G. Randle; DHS Class of 1977
Noah Christensen: Bruce Cratz Memorial
Nau’Tika Conaway: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Epsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter of Champaign County
Kyra Dudley: Wayne & Marjorie Denman Memorial; Vermilion County Retired Teachers Association; Danville Noon Kiwanis
Rebecca Feuerborn: Lori Lyons Special Education Scholarship Sponsored by AMBUCS; Vermilion County Retired Teachers Association
Stephen Garrison: Gary C. & Phyllis J. Rogers Fellowship; Art & Virginia Mathisen Memorial
Clara Graham: Martin Luther King Jr.; Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Epsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter of Champaign County
Kedzie Griffin: Irena Maris Memorial; Adam Wagner Memorial; Mark Denman; Gary C. & Phyllis J. Rogers Fellowship; PEO Chapter HX; Walls Legacy; Danville Noon Kiwanis
Michael Harmon: Bruce Cratz Memorial
Marlee Harper: DACC Foundation: Presidential; Loretta G. Randle
Jadyn Hess: DACC Foundation: Presidential
J’Nayzah Hightower: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Epsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter of Champaign County
Natalie Hurley: Joe D. & Margaret L. Ward Memorial; Wayne & Marjorie Denman Memorial; John C. Sanders; Walls Legacy; Gary C. & Phyllis J. Rogers Fellowship; Vermilion County Retired Teachers Association
Amelia Ingold: Jean Medaris Memorial; Wayne & Marjorie Denman Memorial
Izabel Juarez: Art & Virginia Mathisen Memorial
Lily McKiernan: DHS Class of 1966 Science & Math Scholarship; Mark Denman
Cabot McLaughlin: Robert & Suzanne Zimmerman; Montgomery Family Pay it Forward Scholarship; Dick Van Dyke
Chi’Ann Moore: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Epsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter of Champaign County
Ben Omark: Irena Maris Memorial; Watson Sisters Scholarship
Rebecca Peters: Helen Conover Memorial
Janiyah Rose: Voorhees Memorial Music Scholarship
Alexis Schoenherr: Richard Roberts Scholarship
Nadierta Snipe: Kenneth D. Bailey Memorial
Lynae Ward: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Epsilon Epsilon Omega Chapter of Champaign County; The Sankofa Center – TYAC
Garrett Williford: DACC Foundation: Presidential
Jacob Xiong: Helen Nash Memorial; Frank Hill Memorial: Danville Noon Kiwanis
ATTICA, Ind. — Covington golfer Nolan Potter will continue his season after winning the individual title at an IHSAA sectional at Harrison Hills Country Club.
Potter shot a 75 to take medalist honors for the Trojans, who was fourth as a team at 372. Southmont won the meet with a score of 345. Jaylin Payne had a 93 for Fountain Central, who was ninth with a 401, while Seeger was 10th at 407.
Potter will next play at Country Oaks Golf Club at Washington, Ind. on Thursday in regional action.
LEGION BASEBALL
Junior Gold wins two
TILTON — The Post 210 Junior Gold team started action at the Frank Atwood Tournament with a 13-1 win over the Rantoul Junior Legion and a 16-0 win over Fortville, Ind.
Against Rantoul, Chaz Dubois had three hits and five RBIs for the Junior Gold, while Cade Schaumburg had two hits and two RBIs and Zach Russell, Braxton Waller, Deegan Albert, Griffen Walters and Pedro Rangel each had one RBI.
Against Fortville, Dubois had two hits and three RBIs, Schaumburg had two hits and two RBIs, Rangel had two RBIs, Grant Morgan had two hits and a RBI and Russell, Waller, Albert, Cian Moore and Caden Keleminic each had one RBI.
The Gold team will play Tippecanoe County, Ind. today at 2 p.m.
Junior Blue 11, Eureka 8
TILTON — After blowing a 6-1 lead, the Post 210 Junior Blue Speakers scored five runs in the sixth inning to get past Eureka in the Frank Atwood Tournament.
Jerrius Atkinson had two hits with a grand slam and five RBIs for Junior Blue, while Josiah Watson had three hits and two RBIs, Easton Barney had three hits and one RBI, Matthew Darling had a RBI, Ty Rangel had three hits and Cruz Dubois had two hits.
Junior Blue was playing Champaign at presstime and the results of the game will be on www.commercial-news.com. Junior Blue will face Shelby County today at 8 p.m.
Post 210 seniors 16, Rantoul 4
TILTON — The Post 210 Senior baseball team started the season on the right foot with a 16-4 win over Rantoul on Wednesday.
Dalton Hobick had a grand slam for the Speakers, while Drew Wichtowski had two hits with a home run and three RBIs, Drew Pinkston had a home run and three RBIs, Landon Haurez had two RBIs, Andy Onnen and Isaiah Ruch each had solo home runs and Josh Young had a RBI.
Pitchers Blake Norton, Dawson Dodd and Hobick combined for 15 strikeouts for the Speakers, who was scheduled to play Lincoln today, but the game was postponed because players from that team are still playing in the IHSA playoffs.
DANVILLE — For 33 years, the Danville Dans have been part of not just Danville but the entire surrounding areas.
This year, the baseball team is celebrating some of those communities.
The five Friday nights this season will be special Community Nights. On each of the Friday games, the mayor of the town being honored that night will be invited to throw out a first pitch.
They’ll also feature community trivia on the Watchfire videoboard at the stadium.
Free tickets for the Community Nights will be sponsored by and available at local businesses within those respective communities. Participating businesses will be publicized on the Dans’ website and on the Dans’ social media accounts.
The 2022 Community Night schedule includes: June 3 – Hoopeston; June 24 – St. Joseph and Ogden; July 15 – Georgetown and Ridge Farm; July 22 – Covington, Ind.; and July 29 – Westville and Belgium.
Giving back to the community
Danville and Vermilion County fans enjoy coming to Danville Stadium and watching the Dans play baseball every summer. And once again the Dans will be giving groups the opportunity to earn money for their organization.
The DansShare program helps support area nonprofits, school and sports teams by having their group work in the concession stand or sell the 50-50 tickets. The concession groups receive a donation for their work, as well as accepting tips from hungry fans. Fans also purchase 50-50 tickets from the groups selling the chances during the games, with the selling group receiving a portion of the proceeds.
Through the DansShare program, nearly $9,750 was given to area groups during the 2021 season – a year that saw four home rainouts, or the total would have been higher.
Groups interested in selling 50-50 tickets should email danvilledansbaseball@gmail.com. A limited number of concession nights are available. For more information, contact concession manager Luann Grimm at 217-497-2232.
Just as Dans fans enjoy coming to the ballpark every summer, the Dans enjoy giving back to the community.
A founding member of the Prospect League, one of the premier summer college leagues with 16 teams, the Danville Dans are entering their 34th season of baseball. Baseball players from across America come to Danville to improve their pitching and fielding skills along with hitting with wood bats.
More information about the Dans – including schedules, rosters and a list of Dans that made it to the Major Leagues – is available online at www.danvilledans.com.
Summer Sounds Concert Series kicks off with Lamont Landers Band Friday at 6 p.m. downtown in Temple Plaza.
The band from Alabama is slated to play their setlist of soul music to an anticipated large crowd as the annual concert series event begins another season in downtown Danville.
Just as they have been in the past, all of the Summer Sounds concerts are free and open to the public.
Jordan Cundiff of Smart Set Entertainment, based in Nashville, Tenn., is the organizer for this season’s lineup.
Cundiff, a Danville native, said he’s excited to come back to his hometown throughout the summer.
“I’m just excited to be able to see a lot of people be able to come back downtown. You know the last few years have been kind of rough …,” Cundiff said of the pandemic and many people staying away from large crowds.
Cundiff said he’s also excited to bring in new acts that people have never seen in Danville before.
The full lineup can be viewed at summersounds.org.
Cundiff said his role in Summer Sounds wasn’t official until March of this year.
Because of the later than usual appointment, he said creating the lineup was a little tricky because of potential scheduling conflicts with bands he intended on setting up.
He had some artists in mind to contact before he officially became the event organizer, so when it was time to start booking, he had an idea of who to schedule and which weekend to book them for. Then he said he filled in the gaps with some local artists.
He said anyone planning to attend on Friday can expect to have a good time no matter what.
“It’s set up in a way where if you want to be right up front and enjoy a rock ‘n’ roll show or whatever, you can go and enjoy that, but there’s so much space and other things going on … where you can sit back and just enjoy socializing from a distance,” he said.
Also taking place downtown on Friday is the First Fridays event hosted by City of Danville.
Beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, there will be inflatables for children, bubbles and a scavenger hunt.
Free community yoga in Kresge Park will also start at 5 p.m.
Cundiff said there will be plenty of opportunity for fun on Friday night.
“There’s just a lot of things that you can do that feels like anybody of any type should be able to find their little area where they really feel comfortable and are able to have a really good time,” he said.
Cundiff said he plans to travel to Danville each week for each show, not only to make sure plans run smoothly, but also because he couldn’t pick a favorite band to watch perform.
“It’s just exciting to get things going,” he said. “Every band is spectacular.”
Summer Sounds Concert Series sponsors include: True Grit Fitness; No Regrets Tattoos; Toyota of Danville; Classic Homes Realty; Blackie’s Heating, Cooling and Duct Cleaning; OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center; Robinson Chiropractic; AWEBCO; Frank J. Strahl & Sons, INC.; New Age General Contracting; Fatman’s Warehouse; Bower’s Tree Experts; Express Packaging; Trigard – Hall of Fame Plaques & Signs; Myer’s Carpet Weavers; SKEFF Distribution Company; the local farmhouse; Humane Society of Danville; Long Construction Services; Marblehead Customs; Bradfield Trucking; Gerling Construction; Toni Stone – State Farm Agency; Thompson’s T-Shirts; The Dairy Barn; Sherwin-Williams; Terry Miles – Attorney at Law; Barbie and Jordan Knight; and Yoga by Merrit.
CHARLESTON — Salt Fork boys track coach Philip Surpernant has seen his team bring home state trophies in the last two IHSA Class 1A State Track and Field Meets at O’Brien Field in Charleston.
On Saturday, the Storm did it again, claiming the Class 1A state title along with Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, as the two programs finished with 44 points.
But how Salt Fork got to it’s second state title in four years, the Storm also won the title in 2019, was a rollercoaster ride of emotions.
“There were so many times that it was in the bag and there were so many times it seemed like the worst case scenario was happening,’’ said Surprenant.
The highest of highs for the Storm came in the discus finals when junior Garrett Taylor uncorked a personal record throw of 55.12 meters or 180 feet, 10 inches to claim his second straight title in the event.
“My goal all year was to get 180 feet,’’ said Taylor, who celebrated wildly after hearing the official distance. “I finally did it and I was so excited. I knew I could do it, but to hear it said over the intercom (by the officials) was awesome.’’
Taylor thanked many people for his accomplishment, including Salt Fork coach Herb Wilkins and his older brother, Payton Taylor, a state medalist in 2019.
“My coach Herb (Wilkins) wasn’t able to make it here today. He had some medical issues. I love doing everything for him,’’ Taylor said. “He is always out there everyday, no matter what the situation, he is out there to make sure I’m getting better as well as everyone else.
“I think he is the greatest field coach in Illinois.’’
And it was a little extra work that Garrett put in on a rainy Friday with Payton that he thought made the difference as he went from 154 feet, 9 inches on Thursday to 180-10 on Saturday.
“I went out and threw a little. We just tweaked some stuff. I just felt that a lot more fundamental after my workout,’’ he said. “And it all clicked on that second throw in the finals.’’
Taylor, who also finished third in the shot put, had taken the lead with his first throw in the finals but that second throw virtually sealed the title as Auburn’s Jacob Rollins finished second with a toss of 52.01 meters or 170 feet, 7.75 inches.
With Taylor’s victory in the discus, Salt Fork had jumped up to 29 team points, while Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City had 26 after a first by Daniel Lucas in the shot put and a pair of second place finishes from Jadon Robertson in the high jump and the long jump.
The Storm had a chance to maintain the lead as junior Nathan Kirby was getting into the blocks for the finals of the 110 meter hurdles against Robertson, who was the defending state champion.
But, Kirby clipped the third hurdle and as he was falling to the track, he took out the fourth hurdle. He got up and finished the race, but IHSA officials disqualified him for knocking over a hurdle. Robertson won the event giving the Bobcats a 36-29 lead over the Storm
“I had just hugged Garrett at the discus, ran over here and go in the stands and then it was immediately the lowest point in the day,’’ Surprenant said.
Kirby admitted that he knocked down a hurdle, but said that he was just trying to brace his fall.
“If I would have known that they were going to disqualify me for that, I would have just fell to the ground,’’ he said. “That one point would have been the difference between tying for the title with Cowden-Herrick and winning it outright.’’
But that unfortunate incident for Kirby and taking second in the 400-meter relay, after being seeded first, seemingly re-energized the Storm.
“I got them together and told them the situation,’’ Surprenant said. “Credit to these guys for regrouping.’’
Salt Fork and Kirby bounced back to take second in the 800-meter relay. The Storm was also second in the 400-meter relay earlier in the meet.
“We wanted to get a first in one of those two relays,’’ said Salt Fork junior Ben Jessup, noting that the Storm didn’t have a consistent lineup until the final weeks of the season. “We only ran this way a couple times at the end of the season. It’s really rewarding to get a pair of state medals.’’
Jessup, Kirby and Ethan McLain were all part of successful relay teams last year for the Storm. Brysen Vasquez was the newcomer to the group and he took over as the leadoff runner.
“It felt good to show what I could do,’’ he said. “I’m one of the fastest runners and I enjoyed the pressure of running first.
“We would have rather gotten first in both races, but getting second in both is still pretty good.’’
With the second-place finish in the 800 relay, the Storm had retaken the team lead 37-36 over the Bobcats until Robertson took second in the 300 hurdles and Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City was back in front 44-37.
Salt Fork still had one finalist left to compete.
Kirby needed to finish first or second to give the Storm an outright title, a third would tie them with the Bobcats, while a fourth or lower would leave Salt Fork in second place.
“I knew it was on me,’’ Kirby said. “I was really upset about the hurdles and not winning either one of the relays. I just knew I had to pick it up in the 200.’’
Coming out of the blocks, Kirby appeared to be about fourth with 100 meters to go. He wasn’t able to catch Tony Phillips of Kankakee Bishop McNamara or Tyreke Fortney of Peru St. Bede, but Kirby beat Alex Girardin of Liberty by four-hundredths of a second to take third.
“We had everything today,’’ Kirby said. “We had some disappointments that could have made a difference, but we also had some really great performances like Taylor in the discus and Dylan Diaz in the triple jump that allowed us to be state champs.’’
Diaz finished sixth in the triple jump after coming into the state meet seeded 11th.
“This was a lot better than last year when I got 24th,’’ he said. “I felt really great this weekend and I had five personal best jumps between the semifinals and the finals.’’
And as the Storm were getting their state trophy, the public address announcer at O’Brien Field noted that Salt Fork is known for its girls track program, albeit the boys have been first (2019), second (2021) and first (2022) in the last three state meets held by the IHSA. The 2020 state meet was canceled because of COVID-19.
So coach Surprenant, what is going to take for the Storm boys to get a little credit?
“I guess come back and do it again next year,’’ he said.
Which is highly possible as all seven athletes that scored for Salt Fork on Saturday will be back next year.