79th ANNUAL PALATINE RELAYS
April 30, 2011
Results - Past Champions
HISTORY
OF THE PALATINE RELAYS
The Relays originated during the era of Carl Megel
and Gerald McElroy. Carl was the coach of the football, basketball and track
teams.
His interest in track was manifested early in his Palatine tenure by
scheduling participation of his track teams in various Illinois relay meets,
including the Pekin, Springfield and Wheaton Relays.
When the athletic talents of Palatine track members attracted wide
attention - notably Ed Hahnfeld in the discus and javelin - Mr. Megel recognized
that an early local relay meet in Palatine would be logical and desirable.
Megel arranged and conducted the first Palatine Relay meet on Saturday,
April 29, 1933. In all of his efforts he was ably assisted by Mr. McElroy and
Peter Vervloit. Seven high schools
and fifty-one athletes participated in that meet.
During these Depression days no funds were available for services or
awards. Red, white and blue ribbons
substituted for trophies. Vervloit made the hurdles in his high school shop.
Megel and McElroy were on the track at 5:00 A.M. on the morning of the
meet to measure and line the lanes, set up the standards and attend to every
detail to assure a smooth-running meet.
Palatine won eight consecutive Relay titles from 1966 through 1973 even
though the school enrollment was split in half in 1968.
One of the most exciting relays was in 1964, when Maine East edged
Palatine as Larry Kelly, National Record holder in the half mile, dualed Duane
Brooks of Palatine to the wire in the anchor legs of the 880 and mile relays.
The 1966 Palatine Relays was equally exciting as Palatine tied York for
the title. Palatine came from
behind after the morning session, winning every relay and the mile run.
The meet was highlighted by Bill Bahnfleth of Palatine and Al Janulis of
York anchor duals in the 880 and mile relays.
Palatine came back with Bill Bahnfleth and company in 1967 as they edged
a tough Glenbard West team by four points in the last event of the relays.
The girls' division of the Relays was started in 1976 and Palatine won
their first championship in pouring rain in 1977.
In 1982, the Relays celebrated fifty years by bringing in twenty-five
teams in both the girls' and boys' divisions.
The Relays have been the showcase of former Olympic standouts such as
Jackie Joyner-Kersee (East St. Louis Lincoln), Sunder Nix (Phillips), Mike
Durkin (Holy Cross), and Al Joyner (East St. Louis Lincoln).
In 1993, the field events changed to relay style. Three athletes from each
team competed to total the heights and distances to determine the event
champion.
The 1994 edition of the Relays was run in cold, rain, sleet, hail, and
wind. Palatine won the girls' and
boys' divisions. This is the first time Palatine had won both divisions in the
same year. We certainly hope you enjoy this year's edition of the Palatine
Relays.
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