After his start during the championship round of the IHSA Boys Track and Field State Championship at Eastern Illinois University, then-senior Ebin Fladeland knew that the Glenbrook North 4×200-meter relay team was going to win.
“When we got called out to the race and I was getting ready to start, I was feeling a mix of nervousness, confidence and motivation,” said Fladeland. “I kept reminding myself that I need to give everything I had into this race because it was one of the last races with the 4 by [200]. I didn’t want to look back after the race and know I could have gone harder.”
This was the first time in history GBN won a state title in track and field. Racing with Fladeland on the team were then-seniors Aiden Fladeland, Eli Kahn and Fletcher Geake.
With a preliminary time of 1:26.25, the 11th fastest time in IHSA history, the team advanced to the state final, placing first with a time of 1:26.63 on May 31.
The 4×200 race was very close toward the end, but Kahn was able to hold onto the lead, head coach Sean Brandt said.
“When [Kahn] crossed the finish line, it was like a huge release,” said Brandt. “I got so excited that I was getting dizzy.”
According to Kahn, he was nervous, but being with his teammates all the time took away the noise.
The alternates for the team were senior Asher Panfil, junior Caleb Kohl, junior Judah Griffen and then-senior Matteo Gatchalian.
The team did a great job of maintaining composure, Brandt said.
“This group of guys [was] such a good example for the younger guys of staying composed,” said Brandt. “They were all business.”
According to Ebin Fladeland, it was rewarding to receive their medals and win the state championship.
“[It] felt really nice to have all our work throughout the season finally come together,” Ebin Fladeland said.
The team traveled to the University of Pennsylvania to compete in the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 19. The qualifying time needed to attend was 1:29, which the team had achieved during the season.
The relay team placed 11th at the national championship with a time of 1:26.29. There were 90 teams competing in the event.
It felt amazing to qualify for the national championship as the team had always wanted to go, Aiden Fladeland said.
“That was actually the dream,” said Aiden Fladeland. “Ever since we were like sophomores, that’s what we wanted to do.”
According to Kahn, his favorite moment of nationals was crossing the finish line and seeing his teammates waiting for him.
“It was crazy,” said Kahn. “There was so much competition and so many famous track athletes that a lot of people know. So it’s cool to see everyone and then compete against them.”
According to Brandt, the team created momentum for the younger guys and motivated them to train during the summer.
“We had vaulters do some extra speed stuff, sprinters do some extra speed stuff, hurdlers and even distance guys came and did extra speed work throughout the summer,” said Brandt. “They are driven and excited because of what these seniors last year created.”