Highland Park Returns to IHSA Track Finals

High expectations were the story for the Highland Park track and field athletes competing at the state meet last weekend to close out their high school sports careers.

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) finals competition had senior David Berk finishing eighth in the pole vault, clearing 14 feet, 6 inches to receive All-State honors. Senior Ari Rothschild finished 17th  in the 3,200-meter race with a time of 9 minutes, 33 seconds.

Despite impressive results, Berk and Rothschild were somewhat disappointed with their performances in the state meet. Berk’s personal record in the pole vault is 15 feet, a height he reached at the sectionals the previous weekend. Rothschild’s personal best time of 9:26 in the two-mile race also came at sectionals. 

“The weekend didn’t go as well as I would have liked, but it was still an awesome experience to run at one of the greatest track meets in the country,” said Rothschild. 

“David and Ari accomplished what all Illinois high school track and field athletes dream about, which is to finish your career on the big blue oval in Charleston,” said their head coach, Kevin Caines. “They both got there due to their passion and commitment to being one of the best in the state in their respective events.”

On Friday, Berk cleared 14 feet, 3 inches to eventually compete in the finals. There was no preliminary round for Rothschild, which meant he and Berk were competing on Saturday at the meet.

Berk and Rothschild were the school's first athletes to compete on the second day of the two-day meet since triple-jumper Josh Bean did so in 2006. 

“It definitely felt a lot better to be down there for the second year in a row,” said Berk, who qualified in the pole vault last year but did not advance beyond the preliminary round.

“Last year, it was a little intimidating competing against all of these athletes who were so talented. Experiencewise, I was a lot more comfortable,” he added.

In his time at Highland Park, Berk has literally rewritten the pole vault record books at the school, setting the Wolters Field record (14 feet, 1 inch), the indoor team record (14 feet, 7 inches) and the outdoor school record (15 feet). 

Likewise, Rothschild has set new standards for distance runners, receiving All-State honors in cross country when he finished 22nd at the state meet last fall.  On the track, Rothschild’s time of 9:26.2 in the two-mile is the sixth fastest time for an Highland Park runner.

“What I will remember the most about David and Ari is the leadership they exhibited during their four years,” said Caines.  “They are the consummate example of what happens when you are willing to make a commitment to following your passion in a sport." 

Lake Park High School’s Zach Ziemek vaulted 16 feet, 6 inches to win the Class 3A pole vault title. He also won the long jump and the triple jump, scoring 30 points for his team overall.

Lake Park ended up winning the Class 3A meet with 74 points, while Deerfield scored 27.5 points for fifth place overall.  

Click here for the 2011 IHSA state meet results.