SMALL-SCHOOL BOYS TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Chris Walker

CARLINVILLE - There appeared to be no hurdle standing in Chris Walker's path this season.

The senior do-it-all performer from Carlinville High cleared them all on his way to becoming The Telegraph Small School Boys Prep Track Athlete of the Year.

Walker's heroics in the Class A state finals played a major role in the Cavaliers taking second to Herrin and securing their best IHSA finish since they won the state championship in 1996.

"We had high hopes all season," said Walker, who fueled those desires with his outings in the 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter intermediate hurdles.

He placed second at state in the highs at 14.65 seconds, then wound up third in the intermediate hurdles at 39.2. Teammate Greg Davis, another senior, was right behind him at 39.3 to grab fourth.

Walker said, "We knew that after the sectional, we had a chance to do well at state."

The Cavaliers won the Litchfield Sectional, experienced a strong Friday in the state preliminaries at Eastern Illinois University, then pushed Herrin to the limit the final day. Carlinville scored 42 1/2 points, but defending champ Herrin produced 54 points.

"They were the better team," Walker said. "But when we looked at what we did Friday and went into the final day, we thought we had a chance to win it. And we came close. The difference was they (Tigers) had three first places and we didn't have one."

Walker tried his best to give the Cavs a winner. His time in the high hurdles was right behind champ Tyler Carter (14.42) of Tuscola. Walker ran a 14.54 in Friday's prelims and checked in at 14.2 to win the Litchfield Sectional.

The multi-talented Walker was also a part of Carlinville's 4x400-meter relay team that snared sixth in 3:25.35. Josh Rivers, Greg Davis and Mike Ruyle combined efforts with him there.

"I'm definitely proud of the way Chris ran and competed this season," Carlinville coach Larry Huffman said. "He was hurt a lot his junior season, so coming back like he did contributed a great deal to his success as a senior.

"Chris is definitely one of the hardest workers on the team and he was really ready to compete at his best the end of the season," Huffman said.

A foot injury nagged Walker throughout his junior season. "He was just starting to come on strong when he got hurt," Huffman said.

It didn't flare up the past spring. The 6-foot-1, 165-pound Walker, a soccer and basketball player - plus a kicker for the football team - avoided any trouble spots and helped re-institute the Carlinville track program as a state power.

"Coach Huffman is new to the school," Walker said of the third-year coach, "but he has completely turned around the distance program and brought out the best in everybody. He knows how to motivate people."

Walker's future may include playing soccer at Blackburn College or going elsewhere to run track and play soccer. After his blazing finish at last month's state finals, he might be on the fast track to collegiate success.