Downers North's Philip Cupial Wins 1,600 Title at Illinois Indoor Meet

Saturday Suburban Life sports roundup highlights top performances across boys and girls track and field, baseball

Mar. 29, 2026 at 3:11am

Downers Grove North senior Philip Cupial won the 1,600-meter run at the Illinois Indoor Championships, edging out Yorkville's Owen Horeni. Other top finishers included Glenbard West's Benjamin Schoettle in the 60 hurdles, Morton's Orlando Sandoval in the 800, and Downers Grove South's Karen Boakye in the triple jump. The roundup also covers baseball results for Nazareth, Downers Grove South, and Downers Grove North.

Why it matters

The Illinois Indoor Championships showcase the top high school track and field talent in the state, with athletes from the Downers Grove area putting in strong performances across multiple events. These results highlight the depth of athletic talent in the local community and set the stage for the upcoming outdoor season.

The details

In the boys 1,600-meter run, Downers Grove North's Philip Cupial ran a time of 4:08.04 to edge out Yorkville's Owen Horeni. Glenbard West's Benjamin Schoettle won the 60 hurdles in 7.73 seconds. On the girls side, Hinsdale South's Kennedy Ruff won the 400 meters in 55.72, and Downers Grove South's Karen Boakye won the triple jump with a mark of 12.14 meters. In baseball, Nazareth defeated Limestone 10-1, Downers Grove South beat Calvary Chapel 11-1, and Downers Grove North topped Plainfield South 15-2.

  • The Illinois Indoor Championships were held on March 28, 2026.

The players

Philip Cupial

A senior at Downers Grove North High School who won the 1,600-meter run at the Illinois Indoor Championships.

Karen Boakye

A student-athlete at Downers Grove South High School who won the triple jump at the Illinois Indoor Championships.

Benjamin Schoettle

A student-athlete at Glenbard West High School who won the 60 hurdles event at the Illinois Indoor Championships.

Kennedy Ruff

A student-athlete at Hinsdale South High School who won the 400 meters at the Illinois Indoor Championships.

Landon Thome

A player for the Nazareth baseball team who had three hits, including a double and triple, and three stolen bases in their 10-1 win over Limestone.

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What they’re saying

“The Illinois Indoor Championships showcase the top high school track and field talent in the state, with athletes from the Downers Grove area putting in strong performances across multiple events.”

— Joshua Welge, Reporter

What’s next

The athletes who performed well at the Illinois Indoor Championships will look to carry that momentum into the upcoming outdoor track and field season, which will feature additional high-profile meets and the state championships.

The takeaway

The strong showings by student-athletes from the Downers Grove area at the Illinois Indoor Championships demonstrate the depth of talent in the local high school sports community. These results foreshadow an exciting outdoor track and field season to come.