The annual Hunt invitational, honoring the legacy of Stephen Hunt, the track coach who passed in the tornado of 1990, is now in its 36th year, bringing together all Plainfield schools for a track and field meet on April 30.
“This is a celebration. We want to put on the best track meet that we can and allow all athletes to have a great night of competition. The Wildcats end the night with many personal bests and memories that last a lifetime,” Purdom said.
The event is even more than a competition. It serves as a tribute to Hunt, who taught science at the school and made a lasting impact on students and staff. The tornado that took his life also claimed 29 other people, making the meet a meaningful way for the community to remember and reflect while coming together through athletics.
“We, as a team, take pride in hosting this meet as we honor Coach Stephen P. Hunt, who was a science teacher and track coach at Plainfield High School, and those who we lost in the 1990 tornado,” head girls track and field coach Kyle Draghi said.
Every year the athletes use the meet as both a competitive opportunity and a chance to be part of something larger than themselves. Athletes recognize the importance of leading by example at an event rooted in tradition.
“This event is about honoring Stephen Hunt by the very sport he loved and coached and as well as being competitive with the rest of the Plainfield schools in the district,” junior Shania Davison said.
The sense of leadership and reflection is shared across the senior class as they take part in one of their final seasons representing their school.
“The Hunt is the only meet where we truly get the chance to show off our Wildcat school spirit, along with how much we’ve improved throughout the season,” senior Thomas Coleman said.
They see the invitational as a chance to compete hard while representing their school community.
“This event is the biggest race of the year. In honor of Stephen Hunt, we work hard all year to not just run our best, but to show the other Plainfield schools what it means to be a Wildcat,” Coleman said.
Stepping into larger roles this season, the team understands the importance of the event while also focusing on team unity.
“We create an inclusive environment for everyone by making sure everyone is included in our warm-ups and involved in conversations,” Davison said.
Their performances contribute not only to team success but to the ongoing tradition of the meet.
“Plainfield is the “Tracktown” of Illinois, and knowing that this meet isn’t just being looked at by just Plainfield, but the state as a whole. It is widely regarded as one of the best meets in Illinois, and it will be a pleasure to compete and hopefully win the hunt this year,” Jakub Banka, junior, said.
Both head coaches highlight the invitational as a unifying event that brings together all Plainfield schools each year.
“This meet is a true testament and celebration of how much track & field has grown here in Plainfield. This is the meet that many people in the community look forward to. To say the least, it’s the best weekday quad meet in the state,” Draghi said.
