Saluki Track and Field signs Sam Sikon
12/06/2016 | 4:04:00 | Track and Field
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois track and field team signed local standout Sam Sikon for the 2017-18 season, as he inked his letter of intent during the early signing period.
Sikon comes to Southern Illinois University from nearby Carbondale Community High School, where he will no doubt go down as one of the most accomplished throwers in school history.
As a freshman, Sikon took second in the shot put and fourth in the discus at the state meet, becoming the first male from CCHS to medal in the shot since 1924. The following year he added to his legacy, as he won state titles in both the shot put and the discus. It was the sixth and seventh individual state titles in school history, and the first since 2009. It was also the first time in school history that an athlete, male or female, had won two state titles at the same meet.
During his junior campaign, Sikon repeated in both the discus and the shot put, becoming just the eight male in Illinois high school track and field history dating back to the 1900-01 season to sweep the shot put and discus in back-to-back seasons. He was the first to do so since 1999, when Mike Minton of Salem won both the discus and shot put for the second-consecutive season.
"Sam is a great student and a great athlete," SIU Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Kathleen Raske said. "You don't get to be a state champion and a scholar athlete without a great work ethic. We know that about Sam- he's got an unbelievable work ethic. He's going to do great moving forward, and we're super excited to welcome him aboard officially."
Before he arrives on SIU's campus next fall, Sikon can chase even more history during his senior campaign at CCHS. Should he once again win the discus and the shot put at the state meet this spring, he would become the first male thrower in IHSA track and field history to win three-straight state titles in both the discus and the shot put.
"It's definitely exciting for our overall program, especially for our throwing program, to keep one of the best throwers in the state of Illinois, in-state," Raske said.
SIU will open the 2016-17 indoor season on Saturday, Dec. 10 when it hosts the Saluki Fast Start. The Salukis home opener will get started at 9:30 a.m. inside the SIU Recreation Center, beginning with the weight throw, shot put and high jump competitions. Running events start at 2 p.m.
Sikon comes to Southern Illinois University from nearby Carbondale Community High School, where he will no doubt go down as one of the most accomplished throwers in school history.
As a freshman, Sikon took second in the shot put and fourth in the discus at the state meet, becoming the first male from CCHS to medal in the shot since 1924. The following year he added to his legacy, as he won state titles in both the shot put and the discus. It was the sixth and seventh individual state titles in school history, and the first since 2009. It was also the first time in school history that an athlete, male or female, had won two state titles at the same meet.
During his junior campaign, Sikon repeated in both the discus and the shot put, becoming just the eight male in Illinois high school track and field history dating back to the 1900-01 season to sweep the shot put and discus in back-to-back seasons. He was the first to do so since 1999, when Mike Minton of Salem won both the discus and shot put for the second-consecutive season.
"Sam is a great student and a great athlete," SIU Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Kathleen Raske said. "You don't get to be a state champion and a scholar athlete without a great work ethic. We know that about Sam- he's got an unbelievable work ethic. He's going to do great moving forward, and we're super excited to welcome him aboard officially."
Before he arrives on SIU's campus next fall, Sikon can chase even more history during his senior campaign at CCHS. Should he once again win the discus and the shot put at the state meet this spring, he would become the first male thrower in IHSA track and field history to win three-straight state titles in both the discus and the shot put.
"It's definitely exciting for our overall program, especially for our throwing program, to keep one of the best throwers in the state of Illinois, in-state," Raske said.
SIU will open the 2016-17 indoor season on Saturday, Dec. 10 when it hosts the Saluki Fast Start. The Salukis home opener will get started at 9:30 a.m. inside the SIU Recreation Center, beginning with the weight throw, shot put and high jump competitions. Running events start at 2 p.m.
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