Nicholas Roskilly closed out his junior track and field season with a performance that secured his spot among Illinois’ elite. The West Chicago athlete placed fifth in Class 3A in the high jump at the IHSA state meet, clearing a personal best of 6 feet, 6.25 inches.

“From the starting height being 6’0″ – three inches higher than where I normally start – to the sheer size of my competitors, everything was a little out of my comfort level,” Roskilly said. “But I saw it as a challenge. I had to prove I was meant to be there, and that I earned my seat.”

Roskilly was seeded 12th out of 33 athletes, but rose to the occasion by blocking out the noise – both figuratively and literally.

“My focus and determination never changed at state because I knew how to manage such a crowd in my head and around me,” he said.

The performance marked the culmination of a standout season. According to coach Daniel Greco, Roskilly’s composure under pressure was what stood out most.

“He didn’t let the significance of the meet affect his performance,” Greco said. “He went into this meet with a goal of clearing at least 6’6”, and he did what he needed to do to achieve that goal. He was laser focused throughout the competition.”

Roskilly’s growth was evident long before state. After placing sixth at the unofficial indoor state meet, he carried that momentum into the outdoor season, consistently finishing first or second in local competitions. At sectionals, he qualified for state and helped his 4×200 relay team break a 25-year-old school record.

That versatility did not go unnoticed.

“Nick’s versatility makes him a valuable member of the team,” Greco said. “He achieved success in high jump, helped set a relay record, and could step in for the 4×400 if we needed him. He performs at a high level in multiple events – that makes him extremely valuable.”

For his efforts, Roskilly earned MVP honors and led all male athletes on the team with 145 points this season. Points were awarded based on event placement, with 10 points typically going to first place and descending from there.

Still, Roskilly was quick to credit those around him.

“I truly cannot state enough that if not for their encouragement and presence, I may not have had the amazing performance that I had at state,” he said.