ESPNHS Track & XC

Gary Stautz is sympathetic to the plight of Gresham (Ore.) High School’s future javelin throwers.

“You know in order to break the school record now, you have to break the national record, too,” said the school’s long-time throws coach.

It’s not a complaint, but a badge of honor. Sam Crouser and his little sister Haley, a junior who will compete at the OSAA Class 6A/5A/4A Track and Field Championships this weekend at Hayward Field in Eugene, have come along and re-set the standards for high school javelin throwing.

But the Crousers, talented as they are, didn’t arrive at those records out of the blue. In Oregon track and field, there is a mystique associated with the javelin that is built upon more than half a century of headline-makers in the event.

Coaching, the lure of college scholarships, and even the state’s climate, are factors in Oregonians’ continued fascination, and success, throwing the javelin.

This year’s national rankings show that 10 of the top 25 girls in the country come from Oregon. Meanwhile, six of the top 25 boys come from the state (Pennsylvania has nine).

There are certainly reasons for that, the biggest being that only 18 states participate in the javelin (although athletes from other states do occasionally get to throw it). California doesn’t throw it; Texas doesn’t throw it.

But Washington, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Kansas and others do.

In Oregon, there is lore associated with the event dating back to the 1930s. The first boy to throw 200 feet in the state meet was Warren Demaris back in 1931. And in 1934, Bob Parke became the first of the University of Oregon’s seven NCAA javelin champions. (The university’s influence on the high school scene can’t be understated. In 1964, Oregon went 1-2-3 in the javelin at the NCAA Championships).

In 1959, Glen Winningham of Grants Pass, Ore. broke the national scholastic record when he threw 225-6. Six years later another Oregon thrower, Ansten “Ole” Totten of Clatskanie, set the national mark when he hit 231-7.

In 1971, a phenomenon named Russ Francis moved to Oregon from Hawaii halfway through his senior year of high school. At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, the 18-year-old Francis was a star football prospect who signed with the University of Oregon. He had never seen a javelin before he saw one in a Eugene sporting goods store and wasn’t sure what it was for.

But a coach at Pleasant Hill High School taught Francis how to throw it and within a matter of weeks he became the best high school thrower in the country. He threw 253-1 to break Mark Murro’s (N.J.) 1967 national record. And then he broke it again with 259-9.

Francis went on to an NFL career playing tight end for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers and his high school javelin record remained on the books for 17 years.

In 1988, Art Skipper of Sandy, Ore. went after the Francis record. And at the Oregon state championships that year, he threw the javelin almost clear across the infield at Hayward Field in Eugene. The mark was measured at 259-10 – a new record by a single inch.

Skipper’s mark lasted until the slate was wiped clean by the “new rules” international javelin in 2002.

The international javelin record was traced back to a European exchange student attend school in New York, Tommy Viskari, from fall of 1988 (241-1).

But Sam Crouser, nephew of former Oregon state champion and one-time world record holder Brian Crouser, came along and smashed the record in 2010 with 255-4.

So what is it about Oregon?

“There’s been a foundation for that event that’s been laid down years ago,” Stautz said. “When I look around the state, I see quality coaches in abundance.”

Gary Reddaway, second in that 1964 Oregon javelin sweep, became an influential coach in the state for many years.

And Joe Boutin is in his fourth decade coaching the throwers at Newberg High School, where he has a long line of state champions, including 1984 Olympian Lynda Hughes (Suftin) and 2005 U.S. girls record-setter Rachel Yurkovich (and also 2012 U.S. men’s leader Cyrus Hostetler).

Boutin and other coaches also may have gotten an assist from Oregon’s rainy spring weather. The theory goes that some of the state’s baseball players get frustrated over the frequency of rained out games, and some are peeled off by savvy track coaches who teach them to throw.

The best girls’ javelin throwers in the state all seem to have one thing in common: Volleyball. Yurkovich and Haley Crouser are just two examples of girls who turned the spiking motion of their right arms into record-setting javelin launchers.

But javelin in Oregon is not isolated to just a few pockets. Successful throwers come from every part of the state.

“There is a high expectation of what it takes to win a state title,” said Hidden Valley (Grants Pass, Ore.) coach Josh Standley said. “In Oregon, it takes a farther throw. We laugh sometimes because a girl who takes fifth in our district meet (and doesn’t qualify for state) might be top-five in another state.”

Hidden Valley has a contender for the Class 4A title with Bailey Bars, who has thrown US#23 144-9 this year. Eight girls in Oregon have thrown farther, including Crouser, the reigning 6A champ.

Brianna Bain, fourth place in last year’s Oregon Class 6A championship meet, won the Pac-12 Conference championship two weeks ago as a freshman for Stanford.

Oregon coaches and parents have also picked up on the mathematics of scholarships. If only 18 states throw the javelin, and every college track team in the U.S. competes in the event, then the odds of throwing far enough to earn financial aid start to look pretty good compared to other sports.

“I’ve been saying that for 20 years,” Dean Crouser, father of Sam and Haley, said. “It’s the path of least resistance. If you can throw 150 (feet), that could mean a full-ride (scholarship) at a D1 school.”

With something close to her PR, Bars would have scored at the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12 conference championships. She’d have been one place out of scoring at the Pac-12 meet.

Crouser, at 17 years old, is looking forward to the Olympic Trials. She could reasonably place in the top five or so there.

But another development in Oregon this spring may do even more to illustrate how outsized javelin has become to the state’s track identity. In the sparsely populated eastern side of the state a pair of small-school athletes dueled for Class 1A supremacy in the javelin.

First, Prairie City’s Brady Doty topped 200 feet when he went 200-3 (US#22).

Then at the state meet, rival Justin Larson of Dayville pulled in front and won the title with 201-3 (US#19).

Prairie City has an enrollment of 78 students.

Dayville has only 23.

“It was usually a toss up between us,” Larson said. “We’ve been to five or six of the same meets (this spring). He won about half and so did I. It was super close.”

Charleston, Ill --- The winds whipped up strongly from the south and affected most athletes Thursday in the first day of the prelims of the IHSA Boys State Track Meet. It did not affect Steve Schroeder (Monticello, Ill) and Grant Nykaza (Beecher, Ill) as they ran in the final heat of the 1600 Meter Run.

To them, it was just a rehearsal for Saturday’s final. Schroeder and Nykaza traded off the lead for the first three laps before Schroeder took the lead just before the last lap. He came across the finish line effortlessly running 4:21.28 while Nykaza jogged in a second behind (4:22.55).

“Everybody in the stands today thought I wanted to beat Steve today. The plan today was to just qualify. That was it,” said Nykaza after his run. “I did not want to run the last lap in 73. I wanted to come in nice and easy. I have some thoughts in my head about Saturday but I will keep them to myself.”

Thursday’s prelims for Schroeder set him up for a busy day on Saturday. He opened up the prelims by anchoring his school to the fastest time in the prelims in the 4 x 800 Meter Relay (8:10.29). Schroeder’s split on the anchor was 1:56.8 just ahead of St. Joseph-Ogden. He finished the day by anchoring his schools 4 x 400 Meter Relay running a 53.5 anchor. Monticello ran the 23^rd fastest time in the relay and did not advance.

After he finished his 1600 meter heat, he announced that he would run the 4x8, 3200, and the 1600. Big plans for the state cross country champion. “He is the strongest distance runner in 1A,” said Nykaza.

“My plan today was test the field on the last lap. I think I executed my plan,” said Schroeder. “Saturday is going to be a lot of fun. Getting to run on this track so much? I want to dell well in everything I can. It is all about heart and guts and doing whatever it takes.”

The triple that he plans to do is not for his own self gratification. He wants to do it for his teammates. This is his last chance to that.

“I want to do this for my teammates. They have given a lot of the summer, over the winter. I just want to give back to them. They have been there for me through all my struggles. They are great teammates. We just want to bring a trophy home with us.”

Monticello is in good shape heading into Saturday’s finals. The Sages are tied with 6 qualifiers along with Oregon, Chicago Leo, and St. Joseph-Ogden. Newton leads all of Class 1A with 8 qualifiers including all 4 relays. Sparta qualified all of their relays and has 7 total qualifiers.

Leo chances of repeating took a little bit of a hit when they bobbled the final exchange of the 4 x 200 Meter Relay. They finished 26^th and did not advance. Their 4 x 100 Meter Relay had the fastest qualifying time (42.67).

Other news and notes from Thursday’s prelims:

• The athletes in the 100 Meter Dash and the 110 Meter High Hurdles took advantage of the consistent 20 MPH south winds at their back. Colin Carver (Casey-Westfield, Casey Ill) just held off George Wayda (Pleasant Plains, Ill) to run the fastest time in the High Hurdles (14.54). Wayda was four hundredths back. Carver came back to run the fastest qualifying time in the 300 Intermediate Hurdles (38.35). In the 100 Meter Dash, Dontae Pryor (Kewanee, Ill) was the fastest qualifier running a 10.59. Defending champ Jonathan Hutchison (Peoria Christian, Peoria Ill) qualified by winning his heat in 10.83. Pryor is also the leading qualifier in the Long Jump (23-0.75).

• There was one record set on Thursday. In the final heat of the 4 x 200 Meter Relay as Leo Catholic was having their handoff problems, Tuscola won the heat in an electrifying 1:27.93 breaking the record set by Lombard Montini seven years by one hundredths of a second. Considering how strong the wind was, it will be interesting to see if they can lower their record.

• Daniel Farmer (Johnston City, Ill) had a great day on the track. He opened up by qualifying eighth in the 100 Meter Dash (10.81). In his best event, the 400 Meter Dash, Farmer charged around the back curve and finished with fastest qualifying time in the event (48.97), almost a second and a half ahead of Devin Johnson (Erie-Prophetstown, Erie Ill). He led all qualifiers in the 200 Meter Dash running a 22.46 into the strong wind on the home straightaway. “I got a slow start in the 100 again. The 100 did not affect my legs in the 400.”

• Zeke Elkins (St. Joseph-Ogden, St. Joseph, Ill) set himself to a busy day on Saturday similar to Schroeder. He qualified in the 800 Meter Run (1:59.54). Thirty minutes, later he was back on the track in the blocks in the 400. He qualified sixth in that event (50.57). He anchored his team into the finals running a 50.3 anchor placing St. Joseph-Ogden into the finals.

• Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day occurred in the 800 Meter Run when Michael Brown (White County, Carmi Ill) had the fastest qualifying time in the event (1:56.56). What makes it so eye-opening is that a week ago at his sectional, he ran 2:06.87 to win the West Frankfort Sectional which was the second slowest time heading into Thursday’s race. So who is this guy? That is what people were asking. I can tell you he ran in the 1A State Cross Country meet last fall finishing 32^nd. He did come back and was the eleventh qualifier in the 1600 (4:33.31). This is the beginning of a story in which we will see this young man back in the finals again and again. A star in the making…

• The weight events looks like they will be heading to an exciting conclusion on Saturday. Adam Weidner (Bureau Valley, Manlius Ill) had the longest mark in the Shot Put (57-10.75), only 7 inches ahead of Ryan Pearce (Villa Grove, Ill). Pearce is also leading the discus heading into the finals (166-11), three feet ahead of Jake Mahin (Staunton, Ill).

Gabby Williams is still trying to process what it means to clear 6 feet, 1.50 inches in the high jump as a 15-year-old.

In the span of eight weeks, the sophomore from Reed (Sparks, Nev.) became Nevada’s state record holder, a state champion, and now she appears headed for a spot in the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Heading into the NCAA Regional meets this weekend, only one woman in Division I has cleared a bar higher than Williams’ 6-1.50.

“I didn’t expect to get that high,” Williams said. “I thought maybe I could get to six feet by my senior year.”

But Williams, who stands about 5-foot-10, is well ahead of the curve. She is a standout basketball player from a hoop-centric family. Her father, Matt, played at the University of Nevada-Reno and also was a 6-10 high jumper for the track team there. Now, he is a central figure in Reno-area AAU basketball and this weekend is a big one. He runs the Jam On It Reno AAU Memorial Day Tournament, which will have 970 teams playing on 69 courts in the city this weekend.

The tournament will include Gabby, a point guard who was named Nevada’s player of the year in March, with her club teammates. An older sister, Kayla, plays professionally in Australia.

Matt Williams said he noticed Gabby had “bounce” when he taught her the fundamentals of hurdling and high jumping back in the seventh grade. It’s a talent that comes in handy on the basketball court as well as the high jump apron. Her vertical leap has been measured at 34 inches and she can dunk a tennis ball.

Williams moved up gradually from a 5-4 clearance in the seventh grade to 5-6 in the eighth grade. As a freshman last year she made 5-8 and won the state championship and then during the summer improved to 5-10.

This spring, Williams cleared 5-11 in the third meet of the season and hasn’t finished with anything lower since then. She also competes in the hurdles, and won the Nevada Class 4A championship in the 100-meter (US#29 14.11) and 300-meter (42.85) events.

Williams spent most of her practice time on sprints and hurdles, and devoted the tail end of Thursday practices to high jumping.

“She has amazing jumping ability,” said Ryan Cotter, one of her Reed jumps coaches. “Her belly button placement is at 6-4. We’re not quite there yet with her technique, but her ultimate goal is to beat the all-time (prep) record of 6-4.”

Cotter believes she will go even higher in meets with better competition. At the Nevada state meet, Williams finished at 5-11 and won by seven inches. She bowed out trying to top 6-1.

“I was so mad (to miss),” Williams said. “I was getting over it and knocking the bar off with my feet.”

A week earlier, at her regional meet, Williams surprised herself when she cleared 6-1.50. But she also took three attempts at 6-2.50 – the national sophomore class record – and came close to making that as well.

“She had it on the second one,” Cotter said. “She didn’t move back her mark so she took off too close to the mat and got (the bar) with her thigh.”

Looking ahead, Williams is targeting Great Southwest and then the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. It’s a heady prospect for a 15-year-old.

“I’m really excited (about the Trials),” she said. “I didn’t expect that either. It’s surreal to even think that I could qualify.”

Forty years ago, a 15-year-old high jumper named Cindy Gilbert actually made the U.S. team and competed at the 1972 Munich Olympics (no one that young has made the U.S. Olympic track team since).

It’s a safe bet that Williams will make the cut. In 2008, six feet even was the cut-off for making the Trials field. As of this week, she is tied for seventh on a U.S. list that includes American record holder Chaunte Lowe and four-time Olympian Amy Acuff.

The opportunity to go and compete at Eugene’s Hayward Field in the Trials is worth re-arranging the summer basketball schedule, Matt Williams said.

“I’m unsure how things work with the Olympic Trials, but we will change our summer plans so that she can do it,” he said. “Just the chance to be around those (other high jumpers) and see how they handle themselves, I think Gabby’s looking forward to that.”

It’s the kind of opportunity that could lead to another quantum leap forward for Williams’ budding track career.

But basketball remains No. 1.

“No doubt,” she said. “The main thing I want to do in college is play basketball, but my goal is to play basketball some place where they let me high jump, too.”

Update: At about 1:20 p.m. ET Thursday, a tweet from Terry Toohey -- a Delcotimes.com writer who's been covering this story since last weekend -- stated that Eric Futch has been reinstated for the state meet by the PIAA.
(original story, published two hours earlier, below)

Penn Wood (Lansdowne, Pa.) senior Eric Futch, ranked US#1 in the 400 hurdles after his Penn Relays victory, Thursday morning sought reinstatement into the Pennsylvania AAA state meet (starting Friday) after an unusual disqualification last weekend.

Futch was to appear for an appeal before the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Board of Directors in Chambersburg, Pa. at 11 a.m. Thursday, according to a story at Delcotimes.com. Two previous appeals had been denied this week by the PIAA after Futch was disqualified from the District 1 meet in Coatesville last Saturday.

Futch, an all-around sprint/hurdle star for the traditionally powerfully Pennsylvania program who also was the New Balance Outdoor Nationals 400H champ last spring, had already won the 300 hurdles (37.08) and 200 (21.23), and was planning to run on the 4x400 with his team. Seeking shelter during a brutally hot and sunny afternoon, Futch reportedly sat down in a tent near the awards stand. He was then told that he could not sit there and had to leave. An argument ensued between Futch and two members of the awards staff, and he eventually left.

The story goes on to say a second similar argument occurred between Futch and awards staff after he won the 200. Then meet director Harry Lewis DQ’d Futch after he said Futch ignored his request to leave the track. The report filed by Lewis states that Futch was disqualified for “unsportsmanlike conduct” under rule 4-6-1 of the National Federation rulebook. State rules indicate such a DQ also includes suspension for the following (state) meet.

During the week since, reports of the incident on Delcotimes.com and other publications, and social media responses to those reports, have raised several issues concerning the incident and the meet in general. The PIAA and meet management have come under fire for not only the harshness of the suspension to a national class athlete, but also their inability to adequately protect athletes having finished their races and waiting at length for awards (some with events yet to contest) from the heat. An earlier story from Delcotimes.com indicated that the PIAA state meet and District 11 meets (two examples) had tents for both recovering and waiting athletes, as well as those needing medical attention. Not so at the District 1 meet. A secretary for the district admitted it was a problem and the kids had no place to go.

Yet another Delcotimes.com story by a different reporter in attendance dug deeper into the scene, describing one official telling Futch he’d never amount to anything and other ugly or unjust aspects of the situation – including a press box confab he overheard between officials that smacked of vindictiveness toward Futch and Penn Wood, and triggered the DQ.

Online responses to the stories and other social media have not surprisingly strongly called for Futch to be reinstated and shamed the PIAA and meet management for their handling of the situation. An online petition has been set up at change.org with more than 300 signatures. But it hasn’t all been one-sided. Other comments from supposed eye-witnesses cited disrespectful and profane comments from Futch, and one message board post at pa.milesplit.com from meet announcer Bill Lott said the reporter’s comments about the press box conversation were “laced with embellishments, misconstructions, and/or fallacies.”

What is clear is that a difficult situation was caused by tough field conditions, tempers flared, one of Pennsylvania’s great athletes has been suspended from the state meet, and a final bid is being made Thursday for reinstatement.

The most recent Delcotimes.com story also adds that if board denies Futch's appeal, he and his family could seek a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in court to block the suspension.

Post-state note book-

Wow, what a weekend it was in Charleston for the girls state championship. The 40th edition was perhaps the best meet top to bottom in IHSA history. There were over a half-dozen meet or all-time records set to further cement any argument.

So what’s in the water?

There could be several factors as to why the girls have gotten mighty good over the last several years. 1) Better coaching of girls- coaches are using the latest coaching techniques as well as modern technology in dealing with girls. Some examples include nutrition, training, and female health concerns; 2) media- there is no longer a “Berlin Wall” up. Today’s athletes can hop on Dyestat/ESPN HS or some other medium to find out what their counterparts are doing. It’s that easy and instant inspiration is born.

There is no doubt that Illinois sprinters, field event, and distance athletes are at the top of the national food chain. Of course, talent rich states California, Pennsylvania, and New York have yet to have their state championships meets. Regardless, the land of Lincoln should be looking pretty when it’s all said and done.

Lots of all-time bests/hits to the national elite list-
The Wheaton-Warrenville South Class 3A 4x800 meter relay became the first Illinois team to break 9:00 with their sick 8:59.04 clocking. Aside from it being the freshly crowned US#1 mark in the country, the top three finishers put a serious hurting on the all-time state leaderboard. Second place Glenbard Ellyn (Glenbard West) 9:00.72 and third place finisher Mt. Prospect (Prospect) 9:06.18 move up to IL#2 and IL#5.

Evanston super senior hurdler Margaret Bamgbose showed that she was a true team player maxing out in four events that enabled her mates to earn a third place trophy. However, she dazzled the crowd in the Class 3A 300H with a US#1 41.11. Bamgbose made up for not finishing last year’s final when she tripped over the first hurdle. It’s also quite interesting that no-one outside of Shalina Clarke has ever run faster. The legendary Evanston great Clarke holds the top five times (40.24+, 40.40, 40.53, 40.61, 40.68).

Morolake Akinosun (Sr., Aurora Waubonsie Valley) finally got what she wanted, a state championship medal. She also got a bonus in the name of an all-time record. Akinosun tied the immortal Alexandria Anderson’s (Chicago Morgan Park) sizzling 100 mark at 11.41. It was just two weeks prior that doubts were setting in from the Akinosun camp because of a sore hamstring. But divine faith and great trainers lent a hand and the rest is history. Oh, by the way, the mark is US#2.

Kandie Bloch (Jr., Areana-Orgenta) kind of crept up on her competition if one considers that she placed second in the Class A high jump two years ago before slipping to fourth last year. Bloch rebounded during this past indoor season by winning the IPTT title and copping the US#8 mark of 5-8. But she peaked at the right time in the state championship. After winning the title at 5-8, Bloch cleared 5-10 on her second attempt. She asked for the bar to be moved to 6-0 instead of the IHSA all-time record of 5-11. She missed heartily on her three attempts and settled for the consolation prize: US#2.

Newcomer Brittny Ellis (Fr., Gurnee Warren) quietly introduced herself to the Illinois high school fans. Sort of. She kindly kicked the door in with several good performances and especially in the 3A 400 with a US#14 time blistering the track and shutting down Cameron Pettigrew (Jr., Chicago Payton) 54.08- 54.41. Ellis produced the fastest time of all the three classes. She will be the next Illini superstar if she can stay focused, hungry, and injury-free.

There have been several great 3A 800 battles in recent years but none as great as the Courtney Clayton (Jr., Rockton Hononegah) and Lindsey Rakosnik (Sr., Lombard Glenbard East) showdown. These two young ladies may have produced the prototype of what an elite half-miler in this state need to be. It is going to take someone with great speed, endurance, and strength to get into 2:08-2:09 range on the regular. On this occasion, Rakosnik and Clayton set a blazing opening pace that left the field off guard. After hitting the 400 in 62.3, they closed out a hard fought battle lifting both runners under 2:10. Clayton 2:08.48 and Rakosnik 2:09.23- IL#4 and IL#7 marks all-time respectively. It was only the second time in state history that two girls have gone under 2:10 in the state championship. Also, consider the fact that 12th place (last) was 2:18.21. How about Jahnell Horton (Sr., Evanston) running 2:14.86 and only getting 10th? It’s not hard to say that this was the deepest race in state history.

If there was any race that was scary to qualify in, it was the 3A 1600 preliminaries. Of the 12 finalists, seven of them broke 5:00. Haley Goers (Sr., Hoffman Estates) was the final qualifier at 5:00.97! She would go on to finish seventh in the final at 4:58.68. It is easy to say that the “mile” is no longer the IHSA doormat event.

The milder than normal winter weather has been a benefit to the Illinois high school track and field athletes this season. Performances that we have not seen in close to 30 years have been evident in the distances. There is more depth in all of the events this year. It leads us to the possibilities of a great state meet this weekend in Charleston.

I am so much looking forward to the relays. Last week in sectional competition, we saw the times drop dramatically. The times will continue to drop this weekend and we could see some national class times in the 4 relays.

The temperatures at O’Brien Stadium should be oppressively hot with temperatures climbing towards the triple digits by the time we get to the finals on Saturday. It could affect some of the distance performances but I hope not. There is quality in all 4 of those events that could make this weekend extra special.

Here is a look at each of the individual events and what you can look for on Friday and Saturday at the big blue oval.

FIELD EVENTS



LONG JUMP

Outlook: Should be a great jumping competition with some great athletes in this event. Zach Gordon (North, Wheaton Ill) took the season lead in the Long Jump (24-2.5) at the sectional and will be the guy to beat this weekend. He has been over 23 feet three times this year and the only jumper over 24. Matt Harris (Lyons Township, LaGrange Ill) has been the list leader most of the season and jumped 23-8 last week at Concordia University. The one flaw on Harris is that he fouled out at his conference meet and fouled on his first two attempts at Prospect before he hit it. He will need to have his steps down this weekend..

Scott Filip & Marcus Jegede (Lake Park, Roselle Ill) will provide big points for this school in the Long Jump this weekend. Filip placed in this event last year with a fifth place finish. He will look to go higher and longer. Jegede is in his first big meet, but is a big meet performer.

Other horizontal jumpers to watch include Antwon James (Glenbard East, Lombard Ill), Thomas Taylor (Thornton, Harvey Ill), Ethan Cane (Minooka, Ill), Ose Ilenikhena (Glenbrook South, Glenview Ill), and Jamal Payton (Proviso West, Hillside Ill). Could Mid 24’s win this event this weekend?

TRIPLE JUMP

Outlook: This is a fascinating event to analyze. It could even better in person this weekend. We could see some epic jumps on the blue runways of O’Brien Stadium. Shawn Koch (Lake Park, Roselle Ill) had the longest performance at sectional competition last week. Koch’s performances have improved by every meet this summer. He has gone from 44 feet at the beginning of April to the 47-8 that he jumped in sectionals. This junior could be tough to beat.

Josh White (Edwardsville, Ill) had a PR of 43-4.5 that he jumped when he was a sophomore two years ago. The senior has stepped up in a big way for the Tigers jumping 46-10.5 and will be a factor in this event. Jamion Nash (West, Belleville Ill) was behind White at sectionals but jumped 47-1.25 at Collinsville three weeks ago. Scott Filip (Lake Park, Roselle Ill) is in the mid 46’s right now and could also win this event.

A deep event with so much potential. Keep an eye also on Thomas Taylor (Thornton, Harvey, Ill), Carl Heinz (Oak Park-River Forest, Oak Park Ill), A.J. Scarborough (Barrington, Ill), James Shields (Maine East, Park Ridge Ill), and Jalen Woods (Thornton Fractional South, Lansing Ill). 48 feet or better could win this on Saturday.

HIGH JUMP

Outlook: Danielle Dobias-Wagner, the High Jump coach at Oak Park-River Forest High School, told me in February that it is so hard to get a PR in the High Jump at the state meet because there is so much action going around and the pressure of the situation. Yet, the potential for some great jumps could happen on Saturday with the high quality in this event.

Carl Heinz (Oak Park-River Forest, Oak Park Ill) is the defending champion in this event. So far this year, he jumped 7-1 at an invitational at Darien. He has one loss this season, that to Kevin Spejcher (Lake Park, Roselle Il) at the IPTT Indoor Classic in March. Spejcher jumped 6-11 two weeks ago and is ready to go higher on Saturday. It was a great competition in March. It should be great between the two this weekend.

Do not forget about Peter Stefanski (Marmion Academy, Aurora Ill). Last week at St. Charles, he cleared 7-0 for the first time. He is entering this event with a big confidence boost, He could be the big surprise in this event.

Other jumpers that may threaten this trio include Oshay Hodges (North, St. Charles Ill), Ben Bowers (Conant, Hoffman Estates Ill), Kurtis Zumbahlen (Minooka, Ill), and Matt Wilson (Granite City, Ill). It would be fun to see these guys go over 7-0 for the win.

POLE VAULT

Outlook: This year, the Pole Vault in this class has produced 10 vaulters over 15 feet which is quite amazing for Illinois. This will make this event fun to watch on Saturday.

Nick Sgarbossa (York, Elmhurst Ill) is the only vaulter to go over 16 feet this spring. He has been over 15 feet four times this year with one slip up, a fourth place finish at the DuPage County Meet. He will need to be on his game this weekend. The same can be said about Eric Gordon (Community West, Normal Ill). He was the overwhelming favorite at the IPTT Indoor Classic, yet he finished fourth in what he called a bit of over confidence. Gordon went over 16 feet twice indoors, and he is undefeated outdoors going over 15 feet at every major invitational. He is primed to go higher this weekend.

Luke Winder (Central, Plainfield Ill) may be the surprise of them all. Coming from a great vaulting family, this sophomore may be the best of all his brothers. Last week at the Naperville North Sectional, he cleared 15-9 for the first time. He is on a hot streak that may continue on Saturday.

This event is loaded. Others that will contend include Nick Bednarek (Fremd, Palatine Ill), Derrick Smith (Lake Park, Roselle Ill), Joe Ward (Jefferson, Rockford Ill), Cirron Clark (Danville, Ill), Shawn John (York, Elmhurst Ill), Tom Schuette (Edwardsville, Ill), and Brandon Clabough (Batavia, Ill).

It will take at least 16 feet or higher to win this event. And we may have more than one vaulter over that height.

SHOT PUT

Outlook: Josh Freeman (Cary-Grove, Cary Ill) has been the man in the spotlight in this event all year. It started at the beginning of March where he went 60 feet and it just grew from there. He did not have his best performance at sectionals (60-11.75), but he has more performances (10 ) than any other athlete this season in this event. It makes him a huge favorite.

Freeman cannot afford to keep his guard down this weekend. Mark Balmes (Hersey, Arlington Heights Ill) has been coming on strong the last few weeks and could be Freeman’s biggest threat. Balmes best this year is 60-0 three weeks ago. Riley Kittridge (Waubonsie Valley, Aurora Ill) has improved seven feet at the beginning of the outdoor season. He could go farther this weekend.

Other athletes to watch include Kyrin Tucker (Community West, Normal Ill), Vincent Valentine (Edwardsville Ill), Christian Hollinger (North, Wheaton Ill), Paul Golen (York, Elmhurst Ill) and Kevin Bauers (Bartlett, Ill).

DISCUS

Outlook: This perhaps could be the most wide open field event in 3A. Brandon Lombardino (Grant, Fox Lake Ill) has quietly climbed his way up the 3A leaderboard in this event. The junior’s best performance this year was 190 feet at a home dual meet. His best invitational performance was last week at his sectional meet at Hononegah. He only has one loss this year, that to Josh Freeman (Cary-Grove, Cary Ill) in April. Freeman could push Lombardino to the limit.

Max Leonard (Glenbrook South, Glenview Ill) went 178-7 at his conference meet two weeks ago. He could be a big surprise this weekend. Christian Hollinger (North, Wheaton Ill) popped an eleven foot PR last week at his sectional. He could surprise like Leonard on Saturday. Paul Golen (York, Elmhurst Ill) threw 171-7 at his conference meet two weeks ago. He could be part of the championship discussion here.

Other throwers to watch include Mark Balmes (Hersey, Arlington Heights Ill), Nick Barrett (O’Fallon, Ill), Scott Karlis (lake Park, Roselle Ill), Riley Kittridge (Waubonsie Valley, Aurora Ill), and Alex Hansen (Oak Forest, Ill).

TRACK EVENTS

4 x 800 METER RELAY

Outlook: Mouths dropped after seeing the results of the Loyola Sectional results last Thursday. 8 teams under qualifying standards, 4 under 7:50. Let the fun begin on Friday. We could see some more major drops in this event.

New Trier had the fastest time in that Loyola meet and could go lower this weekend. Of course they have cross country champ Leland Later anchoring them, but watch for Peter Cotsirlos, a sophomore, that could drop his split into then 1:55’s or lower. Niles North could be the team to beat. The Vikings were only two tenths behind New Trier. They have a strong quartet led by Aron Sebhat. It could go close to 7:40 on Saturday.

Lane Tech won comfortably at the Oak Park Sectional last Thursday. Will this team step up this weekend? They have the talent to contend led by David Timlin, but in the big relays that they have been in during this season, they have fallen a little short with their best finish being second at Prospect. They could surprise this weekend.

Prospect was part of that fast Loyola Sectional. With their quartet only in this event and their past history at state, do not discount the Knights. Defending champion Minooka is back and could be part of the final top 3 on Saturday led by Dan Popek.

Other schools to watch in this relay include Wheaton-Warrenville South, Springfield, Jacobs, Neuqua Valley, Palatine, Sandburg, Belvidere North, and Lake Zurich. It should take 7:52 or better to make the finals on Saturday.

4 x 100 METER RELAY

Outlook: The schools from down south should control this event, but it may be two schools near Chicago that could pull the big surprise. Belleville West always steps up in this event when state meet time comes around. Last year, they won running 41.87. Last week at sectionals, the Maroons ran 41.79 behind a talented Edwardsville team. Both schools will go faster this weekend.

The schools to watch from Chicago are Oak Park-River Forest and Chicago Dunbar. The Huskies dropped under 42 seconds two weeks ago at their conference meet using an all underclassmen lineup. They will use the same quartet this weekend and could go lower. Dunbar is the surprise of the 3A sprint scene. They made a one second drop from the Chicago Public League Meet and their sectional. You cannot dismiss this team.

Other schools to keep a watch on include Wheaton North, Thornton, Peoria Richwoods, Thornton Fractional North, Plainfield North, Downers Grove South, and Rock Island. Do not surprised if it takes 42.2 or faster to make the finals.

3200 METER RUN

Outlook: The common theory when the weather gets hot about this event is that it will be a tactical race. Looking at the weather forecast and what it will be like on the floor of that stadium, I had the same idea. But looking at the runners that will be in this race, I am tending to think that we are not looking at a kicker’s fest.

It could be a fast pace. So much fast that the race may be in the low 8:50’s, even faster. There are several runners that could insure of this. The first is Jack Keelan (St. Ignatius, Chicago Ill), who ran 8:55 at Arcadia in April. He has been running with a purpose all spring trying to exorcise the demons of past state competitions. Saturday may be his day.

The second is Malachy Schrobilgen (Oak Park-River Forest, Oak Park, Ill). He showed that he was ready for this race by running 8:57 solo last week at his sectional. The question will be for this senior is will he save himself for the 1600 that he is planning on doubling this weekend?

Garrett Sweatt (Edwardsville, Ill) would be the third runner. Sweatt has been consistently been in the low 9 minute range all year. He has been experiencing problems with his knee but reports are that he is ready to go. He is not doubling. He will want a fast pace.

The last runner to watch is Tyler Yunk (North, Belvidere Ill). He likes the fast pace and will not shy away from pushing it.

I think the pace may lag early, but start to rev up on the second or third lap. How many will go with the fast pace will be interesting. At the same time, how many will wait and pick off those who can’t take the pace? Look at this also. If people start falling all over the place in Section 2, we could have a couple of runners from the first section that will place.

Others that I would keep an eye on include Erik Peterson (Barrington, Ill), Pat Niyork (Willowbrook, Villa Park Ill), Mark Derrick and Taylor Soltys (Neuqua Valley, Naperville Ill), Tyler Schneider (Conant, Hoffman Estates Ill), and Joe Stewart (Metea Valley, Ill).

110 METER HIGH HURDLES

Outlook: It could come down to a three hurdler affair with times under 14 seconds happening. Rashad Hulbert (Crete-Monee, Crete Ill) has run some hand timed races in the 13’s this season. Last week at his sectional he recorded a 13.99 time that will put the bull’s eye on his back.

Derrick Willies (Rock Island, Ill) made a big drop by four tenths of a second in winning his sectional last week. The transfer from Iowa could defeat Hulbert in this meet. Christian Herring (East, Belleville Ill) was right behind Willies in that sectional meet. He could surprise at this state meet.

Other hurdlers to watch include Marcus Greer (Senior HS, East St. Louis Ill), Sean Wells (Grant, Fox Lake Ill), Billy Reed and Jonathan Goins (Lockport, Ill), and Jonathan Anderson (Thornton, Harvey Ill).

100 METER DASH

Outlook: The hot temperatures + hot runners will equal some fast performances this weekend. Kennedy Mayweather (Collinsville, Ill) won that fast Belleville West sectional and could be one of the favorites here. The same could be said with Bennett Gray (Edwardsville, Ill) and Chris Wiggins (O’Fallon, Ill). They could win at this race.

Also keep an eye on Tavaris Binion (Hinsdale South, Darien Ill). He won the Lockport Sectional. He could challenge for the championship this weekend.

Other sprinters to keep an eye on include Damon Timm (Springfield, Ill), Demitri Smith (Thornton, Harvey Ill), Tyrone Echols (Collinsville, Ill), Perez Ford (Romeoville, Ill), and Cameron James (Edwardsville, Ill).

800 METER RUN

Outlook: Michal Filipczak (Maine South, Park Ridge Ill) reflected after his first outdoor 800 this spring that he ran too conservatively at the 2011 state meet, a race where he finished second. He’s had a full year to analyze and think of how he will want to run this. Last week at his sectional, he dropped a 1:51.93, the best in the state. The main thing for this senior is that he will get out fast and make his competition come and get him.

A duo that could be chasing after Filipczak are future college roommates , Jake Mazanke (East, St. Charles Ill) and Peter Archibald (Geneva, Ill). Both have been pushing each other faster and faster the last couple of weeks, They could be going for the state championship on Saturday. Also watch for Will Crocker (North, Belvidere Ill), who could be coming back from the 4 x 8. Crocker ran 1:52.66 in April in California. He will be seeking a faster time on Saturday.

Other runners to watch for include Neal Omar (Niles West, Skokie Ill), Chris Alvarez (Central, Crystal Lake Ill), Mike Fahey (Glenbard East, Lombard Ill), Dan Popek (Minooka, Ill), and Sam Stanek (Glenbrook South, Glenview Ill).

Low 1:51’s may win this race on Saturday.

4 x 200 METER RELAY

Outlook: The question for this race will either Belleville West or Collinsville (or both) will go under 1:26 in either the prelims or the finals. Collinsville cranked out a 1:26.29 time last week at the Belleville West Sectional. Belleville West was only twelve hundredths back.

After that, unless the above two schools run sub-par races, I do not see any other school getting close to them. Watch for Dunbar, Elgin, Edwardsville, Wheaton North, Thornwood, and Downers Grove North to run after the championship along with Collinsville and Belleville West.

400 METER DASH

Outlook: This could be the most wide open event on the track on Saturday. Jacob Bender (Neuqua Valley, Naperville Ill) placed second at the Naperville North Sectional after he activated a hamstring injury on the final curve of his race. He finished second behind Stephan Thelemaque (East, Plainfield Ill). Both runners have the fastest two times. Bender has the fastest 3A time this year running 48.75 two weeks ago. He’s had a week to rest his leg. With Neuqua not qualifying in the 4x4, he will want this win very badly.

Other 400 runners to watch to challenge Bender and Thelemaque include Dalton Timm & Malik Harrison (Springfield, Ill), Antonio Farley (Round Lake, Ill), Jeff Broger (South Elgin, Ill), and Tommy Rohn (Cary-Grove, Cary Ill).

300 INTERMEDIATATE HURDLES

Outlook: Rashad Hulbert (Crete-Monee, Crete, Ill) is the defending state champ in this event. In this race, he could have company. Hulbert has run 37.78 In April, but he has been around 38 seconds the last couple of weeks. He is a tough competitor that will not want to give up his title.

Derrick Willies (Rock Island, Ill) will be right with Hulbert like he will be in the short hurdle race. Willies ran 38.04 two weeks ago at his conference meet. Two other hurdlers that will be up to the challenge are Brett Kohler (North, Wheaton Ill) and Kyle Schafer (Waubonsie Valley, Aurora Ill). Kohler has run 38.35 & 38.41 the last two weeks. Schafer’s run was impressive when he won his sectional running 38.20 and winning by more than a second. He could get Willies or Hulbert.

Other hurdlers to watch include Ben Bowers (Conant, Hoffman Estates Ill), Lino Mogorovic (Lyons Township, LaGrange Ill), Marcus Greer (Senior, East St. Louis Ill), Dom Blake (Jacobs, Algonquin Ill), Bryant Lewis (Bloomington, Ill), and Conor Dunham (St. Ignatius, Chicago Ill).

1600 METER RUN

Outlook: If someone doubles back from the 3200 to win in such hot temperatures on Saturday, it could be an incredible story. I just can’t see that happen. It will be someone who is coming off of the 4x8 relay or running fresh that will take command of this race.

The last 3 weeks Mike Lederhouse (Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn Ill) has pushed the pace from the beginning resulting in three races between 4:12 and 4:13. With the weather, watch for Lederhouse to push the pace from the get go. It will be come with me kind of race. Anyone who wants a fast time will follow.

Leland Later (New Trier, Winnetka Ill) has run 4:10.7 three weeks ago fresh. If he is with the leaders in the last 400 meters, he may be the one that runs away with the title. Last week, Todd Ford (Loyola Academy, Wilmette Ill) outkicked Later to win the sectional race. Could the same thing happen this weekend?

Patrick Perrier & Alex Riba (O’Fallon, Ill) could be factors in this race if they run fresh. We could see team tactics from them where they could push along with Lederhouse the pace that could take this race under 4:10.

Other milers to watch include Patrick Juras (Lake Zurich, Ill), Easton Huch (Libertyville, Ill), Garrett Lee (North, Belvidere Ill), Malachy Schrobilgen (Oak Park-River Forest, Oak Park Ill), Jack Keelan (St. Ignatius, Chicago Ill), William Hennessy (Jacobs, Algonquin Ill), and David Timlin (Lane Tech, Chicago Ill).

200 METER DASH

Outlook: Kennedy Mayweather (Collinsville, Ill) has been the hot 200 runner all year. Last week, he had a convincing win in his sectional running 21.60. He has run under 22 seconds in four finals this year. Tough to pick against him.

The one sprinter to watch is Darvell Harris (Dunbar, Chicago Ill). In his last two meets, he has run 21.33 & 21.41. He has improved his PR by more than a second in the last year. He could be the one guy that could get Mayweather.

Other sprinters that I would watch include Calvin Edwards (West, Joliet Ill), Keontay Williams (Zion-Benton, Zion Ill), Zach Gordon (North, Wheaton Ill), and Demetri Smith (Thornton, Harvey Ill).

4 x 400 METER RELAY

Outlook: This is going to be a great finale of a great meet. Belleville West has the fastest time in the state run last week at their own sectional. They have the potential to run much faster led by their anchor Jeremy Randolph. St. Charles East ran a great sectional time as well. Jake Mazanke ran a open 400 in the 48’s this spring and could split 47’s in this meet for the Saints.

Waubonsie Valley has been in the front of the pack most of the season. Last week at their sectional, they did not run a great second leg, but still ended up running 3:19.07 behind a great anchor from Kyle Schafer.

Other teams to watch in this race include Minooka, Belleville East, Springfield, Evanston, Cary-Grove, Metea Valley, and Wheaton North. It will take under 3:21 to make the finals. It will take 3:16 to win this race.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL ATHLETES AND COACHES THIS WEEKEND!!!

Quantity could be the deciding factor this weekend in the 3A state meet at O’Brien Field. With the weather supposed to be oppressively hot, it will come down to the schools that are deep to get the state championship. There is some good quality in this field with any number of five schools in the hunt to replace Lake Park as the state champion. The question will be whether or not Lake Park will be replaced? They bring into the meet 12 qualifiers that could bring the top trophy back to Roselle.

Here is a look what to watch for in the team battles this Friday and Saturday. The schools are listed by number of total qualifiers with the highest number going first.

Oak Park-River Forest

Qualifiers: 13 Individuals, 4 Relays – 17 Total

Outlook: The Huskies have gone after three goals this season. In the last two weeks, they have accomplished two of them by winning conference and sectional titles. Now on to goal #3: the state title. This team put themselves in a good position by qualifying 17 to Charleston. Some of you may say the numbers are high because of the sectional they were in. There is quality within those numbers.

Carl Heinz is the defending champion in the high Jump and will look to go after another on Saturday. He could also score in the Triple Jump. Malachy Schrobilgen is one of the elite distance runners in the state. He will be out for a championship in either the 3200 or 1600. Evan Fisher could score some major points in the 800 and will be a part of a couple of their relays.

The short sprint relays are comprised of all underclassmen. How will they stand up to the state meet pressure? They have looked good so far. Coach Tim Hasso’s team has been pointing for this moment. If they come out of Friday with 9 qualifiers to Saturday, this team will be in great shape to win a championship.

Wheaton North

Qualifiers: 11 Individuals, 4 Relays – 15 Total

Outlook: Don Helberg’s team was not in the team title discussion at the beginning of the year. In the last 3 weeks, this team has emerged as one of the elite squads in the state. Last Friday at Wheaton-Warrenville South, they backed up that claim qualifying 15 to Charleston.

The Falcons can score in many ways. They will get points in both the weight events from Christian Hollinger and Mac Spaulding. Zach Gordon popped a Long Jump that is longest in the state. He will look to go after the title this weekend. Gordon also could score points in the 200 Meter Dash and will be part of their 4 x1 and 4x2 relays.

Wheaton North could get points from Brett Kohler in the 300 Intermediates. The same can be said from Aidan Askin in the 1600. This squad could be towards the top if they can get 3 of their relays to Saturday. This is a team with deceptively good quality. They could show that this weekend.

Roselle Lake Park

Qualifiers: 10 Individuals, 2 Relays – 12 Total

Outlook: Those of you that are saying “Here we go again with Lake Park and their field events”…stop it! Last year the Lancers did it scoring points with basically three athletes. This year is a different team. And this squad could repeat through the field events, but it will be totally different than last year. At the Wheaton-Warrenville South Sectional, they qualified both of their individuals in 5 out of the 6 field events. Shot Put was the only event they did not get through. There is more depth on this team than last year and it could show this weekend.

Scott Filip has qualified in three events. He could place high in both horizontal jump events. It would be a bonus if he scored in the High Jump. Kevin Spejcher has been on the last couple of weeks. He won the IPTT Indoor State championship. He would like to get the one that has eluded him the last couple of years.

Shawn Koch enters the Triple Jump with the longest effort in 3A. He could score big points in this event. Marcus Jegede will be a favorite in the Long Jump. The talented sophomore was also anchor their 4 x 1 relay. The Lancers could get points in the Pole Vault from either Derrick Smith or Tim Ehrhardt.

Lake Park qualified 2 relays as well. Both the 4x8 and the 4x1 could make it to the Saturday finals. Coach Jay Ivory is smiling because the majority of the squad that qualified for the state meet are underclassmen. They are a young and talented squad that could bring back another championship trophy.

Edwardsville

Qualifiers: 9 Individuals, 2 Relays – 11 Total

Outlook: The Tigers have the parts to stop Lake Park’s title express. They qualified 11 from the ultra tough Belleville West sectional last Friday. They will combine speed and strength to go after the state title and duplicate what the girl’s team did one week prior.

It may have been a blessing in disguise that star sprinter Cameron James hurt his hamstring during the indoor season. It gave Bennett Gray a chance to step into the sprint spotlight. The junior has the second fastest time in the 100 and could be one of the favorites. James also qualified in the 100. Put those two sprinters together and you have a dangerous 1-2 punch. That showed in the 4x1 where the Tigers have the fastest time in the state.

Edwardsville is strong in the field events. So much that it may neutralize Lake Park’s strength. Josh White will be one of the favorites in the Triple Jump. Tom Schuette will score some good points in the Pole Vault. Julian Harvey could get some bonus points in the High Jump. Vincent Valentine has been the big surprise for coach Chad Lakatos in the Shot Put. This is Valentine’s first year in the event, yet he will be one of the favorites.

Garrett Sweatt opted out of the 3200 /1600 double due to a sore knee. He will only run the 3200, but will be a big threat to win it.

Edwardsville will know where they stand after the 4 x 2 when they are done competing for the day. It will be a sit and wait proposition for them. But the waiting is the hardest part and the waiting could get them a state trophy.

Harvey Thornton

Qualifiers: 9 Individuals, 2 Relays – 11 Total

Outlook: Last year the Wildcats tied for third place in the team race due to the strength of Timothy Faust who won the 100 & 200. It could have been higher if it were not for a phantom dq in the 4x2. The makeup of this year’s Thornton team is different where it does not rely on one individual for points. It is more of a well rounded team that could surprise.

Jonathan Anderson has the possibility of scoring points in both of the hurdle races. Demetri Smith has taken over the role that Timothy Faust had in 2011 and will be a factor in both the 100 & 200.

Thomas Taylor will compete in both the Long and Triple Jump. He could score some big points in both those events. Thornton has 2 good sprint relays. Both could place high even win on Saturday.

There is not much room for mistakes from this team this weekend. But it is a team that has flown under the radar most of the season and could come away with a trophy on Saturday.

Elmhurst York

Qualifiers: 9 Individuals, 1 Relay – 10 Total

Outlook: This is not your typical York state meet team where they will score points in either the relays or the distance events. This Duke team is powered by a couple of field events that if they score high in them, York could sneak away with a trophy.

Nick Sgarbossa and Shawn John have been towards the top of the boards in the Pole Vault most of the season. Sgarbossa has the highest clearance in the event (16-0) and will be the favorite. They will need big points in this event. Paul Golen has qualified in both the Shot and Discus. He could score big points in the Discus. He needs to find the consistency that he had indoors to score high in the Shot Put. The big surprise in the field events for York could be High Jumper Adam Kosecki. Two weeks ago, his PR was 5-11. It is now 6-5 and he could sneak in a couple of points.

York will have its normal entrants in the distances and could get a couple of points from either Chris May & Billy Clink in the 1600 or Nathan Mroz in the 3200. The Dukes do have a 4x8 relay that qualified. Hard to say if they will make it to Saturday. They have the talent but whether they will run to the potential or run scared will be the big question. It could score points that this team could use to get into the top 3 by the end of the day.

Naperville Neuqua Valley

Qualifiers: 6 Individuals, 3 Relays – 9 Total

Outlook: Not much wiggle room for errors for the Wildcats if they want to place in the top 3 at state. Neuqua will score big points in the 3200 with Mark Derrick and Taylor Soltys. Derrick could even get points in the 1600. Their 4 x 8 is the big story for this team. The quartet ran 7:52 last week at Naperville North. It has the potential to run faster this weekend and place high.

Jacob Bender tweaked his hamstring towards the end of the 400 last week at sectionals. He still placed second and has the second fastest sectional time in the state. He has had all week to rest. He will be the man to watch in that event and will score big points. Bender will also be part of the 4x1 that could make the finals and score bonus points.

Andrew Peterson vaulted to a PR last week. He could score some points in the Pole Vault. Carlos Varela-Hernandez is another athlete that could score points in the Discus.

Evanston Township

Qualifiers: 5 Individuals, 4 Relays – 9 Total

Outlook: This team is running with a heavy heart with the passing of long time Coach Willie May last month. This team used the same formula that Coach May used in the past in putting emphasis on teamwork within the relays. All 4 relays could score on Saturday putting them in shape to score some major points. The 4x 4 surprised by running 3:20 last Thursday and will be in the mix for the crown.

Xavier Levy has not been in the spotlight in the 100 & 200 Meter Dashes. He could score in both of those. Adonis Jones and Demonte Hill are entered in the Triple Jump and Long Jump respectively. It would be bonus points for the Wildkits if either could score in those.

Aurora Waubonsie Valley

Qualifiers: 6 Individuals, 2 Relays – 8 Total

Outlook: Kevin Rafferty’s team has been overshadowed most of the season by Lake Park and Neuqua Valley within their conference. Now with state meet this weekend, the Warriors have enough quality in their qualifiers that they could place in the top 3.

Waubonsie have two qualifiers in both the Shot and Discus with Riley Kittridge and Jamal Bearden. Both weight men have the potential to score big points in both events. James Travis was a surprise qualifier in the Triple Jump. If this sophomore scores in the event this weekend, it would be a bonus.

Kyle Schafer has been among the elite in the 300 Intermediates all season. He gets his chance to score big points as he will be one of the favorites. He is also a part of a 4x4 relay that has been towards the top of the leaderboard all season. They will be in the top 3 in this event on Saturday.

O’Fallon

Qualifiers: 7 Individuals, 1 Relay – 8 Total

Outlook: Could be among the top at the end of the meet, but the Panthers will need no mistakes. O’Fallon could score some big points in the 1600 Meter Run with Alex Riba and Patrick Perrier. O’Fallon could score points in the 4x8 if either two of these guys run. At this time, it looks doubtful that either will on Friday. If the relay makes it to Saturday, we may see both.

O’Fallon could get some points in the Pole Vault with Jack Klopfenstein. Senior Discus thrower Nick Barrett is among the top 5 sectional performances in that event. He could go higher this weekend.

Chris Wiggins is peaking at the right time in the 100 meter Dash. He could score some points there as well.

Minooka

Qualifiers: 5 Individuals, 3 Relays – 8 Total

Outlook: With only 8 qualifiers, this team does not have much room for mistakes. But the quality that they have is strong and could be in the mix for a trophy on Saturday. Their 4 x 4 relay has been tough all season. It will be in the hunt for a top finish on Saturday if they can stay away from the mishaps that haunted them in the indoor season.

Minooka’s 4x8 relay is back to defend the title that they won last year. It could. They have great senior leadership in Dan Popek and Joey Santillo. Popek also qualified in the 800 and could place in the top 5 in that race. Look for points from Ethan Cane as well in the Long Jump.

Belleville West

Qualifiers: 3 Individuals, 4 Relays – 7 Total

Outlook: Not much room for mistakes for the Maroons, but Patton Seagraves came into this meet last year in the same position and left with a top 3 finish.

All 4 relays are quality relays. The sprint relays at Belleville West have the tradition of stepping up big at the state meet. Don’t expect anything less than that. Do not be surprised if they win all three. The 4x8 relay is rated 20^th on the leaderboard and could get bonus points if they make the finals.

Jamion Nash will need a good meet to place in the Triple Jump. Taron Johnson could get bonus points in the Shot Put.

The 3 class system has been a success regardless of what some say. It has given a chance for the schools in the middle a chance to shine and succeed. The performances that have been achieved in this four year time period are not too shabby either. Friday morning will begin another chapter in the story of this new class 2A. Some of the bigger schools have moved up to 3A and have given some other athletes a chance to enter the spotlight.

New stars will be born under the hot sun baking the O’Brien Stadium blue oval.

Here is a look at each event and what we see happening this weekend.

FIELD EVENTS

LONG JUMP

Outlook: Travon Diggins (Galesburg) enters into this event with the longest jumps in the sectional competition and overall in Class 2A this spring. The junior is undefeated this year in 2A competition outdoors. His only two losses in this event came from 3A jumper Derrick Ellis (Rock Island). He placed sixth last year at state. He would like to go five better this time around.

This is a good field with any number of jumpers with the possibility of winning this event. Chris Moore (Cahokia) has come on strong the last couple of weeks. At the Collinsville Invitational, he jumped 22-8.5, showing that he will be a chief challenger to Diggins. The same can be said of Dion Starnes (Bremen, Midlothian Ill). He has improved 2 feet over the last month jumping 22-7 last week at sectionals. If he is on, he could go over 23’.

Other jumpers that I would keep an eye on include Glynn Chatmon (Walther Lutheran, Melrose Park Ill), Steven Eldridge and Pierre House (Murphysboro, Ill), Delano Samuels (Bishop McNamara, Kankakee Ill), and Bradley Wright (Central, Champaign Ill). With the hot conditions, I think it will take well over 23 feet to win this event.

TRIPLE JUMP

Outlook: Cahokia wants a 1-2 finish in this event and they just might get it. Chris Moore (Cahokia, Ill) popped a 47-8 last week at the Mascoutah Sectional and will be the big favorite in this event. In fact, he has the best jump in the sectional by over two feet. His teammate Jalon Monigan needs to get in the 46’ foot range in this meet. His last two meets he has been in the upper 44 foot range. His PR is 46-2.25.

The one jumper that could break up the 1-2 is Devin Valentine (Freeport, Ill). The sophomore has come on strong the last few weeks where he is now consistently close to 46 feet. Maybe this will be the meet where Valentine goes over that barrier. Also watch for D’armond Lee (Hillcrest, Country Club Hills Ill) to be in the mix for the championship. Lee has been in the upper 45’s like Valentine and is ripe for a PR in this meet.

Other jumpers that I would watch are Carlos Harris (MacArthur, Decatur Ill), Cody Leach (St. Rita, Chicago Ill), Chiko Zintambila (University, Normal Ill), and Tra Mond Lewis (Southeast, Springield Ill).

If Moore is off his game, it will take in the mid 46-s to win. If he is on, Moore has the ability to go over 48 feet in this meet.

HIGH JUMP

Outlook: Out of all the field events, there are any one of 6 jumpers that could pull of the win. Justin Kretchmer (Waterloo, Ill) has the best height in this event in 2A (6-9). Last week, he was defeated by event newcomer Alex King (Massac County, Metropolis Ill). He will look to rebound this week.

Mike Monroe (Providence Catholic, New Lenox Ill) enters the event undefeated competing against mainly 3A jumpers. His best was early in the season (6-8). The sophomore is capable of going higher and just might on Saturday. Another sophomore, Devante King (Jacksonville, Ill) cleared 6-6 last week at his sectional and could threaten for the championship.

Other vertical jumpers to watch for in this event include Ian Briscoe (Prairie Central, Fairbury Ill), Scott Goad (Dixon, Ill), Chris Williams (Rochelle, Ill), and Dwight Snowden (Hillcrest, Country Club Hills Ill).

Monroe is the hot jumper and could win this event. It will take at least 6-9 to win on Saturday.

POLE VAULT

Outlook: This event could be incredible. Six vaulters have cleared 15 feet or better this outdoor season. The one that has been hot as of recently is Tyler Ginger (Olympia, Stanford Ill). He has gone over 15 feet in four meets this outdoor season with his best (15-9) two weeks ago at the Mahomet-Seymour Invitational. His only loss came last week at the Dunlap sectional where he was defeated by Charles Fenner (Metamora, Ill) who went 15-3.

Jon Walsh (North, Woodstock Ill) has been the biggest surprise of this outdoor season. He entered the season with a PR of 12-9. Three weeks ago at an invitational at Rockford East, he defeated 3A indoor champ Joe Ward (Jefferson, Rockford Ill) by clearing a PR of 15-6. Last week at sectionals ,he cleared 15-3. He will be among the vaulters chasing for the championship. Andrew Roney (Mahomet-Seymour, Mahomet Ill) has been hot as of late. He has been over 15-3 twice this season, the latest was at a win at his own sectional.

Chad Weaver (Providence Catholic, New Lenox Ill) was over 15-3 indoors. Outdoors he has cleared 15-0 the last two weeks. He is very competitive. He will be in the mix for the top prize. Brandon Carrel (Urbana, Ill) has also been over 15-3 twice this season. Count him also into the mix of competitors.

It is very hard to chart this event to see who the favorite is. It will take at least 15-9 to win on the blue runway Saturday afternoon, but which vaulter will it be?

SHOT PUT

Outlook: Last year, Joshua Augusta (Peoria, Ill) made this meet his coming out party by pushing defending state champion Kevin Farley (Lanphier, Springfield Ill) to the limit. He set the 2A record and held it for 45 seconds. Farley entered the ring and took it right back. This year, this event could be Augusta’s. His PR was in April at Dunlap where he went 61-0. His next closest challenger is nearly three feet behind him (57-11 – Derek Bunch of Mahomet-Seymour).

If Augusta falters, there are a number of athletes that could jump in. Watch for Bunch, Joel Valdivia (Central, Grayslake Ill), Rashad Campbell (Centralia, Ill), Brendan Duncan (Waterloo, Ill), Torey Fobbs (Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn Ill), and Luke Vaughn (Centennial, Champaign Ill).

Farley set the record last year going 62-4.5…Augusta could surpass that this weekend.

DISCUS

Outlook: This looks to be the best field event in 2A. It pits the defending 2A champion , Brendan Duncan (Waterloo, Ill),against last year’s 1A runner up Caleb Fricke (PORTA, Petersburg Ill). Fricke currently has the 10^th best effort in the country in the Discus throwing 195-0 last week at the Dunlap Sectional. Duncan threw 192-7 two weeks ago at his conference meet which is currently ranked #13 nationally.

There are two other throwers that could threaten the above two athletes. Jacob Armbrust (Metamora, Ill) threw 188-5 two weeks ago at his conference meet. Last week at the Mahomet-Seymour Sectional , Luke Vaughn (Centennial, Champaign Ill) went 184-7 for the win. Do not dismiss these two throwers.

The field is deep. Other quality throwers include Patrick Long (Herscher, Ill), Coleman Nelson (Christian, Rockford Ill), and Michael Jean (Mattoon, Ill). These three will be in contention for an all state finish, but I do not think they can touch the first four.

I think we could see a throw of epic proportions to win this event, perhaps over 200 feet. Fricke and Duncan will push each other to the limit. Wish the event was inside of the stadium, but it would be worth it to venture outside of the walls to see the competition.

TRACK EVENTS

4 x 800 METER RELAY

Outlook: Cahokia enters the event with the fastest sectional times by over six seconds. It could make them the favorite, but we have to look back at past history. In recent years they have had the fastest time coming into the meet, but have not performed at that level. This year could be the exception. Darren Payton will be a part of this quartet. If he is anchoring and with the lead, it may be tough to catch him.

There are two schools that I think could chase Cahokia. The first is Burlington Central. The Rockets have a great tandem leading them in Clint Kliem and Michael Gulik. Both are capable of running sub 1:55. If their other two can get under 2 minutes for their split, they will challenge Cahokia. The other school to watch is Glenbard South. They have a swift anchor in Sophomore John Wold. Even though they have run only 8:04, this team could drop their time at least 10 seconds this weekend.

Plenty of quality teams in this event. Watch for Normal University, Galesburg, Mahomet-Seymour, Dunlap, Riverside-Brookfield, and Aurora Central Catholic to challenge. It could take the winning team to go under 7:50 to win the final race.

4 x 100 METER RELAY

Outlook: Jacksonville has took this 2A event by storm the last couple of weeks. At their conference meet two weeks ago, they ran 42.27. Last week at their own sectional, they ran a sectional best of 41.91. Led by Reggie Bratton and Nick Schippel, this team could run in the 41.6 range.

This relay is the high wire event on the track. One slip up and you are done, the action moves so quickly. If Jacksonville does slip up, watch for Midlothian Bremen, Country Club Hills Hillcrest, Chicago Fenger, Glen Ellyn Glenbard South, Melrose Park Walther Lutheran, New Lenox Providence, and Cahokia could all be good enough to get the win.

3200 METER RUN

Outlook: With the temperatures expected to be in the mid 90’s by race time Saturday afternoon, it would be safe to say that this race could be a tactical affair. Not so fast on that prediction. There could be many factors to could go into that with that to be determined after the prelims on Friday. Several of the favorites will be racing in the 1600 prelims. If they make it to the Saturday finals, the strategy could change.

Michael Clevenger (MacArthur, Decatur Ill) is the defending champ in this race and will be the big favorite on Saturday. Clevenger ran 8:54.12 in California in April. Last week, he ran a controlled 9:18 to win at Jacksonville. Will Brewster (Central, Grayslake Ill) has been one of the most consistent runners in 2A, Brewster has run 9:17 outdoors, two weeks ago at his conference meet, and could be one of the runners to push him.

There are two others that I think that could also force the pace. The first is Jamison Dale (Jones College Prep, Chicago Ill). Dale has only run 9:28 this year, but he has the ability to push this race in adverse conditions, The second is hometown favorite Riley McInerney (Charleston, Ill). He ran 9:22 at the beginning of the month at his conference meet.

Other runners that I would watch are Marc Maton (Glenwood, Chatham, Ill), Joe Singleton (Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn Ill), Jonathan Schaap (Mahomet-Seymour, Mahomet Ill), and Tyler Morse (Limestone, Bartonville Ill).

Brewster may be the only runner that could match Clevenger’s 4:13 mile speed in this race. At the same time, no one is as strong as Clevenger. I do not know if there is a strategy in this field that can beat this three time state champ. The only thing that could beat him is the heat, but I think he is smart enough to weather that.

110 METER HIGH HURDLES

Outlook: Joseph Jones (Plano, Ill) is the defending champ in this event in 1A. Plano moves up a class and so must he. Jones came into this event with the fastest time in 2A, running 14.07 at the Seneca Sectional. The only other hurdler close to him in time this year is Spencer Allen (Mt. Vernon, Ill), who ran 14.12 at Edwardsville in April. They are in a class by themselves in this event.

Other hurdlers that could come up on these two include Elven Walker (Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn Ill), D.J. Duncan (Harrisburg, Ill), Dion Starnes (Bremen, Midlothian Ill), and Andrew Helmin (Providence Catholic, New Lenox Ill).

Jones will be running the 100 right after this race. He has been doing this his whole career. He is used to the time frame. He will take business in the hurdles first and that could take him under 14 seconds with Allen’s help.

100 METER DASH

Outlook: In the Dyestat TFX leaderboard, there are eight sprinters that are within 3 hundredths of a second between each other. You could sneeze and miss a runner going across. They will be moving that fast. Wesley Sanders (Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn Ill) has the fastest time from the sectionals running 10.81. The two sprinters I would watch are Jamal McNeeley and Brian Carter (Kelvyn Park, Chicago Ill). The two pitted against each other at the Chicago Public League Championship with McNeeley winning. The junior McNeeley came back at the Marshall Sectional and only defeated Carter by one hundredths of a second. This kind of follows the theme I was describing.

Like I said, this will be close, close, close. Other sprinters that I would definitely keep an eye on include Joseph Jones (Plano, Ill), Reggie Bratton & Nick Schippel (Jacksonville, Ill), Jonathan Boey (MacArthur, Decatur Ill), Troy Sheppard (Providence Catholic, New Lenox Ill), and Anthony Taylor (Montini, Lombard Ill).

This will be a fast final. That is to be certain of. I can see the winning time between 10.65 to 10.70, but it is anyone’s guess who will sprint away with the win. Let’s go to the photo….

800 METER RUN

Outlook: Darren Payton (Cahokia, Ill) enters this event as the prohibitive favorite. He has the fastest time in 2A running 1:54.72 three weeks ago at Collinsville. He is undefeated against Illinois competition this spring. His only loss of the season came at the Marion Freeman Invitational against Missouri super soph Charles Jones (Cardinal Ritter, St. Louis MO). He has 50 second 400 speed and the desire not to lose.

Two runners that I would keep a close watch on are Grant Inskeep (Notre Dame, Peoria Ill) and Darius Thomas (Macomb Ill). Last week, Inskeep bested Thomas by two tenths of a second at Dunlap. Cale McCormick (Mahomet-Seymour, Mahomet Ill) ran 1:55.20 at a home invitational two weeks ago. He could be chasing Payton.

Other runners that I would keep a close eye on include Luke Zygmunt (Central, Grayslake Ill), Mark Pedziwiatr (Lincoln-Way West, New Lenox Ill), John Wold (Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn Ill), and Luke Horton (Harrisburg, Ill).

It will take 1:54 or under to win this race. It depends what Payton runs on Friday, but he could be the favorite here if he survives the races he runs in with the heat. Otherwise, it could be any of the above runners.

4 x 200 METER RELAY

Outlook: Hillcrest enters the meet with the fastest time in this race by over a half a second. In this relay, that is not a safe cushion. There are a number of teams that could go just as fast as Hillcrest.

Keep watch for Cahokia, Glenbard South, Murphysboro, Walther Lutheran, Kaneland, Fenger, and Chatham-Glenwood. All could best Hillcrest in this race. Can any of these quartets run in the low 1:28’s? If so, they could win this race.

400 METER DASH

Outlook: Remember last year the great race we had with Garret Payne (Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn Ill) besting D.J Zahn (Morton, Ill) 47.31-47.45 in a record race? Fans walked away thinking that it would be a long time before we see that again. One year is not a long time. But we could see the same type of race on Saturday.

In that same race last year, Brandon Penrod (Triad, Troy Ill) false started. He’s had a year to think about that. Rewind to last week at the Mascoutah Sectional. Penrod dueled Marlin Brady (Cahokia, Ill) down to the last meters with Penrod nipping Brady 48.11 to 48.25 seconds. With Mac Melto (Northside Prep, Chicago Ill) no longer running this season and the only other runner that would be able to challenge, it will come down to these two southern Illinois runners to challenge for the championship.

Runners to watch also in this event include Demetrius Shelton (Bremen, Midlothian Ill), Deandre Law (Galesburg, Ill), Kevin Ward (Providence Catholic, New Lenox Ill), and Leroy Chapman (Antoich, Ill). The record we thought would not be touched could get a sniff on Saturday.

300 INTERMEDIATE HURDLES



Outlook: Could be a close battle in this final race. Andrew Helmin (Providence Catholic, New Lenox Ill) has the fastest time in 2A this year (38.16). He could be the slight favorite. He has lost only to Rashad Hulbert (Crete-Monee, Crete Ill) and Dion Starnes (Bremen, Midlothian Ill). Those happened early in the year. In May, he is undefeated. D.J. Duncan (Harrisburg, Ill) is one of the hurdlers that could get Helmin. Duncan finished third in the 1A finals last year. Starnes also is on Helmin’s radar.

Other hurdlers to watch include Chris Cheatham (Evergreen Park, Ill), Elven Walker (Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn Ill), Brandon Lindley (Peoria, Ill) and Donte Arnold (Woodstock, Ill).

It will take a sub 38 to win this race. Duncan could surprise in this race.

1600 METER RUN

Outlook: The weather will definitely have an effect on this race with temperatures being in the upper 90’s by that point and some of the runners coming off of earlier races. The favorite is going to be Michael Clevenger (MacArthur, Decatur Ill) regardless of the weather. Clevenger has been under 4:20 six times this season, 3 outdoors and 3 under the roof. His best is 4:13.34.

William Brewster & Luke Zygmunt (Central, Grayslake Ill) will both be coming off of doubles, Brewster the 3200 and Zygmunt the 800. Brewster has been running off of doubles well this season. The question will be if he has enough left in the tank. The same can be said with Riley McInerney (Charleston, Ill) and Jamison Dale (Jones College Prep, Chicago Ill). Both will be racing earlier in the 3200. How much will they have left?

The one runner who will be fresh and could be a threat is Murphy Affolder (Mascoutah, Ill). His best this season is 4:24.83, which he ran at the beginning of April at Belleville West. In that race, he was leading Garrett Sweatt (Edwardsville, Ill) and Patrick Perrier (O’Fallon, Ill) until the last 100 meters. The sophomore has not been in a fast race situation since that point. He is capable of going well under 4:20.

Other runners to watch include Scott Wurtz (Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn, Ill), Marc Maton (Glenwood, Chatham Ill), and Shawn Milhauser (Pontiac, Ill).

Like I said earlier in the 3200 preview, it is hard to think of a strategy that Clevenger could not beat. This race is a different animal, though, and it could work to the advantage of either Brewster or Zygmunt in this race. Both have killer kicks. So does Clevenger as he showed with the final 200 at the IPTT indoors where he let loose a 26 second last lap.

The probability of doubling in nearly adverse conditions will work against Clevenger in this race. He does have a heart of a champion and that could prevail in this race. He wins and he could cement himself as one of the all-time distance greats to run at the state meet.

200 METER DASH

Outlook: Just like the 100, this race could be that tight. Jamal McNeeley (Kelvyn Park, Chicago Ill) has run only 21.95 this season, but he would be my pick for the one sprinter to watch in this race. Brandon Penrod (Triad, Troy Ill) is another hot runner that could push and pass McNeeley in this 200.

Nick Schippel & James Jackson (Jacksonville, Ill) have come on strong the last couple of weeks and will do some damage in this event as well. Other runners to keep an eye on include Joseph Jones (Plano, Ill), Joey Giovannelli (Glenwood, Chatham Ill), Wesley Sanders (Glenbard South, Glen Ellyn Ill), Jonathan Boey (MacArthur, Decatur Ill), and Trey Story (Cahokia, Ill).

It will probably take 21.8 or better to win this class race.

4 x 400 METER RELAY

Outlook: It will be Cahokia in this race. Need I say more? Unless something happens during the meet where their quartet cannot get to the line, this team will be the favorite. Their sectional time of 3:18.74 is the best in Class 2A by nearly three seconds.

Burlington Central, Galesburg, Hillcrest, and Lincoln-Way West could all challenge the Comanches in this race. But when you head into battle and you have all the generals, like Cahokia does, it will be hard to defeat this defending champion.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL ATHLETES AND COACHES THIS WEEKEND!!!

Cahokia left O’Brien Stadium last year at Eastern Illinois with the state championship and ambitions of repeating that in 2012. Flash forward one year and we have almost the same scenario. Cahokia comes into this meet as the favorite with fourteen qualifiers. They have quality and quantity within their numbers.

Here is a look at the teams that will contend for the 2A title this weekend in Charleston. They are listed by number of total qualifiers.

Glen Ellyn Glenbard South

Qualifiers: 12 Individuals, 3 Relays – 15 Total

Outlook: If there is any school that could take down Cahokia, it could be this school in the west suburbs of Chicago. What a way for Coach Andy Preuss, who is retiring after this meet, to go out. The Raiders have 15 qualifiers in 13 events. Most of the qualifiers have a chance to place on Saturday. Wesley Sanders will lead the way in qualifying in the sprints and also the 4x1 and 4x2 relays.

South has a strong distance squad led by Sophomores John Wold (800) and Joe Singleton (3200) that could score as well. Nick Boesso will be in the mix of scoring in the Shot and Discus. Elven Walker will be in contention for points in both hurdle races. It’s a deep team that can afford to make a few mistakes. But not that many to leave with another trophy. Last year it was third. They would like to go higher in 2012.

Cahokia

Qualifiers: 10 Individuals, 4 Relays – 14 Total

Outlook: It is going to be hard to refuse the Comanches a return trip to the top of the podium for the state championship trophy. Coach Leroy Millsap has 14 qualifiers ready for Friday. Their 4x4 & 4 x 8 relays have the fastest times in 2A this year. Chris Moore has the longest distance in the Triple Jump this year along with Darren Payton having the fastest time in the 800.

Also expect big points from Sophomore Marlin Brady in the 400 and also Gary Hickman in either of the hurdle races and the Long Jump. The one thing that Cahokia will need is their big guys getting to the finals on Saturday and no mistakes in the relays. If that happens, it will be tough for this team to be stopped.

New Lenox Providence Catholic

Qualifiers: 10 Individuals, 3 Relays – 13 Total

Outlook: Another team that could challenge Cahokia. They have the numbers that could match them, but will they advance to Saturday’s final? The Celtics dove have quality athletes that could score big points. Start with Andrew Helmin in the 300 Intermediate Hurdles. He has the fastest time in that event. Also Mike Monroe in the High Jump and Chad Weaver in the Pole Vault. Both of these athletes could score big on Saturday.

Troy Sheppard will need to have a big day in qualifying in both the 100 and 200. Providence will also be strong in both of the short relays. It could be a bonus if Kevin Ward makes the finals in the 400 or Jesse Long places high in the Shot Put. If they get their big guns to the finals on Saturday, it could make things very interesting for the team crown.

Mahomet-Seymour

Qualifiers: 9 Individuals, 4 Relays – 13 Total

Outlook: The Bulldogs could make it interesting for the above 3 schools With 13 qualifiers, this is a team that could score big in the finals. Look for big points in the Shot Put with Derek Bunch and Luke Roush. Mahomet could also get points in the Pole Vault from Andrew Roney and Austin Armetta.

On the track, this team could score points in a number of ways. All four relays have good chances of making it to Saturday’s final. Jonathan Schaap and Lucas Prather could score in the 3200 along with Cale McCormick in the 800. Marshall Graham getting in the 100 would be a huge plus.

Decatur MacArthur

Qualifiers: 9 Individuals 9, 1 Relay – 10 Total

Outlook: Even though they lost at the Jacksonville Sectional, this squad could place in the top 3 in this meet. Michael Clevenger will be the favorite in both the 3200 and 1600 Meter Runs. Jonathan Boey will challenge in both 100 & 200 Meter Dashes. Carlos Harris could play a big factor in the Generals’ success if he scores in the Triple Jump.

A big plus could be Nathan Allyn and if he can score in the 800. Also watch for Aquintis Williams in the 400 Meter Dash. He could surprise and make the finals. With both making the finals could mean a good chance a trophy returns to Decatur.

Grayslake Central

Qualifiers: 7 Individuals, 3 Relays – 10 Total

Outlook: Not much room for mistakes for this team this weekend. The main points will come from the distance races and from two athletes , Will Brewster & Luke Zygmunt. Both will be doubling. The big question is how will the adverse heat that is forecast for Charleston will affect the 2. Brewster will be one of the favorites in the 3200 and then he will come back later in the day in the 1600. Zygmunt will be up towards the front in the 800 and will return in the 1600, the tougher of the two doubles.

The Rams could also score points in the Shot Put and the Discus from Joel Valdivia. They could get a big bonus if either the 4 x 1 or the 4 x 2 make the finals.

Metamora

Qualifiers: 7 Individuals, 3 Relays – 10 Total

Outlook: The Redbirds could get away from Charleston with a top 3 finish. A few things need to occur to make the trophy happen. Charles Fenner will be one of the favorites in the Pole Vault. Also watch Fenner to score points in the 300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles.

Metamora could score points from Jacob Armbrust in the Discus and maybe also the Shot Put. Eric Inman could get some points in the High Jump as well as long as the 4 x 4 relay team scoring points.

Midlothian Bremen

Qualifiers: 6 Individuals, 1 Relay – 7 Total

Outlook: A small number of qualifiers but could score some big points. Dion Starnes is the one that could possibly do that for the Braves. Starnes has the second longest mark in the Long Jump from the sectionals. He also will be in the mix in the 110 High Hurdles. He has the fifth fastest time in the 300 Intermediate Hurdles.

There is really no room for mistakes if this team wants to capture a trophy. Bremen has the second fastest time in 2A for the 4x1 relay and will need to place in the top 3. Demetrius Shelton will also need to score high in the 400 Meter Dash.

Jacksonville

Qualifiers: 5 Individuals, 1 Relay – 6 Total

Outlook: Absolutely no room for mistakes. A small number of qualifiers but could score some big points in such low numbers. Reggie Bratton will be in the mix for the 100 Meter Dash. Nick Schippel has the fastest 2A time in the 200 and will be the favorite. Jacksonville’s 4 x 1 has the fastest sectional time and will be favored in that race also.

Devante Clark could surprise in the High Jump. Like I said, there is no room for mistakes for this team. No mistakes = a trophy heading back to Jacksonville.

Perhaps the most dominant distance runner in Class 1A in the last year has been Monticello’s Steve Schroeder. He won in the fall at Detweiller Park and dominated the IPTT Classic 3200 indoors. He is scheduled to run in the 3200 and the 1600. He could also run in the 4 x 8 relay for Monticello, at least in the prelims.

The weather will play a BIG factor in this state meet this weekend. Temperatures are forecast to climb near the triple digits making it tough to pull off a double, especially in the distances.

Here is a look at the individual events and what to keep an eye on:

FIELD EVENTS

LONG JUMP

Outlook: Michael Geary (Polo, Ill) has the longest jump in the sectional competition (22-5.5) but it will be a pair of jumpers that most spectators will keep an eye on. Kyle Landon (Chester, Ill) is one of the favorites in the High Jump and could pull off the double here. The junior jumped 22-9 in April at his county meet and is itching to go over 23-0. The one I would keep an eye on is Devin Johnson of Erie. He placed ninth last year at state and is looking to greatly improve on that. He currently has the longest jump in 1A (22-11) which he did at his conference meet two weeks ago.

Dontae Pryor (Kewanee, Ill) jumped 22-4 in the same meet as Johnson and could be in the mix at state for this title in this event. Also watch for Tay Shanklin (Winnebago,Ill) and Myles Kettelson (Flora, Ill) to be in the mix for the top spot as well.

TRIPLE JUMP

Outlook: This event could be the most wide-open of all the field events in this class. Heath Byom (Knoxville, Ill) got the longest performance in this event last week at the sectionals and will be the favorite heading to Charleston. He will get his chief competition from 3 jumpers. Alex Walter (Central, Camp Point Ill) had the second longest jump at sectionals. Juniors Nick Hundley (Momence, Ill) and Kyle Kleeman (Carlinville, Ill) will also challenge.

HIGH JUMP

Outlook: Could we see a 7-0 jump in this event? If so, how many will go over. This could be one of the highlight events in the 1A competition. 3 of the top finishers from the 2011 meet return. Not much has been heard from last year’s champ Oumaru Abdulahi (Mooseheart, Ill). But we said the same thing last year and look what he did. Abdulahi is a tough competitor that rises to the occasion and the pressure of a big meet.

Kyle Landon (Chester, Ill) has cleared 6-11 this outdoor season and is looking for that 7-0 barrier on Saturday. He has the sectional best of 6-7. The second place finish of last year has been pushing him higher. It could happen on Saturday.

Bill Weissinger (Big Rock, Hinckley Ill) will be the other chief jumper in this event. He placed third last year and will push both Landon and Abdulahi. Others to watch include Daniel Welling (Monticello, Ill) and Kolten Postin (Central A&M, Moweaqua Ill).

POLE VAULT

Outlook: Mitch Mammoser (Newton, Ill) is the defending state champion and is a good bet to repeat that on Saturday. He has cleared 15-0 twice this season, with his best coming at the Shelbyville Open (15-6).

If Mammoser has an off day, there are several other vaulters that could surpass him. Sophomore Jack Denby (Carlinville, Ill) cleared 14-7 earlier in the year and could be his chief competition. Also watch for Dalton Plumer (Rushville-Industry, Rushville, Ill), Brandon Goode-Tolliver (Newton, Ill), Josh Blome (Westfield, Casey Ill), and Austin McCourt (Oregon Ill) to be in the mix for the top spot.

SHOT PUT

Outlook: This event could come down to any of 5 athletes that could win on Saturday. O’Shay Smith has the longest throw in 1A and the sectionals (58-3) and will be one of the weight men to watch. Senior Adam Weidner (Bureau Valley, Manlius Ill) will be close having gone over 57 a number of times this year. Also watch for Ryan Pearce (Villa Grove, Ill), who was only 3 inches behind Smith’s sectional mark and could be peaking at the right time.

Other weight men to watch include Jake Mahin (Staunton, Ill), Brandon Williams (DuQuoin, Ill) and Gabe Manning (Williamsville, Ill).

DISCUS

Outlook: With Caleb Fricke (PORTA, Petersburg Ill) having moved into 2A for this season, there will be a new champion in this event. Just like the Shot Put, there will be five athletes that could seriously contest for the event title. Adam Weidner (Bureau Valley, Manlius Ill) had the longest throw in sectional competition (160-3). Jake Mahin (Staunton, Ill) has the seasonal best (163-8). Another thrower that will be in the hunt for the title could be Ryan Pearce (Villa Grove, Ill), who has thrown 163-4 this year.

The big surprise in this event is Hakeem Chatman (Leo Catholic, Chicago Ill). Not even in the discussion at the beginning of the year, this senior has emerged as one of the elite men in this event in this class throwing 161-0 at the end of April.

Also keep an eye on Cory Long (Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Paxton Ill), Dawson Hillis (Carrollton, Ill) and Alec Dutton (Catlin, Ill). All three of these athletes will be in the hunt for a top finish.

TRACK EVENTS

4 x 800 METER RELAY

Outlook: Tolono Unity enters this competition with the sectional best time (8:14.00). They could not be the favorite. Niantic Sangamon Valley, led by Eric Leonard, will be the one team to watch out for if it comes down to the final leg. Sangamon Valley has run 8:07.05 this season. The fastest team in 1A is Macon Meridian, led by Brock Snarski (8:05.99).

Two teams that could win include Sparta and St. Joseph-Ogden. Zeke Elkins looks like he could be anchoring for the Spartans and with the quartet they have, St. Joe could score some big points. Sparta has a strong duo in Jon Hill and Wes Bradshaw that could push them towards the front.

Do not know if any teams can go under 8, but it could be close. Do not forget these other quartets that could make things interesting: Monticello, Heyworth, Oregon, and Ottawa Marquette.

4 x 100 METER RELAY

Outlook: In the heat of Charleston that is expected this weekend, there could be some fast times in this event. Leo Catholic has the fastest time in 1A this year running 42.48 two weeks ago at Chicago Catholic League. They have a strong quartet led by Keith Harris Jr. and Theodore Hopkins. Peoria Christian could be in the mix with defending state 100 champ Jonathan Hutchison anchoring.

Lena Winslow is peaking at the right time and could be in the chase for the title. They will have a great anchor as well with Tevin Sellers. Also watch for Pleasant Plains, Momence, Newton, Madison, and Rockford Lutheran also to challenge.

3200 METER RUN

Outlook: Steve Schroeder (Monticello, Ill) will enter this race as the big favorite in this event. The big key will how hot will it be and what kind of tactics will Schroeder use. Last year will definitely be in the back of Schroeder’s mind. Last year, he had a big lead entering the final lap and Westmont’s Henry Arndt caught him in the final meters. This is Schroeder’s race to lose. He will make sure that this title is his.

The one person that could push the pace is Jesse Hahne (Schlarman, Danville Ill). The junior pushed him at the IPTT Classic indoors before Schroeder pulled away in the last 800. The same happened last week at Monticello’s Sectional. He may be the one not to late the pace lag.

Others to watch in this race include Scott Woodard (Unity, Tolono Ill), Dan Plunkett (Pleasant Plains Ill), Nate Novota (Westmont, Ill), and Andrew Hanselman (Monticello, Ill).

110 METER HIGH HURDLES

Outlook: There has been one hurdler that was looked as the favorite most of the year, but on Saturday, it could be one of two Catholic League rivals that may steal the show. Colin Carver (Westfield, Casey Ill) finished fourth last year and has been under 15 in May. Carver has the second fastest time in the sectional competition (14.76).

Joe Morrow (Hales Franciscan, Chicago Ill) has been on fire the last two weeks. Last week, he sizzled a 14.40 at the Chicago Christian Sectional and could be in contention for the win. Marlon Britton (Leo Catholic, Chicago Ill) lost to Morrow at Chicago Christian last week, but barely defeated him two weeks ago at the CCL Meet and will be looking for the repeat on Saturday.

Other hurdlers to watch include George Wayda (Pleasant Plains, Ill), Jake Hooker (Timothy Christian, Elmhurst Ill), Noel Yarngo (Mooseheart, Ill), and Spencer Cooper (Prairie City, Bushnell Ill).

100 METER DASH

Outlook: Will this race be as tight in 2011 when Bruce Gray (Leo Catholic, Chicago Ill) and Jonathan Hutchison (Peoria Christian, Peoria Ill) finished in a dead heat for the title. Hutchison is back and does not want to share the championship on Saturday. Looking at the top times, it will be close again.

Keith Harris (Leo Catholic, Chicago Ill) enters this meet with the fastest sectional time (10.85). Dontae Pryor (Kewanee, Ill), Tevin Sellers & Quinn Haas (Winslow, Lena Ill), Broc Smith (Tuscola, Ill) and Martel Hunter (Monmouth-Roseville, Monmouth Ill) will challenge. Also keep an eye on Theodore Hopkins (Leo Catholic, Chicago, Ill), Nick Rude (Newman Catholic, Sterling Ill), and Cameron Walter (Greenville Ill). They will be all in the hunt to win at O’Brien Stadium.

800 METER RUN

Outlook: Blake Hale (Robinson, Ill) dominated the indoor season with a win at the IPTT classic. He enters the state meet with the fastest sectional time (1:55.71). He will face some hot competition from Brock Snarski (Meridian, Macon Ill) and Eric Leonard (Sangamon Valley, Niantic Ill). Both faced each other two weeks ago at the Shelbyville Open, where Leonard won by less than half of a second (1:54.51).

Zeke Elkins (St. Joseph-Ogden, St. Joseph Ill) could be in the mix, depending if he runs on his team’s 4 x8. The heat could wear him down just a little if he is in that. Also watch for Adam Crutchley (Villa Grove, Ill), George Gunther (University, Urbana Ill), Nick Jones (Oregon, Ill), and Aaron Kennedy (North Boone, Poplar Grove Ill). It should be a fast race. Under 1:54 could win this race.

4 x 200 METER RELAY

Outlook: Leo Catholic comes into the meet with the fastest time in the event (1:28.94) so far this season. This quartet looks like the big favorite.

Watch also for Newton, Chicago Hales Franciscan, Momence, Aurora Christian, Monmouth-Roseville, and Sterling Newman Catholic to contend.

400 METER DASH

Outlook: Sophomore Tim Doll (Westmont, Ill) has the 1A fastest time in the state after sectionals (49.96). It may go lower, especially with Dan Farmer (Johnston City, Ill) close behind. The senior was the best in this event indoors and he will look to be the best outdoors as well. Farmer’s fastest time so far this year is 50.08.

Watch also for Tevin Sellers (Winslow, Lena Ill), Tommy McCormick (Oregon, Ill), and Jonathan Harrell (Christian, Aurora Ill) to contend. Zeke Elkins (St. Joseph-Ogden, St. Joseph Ill) is entered in this event and will be doubling back in the 800. Will he have enough left on this tough double?

300 METER INTERMEDIATE HURDLES

Outlook: This looks like it could be Colin Carver (Westfield, Casey Ill) in this race. Carver has the fastest time coming out of sectionals by almost a second over George Wayda (Pleasant Plains, Ill) and Noel Yarngo (Mooseheart, Ill).

Jake Hooker (Timothy Christian, Elmhurst Ill), Matt McCoy (Lewistown, Ill), and Alex Arteaga (St. Joseph-Ogden, St. Joseph Ill) will all be in the hunt for the championship.

1600 METER RUN

Outlook: Could be the best of all the races in 1A on Saturday with two of the best distance runners in 1A. Steve Schroder (Monticello, Ill) two weeks ago at the Mahomet-Seymour Invitational ran a 4:15.48. Last week at the Seneca Sectional, Grant Nykaza (Beecher, Ill) ran the 1A sectionals best time of 4:17.36. Schroeder will be running earlier in the 3200. Nykaza will be running fresh. This could be a fast pace with maybe 4:14 or under winning it.

Also keep an eye on Adam Crutchley (Villa Grove, Ill), Cole Dill and Connor Ehnle (Tremont, Ill), Jesse Hahne (Schlarman, Danville Ill), and Matt Vermeersch (Pleasant Plains, Ill).

200 METER DASH

Outlook: Could be a fantastic final especially with the warm weather complimenting the sprinters. Keith Harris (Leo Catholic, Chicago Ill) has the fastest sectional time (22.22). Broc Smith (Tuscola, Ill) and Dontae Pryor (Kewanee, Ill) have both ran faster times during the season and will be with Harris in the finals.

This is a deep field. Also watch for Dan Farmer (Johnston City), Myles Ketelson (Flora), Jesse Cardenas (Princeville), Nick Rude (Newman Catholic, Sterling), and Jonathan Hutchison (Peoria Christian).

4 x 400 METER RELAY

Outlook: Last race of the day…could decide the team title. The question will be who the hot team of the meet is because that could be your favorite. First 10 teams from sectionals are all within three seconds of each other with Aurora Christian having the fastest time (3:24.53). They do have the fastest time in 1A for the entire season.

Also keep an eye on Monmouth-Roseville, Lena-Winslow, St. Joseph-Ogden, Niantic Sangamon Valley, Williamsville, and Sparta.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL ATHLETES AND COACHES THIS WEEKEND!!!

At the beginning of the season, Leo Catholic HS in Chicago did not look like they had enough talent back to defend their 1A state championship that they won in 2011. But, as we look at the contending teams for the 1A crown, there are the Lions in good position to take home another trophy.

There are schools that think they have the talent to take the title away from Leo. Monticello, St. Joseph-Ogden, Peoria Christian, and Aurora Christian all have the talent that could walk away from O’Brien Stadium with the championship trophy in hand.

It will be a close team battle.

Here is a look of what to watch for from the individual teams that we think have a shot to challenge for the state championship. They are listed by number of total qualifiers.

Monticello

Qualifiers: 9 Individual, 4 Relays – 13 Total

Outlook: The Sages enter the prelims in good shape to do some damage during the qualifying stages. Steve Schroeder, the 1A cross country champ, will do double duty where he will be the favorite in both the 3200 & 1600. You could also watch for him on Thursday possibly running in their 4 x 8 relay.

Monticello will depend on the distances to score points. Andrew Hanselman in the 3200 and Tim Easton in the 1600 could give much needed support to Schroeder. Also expect points in the 4 x8 and 4 x 4 relays. Watch for Sophomore Daniel Welling in the High Jump. The event is highly competitive. Welling could place in the top 5.

Pleasant Plains

Qualifiers: 9 Individual, 3 Relays – 12 Total

Outlook: It could be hit or miss for the Cardinals. They do have the quantity for the state meet, but a few of their athletes may need to step up to secure this team with a chance for a trophy. Most of the weight of this team will fall on multipurpose athlete George Wayda, who has qualified for 3 individual events. He will be one of the favorites in the 300 Intermediate hurdles and should place high in the High Hurdles.

The Cardinals could also get points in the distance races. Watch for Dan Plunkett in the 3200 and Matt Vermeersch in the 1600 to get some points in those events.

Leo Catholic

Qualifiers: 8 Individual, 3 Relays – 11 Total

Outlook: The Lions once again step up to the state meet as the favorite to defend their title, but will need a few things to happen. Leo will depend on two sprinters that they will have to rely on for points. Both Theodore Hopkins and Keith Harris Jr. are seeded high in both the 100 & 200 Meter Dashes. Both sprinters need to get through to the finals. They will also be a big part of the success in the 4 x 1 and 4 x 2 relays. Leo Catholic will be one of the favorites in both of these races.

The Lions will need to get points outside of these four events if they want to win. Expect a high place from Marlon Britton in the 110 High Hurdles and Hakeem Chatman in the Discus. If these two can place high, Leo could be heading back to Chicago with another state championship.

St. Joseph – Ogden

Qualifiers: 9 Individual, 2 Relays – 11 Total

Outlook: If this team is going to win a trophy at this meet, it will come down to the legs of Zeke Elkins. The senior is rated in the top 5 in the 800 Meter Run. He also will be coming back on short rest in the 400, where he has the fifth fastest sectional time. Weather will be very warm in Charleston this weekend and it will play a huge factor on him.

Elkins should also be a part of the 4 x 8 and 4 x 4 relays. Both will be in contention to win in this meet. Alex Arteaga could also score points in the 300 Intermediate Hurdles and the Pole Vault. The Spartans could also get some points from Dave Knipfer in the 1600.

Aurora Christian

Qualifiers: 8 Individual, 3 Relays – 11 Total

Outlook: The Eagles could sneak in to get a trophy in this new look 1A, but will need a few things go their way. Billy Howorth will be towards the top in a loaded Pole Vault competition. He will need to get some big points there. Also look for Jonathan Harrell in the 400 Meter Dash. The sophomore is ranked 6^th after sectional performances and could grab a top 3 place in this event.

Also watch for Aurora Christian in the 4x1, 4x2, and 4x4 relays, especially the 4x4. The Eagles have the fastest seed time in that race. If it comes down to the final event, this would put Aurora Christian in great shape to catch a trophy.

Winnebago

Qualifiers: 9 Individual, 2 Relays – 11 Total

Outlook: The Indians do not have the fire power that they have had in recent years in the sprints. This school, however, could sneak into the top 3 at this meet. Tay Shanklin has been out for the portion of the year with an injury. He is healthy as evidenced by a 21-10 Long Jump at Sectionals. Winnebago will also be strong in the Pole Vault hoping to get points from either Alex Finley or Max Bradfield.

Michael Jack could also score points in the Discus. The Indians will need to get both of their qualifying relays, the 4 x 1 and 4 x 2, into the Saturday finals.

Oregon

Qualifiers: 6 Individuals, 4 Relays – 10 Total

Outlook: The Hawks could sweep in and land with a top 3 trophy. They will need plenty to happen. Oregon qualified all 4 of their relays to Charleston. All are ranked in the top 10. If they could get all into the finals, it would be a great start.

Tommy McCormick has the fourth fastest time in the 400 and will be a favorite in that event. Senior Nick Jones will be a part of some of those relays. He will also be in the open 800, where he could snare a couple of points. Austin McCourt and Mark Schmidt both qualified in the Pole Vault. Both are in position to score some big points.

Lena-Winslow

Qualifiers: 7 Individuals, 2 Relays – 9 Total

Outlook: Not a lot has been heard from this small school in western Illinois. The Panthers could make some big noise this weekend in Charleston. There big points could come from sprinter Tevin Sellers. The junior came up big last week at the Winnebago Sectional where he won the 100 in 10.97, the third fastest sectional time in 1A. He will also be a part of the second fastest 4 x 1 sectional team that could win as well. Sellers also has the third fastest 400 Meter time. He could challenge for the win in that event.

The Panthers have only 1 field event qualifier. O’Shay Smith has the longest put in the Shot in 1A coming out of sectionals and will be heavily favored there. This team does not have much space for mistakes. If they are all on, they could upend Leo to capture the team title.

Newton

Qualifiers: 6 Individuals, 3 Relays – 9 Total

Outlook: The Eagles are another one of those teams that could make things uncomfortable for Leo Catholic. Newton could score some big points in the Pole Vault. Mitch Mammoser will enter the event as the favorite. Teammate Brandon Toliver-Goode will also be in the mix for a high finish as well.

Newton traditionally places high in the relays that it is entered in. This year will be no exception. The 4 x 2 relay, led by Ridge Finn, has the 2^nd fastest time in the sectionals and could win here as well. All 3 relays need to get to the finals for this team to have a shot at a trophy.

Westmont

Qualifiers: 6 Individuals, 1 Relay – 7 Total

Outlook: The Sentinels could sneak into the top 5 in this meet, but will have to be clicking in every event entered. Sophomore Tim Doll has the fastest time in the 400 and will be one of the favorites in that race. Nate Novotna could score points also in the 3200. He has the fifth fastest sectional time.

Manlius Bureau Valley

Qualifiers: 6 Individuals, 1 Relay – 7 Total

Outlook: With the weather supposed to be sizzling this weekend, this squad could suffer. Adam Weidner should place high in both the Shot Put and the Discus. Derrick Johnson is entered in all three distance events, but with the way the weather will be, he will probably be in two. He could score high in either of those.

Peoria Christian

Qualifiers: 4 Individuals, 1 Relay – 5 Total

Outlook: In a meet where a low point total could win, this team could sneak in for a trophy. Success for this team revolves around one individual: Jonathan Hutchison. The senior is the defending champion in the 100 Meter Dash. He will also be in the mix in the 200 Meter Dash and will anchor their 4 x 1 relay, which has the fastest sectional time. They need three wins and they could bring a trophy back to Peoria.

Nick Hartle wants to run fast in the 800 meters and believes he can get a couple of seconds under 1:50.

But last weekend the senior from Centennial High School in Las Vegas was all about helping his team try to win its first Nevada boys track and field championship, which is why he was willing to try an ambitious four-event workload in the Class 4A battle that included the 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200.

“I tried a quad last year, but I did the 4x4 (relay) instead of the open 400,” Hartle said.

In Nevada, regional meets whittle the fields down so that the state championships are a finals-only meet.

At Damonte Ranch High School in Reno last Friday, Hartle won the 1,600 meters in 4:18.03 (at 4,500 feet elevation) and then 50 minutes later turned the 400 in a track record 47.79 seconds – an amazing turn of speed for someone whose range goes up to 5,000 meters, where he is a two-time state cross-country champ.

Hartle figured that the 400 would be the most difficult race to win. State leader Arnold Carrillo of McQueen had run 47.43 at the Arcadia Invitational on April 7. But when Carrillo suffered an injury at the regional meet, Hartle knew he’d have a chance to sweep all four races.

Hartle had dipped below 48 seconds on a relay split, but never in an open 400. For a mid-distance runner, Hartle’s US#58 time felt like his best performance of the weekend.

“It was a huge PR,” he said. “After that I was positive that I could win all four.”

On Saturday, Hartle ran 1:52.53 to take the 800 and 9:28.27 in the 3,200, where he won by 20 seconds.

Hartle’s 40 points gave Centennial a huge boost. The school totaled 79 points and won the state crown by 18.

The UCLA-bound Hartle is Centennial’s salutatorian and also won the school’s outstanding male athlete award at a ceremony earlier this week. He concluded his prep career in Nevada with two cross country titles, six individual track titles and one relay victory.

Earlier this season, Hartle was the anchor for two huge relay efforts. At Arcadia, Centennial won the 4x800 relay in 7:44.00 (US#6). A couple weeks later, at the Mt. SAC Relays, Centennial put together a US#1 distance medley relay (10.05.84). In that race, Hartle split 4:12.8 in the 1,600.

Hartle is the state record holder in the 800 (1:49.91) and 1,600 (4:10.23) and has left a significant imprint on Nevada high school running.

“Because we are one of the smaller states, in terms of numbers (of people), in the past we haven’t seen a whole lot of talent. Nevada has been on the back burner,” he said.

High jumper Gabby Williams and throwers Ashlie Blake and Avione Allgood have also contributed to putting Nevada on the front burner this spring. Hartle would like to do his part to keep it there and plans to run at Great Southwest and New Balance Nationals with hopes of driving his 800 meter time down even lower and perhaps winning a national title.

“I’d like to get as low as I can get, under 1:50 again, and hopefully down to 1:47 or 1:46,” he said.

With 47.79 speed in the 400 meters, Hartle has renewed confidence that he has what it take to move into the all-time list in the 800.

He’ll take a couple more shots at it.

“I kind of just want to go for one more month and then relax before going to college,” he said.

The IHSA Class AA meet had two huge storylines: Chicago Lindblom junior Shamier Little's quest to win four individual golds and the quest for Charday Crawford-led Springfield Southeast to defend their team title for outgoing head coach Tom McBride (and in memory of the late assistant coach Dana Rountree).

The team vs. individual hype was fun while it lasted. Little got her hurdles titles (100 and 300) and 400 decisively enough, but Crawford had too much speed for her in the 200. In fact, with the 100 win as well and two winning relay anchors, Crawford's weekend could stand up pretty well with anyone's in the meet. She led a record-breaking day for Southeast, which tallied 63 points. Melrose Park Walther Lutheran, who moved up from Class A this year, outlasted Little's Lindblom team, 46-38 (all 38 by Little), to take the runner-up trophy.

The Spartans unleash full assault on the field

After Friday’s preliminary round, Coach McBride had to be pretty ecstatic with six total team entries into Saturday’s final. His group included two relays (4x100 and 4x200) and four individuals (Crawford, Brion Portis, Shawnise Stelivan, and Shaniera Wilson).

The team’s heavy hitters would be Crawford, Portis, Stelivan, and the relays.

Portis picked up big points when she won the triple jump with a fine effort of 39-2.5 nwi. She improved by over a foot from the prelims (38-1). Portis also picked up vital points in the long jump by placing 6th. Her teammate Stelivan did even better with a third place effort in 17-10.5.

The major fireworks though, would soon begin on the track.

The 4x100 began its defense against a solid field. The first two legs saw Walther Lutheran running hard and perhaps even slightly ahead. Stelivan moved incredibly hard on the final turn, and it was all Crawford on the anchor as she put to bed any thoughts of an upset. The Spartans replaced their own record with a new one in 47.53.

Crawford would go on to pick up three more victories in the 100 (11.48), 4x200 (1:40.38), and the 200 (24.14). As good as the 100 time was it was incredibly wind-aided (+3.8). Still, a great win is a great win.

Little was in the middle

Everyone knew this day was coming... but it was still unbelievable that it actually happened. Little accomplished a feat that no one other athlete in IHSA history has ever done. She competed in four pretty compressed events without any trepidation, winning the 100H, 400, 300H, and finishing second in the 200.

The arduous journey began in the 100H. At the sound of the gun, Little actually wasn’t the first one to the initial hurdle. Samone’ Thompson (Sr., Champaign Central) got there first. However, her lead would evaporate very quickly as Little turned on the rocket jets and left the field in setting a meet record 14.02. It would also be the best time of any athlete in the meet, legal wind or not.

The first real test would come in the 400 against foe and friend Megan Paul (Sr., Mundelein Carmel Catholic). Paul is having a great season and would love nothing more than to defeat her friend in her signature race.

The first half of the race Paul attacked the field while Little sat back and bided her time. Finally, with 150 left, Little pushed hard and ran even with Paul at the top of the homestretch. The pair wouldn’t stay together long as Little surged away to a comfortable win in 54.19. Paul ran a personal best 55.21 as a consolation prize. As well, it made Little two-for-two in the record department.

The third race would be actually be the defining moment of the four-event log. The 300H is arguably the most taxing event in high school track and field. It would be even tougher because it’s right after the 400, the events just 15 minutes apart!

One had to wonder if Little would finally break down after two days of non-stop competition. But according to her mother, their plan was already in motion and there was no time to think about failure.

Little settled in the blocks and ready… bang, the gun sounded the race and it was Thompson ahead of Little and the field again. She must have thought the only way to break Little would be to storm to a big lead. But that didn't work in the previous event, either, ultimately costing Paul a better time.

Thompson led the first four hurdles comfortably. Little began to move hard near the end of the final curve. It was the sound of the meet announcer that appeared to energize Little and the crowd more as she closed in on her goal of a third title. The final few hurdles were all Little as she stormed home in a fast 42.80 - her third consecutive win and record. The feat left the crowd buzzing in disbelief.

The final event of the day would the 200. This race was undoubtedly be Little’s biggest challenge in going up against Crawford. Crawford had enjoyed an awesome day as well up to that point. She bolted out fast and won the race easily in 24.17 to stop Little’s record-breaking win streak.

The aftermath was all smiles for Little and her family. Little’s mother and coach Tiffany Mayfield said an old family remedy of sucking on peanut butter with her finger or eating it on a spoon helped Little stay energized. Perhaps her competitors should pick up on this source of success.

Busch kept the faith in 3200 win

“Never give up, don’t ever give up,” were some very wise words bestowed by the late North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano in his regard to fighting cancer. Kristen Busch (Sr., Freeburg) may have heard these words somewhere before and applied it to racing. She admittedly was upset about being in the first section of the 3200 (slow heat). “I had one of the worst races of my life at sectionals,” she said after receiving her gold medal. “I was like I’m going to go out and run under 11:00; I just went out and ran against the clock.”

Busch set a high standard (about an hour before the championship heat) with a fine 10:54.74 - a huge improvement from her sectional mark of 11:49.

Busch said she didn’t know she know that she won the race overall until after the conclusion of the fast heat. It was unfortunate for Katie Adams (Jr., Marengo) and several other girls that they used the first half of the race as a tempo run. The opening mile was around 5:35 - pedestrian for a championship affair. By the time Adams decided to race hard with 600 to go, it was too late. A hard sprint over the final 200 would not be enough and she fell short in 10:57.48.

Quality performances all around

Adams would come back to win a kicker’s battle over Busch in the 1,600, 5:05.10-5:07.96. Adams pulled away with 200 to go to earn her first state championship.

MaShayla Kirksy (Jr., Melrose Park Walther Lutheran) continued the streak of a winner eclipsing the 19-foot mark in the long jump. It has been five straight years that the winner has accomplished this marvelous feat.

Sarah Bell (Jr., Bloomington Central Catholic) last won the pole vault title in 2010 as a Class A competitor. The one-time US#1 vaulter has gotten back to winning again, albeit it short of her personal best 13-0.25. Bell wasn’t satisfied with her 12-0 winner, but a gold medal looks the same whatever height was cleared to earn it.

The Lake Villa Lakes 4x800 would not be deterred by fast 2:17.9 lead off leg by Lombard Montini’s Brittany Fisher. The Eagles slowly chipped away at the deficit and used a strong 2:16.0 anchor carry by Danielle Griesbaum to seal the deal in 9:24.02. It’s the third-fastest time in the recently created 2A system.

Richton Park Rich South closed out the state meet winning the 4x400 in a record 3:52.64. The quartet of Cierra Garrett, Ninaa Edwards, Taylor Kriha, and DeAsia Garrett used splits of 58.3, 58.2, 59.2, and 56.9 to get the job done.

Here is a brief look at the action of each of the sectionals in Class 1A that happened last Thursday and Friday. To those athletes that made it to Charleston for the State Track & Field Meet, congratulations. To those that did not, congratulations on a season that you competed to the best of your abilities.

~~ Chester Sectional – May 17 ~~

Sparta qualified 12 for the state prelims by winning the Chester Sectional Thursday night. Sharvel Austin led his team with a double win in the 100 (11.48) and the 200 (23.37).

There were two other athletes that were double winners at this meet. Jason Bliven (Trenton-Wesclin, Wesclin Ill) won both hurdles races (110 HH – 15.87, 300 IH 40.50) and Brandon Williams (Duquoin, Ill) won both the Shot (54-2) and the Discus (142-10).

Kyle Landon (Chester, Ill) who placed second last year in the High Jump, proved he was up to this year’s challenge by winning the event clearing 6-7.

~~ Chicago University Sectional – May 17 ~~

Defending 1A team champion won the sectional championship by 36 points over Westmont. The Lions qualified 11 for the state meet led by 1-2 finishes in both the 100 & 200 by Keith Harris Jr. and Theodore Hopkins. Harris had great times in his double win recording 10.85 / 22.22.

Britt Henderson (The Latin School, Chicago, Ill) won both the 800 (1:58.99) and the 1600 (4:32.64).

Sophomore Tim Doll (Westmont, Ill) showed he may challenge for the 400 Meter championship with a 49.96 win.

~~ Moweaqua Sectional – May 17 ~~

We could some future state champions coming out of this sectional. Ryan Pearce (Villa Grove, Ill) won both the Shot (57-0.25) and the Discus (159-7). Colin Carver (Westfield HS, Casey, Ill) won both the 1110 HH (14.76) and the 300 IH (38.93). Broc Smith (Tuscola, Ill) won both the 100 (11.06) and the 200 (22.39) and was part of Tuscola’s winning 4x1 (43.95) and 4x2 (1:32.29) relays. Tuscola qualified 7 in winning the sectional by 31 points over Shelbyville.

Perhaps the best race of the evening was the 800 Meter Run where Brock Snarski (Meridian, Macon Ill) held off Adam Crutchley (Villa Grove, Ill) to run 1:56.16 for the win. Crutchley came back to win the 1600 (4:32.25).

~~ Staunton Sectional – May 17 ~~

Litchfield qualified 5 in winning this sectional with 80 points, 19 better than second place Greenville.

Jake Mahin (Staunton, Ill) conquered both the weight events winning the Shot (56-4) and the Discus (158-1). Cameron Walter (Greenville, Ill) was the only other double winner taking first in both the 100 (11.06) and 200 (22.75).

~~ Erie Sectional - May 18 ~~

This could have been the most exciting end of all the 1A sectionals. Coming into the 4x4 relay, only three points separated the first three teams. Eureka, in third entering the relay, won the race (3:26.94) over Sterling Newman thus winning the sectional. In winning, Eureka qualified 7 to Charleston.

There were three double winners in this meet and one athlete that won three.

Adam Weidner (Bureau Valley, Manlius Ill) won the Shot (56-5.5) and the Discus (160-3). His teammate Derrick Johnson controlled the distances with a triple win in the 3200 (10:06.16), 800 (2:02.15), and the 1600 (4:36.26)

Sprinter Nick Rude (Newman Catholic, Sterling Ill) won the 100 (10.99) and the 200 (22.45) and also a part of Newman’s winning 4x2 relay win (1:30.98). Devin Johnson (Erie Ill) won the Long Jump (22-0.5) and the 400 Meter Dash (51.20).

~~ Lawrenceville Sectional – May 18 ~~

Newton High School won 5 events and will send 10 to the state meet after winning the sectional in Lawrenceville with 127 points. Wins came in 3 relays (4x1 – 43.38, 4x2 – 1:30.05, 4x4 – 3:28.70) and from Mitch Mammoser in the Pole Vault (14-0) and Dylan Davidson in the Triple Jump (41-2.25).

Myles Ketelson (Flora Ill) was the big winner of the evening. The senior won the Long Jump (21-10.75) and both sprints (100 – 11.13, 200 – 22.33).

Blake Hale (Robinson, Ill) proved that he will be one of the favorites in the 800 Meter Run. He ran 1:55.71 for a convincing eight second win. Hale also anchored Robinson’s winning 4 x 8 relay (8:23.27).

~~ Lewistown Sectional – May 18 ~~

Pleasant Plains qualified 11 to the state meet on Thursday in winning this sectional scoring an astounding 137 points. George Wayda led the way with a double win in the 110 HH (15.37) and the 300 IH (40.02).

Defending 100 Meter 1A champion Jonathan Hutchison (Peoria Christian, Peoria Ill) won both the 100 (10.9), and the 200 (22.52) along with anchoring his school’s 4x1 relay (42.87).

~~ Monticello Sectional – May 18 ~~

The most competitive of all of the1A sectionals. Host Monticello captured the sectional crown scoring 132 points, 27 better than St. Joseph-Ogden. Both schools will be in the hunt for a state trophy. Monticello advanced 13 to Charleston while St. Joseph-Ogden will bring 11 to EIU. Seven runners advanced from this race.

State 1A cross country champion Steve Schroeder (Monticello, Ill) had two close battles with Jesse Hahne (Schlarman, Danville Ill) in the 3200 & 1600. Schroeder won the 3200 by four seconds over Hahne (9:31.01 – 9:35.73), then came back in the 1600 to win by less than a second (4:26.38 – 4:27.16).

Zeke Elkins (St. Joseph-Ogden, St. Joseph Ill) had impressive wins in a tough double. In a very competitive 800, Elkins won by two tenths over Eric Leonard (Sangamon Valley, Niantic Ill). He came back 30 minutes later to win the 400 (50.55).

~~ Paxton-Buckley-Loda Sectional – May 18 ~~

Host Paxton-Buckley-Loda and Downs Tri Valley tied for the sectional crown scoring 84 points each.

Ben Bakaitis (Lexington, Ill) was the only individual double winner. Bakaitis won the 110 HH (16.18) and the 300 IH (41.96).

~~ Rushville Sectional – May 18 ~~

Pittsfield qualified eight to the state meet and held back host Rushville to win the sectional title by six points.

The only individual double winner was Alex Walter (Central, Camp Point Ill) winning the Triple Jump (43-5) and the 300 IH (41.28).

~~ Seneca Sectional – May 18 ~~

Aurora Christian stamped itself as one of the team favorites by qualifying 11 in winning the sectional. They had 5 individual wins led by Bill Howorth in the Pole Vault (13-6), Jonah Walker in the Shot Put (47-8), C.J. Schutt in the Discus (146-2), Jake Gehman in the 800 (2:01.27), and Johnathan Harrell in the 400 (50.58).

Defending High Jump 1A champion Oumaru Abdulahi (Mooseheart, Ill) won that event with a 6-3 clearance. He also won the Long Jump (21-6.5).

Grant Nykaza (Beecher, Ill) showed he is fit and ready to challenge Steve Schroeder in the 1600. In his first race in almost a month, the Beecher junior sizzled off a 4:17.36 to win that race by almost sixteen seconds.

~~ West Frankfort Sectional – May 18 ~~

Carterville won the sectional by over 50 points over host West Frankfort while qualifying 11 to Charleston.

Daniel Farmer (Johnston City, Ill), who was the indoor state winner in the 200 and 400, showed that he is in peak condition by winning all three sprint races (100- 11.41, 200 – 22.40, 400 – 50.08).

~~ Winnebago Sectional – May 18 ~~

Winnebago was a rude host in winning their sectional by nine points over Lena-Winslow. The hosts advanced 11 to the state meet in Charleston.

Tevin Sellers was a double winner for Lena-Winslow. He won the 100 (10.97) and the 400 (50.14).

11 sectionals determined who would be competing in the state meet beginning Friday in Charleston. Here is a look at what happened last Thursday and Friday.

~~ Chicago Marshall Sectional – May 17 ~~

Jamal McNeely (Kelvyn Park, Chicago Ill) could be one of the athletes favored in the sprints after a strong performance at this sectional. The junior looked tough winning barely over teammate Brian Carter in the 100 (10.82-10.83) and a win in the 200 (22.34 – 22.68). The duo was part of the 4x2 relay that won (1:31.12) and also the 4x1 where they placed second to De La Salle (43.45).

Jamison Dale (Jones College Prep, Chicago Ill) was the only other double winner, winning the 3200 (9:33.64) and the 1600 (4:31.53).

De La Salle won the team sectional title qualifying 9 to the state competition.

~~ Mahomet-Seymour Sectional – May 17 ~~

The host Bulldogs qualified 12 to Charleston winning the sectional doubling the score on second place Mattoon. Mahomet had four individual winners with Andrew Roney in the Pole Vault (15-3), Derek Bunch in the Shot Put (55-8), Marshall Graham in the 100 (11.04), and Cale McCormick in the 800 (1:57.38). They also won the 4x8 (8:21.48) and the 4x4 (3:26.86) relays.

Riley McInerney (Charleston, Ill) will not have to travel far after qualifying for two events at state. He had a convincing double winning the 3200 (9:24.69) and the 1600 (4:22.88).

Luke Vaughn (Centennial, Champaign Ill) will be one of the favorites at state in the Discus after winning in this sectional (184-7).

~~ Lincoln-Way West Sectional – May 17 ~~

Providence Catholic will be one of the schools to challenge defending team champions Cahokia by advancing 13 to Charleston in winning this sectional. The Celtics were led by a double win by Troy Sheppard in the 100 (11.05) and the 200 (22.49), and individual wins by Chad Weaver in the Pole Vault (15-0), Mike Monroe in the High Jump (6-7), Jesse Long in the Shot (52-6), and Andrew Helmin in the 300 IH (38.36).

Dion Starnes (Bremen, Midlothian Ill) was the meet’s only other individual double winner. Starnes won the Long Jump (22-7) and the 110 HH (14.74) He was also a part of the Braves’ winning 4x1 (42.37) over Hillcrest (42.44). Hillcrest came back to run a 1:28.08 for a dominating win in the 4 x 2.

~~ Rochelle Sectional – May 17 ~~

Kaneland qualified 11 to this Friday’s state meet in winning this sectional by 31 points over Burlington Central. The Knights did this with wins by Dylan Nauert in the 300 IH (40.18), Sean Carter in the 200 (22.67) and relay wins in the 4x1 (43.30) and the 200 (1:29.80).

Scott Goad (Dixon, Ill) qualified for three events last Thursday. He won the 400 (49.86) and qualified in the Long Jump and the High Jump.

~~ Chicago Robeson Sectional – May 18 ~~

St. Rita had a convincing win in this sectional scoring 148 points. The Mustangs qualified 10 for the state meet.

Cody Leach led St. Rita with a double win in the Long Jump (21-9) and the Triple Jump (44-1). Pete Schaible also had a double win in the 3200 (10:45.04) and the 1600 (4:51.28).

~~ Dunlap Sectional – May 18 ~~

Metamora qualified 10 in winning this high powered sectional in Dunlap. Charles Fenner led the Redbirds winning the Pole Vault (15-3).

Tyler Morse (Limestone, Bartonville Ill) was the only individual double winner of the night winning the 3200 (9:35.28) and the 1600 (4:28.26).

Caleb Fricke (PORTA, Petersburg Ill) unleashed the longest performance in any class in Illinois in the Discus. His throw of 195-0 won the event and is currently ranked #10 in the United States. Joshua Augusta (Peoria, Ill) will be the favorite in the state Shot winning that event last Friday (58-1).

Grant Inskeep (Notre Dame, Peoria Ill) won an exciting 800 holding off Darius Thomas (Macomb, Ill) by two tenths of a second (1:55.23 – 1:55.43).

~~ Jacksonville Sectional – May 18 ~~

Springfield Southeast surprised pre-meet favorite Decatur MacArthur by winning this sectional by one point. The Spartans qualified 7 to this Friday’s state prelims. Southeast had two individual winners with Tra Mond Lewis winning the 110 HH (15.58) and Jamal Sims in the 300 IH (40.56).

MacArthur is still considered a contender for a state trophy after qualifying nine to Charleston.

Defending 3200 champ and two time cross country champ Michael Clevenger (MacArthur, Decatur Ill) tuned up for this weekend’s state meet with easy wins in the 3200 (9:18.67) and the 1600 (4:17.35).

Jacksonville is developing a great sprint squad after this sectional performance. The Crimsons got wins in from Reggie Bratton in the 100 (10.89), Nick Schippel in the 200 (21.86), and the fastest sectional 2A time in the 4x1 (41.91).

~~ Lisle Sectional – May 18 ~~

Glenbard South dominated this sectional by qualifying 16 and winning by over 100 points over Walther Lutheran. The Raiders could leave Charleston with a trophy for retiring head coach Andy Preuss.

How dominating was their win? They won all but two races on the track (400 – Matt Ruff, Wheaton Academy , 4 x 4 – Benet Academy).

There were two double individual winners, both from Glenbard South. Wesley Sanders won the 100 (10.81) and 200 (22.36) and Elven Walker won the 110 HH (14.70) and the 300 IH (38.72).

~~ Mascoutah Sectional – May 18 ~~

Defending 2A champion Cahokia flexed its muscles qualifying 14 in winning this sectional. The Comanches won all 4 relays and had individual wins from Darren Payton in the 800 (1:55.04) and a double win from Chris Moore in the Long Jump (22-2.5) and the Triple Jump (47-8).

Brandon Penrod (Triad, Troy Ill) was a three event winner in the sprints. He won the 100 (11.01) and the 200 (22.14). In the 400 in what could be a preview of the state final, Penrod just nipped Marlin Brady (Cahokia, Ill) 48.11 – 48.25. Those times are the top 2 times in the state in any class.

~~ Ottawa Sectional – May 18 ~~

Joseph Jones (Plano, Ill) is transitioning well to the move his school made to 2A. Last year’s 1A 110HH champion won the sectional short hurdles race with the second fastest time in the state (14.07). Five minutes later, he was back in the blocks for the 100 Meter Dash, which he won in 10.83. He came back later in the evening to win the 200 (22.14).

Rock Island Alleman won the sectional title by two points over Pontiac. The Pioneers got a double individual win from Scott Schib in the Shot (53-8) and the Discus (166-5), and individual wins from Kylee Dorsey in the High Jump (6-3) and Ethan Adlfinger in the 3200 (9:44.58).

Aurora Central Catholic dominated the relays winning all four : 4x1 (43.87), 4x2 (1:31.65), 4x4 (3:27.97), and the 4x8 (8:10.48).

~~ Richmond-Burton Sectional – May 18 ~~

Grayslake Central could be in position to get a state trophy after winning the sectional with 123 points and advancing 9 to this Friday’s prelims.

The Rams had two double winners in Joel Valdivia in the Shot (55-2.5) and the Discus (144-7), and Will Brewster in the 3200 (9:35.54) and the 1600 (4:20.48). Central also received individual wins from Davonta Jennings in the 100 (11.20) and Luke Zygmunt in the 800 (1:56.73).

Jon Walsh (North, Woodstock Ill) qualified in three field events. He won the Pole Vault (15-3) and the High Jump (6-1) and qualified in the Triple Jump.