By Michael Newman

 

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What to watch for in the 1A State Meet? Watch for the last race of the day in the 1600 Meter Relay. That is when the 1A team title could be decided.

 

Ridgeview, Forreston, and Rockford Christian are so evenly matched that the final event might decide the winner. Illini West is the defending team champion and could win it again. Their hope is with Connor Artman and Jacob Bryan to score all their points.

 

Logan Hall and Wyatt McIntyre will race against each other one more time before they become teammates this fall at the University of Illinois. John McNabola or Eli Ten Eyck could step into the spotlight in one of those distance races. Riley Wells defends his 800 Meter Run title and could run one of the state’s best times in the process. Easton Bianchi defends his sprint titles before he heads to Brigham Young in the fall.

 

It should be a fun meet to watch in person.

 

Here are previews of some of the top teams as well as every event in the 1A meet program.

 

 

1A Teams to Watch

 

 

 

Colfax Ridgeview

 

Qualifiers – 10 (7 Individuals, 3 Relays)

 

Outlook – The winners of the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley could have the slight edge on the others I the hunt for the 1A team title. The Mustangs will rely on two athletes to get the bulk of their points. Mason Barr will be one of the favorites in both the 110 and 300 Hurdles and should get his team some big points. Tate Walcott will be one of the favorites in the Long Jump. Walcott will challenge for top four finishes in the 100 and 200 Meter Dash. Barr could also score in the 200 Meter Dash. Their 800 Meter Relay is the defending champion and could repeat on Saturday. Ridgeview could also get bonus points from Jacob Donaldson in the Triple Jump.

 

 

 

Rockford Christian

 

Qualifiers – 12 (8 Individuals, 4 Relays)

 

Outlook – The Royal Lions tuned up for this weekend’s state meet was a close win over Forreston at the Oregon Sectional. Don’t read into the fact that Riley Wells finished second in the 800 Meter Run last week in his sectional race. The 1A defending champion has the fastest 1A time in the state and will be the favorite in the race. Wells is also the anchor for their 1600 Meter Relay that will also be defending a state title. They could score some big points.

 

Don’t count out Rockford Christian’s 400 and 800 Meter Relays. Both are among the best in 1A and could get their team top five finishes. Brent Brunner and Stephen Thomas have continued to improve in the 1600 Meter Run. Both could surprise in that event. Brad Wood could also finish in the all-state picture in the Pole Vault. The team in the 3200 Meter Relay could be among the top nine. Do not know if Wells runs in that race. He did not last season.

 

 

 

Forreston

 

Qualifiers – 11 (9 Individuals, 2 Relays)

 

Outlook – A team that could be on the podium at the end of the day on Saturday. The Cardinals have a good combination of individuals and relays that could place them among the top three teams. AJ Christensen will lead the way and will be favorite in both the 110 and 300 Hurdles. Christensen will be a part of the team’s 400 and 1600 Meter Relays that could also get points.

 

Brady Webb could score points in both the Long Jump and the 100 Meter Dash. Christian Gronewold might be one of the top nine finishers in the High Jump.  Reid Taylor could also be in the top nine in the Triple Jump.

 

 

 

Carthage Illini West

 

Qualifiers – 8 (8 Individuals, 0 Relays)

 

Outlook – Could two athletes take a team to the state title? That question will be answered on Saturday to see if the defending 1A champions can get their second state title in a row. Connor Artman is one of the top overall athletes in the state regardless of classification. He should be the favorite in the Long Jump and will challenge for the win in the Triple Jump. On the track, Artman will be one of the favorites in both the 110 Meter Hurdles and the 300 Meter Hurdles.

 

Jacob Bryan will be in two events this weekend. Bryan will be one of the favorites in the 800 Meter Run and comes right back to run in the 400 Meter Dash. That’s a tight double but Bryan has done things like that in the past. Last year on State Final Saturday, Bryan ran in the 4x8, 800, 1600, and 4x4. Watch for success from him this weekend.

 

 

 

Madison

 

Qualifiers – 15 (13 Individuals, 2 Relays)

 

Outlook – The number of qualifiers that the Trojans have in Charleston could translate to some huge things this weekend. Madison could score points in many ways. Eric Griffin qualified in the 100 and 200 Meter Dash and could score points in both events. Dontez Pittman could get points in the 300 Hurdles. Kendall Kennedy could score in the 110 Meter Hurdles. Kennedy and Joseph Wooten may score in the High Jump.

 

Javon Watkins qualified in both the 3200 and 1600 Meter Run. Watkins could place in both. Madison could be one of the finalists on Saturday in the 400 Meter Relay. Alphonso Rice III could be in the top five in the Long Jump. Carl Moore could be among the top nine in the Triple Jump.

 

 

 

Sterling Newman Catholic

 

Qualifiers – 8 (7 Individuals, 1 Relay)

 

Outlook – The Comets have an outside shot to get into the top three teams. There is not that much room for mistakes on Thursday’s prelims. It does help that you have Easton Bianchi part of your team. The defending champion in both the 100 and 200 Meter Dash advanced to Charleston in both and will be the favorite this weekend. Bianchi will also be a part of their 800 Meter Relay that could advance to Saturday’s finals.

 

Shay Hafner could get points for his team in the 3200 Meter Run. Spencer Mauch could be a surprise in the 1600 Meter Run. Karter Decker could be among the finalists in the Triple Jump.

 

 

 

Rushville-Industry

 

Qualifiers – 8 (7 Individuals, 1 Relay)

 

Outlook – Two athletes in the sprints could pile up points that could get the Rockets into the top five. Charly Tshibuabua, a sophomore, won both the 200 Meter and 400 Meter Dash in his sectional. He could score points in both of those events. Basile Buckner and Tshibuabua finished 1-2 in the sectional 100 Meter Dash. Both could get points in that event. Buckner will be one to watch in the 200 Meter Dash. Both will run in the 400 Meter Relay that could finish in the top three.

 

 

 

Pleasant Plains

 

Qualifiers – 11 (9 Individuals, 2 Relays)

 

Outlook – The Cardinals could make some noise in the finals on Saturday. Tristen Tewes should be one of the favorites in the High Jump and could get points in the Long Jump. Chase Schmitt could be among the top five in the Discus. He could pick up bonus points in the Shot Put.

 

Their relays may be a factor as the 3200 Meter Relay and 1600 Meter Relay teams could both make the Saturday finals. Otis Sanders could be a surprise in the 1600 Meter Run. They could also get points from Steven Melin in the 3200 Meter Run.

 

 

 

Chicago Leo Catholic

 

Qualifiers – 11 (7 Individuals, 4 Relays)

 

Outlook – The traditional team favorites from the Chicago Catholic League could be among the top five teams this weekend. The Lions could be among the favorites in the 400 Meter Relay. Sophomore Dorian Woods could get points in the 100 Meter Dash. Devin Flakes could be among the top nine finishers in the Triple Jump. Vidal Cargo should be one of the favorites in the High Jump.

 

 

 

Carlinville

 

Qualifiers – 12 (10 Individuals, 2 Relays)

 

Outlook – Their strength in the field events could push Cavaliers into the top five. Michael Douglas could be one of the scorers in the High Jump. Max Rogers could pick up points in the Long Jump. He also qualified in the Triple Jump. Daniel Card could pick up points in both the Shot Put and Discus.

 

Jason and Jacob Landon both qualified in the 800 Meter Run. Both could pick up points. Inserting both in the 3200 Meter Relay quartet could put this team in the chase for the state title. Their 1600 Meter Relay team could score points in that event.

 

 

 

FIELD EVENTS

 

 

 

Long Jump

 

1A Seasonal Best – 23-6 – Connor Artman, SR, Carthage Illini West

 

1A Sectional Best – 23-5.75 – Tate Walcott, JR, Colfax Ridgeview

 

Outlook – This could be one of the top 1A field events in this meet. Connor Artman is the defending champion looking to repeat. Artman jumped 23-6 at Edwardsville in April and could be ready to approach the 24-foot mark. Tate Walcott, who finished tenth last year, was hot last week at the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley with his sectional leading jump of 23-5.75. He should challenge Artman for the title.

 

Madison’s Alphonso Rice III, Zach Weaver of Reed Custer, and Brady Webb of Forreston have gone longer than 22-6 and could go past 23-feet this weekend. Jonathan Muller of Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Ben Buresh of Kewanee Wethersfield, Max Rogers of Carlinville, and Brett Spears of Shelbyville are among the athletes that could challenge for spots in the top five.

 

 

 

Triple Jump

 

1A Seasonal Best – 45-6 – Ramsey Hunt, SO, Hume Shiloh

 

1A Sectional Best – 44-4.25 – Peyton Sopiars, SO, Galva-Mid County

 

Outlook – A pair of sophomores could lead the way in this event. Ramsey Hunt jumped 45-6 at his conference meet at the beginning of May but has not gone past 43 feet the rest of the season. Peyton Sopiars flew out to 44-4.25 at the Knoxville Sectional but did not go past 42-feet this spring. We could see big jumps again from them this weekend. Michael Hunt of Illini Bluffs jumped 44-3 on Monday at the PJS Honor Roll Meet and could be peaking at the right time. Keegan Zack of Watseka jumped 44-3 last week and could challenge for the win.

 

Illini West’s Connor Artman jumped a seasonal best of 43-6 last week. He does use the spotlight in the big meets. We could see a big jump from him. Jacob Donaldson of Ridgeview, Devin Flakes of Leo Catholic, Kyle Casper of Westmont, and Dasani Edward of DuQuoin will be some of the athletes to keep an eye on.

 

 

 

High Jump

 

1A Seasonal Best

 

6-7 – Jorden Tedford, JR, Warrensburg-Latham

 

6-7 – Cameron Getz, SR, Macon Meridian

 

6-7 Bo Bevilacqua, SR, Bloomington Central Catholic

 

1A Sectional Best – Eight Athletes at 6-3

 

Outlook – Tristan Tewes of Pleasant Plains is the top returning athlete from last year’s meet finishing fifth. Just like last year, this final should be wide-open. Tewes will be among the top four having been in this situation before. Jorden Tedford, Cameron Getz, and Bo Bevilacqua have all cleared 6-7 and will be athletes that should contend for the state title. Kobe Wells of Arthur-Lovington has cleared 6-6 and will challenge for the win. Trent Weldon of Lowpoint-Washburn, Austin Young of Winchester, Vidal Cargo of Leo Catholic, and Luke Spencer of Arcola are among a large group of athletes that could be state medalists.

 

 

 

Pole Vault

 

1A Seasonal Best – 15-6 – Kyle Kruhtoff, JR, Erie-Prophetstown

 

1A Sectional Best – 15-6 – Kyle Kruhtoff, JR, Erie-Prophetstown

 

Outlook – There are a couple of athletes that have a legitimate shot to win this event starting with list leader Kyle Kruhtoff. The junior cleared a personal 15-6 in his sectional last week and could be one of the athletes to beat. Defending champion Cameron Witts of Williamsville has cleared 15-0 and is looking to go higher on Saturday. Jadon Nuzzo of Sullivan cleared 14-9 last week at Shelbyville and is looking for his first 15-foot clearance. Tim Moore of Altamont, Cole Sumner of Lawrenceville, and Zane Steele of Vandalia are some of the athletes to watch for in the top five this Saturday.

 

 

 

Shot Put

 

1A Seasonal Best – 63-0 – Hunter Woodward, SR, Tuscola

 

1A Sectional Best – 58-6.50 – Hunter Woodward, SR, Tuscola

 

Outlook – The athlete to watch in this event is last year’s fourth-place finisher Hunter Woodward. The senior has been a roll this spring which has included a 63-0 put at the Tuscola Open in April. He had the sectional best of 58-5.0 last week.

 

Jackson Sheckler of Illini Bluffs is the one athlete that could make this event snug for Woodward. Sheckler had a personal best of 58-2.50 last week at Tremont and will push Sheckler for the win. Warsaw’s Andrew Bird is the only other 1A athlete that has been past 53-feet this spring. His 57-7.50 best will put him in the discussion for the win. Also watch for Ghage Lambasio of Knoxville, Brad Olysav of Williamsville, and Isaiah Bruce of Lena-Winslow in this event.

 

 

 

Discus

 

1A Seasonal Best – 194-0 – Peyton Taylor, SR, Mt. Pulaski

 

1A Sectional Best – 169-1 – Peyton Taylor, SR, Mt. Pulaski

 

Outlook – Peyton Taylor stepped into the state radar with a 194-0 throw at the end of April. The senior athlete will be one to beat. He has the top 1A seven throws this spring. Taylor’s 169-1 throw last week was the shortest since early April.

 

It is hard to say who will challenge Taylor. Jarod Pankau of Hope Academy threw 168-3 at the beginning of the month and has the closest throw to Taylor. Andrew Bird of Warsaw, Nate Brown of Altamont, Brad Olysav of Williamsville, Chase Schmitt of Pleasant Plains, and Hunter Woodard of Tuscola all have throw past 160-feet. They are some of the athletes that could challenge for a top three finish.

 

 

 

TRACK EVENTS

 

 

 

4x800 Meter Relay

 

1A Seasonal Best – 8:12.43 – Pleasant Plains

 

1A Sectional Best – 8:15.90 – Williamsville

 

Outlook – List leader Pleasant Plains and Williamsville faced off at the Sangamon County Championship with Pleasant Plains having the edge by a second. The two teams should be challenging for the title on Saturday. Elmwood-Brimfield, Salt Fork, and Robinson have run under 8:20 this spring and will be teams that will also challenge in the front. Marshall, Deer Creek-Mackinaw, Rockridge, and Tremont are some of the other teams to watch for in the finals.

 

Defending champion Illini West did not have a team qualify this season. Their 8:03.91 was fast with none of the other schools in last year’s final under 8:10. We could see a similar race on Saturday with a winning time between 8:06 to 8:08.

 

 

 

4x100 Meter Relay

 

1A Seasonal Best – 43.08 – Lena-Winslow

 

1A Sectional Best – 43.08 – Lena-Winslow

 

Outlook – When you have six schools within two tenths of a second, it is fair to say that this event is up for grabs. Lena-Winslow ran 43.08 last week and could be in the 42.8 range in this meet. Liberty, Rockford Christian, and Rushville Industry all have great quartets that will be in the mix for the win. Leo Catholic and Hope Academy were within three hundredths of a second of each other in their sectional and will challenge. Warrensburg-Latham ran 43.25 in their conference meet and should also be in the front. Forreston, Shelbyville, and St. Teresa are among of the teams to watch. Madison could be a surprise in this event.

 

 

 

3200 Meter Run

 

1A Seasonal Best – 9:11.72 – Wyatt McIntyre, SR, Athens

 

1A Sectional – 9:27.93 – John McNabola, SR, Chicago FW Parker

 

Outlook – This will be McIntyre vs. Hall vs. McNabola Part 3.

 

The three runners have put together memorable races first at the IHSA State Cross Country Championships last November and then the Illinois Top Times Championships in March. This race on Saturday could surpass that. Wyatt McIntyre has the top 1A time having run 9:11.72 at the Arcadia Invitational in April. He has confidence in his kick which could be a factor if this race becomes tactical. Logan Hall of Arthur-Lovington is the defending champion at this distance and is itching for a win before heading to the University of Illinois. John McNabola has been the one that has made the moves in the first two races that made them special. He could be the one that defines the pace in this race. He ran 9:14.21 at Distance Night in Palatine even after falling with 150-meters left in the race. This may be his time.

 

These runners are at least 30 to 35 seconds ahead of the rest of this field. Christopher Collet of Seneca, Javon Watkins of Madison, Trevor Dunkel of Elmwood, Trey Houmes of Hoopeston Area, Negus Bogard of Palestine, and Aryan Lalwani of Urbana University are some of the runners that will be battling for the fourth-place spot.

 

It is supposed to be unseasonably warm at race time on Saturday. That could dictate what kind of pace that we get. Fast or slow, this race should be one of the memory books.

 

 

 

110 High Hurdles

 

1A Seasonal Best – 14.46 – AJ Christensen, SR, Forreston

 

1A Sectional Best – 14.5 (HT) – Kyle Carver, SR, Casey-Westfield

 

Outlook – One of the events that could decide the 1A team championship. AJ Christensen ran 14.46 at Geneseo at the beginning of May and could be the athlete to watch. Connor Artman of Illini West is a meet day runner that runs his best under pressure. He ran his seasonal best last week in his sectional race. Mason Barr of Ridgeview ran a personal best 14.54 more than a week ago at Urbana. He will challenge for the win. Kyle Carver of Casey-Westfield ran 14.5 hand-timed to win the Newton Sectional. Carver ran 14.80 FAT (Fully-Automated-Tome) at his conference meet three weeks ago.

 

One athlete that could be a surprise in this event is Westmont’s Kyle Casper. The senior has been in the mid-15’s most of the season. His time dropped down to 14.96 in winning the Seneca Sectional. Keep an eye on him.

 

The talent is here in this event. Judd Anderson of Farmington, Grayson Wolf of Robinson, Dontez Pittman and Kendall Kennedy of Madison, and Turner Pullen of Shelbyville are some of the athletes that have a chance to make the Saturday finals.

 

 

 

100 Meter Dash

 

1A Seasonal Best – 10.92 – Basile Buckner, SR, Rushville-Industry

 

1A Sectional Best – 10.92 – Basile Buckner, SR, Rushville-Industry

 

Outlook – The cool spring weather has slowed down some of the 1A sprint times. We should be a drop of times in the prelims and finals this weekend. Easton Bianchi of Sterling Newman best recorded time was his sectional last week of 11.17. He won this event running 10.86 in the finals. We could see him run under 10.7 in this event at this meet.

 

Rushville-Industry’s Basil Buckner and Charly Tshibuabua ran under 11-seconds going 1-2 in their sectional and will be factors in this race. Seth Rochelle of Liberty, Mitchell Morrow of Blue Ridge, Diondre Lewis of Warrensburg-Latham, and Jon Muller of Paxton-Buckley-Loda all have run under 11-seconds making this event extremely tight in the prelims. Lewis is the only returning runner from last year’s finals.

 

 

 

800 Meter Run

 

1A Seasonal Best – 1:55.19 – Riley Wells, JR, Rockford Christian

 

1A Sectional Best – 1:58.28 – Shane Yamco, JR, Riverton

 

Outlook – This could be one of the top races in this meet this weekend. The top eight runners from last year’s finals return. The prelims Thursday afternoon will be fun to watch. Riley Wells has the top 1A time as well as running a high stakes race at Illinois Top Times in March. Wells lost to Oregon’s Ian Hussung at last week’s sectional race. Wells has a lethal kick when he is in position. Last week’s race could be a motivating factor this weekend.

 

Shane Yamco stepped into the spotlight when he ran 1:55.61 at Palatine in April. Kody Brackemeyer of Morrison, Ryan Skowronski of Shelbyville, and Jacob Bryan of Illini West all have times under 1:58 and will be factors in the front. Brandon Schnitker of Nashville has run 1:58.10 this spring but he did finish second in the 2017 finals. He will not be a surprise on Saturday. Jason Yaccino of Westminster Christian, Dawson Rogers of Salt Fork, and Jason Landon of Carlinville are all part of a loaded field. There could be some “name” runners that do not make it out of the prelims.

 

 

 

4x200 Meter Relay

 

1A Seasonal Best – 1:29.87 – Warrensburg-Latham

 

1A Sectional Best – 1:30.06 – Rockford Christian

 

Outlook – 1A List leader Warrensburg-Latham did not make it to Charleston not qualifying out of the St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional. Al eyes will be on Rockford Christian in this event. The Royal Lions improved by a full second in their sectional race and should be the favorite in this race. Defending champion Ridgeview just dipped under 1:31 last week (1:30.97) and should be Rockford Christian’s chief competition. Litchfield, Macon Meridian, Belleville Althoff Catholic, Madison, Lena-Winslow, and Walther Christian are all under 1:32 and could chase after a top three finish.

 

 

 

400 Meter Dash

 

1A Seasonal Best – 49.84 – Aaron Inda, SR, Maroa-Forsyth

 

1A Sectional Best

 

50.29 – Xavier Ross, SR, Elmhurst Timothy Christian

 

50.29 - Max Sager, JR, Pecatonica

 

Outlook – With list leader Aaron Inda not in this event, this could be a wide-open race with a winning time of 49.8 or faster to win the state title. Xavier Ross and Max Sager both ran 50.29 in their sectional and should challenge for the state crown. Charly Tshibuabua of Rushville-Industry, Keegan Anderson of Morrison, and Wyatt Kellogg of Mercer County both have seasonal times under 50.7 and will be among the front runners. The one runner that could be a surprise is Samuel Herenton of Providence St. Mel. The sophomore from Chicago has dropped down to 50.75 in his first year of track & field. It could drop even lower this weekend.

 

Ben Buresh of Kewanee Wethersfield finished fourth in last year’s final and is the top returner in tis event. Keep an eye on him. John Hill of Tuscola and Caleb Bleich of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley are some of the other runners to watch for in this event.

 

 

 

300 Intermediate Hurdles

 

1A Seasonal Best – 37.62 – AJ Christensen, SR, Forreston

 

1A Sectional Best – 38.72 – AJ Christensen, SR, Forreston

 

Outlook – AJ Christensen surprised some by running 37.62 at Geneseo at the beginning of May. He almost has a three quarter of a second advantage over the next closest competitor Mason Barr of Ridgeview. Barr, the defending champion in this event, has run 38.33 this spring and will not this title get away from him without a fight. 37.4 or faster may be the time to win in the finals. Riley Baker of St. Joseph-Ogden, Judd Anderson of Farmington, and Connor Artman of Illini West all ran seasonal bests in their sectional races last week. The weather should be advantageous for faster times in the prelims and the finals.

 

Kyle Caspar of Westmont, Caine Wilson of Salt Fork, and Dontez Pittman of Madison all ran under 40-seconds in last week’s sectional meets. All three will be challenging for a spot in the finals and a top five finish.

 

 

 

1600 Meter Run

 

1A Seasonal Best – 4:16.75 – Wyatt McIntyre, SR, Athens

 

1A Sectional Best – 4:16.81 – Logan Hall, SR, Arthur-Lovington

 

Outlook – Weather could be a factor in this race in the finals especially if is supposed to be hot as expected for Saturday’s finals. Eli Ten Eyck of Pittsfield is the only runner in the top four qualifiers that is not doubling back from a race. The senior finished second last year and will be looking for one place higher on the podium. Logan Hall ran a sectional leading 4:16.81 after running 9:29 in the 3200 Meter Run. He will be a factor in this race. Wyatt McIntyre has run 4:16.75 this spring and will be right with Hall. John McNabola of FW Parker has a seasonal best of 4:24.01 when he won the Wanner Knights Invitational in unseasonably frigid weather. A sub 4:20 from him is not out of the question.

 

Negus Bogard of Palestine qualified in all three distance races and could play a factor in this race. Braden Pridemore of St. Joseph-Ogden, Shane Yamco of Riverton, Brent Brunner of Rockford Christian are among the runners to keep an eye on.

 

 

 

200 Meter Dash

 

1A Seasonal Best – 22.25 – Tate Walcott, JR, Colfax Ridgeview

 

1A Sectional Best – 22.34 – Charly Tshibuabua, SO, Rushville-Industry

 

Outlook – Big points from Tate Walcott and Mason Barr could secure a state title for Ridgeview. Defending champion Easton Bianchi of Sterling Newman ran under 22-seconds last season. His winning time of last year (21.78) could be surpassed. Charly Tshibuabua had the top sectional time and will play a factor in this race along with teammate Basil Buckner. Marshall Brown of Macon Meridian, Kentrell Beck of Shelbyville, and Seth Rochelle of Liberty will be some of the other runners to keep an eye on.

 

 

 

4x400 Meter Relay

 

1A Seasonal Best – 3:25.14 – Warrensburg-Latham

 

1A Sectional Best – 3:25.76 – Macon Meridian

 

Outlook – Rockford Christian is the defending champion and a qualifier in this event. They could repeat especially with Riley Wells anchoring. Warrensburg-Latham has the top list time and will be a team in the front led by Diondre and Dionte Lewis. There are eight teams that ran 3:20 or faster in the sectionals. Litchfield, Carlinville, Macon Meridian, Forreston, and Arthur-Lovington are some of the teams to watch.