Classic team showdown Saturday between Cahokia and Kaneland; Josh Eiker sets 2A record in 200 Meter Dash

By Michael Newman

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Charleston, Ill --- The form charts did not lie. On paper before the start of the 2A Boys Prelims at the IHSA State Track Meet, it looked like it would be a close battle between three time defending state champion Cahokia and Kaneland. After the final 4 x 400 Meter Relay, it still showed that either Kaneland or Cahokia could win the team championship.  Cahokia left with 13 qualifiers to Saturday’s finals. Kaneland was close behind with 12. Both teams qualified all four relays.

The story of the day occurred towards the end of the 2A preliminary session. In Heat 2 of the 200 Meter Dash, Demoria Harris (Dunbar HS, Chicago) ran the fastest 2A time in the 200 Meter Dash (21.52). He held that distinction for about two minutes. Josh Eiker (Galesburg HS) exploded out of the blocks and had a big lead after 100 meters. He crossed the line in 21.28 establishing a new 2A meet record for the event. The old record was set three years ago by Centralia’s Devante Whitelow (21.46).

It may come down to the final event to decide the team title. Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia HS) has the lead in both the Long and Triple Jump heading into Saturday’s final. Ward was a little off in his approach during the prelims only jumping 22-10 ½ to control the lead by seven inches ahead of George Washington (Rantoul HS). Cahokia got a big boost in the Triple Jump with Ward and teammate Jalon Monigan holding the top two spots.

Nate Dyer (Kaneland HS, Maple Park) has more than a foot lead ahead of Trevor Fox (Dunlap HS). In the Discus, Dyer stands currently fourth in the event behind AJ Marmion (Geneseo HS). Marmion threw 169-5 to give himself a nine foot lead ahead of Jacob Wagner (Mattoon HS).

A turning point in the team competition possibly occurred in the 400 Meter Dash. Kaneland’s Kyle Carter and Nathaniel Kucera both qualified for Saturday’s final. What was fortune for Kaneland was the opposite for Cahokia. 2 time defending champion in the 400 Marlin Brady and teammate Tyron Lyons failed to advance to the finals. Lyons finished 10^th overall missing making it to the finals by one place.

Other highlights from the 2A prelims

2A 800 and 1600 Meter Run list leader J.D. Lafayette (University HS, Normal) took care of business Friday morning qualifying for the finals in both events. Lafayette won his heat fairly comfortably (1:56.05) almost a second ahead of Kylian Lally (Dixon HS). The fastest time on the prelims in the 800 belongs to Kevin Vreogh (Illiana Christian HS, Lansing). The Illiana senior led from the gun in the third heat for more than a second win (1:55.59) ahead of Zac Justus (Pontiac HS). In the 1600, Lafayette waited until the final 200 meters to make his move finishing second behind Ben Moehrdieck (Vernon Hills HS) who ran the fastest preliminary time in the event (4:20.43).

The sprints and hurdles should provide plenty of excitement Saturday at O’Brien Stadium. The first six runners in the 100 Meter Dash prelims are only separated by four hundredths of a second. Dion Hooker (Sycamore HS) has the fastest preliminary time by only 2 thousandth of a second ahead of Franklin Hunt (Rich Central HS, Olympia Fields). Jeremiah Watson (Urban Prep, Chicago) ran a seasonal best (48.49) to win the final heat of the 400 Meter Dash. The next fastest runner, Devante Clark (Jacksonville HS) is half a second back.

Gary Hickman (Cahokia HS) had the fastest time in the 110 Meter High Hurdles. He won Heat 3 in 14.37. The next closest time was 14.54 from Heat 2 winner Lucas Ege (Central HS, Burlington). Hickman was third overall in the 300 Intermediate Hurdles behind the 38.50 run by Kalvin Johnson (Centralia HS).