By Michael Newman

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Are you ready for some fun on the Big Blue Oval on the campus of Eastern Illinois University? Some of the top athletes will go after some memorable performances in this year’s meet. Josh Eiker will go try to run his fastest times ever in the 100 and 200. East St. Louis-Senior has some great relay teams. How much faster can they get the baton around the track?

Sandburg showed they had the top distance team in the state last fall. Now this senior group will go after the record in the 3200 Relay.

Edwardsville is the defending champion and have the pieces to win again. East St. Louis-Senior also could leave Charleston with the championship along with West Aurora and Minooka.

Here is a look at every event and some of the teams that will compete this weekend in the 3A IHSA State Meet.

Track Events

4x800 Meter Relay

IHSA State Meet Record – 7:40.02 – Algonquin Jacobs – 2006 (Thornton ran 7:38.0 in 2 Mile Relay in 1976)

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 7:40.02 – Algonquin Jacobs - 2006

2016 3A State Best – 7:42.70 – Orland Park Sandburg

2016 1A Sectional Best – 7:42.70 – Orland Park Sandburg

2016 State Best – 7:42.70 – Orland Park Sandburg

Preview – Sandburg is the defending champion and the team to beat. The Eagles have the fastest time in the state this season (7:42.70) in winning their sectional race last week. In last year’s prelim race, Sandburg held out Sean and Chris Torpy so that they could concentrate on qualifying on their individual events. They still qualified. The Torpy’s both ran 1:53 splits in the finals to capture the win. This team is one year older and stronger. The indoor champs in the 4 x 1 mile have a chance to get Jacobs state meet record from ten years ago.

Oak Park-River Forest ran a memorable 7:43.56 to win the WSC-Silver Championships two weeks ago without Irwin Loud. They still have good 800 depth with Sean Lonergan and Kimanthi Johnson leading them. The potential is there for this team to get under 7:40 as well. Lyons Township has the tradition of running great in the state meet and will be up front again. Lyons will need to be close on the anchor. Connor Madell led off at WSC and used a 1:54 anchor leg by Vince Zona to move past York for second. Just like Oak Park, this team has the potential to get under 7:40.

York is one of the mystery teams but does have the talent to possibly be near the front in the final. Charlie Kern led off and Max Denning anchored both running 1:54 legs when York ran 7:46.30. Jon May and Alec Deuter were the other two runners who may not be in that grouping this weekend. How much faster can the Dukes run in Charleston? Prospect defeated both Lyons and York at Wanner-Knights at the end of April even when they dropped the baton during an exchange. Their quartet is good led by Karson LeComte that ran 7:47.69 last week at their sectional. They are a team to watch. Huntley could also be near the front with Seth Conroy and Keagan Smith.

Hinsdale South could be a surprise as they ran 7:51 behind Sandburg last week. Minooka surprised some at the Neuqua Valley Sectional when they ran 7:52.77 for the win behind Soren Knudsen’s 1:54.1 anchor. They are a team to keep an eye on. Neuqua Valley finished behind Minooka but did not use Isaiah Robinson. We could see this 1:55 800 runner in the prelims or finals or both. New Trier has the talent to run in the mid-7:40’s. We can’t forget about East St. Louis-Senior. Even though they have only run 7:56 this season, they have the past history to run great in the state meet. Glenbrook North was a surprise in the sectional running 7:53 and could surprise again.

I think 7:54.5 or better will get you into Saturday. This state final could be epic. Thornton ran 7:38y in 1976. Jacobs ran 7:40 in 2006. We are in 2016…here we go.

4x100 Meter Relay

IHSA State Meet Record – 41.12 – Cahokia - 2015

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 41.42 – Cahokia – 2006

2016 3A State Best – 41.37 – East St. Louis-Senior

2016 3A Sectional Best – 41.37 – East St. Louis-Senior

2016 State Best – 41.37 – East St. Louis-Senior

Preview – East. St. Louis-Senior is the team to beat after running state leading 41.37 times in consecutive weeks. This event is the high-wire event in track & field. One slipped up hand off and you are done. The Flyers had two shaky handoffs at the St. Clair County Championships but still ran under 42 seconds. The talent is there for this team to go after Cahokia’s state record.

Minooka ran 41.68 last week in their sectional race just ahead of Plainfield North’s 41.72. Both teams could run faster this weekend. Edwardsville continues to improve dropping their season’s best down to 41.76 at last week’s sectional. This is a team that I would not ignore up front. South Elgin surprised some by running 41.82 ahead of Metea Valley (41.92) in their sectional race last week. Both have quality quartets that could find their way into the top three. Huntley could be a force again this state meet. They finished third a year ago. They have run 42.11 and could go well under 42 this weekend. Belleville West has the talent to challenge for the championship. Keep an eye on them. Rock Island, Homewood-Flossmoor, and Thornton are some of the other teams to keep an eye on.

3200 Meter Run

IHSA State Meet Record – 8:42.89 – Donald Sage, Elmhurst York – 2000 (Craig Virgin, Lebanon ran 8:42.6 for 2 Miles in 1973)

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 8:42.89 – Donald Sage, Elmhurst York - 2000

2016 3A State Best – 9:00.70 – Jack Aho, Grayslake Central

2016 3A Sectional Best – 9:10.29 – Jack Aho, Grayslake Central

2016 State Best – 8:51.17 – Jon Davis, Fithian Oakwood

Preview – Three of the top four runners from last year’s race are back. With the temperatures supposed to be near 80 degrees with rain in the forecast, this race could turn tactical. Jack Aho has been the runner to watch this season and will be focused on in this race. Aho ran 9:10 last week at his sectional meet. The week before at his conference meet he ran 9:00.70. Irwin Loud (Oak Park-River Forest HS), as does Aho, have great finishing kicks. Loud has run a 9:13 seasonal best at Downers South in April. He also ran a solo 9:13 last week in his sectional race. His only scar was when he finished fourth at the WSC-Silver when he ran 9:17 under the weather. His sectional performance shows that he is ready for a fast time on Saturday.

Connor Horn (Neuqua Valley HS) finished fourth a year ago and will be in the mix in this race. He ran 9:09 in California in April and has the wheels to run under nine minutes. Blake Evertsen (Hinsdale Central HS) ran 9:04 at Arcadia and will also be part of the front pack. Danny Kilrea (Lyons Township HS, LaGrange) likes to push the pace and will also be among the front runners. He has run 9:12.80 this season.

Martin Barr (Niles North HS, Skokie) has the third fastest 3A time (9:07.27) and could surprise in this race. He has a great finishing kick that could be the difference at the end. Brett Davidson (Highland Park HS) has dropped down his personal best to 9:10.92 and will be looked for in the front pack. Eryk Yunk (Belvidere North HS) has run 9:11.33. Keep an eye on him as well as Warren Blood (New Trier HS, Winnetka) and Alec Danner (Downers Grove North HS).

This race could come down to the kick especially if the weather is going to be as warm as expected. Aho and Barr have great wheels at the end of the race. Evertsen and Loud are very close to those two. Jessie Reiser completed the last 800 in 2:03 last year. We could see the same kind of finish in this race. Hoping to see a sub- nine (many) in this race.

110 Meter High Hurdles

IHSA State Meet Record – 13.79 – AJ Harris, Wheaton North – 2002

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 13.79 – AJ Harris, Wheaton North – 2002

2016 3A State Best – 13.90 – Travis Anderson, Edwardsville

2016 3A Sectional Best – 13.90 – Travis Anderson, Edwardsville

2016 State Best – 13.90 – Travis Anderson, Edwardsville

Preview – Travis Anderson missed most of April with a leg injury. Over the past few weeks, the junior has come on strong starting with the 13.95 that he ran at the Madison County Championships. He then has run 13.96 at the Southwest Conference Meet and then 13.90 last week in his sectional race. He is going to be the runner to beat. The AJ Harris record in this event could fall if the wind stays legal. He finished second in this event a year ago.

William Session (Belleville East HS) is the defending champion and has run 14.06 and 14.08 in back to back days in early April. He ran 14.15 last week behind Anderson. The Edwardsville junior should be the favorite but you never count a defending champion out. Jaylan McConico (Bolingbrook HS), Timmy Brundidge (Grant HS, Fox Lake), and Roland Amarteifio (Evanston Township HS) have all run under 14.3. All could challenge for the top three.

Tyler Kirkwood (Waubonsie Valley HS, Aurora) was not considered one of the top guys in the event but he still came up with a third place finish in the finals. Kirkwood enters this state meet with the sixth fastest 3A time (14.31). Kirkwood has proved he is a big meet athlete. We could see him surprise again in this final. Gavin Hoch (Lake Forest HS), Avery Taylor (TF North, Calumet City), and Richard Azunna (Niles North HS, Skokie) are some of the other athletes that could challenge for the top five.

100 Meter Dash

IHSA State Meet Record – 10.37 – Keith Thomas, Chicago Kenwood – 1986

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 10.37 – Keith Thomas, Chicago Kenwood – 1986  

2016 3A State Best – 10.48 – Josh Eiker, Galesburg

2016 1A Sectional Best – 10.60 – Antonio Tate, DeKalb

2016 State Best – 10.48 – Josh Eiker, Galesburg

Preview – All eyes will be on Josh Eiker in this event. He was the champion in this event last year in 2A setting a new class record. He has figured out his start problem that affected him at the indoor season and has blistered some fast times. He blistered a wind aided 10.48 in Downers Grove in April. At his conference meet, he ran a wind legal 10.49. There is no one within a tenth of a second of him. In this race, it is like a light year. Could he get close to the 30 year old record of Keith Thomas (10.37)?

Derrius Rodgers (Lockport Township HS) has been the next consistent sprinter to Eiker this season having run 10.60 this season. The only loss for him came to Eiker at Downers Grove in April. Antonio Tate ran the fastest sectional time last week (10.60) and could be among the tops in this race. He dropped his time by a tenth of a second in the last three weeks. Cary Lockhart (Bloomington HS) and Camron Harrell (Bradley-Bourbonais HS) were within five hundredths of each other in their sectional race last week with Lockhart running 10.63. Antwan Thigpen (Lyons Township, LaGrange) has not received the recognition he deserves. The junior could be a surprise in this event having run 10.72 at his sectional. Declan Rustay (Hoffman Estates HS), Ayo Abiona (Sandburg HS, Orland Park), and Octavian Wells (Grant HS, Fox Lake) all will look to get to Saturday’s final.

800 Meter Run

IHSA State Meet Record – 1:49.71 – Jason Van Swol, New Lenox Lincoln-Way – 1998 (Dave Ayoub, Peoria ran 1:48.9 for 880 Yards in 1977)

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 1:49.71 – Jason Van Swol, New Lenox Lincoln-Way – 1998

2016 3A State Best – 1:51.91 – Heath Warren, Springfield

2016 1A Sectional Best – 1:51.99 – Chris Conrad, O’Fallon

2016 State Best – 1:51.91 – Heath Warren, Springfield

Preview – Chris Conrad was not on the state radar at the beginning of the season until he ran 1:55.52 to win the 800 at the Belleville West Invitational at the beginning of April. He has been under 1:56 in all of his races including last week’s sectional race at Collinsville where he ran’ the state’s second fastest time (1:51.99). In that race, he ran his second 400 faster than the first one. He is someone I would not discount.

Heath Warren ran second behind Conrad in this race. He does have the fastest time in the state by eight hundredths of a second ahead of Conrad. Watch for Warren to stay out of traffic early in the race and run a fast pace. He may get near or under 1:50 in the finals. Connor McCue (West Aurora HS) has the third fastest time in the state but has also qualified in the 1600. That double is a difficult at one especially in this meet. He could go for that challenge in this meet. Chris Torpy (Sandburg HS, Orland Park) finished fourth last year and has run 1:52.97. Even coming back from the 3200 Relay, he could be up front.

John Partee (Plainfield South) ran an impressive double last week at the Neuqua Valley Sectional  when he ran a 1:53 split in the 3200 Relay then came back to run 1:53.78 to win the sectional 800. He would be a runner that I would keep an eye on. Demetri Panici (Lincoln-Way North HS) ran 1:54.40 in his sectional race and should be near the front. Torrain Haughton (Maine East HS, Park Ridge), Thomas Mosley (Zion-Benton HS), Isaiah Robinson (Neuqua Valley HS), and Antonio Davis (Bloom HS, Chicago Heights) are other runners that could get into the top nine. Robert Kuhlmann (Lakes Community HS, Lake Villa) and Max Denning (York HS, Elmhurst) to be surprises in this event.

4x200 Meter Relay

IHSA State Meet Record – 1:25.83 – Cahokia – 2015 (East. St. Louis-Senior ran 1:25.7 for 4x220 yds in 1975)

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 1:25.98 – Cahokia - 2007

2016 3A State Best – 1:25.64 – East St. Louis-Senior

2016 3A Sectional Best – 1:26.58 – Minooka

2016 State Best – 1:25.64 – East St. Louis-Senior

Preview – It is hard to bet against East St. Louis-Senior in this race especially when they ran the fastest time ever for an Illinois team (1:25.64) at the Collinsville Invitational at the beginning of May. Even if they run an “off” race, the Flyers could still be running in the 1:26’s and still be the favorite. Minooka is the only other team to run under 1:27. They did that last week at the Neuqua Valley Sectional (1:26.58) even when their anchor Matt Dlugopolski was told to take it “easy” on his final leg because of an injury. Let’s see what they run at full strength this week.

Neuqua Valley ran behind Minooka in the sectionals but still have the third fastest 3A time this season (1:27.16). The Wildcats could be among the top five this weekend. Rock Island, Lockport, and Glenbrook North all have run under 1:28 and will be among the top teams. Also watch for Belleville West, Plainfield North, Lake Forest, Edwardsville, Oak Park-River Forest, and Belleville West for teams that could go under 1:28 this weekend.

400 Meter Dash

IHSA State Meet Record – 46.24 – Kahmari Montgomery, Plainfield Central - 2015

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 46.24 – Kahmari Montgomery, Plainfield Central - 2015

2016 3A State Best – 47.90 – Brad Garron, Evanston Township

2016 3A Sectional Best – 47.90 – Brad Garron, Evanston Township

2016 State Best – 47.90 – Brad Garron, Evanston Township

Preview – This event has been wide open for most of the season until last week’s sectional meets. Brad Garron was the first Illinois runner under 48 seconds when he ran 47.90 at the Loyola Sectional. I think he could drop this time down even more this weekend. His main threat will be Octavian Wells who finished fourth a year ago. He ran 48.04 in that race. He has run 48.24 this season. I am sure he can get his time under 48 seconds this weekend to challenge Garron.

The next eight runners are within only three tenths of a second on their season’s bests making getting into the nine runner final extremely tough. Michael Edwards (Zion-Benton HS) leads the group having run 48.54. He ran 48.69 last week. Cameron Ruiz (Lakes HS, Lake Villa), Chris Thompson (Lemont HS), and Doug Wilson (Rock Island have been strong the past few weeks and could get in. Jordan Cagigal (Metea Valley, Aurora), Adam Terrini (Wheaton North HS), and Deante Anderson (East St. Louis-Senior HS) all have run under 48.8 and have a good chance to advance.

Also watch for Steve Strange (Oswego HS), Brandon Thiel (Lakes HS, Lake Villa) and Patrick Mikel (Glenbard East HS, Lombard) all who have the capability of getting to the Saturday final.

300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles

IHSA State Meet Record – 36.77 – Jon Schweighardt, Wheaton-Warrenville South - 1999

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 36.77 – Jon Schweighardt, Wheaton-Warrenville South - 1999

2016 3A State Best – 37.96 – Gavin Hoch, Lake Forest

2016 1A Sectional Best – 38.01 – Travis Anderson, Edwardsville

2016 State Best – 37.04 – Deion McShane, Freeport

Preview – This race is wide open with no clear favorite. The top four athletes have seasonal bests all within two tenths of a second of each other led by list leader Gavin Hoch who wants to redeem himself after last season’s state race. In that race, Hoch lost his step just before the eighth hurdle and accidentally pushed over the hurdle as he went over. He was disqualified. He could be on the top of the podium Saturday afternoon.

Travis Anderson has been running hot in this event in recent weeks having dropped his time down to 38.01 last week at sectionals. Conference rival Delano Anderson (East St. Louis-Senior HS) has been close to the Edwardsville junior all season with less than two tenths of a second in most races separating them. We could see the same kind of close finish between the two in the finals. Roland Amarteifio (Evanston Township HS) came on last week to run 38.05. Do not be surprised if he comes away from the win as well.

Jaylan McConico, Justin Wolz (Minooka HS), William Session, Tyler Kirkwood, Timmy Brundidge, and Jace James (Glenbard North HS, Carol Stream) all have the talent to get to Saturday. It should be a wild final race.

1600 Meter Run

IHSA State Meet Record – 4:05.17 – Jeff Thode, Hoffman Estates Conant – 2009 (Andy Isla-Rupart of Hillside Proviso West ran 4:07.1 for the 1 Mile Run in 1970)

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 4:05.17 – Jeff Thode, Hoffman Estates Conant – 2009

2016 3A State Best – 4:08.64 – Sean Torpy, Orland Park Sandburg

2016 3A Sectional Best – 4:12.65 – Sean Torpy, Orland Park Sandburg

2016 State Best – 4:05.81 – Jon Davis, Fithian Oakwood

Preview – The prelims were wild in last year’s state meet as all three heats were tactical. The last heat became so tactical that one of the favorites Connor McCue just missed the finals. This year with only 30 runners qualified, the IHSA paired down the heats to two. It could be just as wild on Friday afternoon as this talented field shoots for the 12 qualifying spots.

Sean Torpy enters with the fastest 3A time (4:08.64) that he ran when he won the Distance Night in Palatine 1600. Torpy also has the fastest sectional time from last week. He did not have a great experience in last year’s final after he finished 12^th after anchoring his team to a state championship. The outcome should be different for him in this race on Saturday.

This is a wide-open field behind Torpy. Irwin Loud will be coming back from the 3200 but will be tough. Connor McCue has qualified in both the 800 and 1600. If he doubles, what will he have running his fourth race in less than 24 hours?  He has run 4:12.79 this year. Jack Aho will be also be coming back from the 3200 and will be a threat having run 4:12.27 this season.

Charlie Kern could be the surprise of this race. He ran 4:17.83 at Palatine but that was after being in last in his section with 400 to go. Kern has been displaying his speed lately running 1:54 in the 800 and a 49.6 split on his team’s 1600 Relay last week. Watch for him in the finals. Fellow sophomore Dylan Jacobs (Sandburg HS, Orland Park) ran 4:16.08 last week and could be among the top nine. Soren Knudsen ran 4:15.90 in April and also has the potential to win in this race. Vince Zona has great leg speed at the end and could be in the front at the end. Daniel Santino (St. Ignatius Prep, Chicago) was all-state last year and ran 4:18.72 last week. Keep an eye on him. Reese Jordan (Maine South HS), Jared Borowsky (Stevenson HS), and Robby Prescott (Downers Grove North HS) could be surprises in this race.

200 Meter Dash

IHSA State Meet Record – 20.89 – Anthony Moorman, Roselle Lake Park – 1997

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 20.89 – Anthony Moorman, Roselle Lake Park – 1997

2016 3A State Best – 20.83 – Josh Eiker, Galesburg

2016 3A Sectional Best – 21.20 – Josh Eiker, Galesburg

2016 State Best – 20.83 – Josh Eiker, Galesburg

Preview – If there is any lock in a 3A event this meet, it has to be Josh Eiker in the 200. The senior has been lights-out both indoors and outdoors. The 20.83 that he ran in Downers Grove North in April is the best time ever for an Illinois athlete. Consider that that time was achieved in 45 degree temperatures. I think we see something special from Eiker in his final race on the big blue oval.

The group behind Eiker is tough. Derrius Rodgers finished second to Eiker in that race and also has a 21.42 personal best run at the beginning this month. Roosevelt Davis (East St. Louis-Senior HS) ran a season’s best of 21.54 at his conference meet. He something faster in him and we could see that on Friday and Saturday. Cary Lockhart and Antonio Tate have both ran 21.62 and will be threats in the front. Jaurice Thomas (South Elgin) was a surprise last week running 21.67 in his sectional. He will need to duplicate that again in Charleston. Vincent Gordon (Centennial HS, Champaign), Deshon Buchanan (Belleville West HS), and Brad Garron all have the ability to place in the top four.

4x400 Meter Relay

IHSA State Meet Record – 3:13.66 – East St. Louis-Senior – 2007

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 3:13.66 – East St. Louis-Senior – 2007

2016 3A State Best – 3:15.97 – East St. Louis-Senior

2016 3A Sectional Best – 3:18.05 – East St. Louis-Senior

2016 State Best – 3:15.97 – East St. Louis-Senior

Preview – East St. Louis-Senior have been dominant all year in this event. The talent is there for the Flyers to break the IHSA record that their school set nine years ago. The field behind them definitely has the talent to defeat this school. Minooka ran 3:18.10 while Neuqua Valley ran 3:18.35 at their sectional meet last week. We could see faster times from both those squads. Evanston always runs great in this event. They ran 3:18.82 and will have 400 list leader Brad Garron on the quartet. Grant and Lake Forest both have great quartets. Could we see them run under 3:19? Bloom is a team to watch. Lakes and Oak Park-River Forest definitely schools to keep an eye on.

Field Events

Long Jump

IHSA State Meet Record – 25-0 ¼ - Ja’Mari Ward, Cahokia - 2015

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 24-4 ¾ - Steve Battle, Chicago Gordon Tech - 1989

2016 3A State Best – 24-1 – Ja Shaun Steward, Hillside Proviso West

2016 3A Sectional Best – 24-1 – Ja Shaun Steward, Hillside Proviso West

2016 State Best – 25-6 ¾ - Ja’Mari Ward, Cahokia

Preview – This is one of the better field event finals. The 3A Long Jump has been great this year. It has picked up in recent weeks. There are fourteen athletes that have gone past 23 feet this season with many in this event. The two days of competition could be an “anything can happen kind of event”. Ja Shaun Steward achieved a personal best last week at the Wheaton-Warrenville South Sectional (24-1) but will need to better that this weekend if he wants the state championship. Devion Hodges (Glenbard North HS, Carol Stream) was right behind him jumping 23-10 ¼. He could be the surprise of this event since he was not on the radar at the beginning of the year. Remi Simmons (Thornton HS, Harvey) could be the one to watch. He has jumped 24-0 this year and is considered to be one of the most consistent athletes in this field.

Kenny Roberson (East St. Louis-Senior) jumped 23-8 ½ in Collinsville at the beginning of May but was a foot shorter in his sectional last week. He could still finish in the top three. Ben Jung (Downers Grove South HS) and Cameron Ruiz both have been over 23 feet and have the potential of a high finish. Antonio Tate, Ian Parker (Belleville West HS), Michael Papper (Glenbrook North HS, Northbrook), and Jelyn Hill (Hoffman Estates HS) are among the other athletes that have the ability for a top five finish.

Triple Jump

IHSA State Meet Record – 51-0 ½ - Chris Hercules, Palatine – 1997

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 51-0 ½ - Chris Hercules, Palatine – 1997

2016 3A State Best – 48-6 ½ - Davion Cross, West Aurora

2016 1A Sectional Best – 48-0 - Chris Walker, West Aurora

2016 State Best – 53-7 ½ - Ja’Mari Ward, Cahokia

Preview – West Aurora will need big points in both of the horizontal jump events this weekend if they want a state title. The Blackhawks have the top two 3A performances in this event led by last year’s top two finishers Chris Walker and Davion Cross. So far this season, Cross has the longest mark (48-6 ½) followed by Walker’s 48-0 leap at last week’s sectional meet. They peaked at the right time last year. We could see them in the 49’s in this meet. JaShaun Steward jumped his season’s best 47-11 at last week’s sectional and will be the biggest threat to the two West Aurora jumpers. Amari Franklin (Belleville East HS) will also threaten for the win as he has jumped 47-1 ¼ last week.

Cameron Ruiz jumped 46-11 last week and could be in the top three. Blaze Barista (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS), Diamond Anderson (Hinsdale South HS, Darien), Tony Rolfe (Chatham-Glenwood HS), and Azeez Alabi (Elk Grove Village HS) all have the talent to go past 47 feet this weekend and into an all-state position.

High Jump

IHSA State Meet Record – 7-3 ½ - Tom Smith, Heyworth, 1985

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 7-3 ¼ - Gail Olson, Sycamore - 1977

2016 3A State Best – 6-9 – Sebastian Gutierrez, Belvidere North / Camron Donalton, West Aurora

2016 3A Sectional Best – 6-9 – Sebastian Gutierrez, Belvidere North

2016 State Best – 7-4 – Darryl Sullivan, Marion

Preview – This event is wide open. Even though Mike Lyons (Plainfield Central HS) has cleared 6-8 this year and does not have the 3A seasonal best, he could be one of the favorites. His experience (he is a senior) could help. The field is young especially in the top of the rankings. Camron Donatlan just came out for track this season. The sophomore has responded with a 6-9 clearance at the beginning of May. Sebastian Gutierrez, also a sophomore, cleared 6-9 last week at this sectional meet and will be an athlete, along with Donalton to keep an eye on.

Justin Rivers (Bolingbrook HS) and Jay Hunt (Batavia HS) both made the final last year. With both clearing 6-8. They could be considered the favorites. Anthony Gibson (TF North, Calumet City), Jelyn Hill, and Aaron Smith (O’Fallon HS) all cleared 6-7 last week. You could see one of them on top of the awards podium on Saturday.

Pole Vault

IHSA State Meet Record – 17-3 – Luke Winder, Plainfield Central – 2014

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 17-3 – Luke Winder, Plainfield Central – 2014

2016 3A State Best – 16-3 - Ryan Ashenbremer, Normal Community West

2016 3A Sectional Best – 16-1 – Cooper Jazo, Lake Villa Lakes

2016 State Best – 16-3 – Ryan Ashenbremer, Normal Community West

Preview – Consistency could be the name of the game in this event. Cooper Jazo has been coming on strong of late clearing a personal best 16-1 at his sectional last week. Ryan Ashenbremer cleared 16-3 earlier in the year but cleared 15-1 last week. He needs to have a big Saturday. Lucas Weaver (Providence Catholic HS, New Lenox) was one of the bigger sectional surprises clearing a personal best 15-7. He could be the winner of this event if he duplicates last week’s effort. Ethan Koval (Lake Park HS, Roselle) cleared 15-3 last week. He could sneak into the top three. Tom Ansiel (Wheaton-Warrenville South HS) has improved his personal best by over two feet this season. He could surprise also in this venue. Zachery Bradford (Bloomington HS), Izaiah Webb (DeKalb HS), Luke Nelson (Oak Park-River Forest HS), and Kevin Szamlewski (McHenry HS) could all challenge for a top three finish if they all are “on” this Saturday.

Shot Put

IHSA State Meet Record – 66-5 ¾ - Jermaine Kline, Roselle Lake Park - 2011

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 66-5 ¾ - Jermaine Kline, Roselle Lake Park – 2011

2016 3A State Best – 63-4 ½ - Josh Black – Machesney Park Harlem

2016 3A Sectional Best – 61-9 – Josh Black, Machesney Park Harlem

2016 State Best – 65-2 ½ - Sam Sikon, Carbondale

Preview – Three athletes have gone past 61 feet in this event this season. The best so far has been Josh Black who will be one of the favorites. He has the 3A best with a 63-4 ½ mark. He had a 61-9 effort last week. Even since John Meyer (Lockport HS) as switched to the spin technique, he has been on fire. The sophomore has a 63-0 season’s best and could challenge for the state championship. Chago Basso (Lake Park HS, Roselle) achieved a 61-1 personal best in April. The junior is a big money competitor. Watch for a big mark from him.

AJ Epenesa has been on a hot streak with his personal best getting better in this event. He had a 58-3 effort last week. It could improve this weekend. Ethan Hanson (Fremd HS, Palatine) has also been hot with his 58-9 ½ personal best last week. I would keep an eye on him. Darius King (Moline HS), Dylan Scherich (Lake Park HS, Roselle), and Darin Gipson (Morton HS, Berwyn-Cicero) are also athletes that could finish in the top three.

Discus

IHSA State Meet Record – 205-8 – Dan Block, Roselle Lake Park – 2009

IHSA 3A State Meet Record – 205-8 – Dan Block, Roselle Lake Park – 2009

2016 3A State Best – 206-5 – AJ Epenesa, Edwardsville

2016 3A Sectional Best – 196-9 – AJ Epenesa, Edwardsville

2016 State Best – 206-5 – AJ Epenesa, Edwardsville

Preview – It is hard to consider anyone other than AJ Epenesa as the favorite in this event. He threw the second longest throw for an Illinois athlete when he threw 206-5 at Edwardsville on April 23.  He has been consistently over 190 feet. No one else has been close to that in the state. His latest effort was the 196-9 throw last week at his sectional.

The battle could be for second in this event. Chago Basso, Dan Webber (Wheaton North HS), and Tim Mccloyn (Huntley HS) have all gone past 180 feet and should challenge for the second spot. John Meyer, Parker Evans (Centennial HS, Champaign), and Victor Osinloye (Romeoville HS) all have been past 175 feet and could pressure for one of the top three spots.

Teams (In Alphabetical Order)

East St. Louis-Senior – qualified 9 individuals and 4 relays to the state meet. One of the favorites to win the 3A state championship. The Flyers strength is their relays. They have the top seed times in the 400, 800, and 1600 Relay. They should score big points in those events. Roosevelt Davis qualified in both the 100 and 200. He should pick up points in the 200. It would be a bonus if he makes the finals in the 100. Delano Anderson has one of the top times in the 300 Hurdles. Watch for big points for him in that event. Marlowe Mosley qualified in the 200 and 400. Points in either events would help the Flyers. Deonte Anderson could be one of the top five in the 400. He could score in that event.  Kenny Robinson should score points in the Long Jump.

Edwardsville – qualified 6 individuals and 2 relays to the state meet. The defending 3A champions do not have room to make mistakes this weekend. They do have the athletes to defend their state championship. Travis Anderson has the best sectional times in both the 110 Highs and 300 Intermediates. He will get big points in both events. AJ Epenesa is one of the top athletes nationally in the Discus and will be the favorite in that event. Big points will be coming from him in that. He has also improved in the Shot Put. He could score there as well. It could be a bonus for Justin White to get points in the High Jump and Devonte Tincher to score in the Long Jump. Their 400 Relay is one of the tops and should pick up some big points. Their 800 Relay could also get some points.

Evanston Township – qualified 7 individuals and 1 relay to the state meet. Two athletes could put up the bulk of the points for the Wildkits. Brad Garron has the state’s fastest time in the 400 and will be the favorite in that event. Garron also could pick up points in the 200. Roland Amarteifio is highly ranked in both hurdle events. He could pick up some big points in both of those races. Both athletes will be a part of their team’s 1600 Relay that could be among the top four teams on Saturday.  Jonathan Wilburn also has the possibility to get points in the Triple Jump

Fox Lake Grant – qualified 7 individuals and 1 relay to the state meet. The quantity of athletes is not there but there is quality to find their way into the top five. Ocatvian Wells is one of the favorites in the 400 and should pick up some big points. He could also get points in the 100. Timmy Brundidge is ranked high in both hurdle races and should score big points in both. Their 1600 Relay is strong and should finish among the top five teams.

Hoffman Estates – qualified 8 individuals and 2 relays to the state meet. If this team has a good Friday, the possibility is there for the Hawks to sneak into the top five. Declan Rustay has a good chance to help get Hoffman Estates into the finals of the 400 Relay and 800 Relay. Rustay could also score points in the 100 and 200. Jelyn Hill could score points in both the Long Jump and the High Jump. Anijel Jones could be a surprise by scoring points in the Long Jump.

Huntley – qualified 12 individuals and 4 relays to the state meet. Their relays could pick up the most points. The 400 and 800 Relays should make it to Saturday where they could pick up some good points. The 3200 Relay should also score. Keagan Smith has the chance to score in the 800. Jeremie Allen could also score in the 200 Meter Dash. Jacob Riese could be a surprise in the Pole Vault. Tim McCloyn could pick up points in both the Shot Put and the Discus.

Lake Villa Lakes – qualified 7 individuals and 1 relays. Cameron Ruiz should be the big point scorer. He should pick up big points in both the Long Jump and the Triple Jump. Ruiz is one of the top runners in the 400 and could also score big there. Ruiz will also be part of the 1600 Relay that could finish in the top five. Brandon Thiel, who will be part of that relay, could also score in the 400. Robert Kuhlmann should be able to pick up points in the 800. Cooper Jazo has the best sectional mark in the Pole Vault. He will be one of the favorites in that event.

LaGrange Lyons Township – qualified 12 individuals and 3 relays to the state meet. The WSC-Silver champs do have the athletes to finish in the top five and perhaps higher. The 3200 Meter Relay is one of the top squads in the state. They should score some big points in that event. Connor Madell and Vince Zona both should advance to the finals of the 1600 where they could get some points for their team. Danny Kilrea will also help in the 3200 Meter Run. Antwan Thigpen has stepped up as one of the top sprinters. We could see him score in both the 100 and 400. Their 400 Relay is good but will need to have their best race of the season to get to the finals. Their 1600 Relay needs to drop their sectional time down two seconds to challenge for a finals spot.

Lockport Township – qualified 7 individuals and 2 relays to the state meet. Derrius Rodgers is one of the top athletes in both the 100 and 200. He should pick up big points in both events. Their 800 Relay is their strongest. They could finish among the first four teams. It would be a bonus if their 400 Relay advances to the finals. John Meyer is among the favorites in the Shot Put and should pick up big points. He should also be in the top six in the Discus.

Minooka – qualified 6 individuals and 4 relays to the state meet. The Indians were on a hot streak last week especially in the relays. Their 400, 800, and 1600 Relay is highly ranked after the sectionals. They should pick up big points in all three of those events. Their 3200 Meter Relay could also score. Soren Knudsen, who will be part of that relay, should score points in the 1600.  Justin Wolz is the rock of the three sprint relays. He could pick up points in the 300 Hurdles. Kevin Lam also has the possibility of scoring in the Shot Put.

Naperville Neuqua Valley – qualified 7 individuals and 3 relays to the state meet. Connor Horn will be among the top five in the 3200 and could pick up some big points. Horn could also score in the 1600. Their relays were strong especially last week in their sectional. Both the 800 and 1600 Relays are among the top three in the sectional lists. Some big points could be coming from both of those events. Their 3200 Relay qualified, but could be stronger with the addition of Isaiah Robinson. They could also score. Robinson could pick up some points in the 800. Tom Cwiok could be among the top nine in the Discus.

Oak Park-River Forest – qualified 14 individuals and 4 relays to the state meet. The Huskies need that good karma on Friday to make it a great State Finals Saturday. Irwin Loud will be one of the favorites in the 3200 and should pick up some big points. Loud could also score in the 1600. Kimanthi Johnson and Sean Lonergan will be part of a strong 3200 Relay that should pick up points. Johnson and Lonergan could also pick up points in the 800. Brandon Gage is in the 400 and could score in that event. Luke Nelson should get points in the Pole Vault. Their sprint relays could pick up points. The Huskies have a chance to get to the finals in the 800 Relay and the 1600 Relay.  It would be a bonus if their 400 Relay advances to Saturday.

Orland Park Sandburg – qualified 8 individuals and 2 relays to the state meet. They have the points to contend for the state championship. Their quartet is the defending champion in the 3200 Relay and could defend. They will pick up big points. Sean Torpy is the top seed in the 1600 and should also pick up points. Dylan Jacobs could also score in that event. Chris Topry is also highly ranked in the 800 and should pick up some good points. Ayo Abiona qualified in the 100 and 200. He should score in the 100. It would be a bonus if he qualifies in the finals for the 200. Jibreel Brown is also on the border for qualifying in the 400. David Gleisner could also score in the 3200.

West Aurora – qualified 9 individuals and 3 relays to the state meet. This team could pick up big points in a couple of events which could catapult them to a state championship. Chris Walker and Davion Cross are the top two ranked athletes in the Triple Jump. Expect big points from those two. Both could also score in the Long Jump. Camron Donaltan is tied for the top mark in the High Jump. He could pick up some big points. Connor McCue qualified in both the 800 and 1600. It is not known if he will be in just one event or doubling. Expect points from him in whatever he is running. Their 400 and 800 Relay qualified and could advance to Saturday.