2020 ILXCTF.com Illinois Track & Field Previews - 2A Boys Field Events
By Michael Newman
[email protected]
The 2A classification in these six disciplines could be the toughest of all three classifications this season. Four state champions are back to defend their titles. It is a good bet that they succeed.
Hendershot looks for three-peat and repeat
The top weight event athlete in the state is Hunter Hendershot of Mahomet-Seymour. The senior will look for his third win in the Shot Put and look for his second win in the Discus. He made his step up to the national level by just missing All-American honors placing seventh at the New Balance Outdoor National Championships. His seasonal best of 62-1.25 that happened at state is the 11th best returning mark nationally.
Athan Huelskamp of St. Viator will be Hendershot’s chief competition in both events. Huelskamp stepped up to the state elite level by finishing second in the Shot Put but finishing over three feet behind Hendershot. Three other athletes that finished in the top nine are back led by Matt Wilson of Mascoutah.
It could be closer in the Discus. The top three athletes from state are back led by Hendershot and Huelskamp. Hendershot threw 182-4 to win the event with Huelskamp just five feet behind the Mahomet senior. Josh Schmid of Marion finished third 13 feet behind Huelskamp. I would not count him out this spring. Three other all-state athletes also are back led by Rochester’s Clay Alewelt.
What’s next for Heffren?
Taylor Heffren of Eureka was not on anyone’s radar when he started his freshman season last March. He finished 10th at the Illinois Top Times Championships. He only had a 6-2 personal best heading outdoors. That trend changed outdoors. He cleared 6-5 at a meet in April at Elmwood. In his sectional meet, he cleared 6-6.
The freshman was on fire at the state meet when cleared 6-9 to claim a state championship. He finished second three weeks later in the Emerging Elites Division at the New Balance Outdoor Championships.
He has time to do some great things over the next three seasons. He enters the 2020 season as the top returning sophomore nationally.
The sophomore will be the huge favorite in this event. Three other all-state jumpers are back led by sixth-place finisher CJ Shoaf of Mahomet-Seymour.
Ross and the Triple Jump repeat
The Triple Jump in this classification is extremely tough this season. The top six finishers from last year’s state meet are back. Khalil Ross of Springfield Lanphier heads that class. After a second-place finish early in the outdoor season at the Capital City Classic, Ross went undefeated for the rest of the year which included his state championship jump of 46-9.5.
The Illinois State University signee could have a big senior season. Getting the state record could be on his mind. Getting another state championship will be his priority.
Jayden McCulskie-Green of Sandwich finished second last year and should be one of Ross’ top competition. He jumped 46-8 during last season.
Other Field Notes
Five all-state athletes are back in the Long Jump headed by third-place finisher Logan Rubin of Salem. David Emuze of Springfield Southeast, who finished fourth in the state meet, returns with the top mark in the event (23-1) that happened in April. His jump at state was a foot shorter at 22-0.75.
The Pole Vault is wide-open with the top four finishers in last year’s state meet having graduated. Alan Lauterbach of Rochester is the top returning placer as he cleared 14-6 to finish fifth. Kyle Mulheen of Peoria Notre Dame tied for seventh at state. He does have the top returning clearance of 15-1.
Top Returning Class 2A Field Events Athletes
Long Jump
1 |
David Emuze |
|
12 |
|
Springfield (Southeast) |
|
7.04m |
|
4 - 2A |
2 |
Darrione Williams |
|
12 |
|
East St. Louis |
|
6.91m |
|
|
3 |
Jayden McCulskie-Green |
|
11 |
|
Sandwich |
|
6.84m |
|
7 - 2A |
4 |
Dontrell Williams |
|
12 |
|
Chicago (Morgan Park) |
|
6.82m |
|
|
5 |
Logan Rubin |
|
11 |
|
Salem |
|
6.77m |
|
3 - 2A |
6 |
A'Tiq Muhammad |
|
11 |
|
Rockford (Boylan Catholic) |
|
6.69m |
|
|
7 |
Conner Workman |
|
11 |
|
Princeton |
|
6.65m |
|
|
|
Aidan Terry |
|
12 |
|
Chicago (Little Village) |
|
6.65m |
|
5 - 2A |
9 |
Ayinde Oyelumi |
|
12 |
|
Hansberry College Prep |
|
6.62m |
|
|
10 |
Robin Meredith |
|
12 |
|
Springfield (Southeast) |
|
6.60m |
|
|
|
Ronnie Hunsaker |
|
12 |
|
Columbia |
|
6.60m |
|
6 - 2A |
12 |
Adrian Ibarra |
|
12 |
|
Rock Falls |
|
6.59m |
|
|
13 |
Logan Lunsford |
|
11 |
|
Herscher |
|
6.57m |
|
|
14 |
Kaden King |
|
11 |
|
Fairbury (Prairie Central) |
|
6.55m |
|
|
|
Isaac Green |
|
12 |
|
Greenville |
|
6.55m |
|
|
16 |
Asa Cooper |
|
11 |
|
Coal City |
|
6.54m |
|
|
17 |
Demontrey Henley |
|
10 |
|
Cahokia |
|
6.49m |
|
|
18 |
Killian Ahern |
|
12 |
|
Alleman |
|
6.48m |
|
|
|
Deville Turner |
|
11 |
|
Chicago (Lindblom) |
|
6.48m |
|
|
20 |
Kourtney Jackson |
|
12 |
|
Mascoutah |
|
6.46m |
|
|
21 |
Ayinde Oyeilumi |
|
12 |
|
Hansberry College Prep |
|
6.45m |
|
|
22 |
Jerome Wilson |
|
11 |
|
East Peoria |
|
6.44m |
|
|
23 |
Austin Zieman |
|
12 |
|
Woodstock (North) |
|
6.43m |
|
12 - 2A |
|
Chris Dillon |
|
12 |
|
Peoria (Notre Dame) |
|
6.43m |
|
|
25 |
Darcis Bitangalo |
|
11 |
|
Rockford (Boylan Catholic) |
|
6.41m |
|
|
|
Luke Heffelfinger |
|
12 |
|
Sterling |
|
6.41m |
|
|
27 |
Jashawn Atkins |
|
12 |
|
Manual Academy |
|
6.39m |
|
|
|
Mason Medlock |
|
10 |
|
Paxton (P.-Buckley-Loda) |
|
6.39m |
|
|
29 |
Jesse Casas |
|
12 |
|
Lasalle-Peru |
|
6.36m |
|
|
30 |
Stephen Shen |
|
11 |
|
St. Viator |
|
6.35m |
|
|
Triple Jump
1 |
Khalil Ross |
|
12 |
|
Springfield (Lanphier) |
|
14.26m |
|
1 - 2A |
2 |
Jayden McCulskie-Green |
|
11 |
|
Sandwich |
|
14.22m |
|
2 - 2A |
3 |
Darrione Williams |
|
12 |
|
East St. Louis |
|
13.92m |
|
|
4 |
Kai Baumgartner |
|
12 |
|
Champaign (Central) |
|
13.80m |
|
3 - 2A |
5 |
Dezmond Clark |
|
12 |
|
Murphysboro |
|
13.68m |
|
4 - 2A |
6 |
Elijah Pena |
|
12 |
|
Woodstock (North) |
|
13.60m |
|
5 - 2A |
7 |
Conner Workman |
|
11 |
|
Princeton |
|
13.59m |
|
|
8 |
Dominique Fox |
|
12 |
|
Plano |
|
13.35m |
|
|
9 |
Trevor Goodwin |
|
11 |
|
Rochelle |
|
13.34m |
|
6 - 2A |
10 |
Ronnie Hunsaker |
|
12 |
|
Columbia |
|
13.28m |
|
|
11 |
Billy Braid |
|
11 |
|
Herrin |
|
13.07m |
|
12 - 2A |
|
Ki Norgard |
|
12 |
|
Woodstock |
|
13.07m |
|
|
13 |
Kodi Davis |
|
10 |
|
Pontiac |
|
12.98m |
|
|
14 |
Jeffrey Wells |
|
12 |
|
Decatur (MacArthur) |
|
12.97m |
|
|
15 |
Ayinde Oyeilumi |
|
12 |
|
Hansberry College Prep |
|
12.95m |
|
|
|
Seth Glatz |
|
10 |
|
Morton |
|
12.95m |
|
|
17 |
Jackson Gerard |
|
11 |
|
Wheaton (St. Francis) |
|
12.93m |
|
|
18 |
Adrian Ibarra |
|
12 |
|
Rock Falls |
|
12.85m |
|
|
19 |
Camden Woolbright |
|
12 |
|
Centralia |
|
12.84m |
|
|
20 |
Dakota Sandberg |
|
12 |
|
Woodstock (North) |
|
12.78m |
|
|
21 |
Dezmon Richardson |
|
11 |
|
Chicago (Clark) |
|
12.75m |
|
|
22 |
Nicholas Romero |
|
11 |
|
Dunlap |
|
12.73m |
|
|
23 |
Justin Johnson |
|
11 |
|
Normal (University) |
|
12.70m |
|
|
24 |
Omarion Slaw |
|
11 |
|
Decatur (MacArthur) |
|
12.67m |
|
|
25 |
Logan Gavin |
|
11 |
|
Peoria (Richwoods) |
|
12.64m |
|
|
|
Olek Clark |
|
11 |
|
Sycamore |
|
12.64m |
|
|
27 |
Terrance Buckingham |
|
12 |
|
Mascoutah |
|
12.63m |
|
|
28 |
Chase Dixon |
|
12 |
|
Rockford (Boylan Catholic) |
|
12.61m |
|
|
29 |
Donovan Murphy |
|
11 |
|
Pontiac |
|
12.60m |
|
|
30 |
Kamden Lockwood |
|
11 |
|
Herscher |
|
12.55m |
|
|
|
Alex Fulton |
|
12 |
|
Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central) |
|
12.55m |
|
|
|
Elijah Skutt |
|
11 |
|
Eureka |
|
12.55m |
|
|
High Jump
1 |
Trevor Heffren |
|
10 |
|
Eureka |
|
2.06m |
|
1 - 2A |
2 |
Alphonzo Lawson |
|
12 |
|
Decatur (MacArthur) |
|
1.98m |
|
8 - 2A |
3 |
David Emuze |
|
12 |
|
Springfield (Southeast) |
|
1.96m |
|
9 - 2A |
|
CJ Shoaf |
|
11 |
|
Mahomet-Seymour |
|
1.96m |
|
6 - 2A |
5 |
McKallen Smith |
|
12 |
|
Freeburg |
|
1.93m |
|
|
|
Jayden McCulskie-Green |
|
11 |
|
Sandwich |
|
1.93m |
|
|
|
Elijah Skutt |
|
11 |
|
Eureka |
|
1.93m |
|
|
|
James Arbuthnot |
|
12 |
|
Jerseyville (Jersey) |
|
1.93m |
|
|
|
Kavon Russell |
|
12 |
|
Kewanee |
|
1.93m |
|
|
10 |
Antwan Baker |
|
12 |
|
Cahokia |
|
1.90m |
|
|
11 |
Mitchell McKelvey |
|
12 |
|
Metamora |
|
1.88m |
|
|
|
Brett Giese |
|
11 |
|
Paxton (P.-Buckley-Loda) |
|
1.88m |
|
|
13 |
Jaha Jackson |
|
11 |
|
Thornridge |
|
1.85m |
|
|
|
Dakota Sandberg |
|
12 |
|
Woodstock (North) |
|
1.85m |
|
|
15 |
Garrison Herendeen |
|
11 |
|
Woodstock (North) |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Jack Novelle |
|
10 |
|
Woodstock |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Aidan Filetti |
|
12 |
|
Woodstock (North) |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Trammell Hawkins |
|
11 |
|
Mt. Vernon |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Cole Liley |
|
12 |
|
Roxana |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Jadden Hollis |
|
11 |
|
Marion |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Lintez Simmons |
|
11 |
|
East St. Louis |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Ethan Patterson |
|
12 |
|
Woodstock |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Jack Crabtree |
|
11 |
|
Wheaton (St. Francis) |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Luke LeQuatte |
|
12 |
|
Herrin |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Justin Johnson |
|
11 |
|
Normal University |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Joe Cardin |
|
10 |
|
Metamora |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Jaquan Ratliff |
|
11 |
|
Decatur (Eisenhower) |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Logan Chanthalansy |
|
11 |
|
Marengo |
|
1.83m |
|
|
|
Armond Williams |
|
12 |
|
Mascoutah |
|
1.83m |
|
|
Pole Vault
1 |
Kyle Mulhern |
|
12 |
|
Peoria (Notre Dame) |
|
4.60m |
|
7T - 2A |
2 |
Mitchell McKelvey |
|
12 |
|
Metamora |
|
4.57m |
|
6 - 2A |
3 |
Alan Lauterbach |
|
11 |
|
Rochester |
|
4.42m |
|
5 - 2A |
|
Aasav Shah |
|
12 |
|
Dunlap |
|
4.42m |
|
|
5 |
Carson Kleparski |
|
10 |
|
Tolono (Unity) |
|
4.17m |
|
|
6 |
Caleb Rutz |
|
11 |
|
Troy (Triad) |
|
4.11m |
|
|
|
Dan Grant |
|
12 |
|
Morris |
|
4.11m |
|
10 - 2A |
8 |
Colton Naffziger |
|
11 |
|
Normal University |
|
4.01m |
|
|
9 |
Bryce Kirsch |
|
11 |
|
Highland |
|
3.96m |
|
|
|
Michael Mercurio |
|
12 |
|
Mascoutah |
|
3.96m |
|
|
|
Dominic Squires |
|
12 |
|
Mascoutah |
|
3.96m |
|
|
|
Brady Monahan |
|
10 |
|
Pontiac |
|
3.96m |
|
|
|
Nate Clark-Holke |
|
11 |
|
Geneseo |
|
3.96m |
|
|
14 |
Ian Cherry |
|
11 |
|
Monticello |
|
3.91m |
|
|
15 |
Clayton Tanner |
|
10 |
|
Marion |
|
3.81m |
|
|
|
Jace Benton |
|
10 |
|
Rochester |
|
3.81m |
|
|
|
Clayton Kessler |
|
11 |
|
Mahomet-Seymour |
|
3.81m |
|
|
|
Mike Alvarado |
|
11 |
|
New Lenox (Providence Catholic) |
|
3.81m |
|
|
|
Allen Kraus |
|
12 |
|
Waterloo |
|
3.81m |
|
|
|
Jaden Blake |
|
11 |
|
Chicago (De La Salle) |
|
3.81m |
|
|
|
Dyson Roye |
|
11 |
|
Marion |
|
3.81m |
|
|
22 |
Gabe Mcguire |
|
12 |
|
Dixon |
|
3.73m |
|
|
Shot Put
1 |
Hunter Hendershot |
|
12 |
|
Mahomet-Seymour |
|
18.93m |
|
1 - 2A |
2 |
Athan Huelskamp |
|
12 |
|
St. Viator |
|
17.87m |
|
2 - 2A |
3 |
Jake Renfro |
|
12 |
|
New Lenox (Providence Catholic) |
|
17.21m |
|
10 - 2A |
4 |
Matt Wilson |
|
12 |
|
Mascoutah |
|
16.20m |
|
6 - 2A |
5 |
Clay Alewelt |
|
12 |
|
Rochester |
|
16.17m |
|
7 - 2A |
6 |
Joshua Schmid |
|
12 |
|
Marion |
|
16.03m |
|
9 - 2A |
7 |
Jake Borman |
|
11 |
|
Burlington (Central) |
|
15.38m |
|
|
8 |
Brice Krpan |
|
12 |
|
Aurora Central Catholic |
|
14.77m |
|
|
9 |
Devin Hale |
|
11 |
|
Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin) |
|
14.66m |
|
|
10 |
Sead Sejdiu |
|
12 |
|
Sandwich |
|
14.63m |
|
|
11 |
Jakob Thomas |
|
12 |
|
Monmouth (M.-Roseville) |
|
14.52m |
|
|
12 |
Randy Wright |
|
12 |
|
Cahokia |
|
14.50m |
|
|
13 |
Brody Vollrath |
|
12 |
|
Peoria (Richwoods) |
|
14.48m |
|
|
|
Anjay Rush |
|
10 |
|
Marian Catholic |
|
14.48m |
|
|
15 |
Jacob Waskow |
|
12 |
|
Canton |
|
14.39m |
|
|
16 |
Tanner Little |
|
12 |
|
Freeburg |
|
14.12m |
|
|
17 |
DaVonn Sandridge |
|
12 |
|
Tinley Park |
|
14.10m |
|
|
18 |
Shane Caraker |
|
12 |
|
Breese (Central) |
|
14.02m |
|
|
|
Jacob Wells |
|
12 |
|
Peoria (Richwoods) |
|
14.02m |
|
|
20 |
Adam Coles |
|
12 |
|
Roxana |
|
14.00m |
|
|
21 |
Hunter Kasap |
|
12 |
|
Metamora |
|
13.94m |
|
|
22 |
Grant Foes |
|
11 |
|
Princeton |
|
13.91m |
|
|
23 |
Deon Elliott |
|
12 |
|
East St. Louis |
|
13.89m |
|
|
24 |
Parker Cole |
|
12 |
|
Herrin |
|
13.86m |
|
|
25 |
Jeremiah Pittman |
|
11 |
|
St. Viator |
|
13.85m |
|
|
26 |
Xavier Crowe |
|
12 |
|
Kewanee |
|
13.82m |
|
|
27 |
Cain Johnson |
|
12 |
|
Galesburg |
|
13.80m |
|
|
28 |
Sean Sullivan |
|
12 |
|
Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central) |
|
13.78m |
|
|
29 |
Patrick Peters |
|
12 |
|
Lombard (Montini) |
|
13.77m |
|
|
30 |
Kobe Williams |
|
11 |
|
Petersburg (PORTA) |
|
13.72m |
|
|
Discus
1 |
Hunter Hendershot |
|
12 |
|
Mahomet-Seymour |
|
55.58m |
|
1 - 2A |
2 |
Athan Huelskamp |
|
12 |
|
St. Viator |
|
54.10m |
|
2 - 2A |
3 |
Joshua Schmid |
|
12 |
|
Marion |
|
52.92m |
|
3 - 2A |
4 |
Clay Alewelt |
|
12 |
|
Rochester |
|
48.82m |
|
6 - 2A |
5 |
Barry Evans |
|
11 |
|
Mascoutah |
|
48.74m |
|
|
6 |
Alex Anger |
|
12 |
|
Galena |
|
48.51m |
|
10 - 2A |
7 |
Preston Ruud |
|
12 |
|
Sycamore |
|
48.31m |
|
|
8 |
Adam Farr |
|
11 |
|
Macomb |
|
47.90m |
|
|
9 |
Steven Lewis |
|
12 |
|
Pontiac |
|
47.62m |
|
8 - 2A |
10 |
Jacob Waskow |
|
12 |
|
Canton |
|
47.07m |
|
9 - 2A |
11 |
Jake Renfro |
|
12 |
|
New Lenox (Providence Catholic) |
|
46.53m |
|
|
12 |
Jakob Thomas |
|
12 |
|
Monmouth (M.-Roseville) |
|
45.06m |
|
|
13 |
Sead Sejdiu |
|
12 |
|
Sandwich |
|
44.37m |
|
|
14 |
Eric Metz |
|
11 |
|
Burlington (Central) |
|
44.02m |
|
|
15 |
Brody Vollrath |
|
12 |
|
Peoria (Richwoods) |
|
43.92m |
|
|
16 |
Jake Borman |
|
11 |
|
Burlington (Central) |
|
43.74m |
|
|
17 |
Grant Foes |
|
11 |
|
Princeton |
|
43.61m |
|
|
18 |
Costen Campion |
|
12 |
|
Mahomet-Seymour |
|
43.18m |
|
|
19 |
Peyton Cramer |
|
12 |
|
Pontiac |
|
43.08m |
|
|
20 |
Devin Hale |
|
11 |
|
Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin) |
|
42.98m |
|
|
21 |
Hunter Kasap |
|
12 |
|
Metamora |
|
42.75m |
|
|
22 |
Jacob Mosher |
|
12 |
|
Sandwich |
|
41.97m |
|
|
23 |
Kane Carter |
|
10 |
|
Marion |
|
41.81m |
|
|
24 |
Brice Krpan |
|
12 |
|
Aurora Central Catholic |
|
41.76m |
|
|
25 |
Terron Williams |
|
12 |
|
Mt. Vernon |
|
41.63m |
|
|
26 |
Isaiah Walker-Batt-east |
|
12 |
|
Freeport |
|
41.40m |
|
|
27 |
Parker Cole |
|
12 |
|
Herrin |
|
41.25m |
|
|
28 |
Emilio Kabakele |
|
11 |
|
Urbana |
|
41.05m |
|
|
29 |
Jon-Edward Stokes |
|
12 |
|
Chicago (Payton) |
|
41.00m |
|
|
30 |
Jeremiah Pittman |
|
11 |
|
St. Viator |
|
40.67m |
|
|