By Michael Newman

[email protected]

3A BOYS

It was a matter of redemption of the two athletes that were considered in this classification.

Thomas Shilgalis of Naperville Central was considered one of the favorites last fall in the 3A State Cross Country Finals after running 14:11 during the season at the Peoria Invitational. He did not have his best race in November running 15:11, one minute slower than that September race, as he finished 68^th overall.

The tables switched around for Shilgalis in the spring on the track. He qualified for the 3A State Meet in the 800 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run. He helped Naperville Central as he anchored the team to the win in the 3200 Meter Relay. Shilgalis came back to win the Class 3A state title in the 800 Meter Run. He went undefeated at 800-meters this outdoor season.

Andrew O’Keefe of Granite City was strong this 2019 season after just missing the state title last year in the 1600 Meter Run finishing second. He also missed qualifying for the 3A State Cross Country Meet as he suffered from an iron deficiency.

O’Keefe went undefeated in the 11 races he competed in during the regular season including a big 1600 Meter Run win at Distance Night in Palatine in April. There was no doubt this year that he would win the state finals at 1600-meters. O’Keefe was in control throughout that final. This time he could enjoy crossing the line.

The edge in this classification goes to O’Keefe. The future Adams State student/athlete’s surge for the win at Palatine defeated nationally ranked Drew Bosley with Shilgalis finishing third. O’Keefe was on a mission this spring and you could see that how he raced.

Congratulations to Andrew O’Keefe of Granite City as the 2019 ILXCTF.com 3A Boys Distance Events Athlete of the Year.

2A BOYS

Mahomet-Seymour’s Mathias Powell took the step up to the next level in his senior year. It will be exciting how he runs at the next level at Villanova University. He was in a class by himself on the Class 2A level in the 3200 Meter Run this spring. It was impressive as he closed the final 800-meters in 2:05 to win the state title, a championship that eluded him the year before. Powell achieved a personal best of 9:03.51 in finishing third at Palatine showing that he belonged in that race. His third-place finish at state came from him charging from tenth-place in the final lap. That race was also impressive.

Acknowledgements also go out to Riley Wells of Rockford Christian. He never used as an excuse that he had a groin injury that slowed him down a little at the end of the season. Wells still went out to win his third straight state championship (first in Class 2A) in the 800 Meter Run this past May.

Powell’s dominance in the 3200 gave him the slight edge in this category. What could not be separated was the class the two student athletes showed on and off the track. They will be missed as they go for success on the collegiate scene.

Congratulations to Mathias Powell of Mahomet-Seymour High School as the 2019 ILXCTF.com 2A Boys Distance Events Athlete of the Year.

1A BOYS

It was Christopher Collet of Seneca that ruled the Class 1A distance scene as he took home the “distance triple crown” winning the state cross country title in the fall and then on the track during the spring. Collet was in complete control in winning the 3200 Meter Run even though he was only three seconds ahead in winning in front of Caelin Foley. His kick ahead of Noah McIntyre and Negus Bogard in winning the 1600 Meter Run was just as impressive.

Congratulations to Christopher Collet of Seneca High School as the 2019 ILXCTF.com 2A Boys Distance Events Athlete of the Year.