By Michael Newman

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Could a triple win occur this spring in the three Class 1A sprint events this spring? It is possible. Makail Stanley of Argenta-Oreana could achieve that. The senior qualified in all three events in last year’s state meet. In the 100 Meter Dash, he returns with the top returning place (3rd). He finished second in the 400 Meter Dash and is the top returning finisher in that event. The 200 Meter Dash finals resulted in a fifth-place finish for Stanley. He is the second returning sprinter in the event.

Stanley does have the talent to finish this triple with three gold medals at the end of May. The experiences that he encountered in last year’s state meet will help him in this journey this spring.

Two athletes that could detour Stanley

The 400 Meter Dash could be one of the top events in this classification, let alone the entire Boys State Meet. Keegan Anderson of Morrison is the logical choice to slow down Stanley in this event. Anderson is back with the top returning time in the event (48.73) just three hundredths of a second ahead of the best from Stanley. Anderson made it through the state meet running with a calf injury finishing eighth. A healthy Anderson could push Stanley under 48-seconds and possibly win the event. Two other runners, Aiden Jany of Chester and Watseka’s Jameson Cluver, both made last year’s finals. However, their seasonal bests were more than a second behind that of Anderson and Stanley.

Aidan Laughery of Gibson City-Melvin Sibley finished seventh in the 100 Meter Dash and fourth in the 200 Meter Dash and should be one of Stanley’s chief competition in those two events. The first state meet for Laughery showed him what is possible down the road. He does have the fastest returning times in those two sprint races. We may be talking about Laughery in next year’s preview about doing this triple if he dabbles some time this season in the 400 Meter Dash.

Also watch for Marshall Walk of Spring Valley Hall. He made the finals in last year’s 100 and has the third fastest returning time. Walk could be a surprise to some in the 200 Meter Dash.

Hurdle Notes

Who wants to be a champion in the 110 High Hurdles in Class 1A? There is a big possibility for anyone to step up. The top six finishers from last year’s finals all have graduated. Jefferson Caspary of Clifton Central finished seventh and is the top returning athlete. Caspary’s time of 15.06 from last year is nearly three tenths of a second ahead of the rest of the returnees.

Four athletes that I would keep an eye include two of last year’s finalists Bennett Soltow of Forreston and Kollin Schilpf of El Paso-Gridley. Two athletes that could cross the line first in May include Chandler Ellis of Winnebago and Ethan Zettler of DuQuoin.

The 300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles offer even more opportunity to win a state championship. Three athletes are back that have seasonal bests under 41-seconds. Chandler Ellis has the fastest returning time (39.31) and the top returning finish when he placed fourth. Jack Elder of St. Anthony finished seventh and is back. Cody Thole of Princeville is the only other returning athlete that has a time of 41 seconds. Ramsey Hunt of Hume-Shiloh could be a surprise in the event. He will be watched in the horizontal jumps. I would keep an eye on him in this event as well.

A First Look at the 1A Relays

This is why we run meets heading to the state series. Coaches find out in smaller meets which runners could work out perfectly in their state plans.

The 400 Meter Relay does not have any of the top four final teams that have more than two returning runners. Dakota, who finished fifth in the 4x1, returns three and has a leg up on the rest of the classification.

The 800 Meter Relay is the same story. Maroa-Forsyth, who finished fifth in the finals, has three runners back along with Camp Point Central and Althoff Catholic.

Morrison should be the clear favorite in the 1600 Meter Relay especially returning all of their quartet. They did not use Keegan Anderson in the finals last year because of his leg injury. A healthy Anderson could mean a sub 3:20 from this talented team.

Top Returning Class 1A Boys Sprint/Hurdle Events Athletes

100 Meter Dash

200 Meter Dash

400 Meter Dash

110 Meter High Hurdles

300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles