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2021 IHSA Class 3A Boys State Meet Preview

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Illinois IHSA Outdoor State Championships   Jun 16th 2021, 2:40pm
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2021 IHSA Class 3A Boys State Meet Preview

 

By Michael Newman

[email protected]

 

 

The final day of the IHSA Boys State Meet will be once again will be full of anticipation of what big performances will happen in Charleston.

 

Brandon Battle of Edwardsville will look to sweep the sprint events. He could go past and break the 400 Meter Dash State Meet Record. Who will be the king of the 100 Meter Dash? Battle could be the one. Tyler Colwell and Marshall Ellis could challenge. Liam McGill could be the second athlete from Bloomington to win the Pole Vault.

 

The distance races should be lights out starting with Minooka the favorite in the 4x800m Relay with teams from York, Sandburg, Lyons Township, and Neuqua Valley chasing after them. The art of the kick will be in action in the 800 Meter Run from Hinsdale Central sophomore Daniel Watcke entering the race as the favorite.

 

Minooka comes into the meet as the team favorite. Neuqua Valley and Batavia are among the challengers for that top trophy.

 

Here is a look at each Class 3A events and some of the teams to watch for on Saturday.

 

Running Events

 

4x800m Relay

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 7:37.36 – Orland Park (Sandburg) - 2016

 

IHSA State Meet Record (4x880y) – 7:38.0 – Harvey Thornton - 1976

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 7:37.36 – Orland Park (Sandburg) - 2016

 

2021 3A Best – 7:49.74 - Minooka

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 7:49.74 – Minooka

 

Preview – This year this relay is a one-time shot. No prelims to take a chance to qualifying. No scratching athletes in individual events to save them for the finals. It makes for what again will be the most anticipated race on the 3A meet schedule.

 

Minooka has been among the top teams this season including last week’s state leading 7:49.74 to win at Homewood-Flossmoor winning by 30 seconds. Vincent Van Eck anchors this team that likes to take control of this race early. The same should happen in Saturday’s race. Sandburg dropped their seasonal best down to 7:51.92 to winning last week at Naperville North and in position to win this race. Their tradition plays a part in the heritage of this state meet event including holding the state meet record. Three underclassmen plus senior Ismail Tineh will have the Eagles in position for the win.

 

York has been among the top teams in this event all season. They have changed their lineup each week, but still run a seasonal best. Collin Hill will anchor the Dukes to what they hope will be a state championship. Lyons Township edged York at the WSC-Silver Meet two weeks ago and will also be in the mix anchored by Joaquel Thorpe. Neuqua Valley, who finished ahead of Lyons Township in the sectional, will need to stay close in the first three legs to get the baton to anchor Nicolas Dovalovsky. If “Dovo” is close on the final leg, the Wildcats could end up winning.

 

Glenbard West could challenge for a top five finish anchored by Pierce Cousins. Chatham-Glenwood surprised some last week running 7:55.41 in their Bloomington Sectional win. The Titans could be a surprise again this week. Oak Park-River Forest and Libertyville will also be in all-state chase with St. Charles East, Barrington, and Edwardsville all in that mix.

 

4x100m Relay

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 40.86 – Crete-Monee - 2019

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 40.86 – Crete-Monee - 2019

 

2021 3A Best – 41.40 – Homewood-Flossmoor

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 41.40 – Homewood-Flossmoor

 

Preview – Times have been coming down in this 3A relay the past two weeks. Homewood-Flossmoor enters this meet with the fastest state time pushed by Minooka in their own sectional last week. The two quartets are the class of this field and will push each other close to 41 seconds in this race.  The anchors, Marshall Ellis of Homewood-Flossmoor, and Minooka’s Tyler Colwell are two of the best in the state. We may have to go to the photo to decide the winner.

 

Oak-Park-River Forest has been quietly improving this spring and could also challenge for the championship. Nahlyee Bryant anchors a team that is hungry for a state championship. St. Charles North and Batavia went 1-2 last week at their sectional. Both teams could go under 42 seconds in this race. Normal West dropped their seasonal best down to 42.45 in their sectional win. They could surprise again in this race. The team we will not see in this race is Edwardsville. The Tigers have the #5 time in 3A but did not qualify due to a false start.

 

Plainfield North, Neuqua Valley, and Belleville East should be in the final section of this event and could challenge for a top five finish. TF South and Naperville north will be in Section 2 challenging for an all-state spot.

 

3200 Meter Run

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 8:42.89 – Donald Sage, Elmhurst (York) - 2000

 

IHSA State Meet Record (2-Mile) – 8:42.6 – Craig Virgin, Lebanon - 1973

 

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

 

2021 3A Best – 9:03.28 – Nick Falk (JR), Winnetka (New Trier)

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 9:11.24 – Spencer Werner (JR), Wilmette (Loyola Academy)

 

Preview – This race is hard to figure out. Luckily, one of the runners in this event will do that for us. Five runners in this field have run under 9:12 this season led by the 9:03.28 Nick Falk ran in Palatine. Falk finished third in his sectional behind sectional leader Spencer Werner and teammate Charlie Siebert. Micah Wilson of St. Charles East has a 9:09.14 season’s best from Palatine and will be a threat in the front of this race. Stephen Barretto of Rolling Meadows continues to show improvement having run a best of 9:17.48 at Glenbrook South. Keep an eye on him on Saturday.

 

Ben Calusinski of Geneva ran 9:05.24 at Palatine in May. He is #14 out of the sectional qualifiers with 27 in this event with the 9:30 he ran last week. Luke Wiley of Warren Township cruised to a 9:27.61 sectional win. He ran 9:02.65 indoors and should be a threat in this race. Declan Tunney of Sandburg, Owen Hays of Lyons Township, Austin Popplewell of Yorkville, and Chase Burrell of Naperville North have the talent to ne all-state. Tim Neumann of Downers Grove South missed most of outdoors due to an injury but appears ready for Saturday. He did run 9:13.10 indoors. He could be a surprise in this race.

 

110 Meter Hurdles

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 13.79 – Travis Anderson, Edwardsville – 2016

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 13.79 – AJ Harris, Wheaton (North) - 2012

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 13.79 – Travis Anderson, Edwardsville – 2016

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 13.79 – AJ Harris, Wheaton (North) - 2012

 

2021 3A Best – 14.10 – Kalil Johnson (SR), Evanston (Township)

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 14.31 – Kalil Johnson (SR), Evanston (Township)

 

Preview – There are three athletes that have times under 14.50 after sectional meets. The best is Kail Johnson that leads the state at 14.10 at a meet in Chicago at the end of May. Johnson has the top four times in Class 3A this year and should be the man to beat. Gabe Czako of Lockport and Jalen Johnson of Metea Valley had a great race last week with Czako running 14.36 only six hundredths of a second ahead of Johnson. Either Johnson or Czako could come away with the win.

 

Max Wilhelm of Deerfield has a season’s best of 14.81 from last week and will look to contend for an  all-state medal. Michael Campbell of Rolling Meadows is also under 15 seconds and an athlete to watch for on Saturday. Sean Kirkwood of Waubonsie Valley has a 15.03 best and will be also a threat in the top five. Kirkwood’s teammate Alex Wiley ran a personal best time in finishing behind his teammate last week. I would not count him out placing all-state. Danny Lang of Wheaton North and Saiheed Jah of Moline are two of others that will challenge for a first nine finish.

 

100 Meter Dash

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 10.31 – Marcellus Moore, Plainfield (North) - 2018

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 10.31 – Marcellus Moore, Plainfield (North) - 2018

 

2021 3A Best – 10.48 – Tyler Colwell (SR), Minooka

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 10.67 – Javerius McGuinn (SR), Wauconda

 

Preview – Deciding the fastest man in the Illinois High School ranks is always exciting. After a year away from EIU, this year will be no exception.  Marshall Ellis of Homewood-Flossmoor and Tyler Colwell of Minooka were within three hundredth of a second with Ellis winning in 10.71. Colwell has the fastest time in the state (all-conditions) with a 10.48 time at his conference meet. Javerius McGuinn of Wauconda has run 10.83 or faster two of his three races leading up to Saturday. McGuinn will be in the discussion for the win having run a sectional lead of 10.67 last week at Grayslake Central.

 

Brandon Battle of Edwardsville will be in all three sprint races in this meet. His first is this event where he has a personal best of 10.63 (wind-aided). He has run this event four times in 2021. Three of those four times are 10.74 or faster. The Eastern Illinois signee is home on this track. Watch for him also in the front in this race.

 

This event is deep in talent with 16 of the 24 qualifiers under 11 seconds. Battle is #9 and should be in the final section if they make the cut after nine. Joshua Duncan of St. Charles North is coming on strong and could be one of the surprises in this race. The same holds true for Jettason Rose of Quincy who ran a 10.76 PR in his conference meet. Tyler Mack of TF South has a 10.72 best also from his conference meet. Keep an eye on him as well. Sean Hopkins of Glenbard West could be the surprise in this race having a 10.84 best. Keep an eye on the Glenbard senior.

 

800 Meter Run

 

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

 

IHSA State Meet Record (880y) – 1:48.9 – Dave Ayoub, Peoria - 1977

 

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

 

2021 3A Best – 1:52.72 – Daniel Watcke (SO), Hinsdale (Central)

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 1:54.24 – Ryan Maseman (SR), Plainfield (North)

 

Preview Daniel Watcke should be the runner to watch in this meet going undefeated in this distance this spring and 1:52.72 best for the sophomore. Ryan Maseman has the best sectional time and does have a kick to match that of Watcke. Ivan Westcott of Yorkville surprised some by running 1:54.98 behind Maseman last week at Rock Island. He also shows an explosiveness at the end of the race and could be a threat.

 

Josh Delgado of Grant Community has the second fastest in the state (1:53.11) trailing only Watcke. Delgado has a fantastic kick but will have to release it earlier especially in this field with so many runners having speed in the end. Lucas Guidone of Taft has run 1:56.44 and could be among the front runners at the end. Jocqael Thorpe of Lyons Township and Vincent Van Eck of Minooka will both be doubling back from the 4x8. They could earn al-state honors. Logan Veloz of East Moline ran a huge PR in his sectional race. A duplication of that effort puts him in all-state.

 

Brett Wasick of Bolingbrook, Hunter Reyes of Yorkville, and Byron Jones of Belleville East should be factors in the IHSA divides the section into two sections. Tim Archibald of Geneva and Ryan Schreiner of Wheaton North both will not make it into the final section. They do have bests that could have them finish in the first six runners overall.

 

4x200m Relay

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 1:25.83 – Cahokia - 2015

 

IHSA State Meet Record (4x220y) – 1:25.7 – East St. Louis-Senior - 1975

 

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

 

2021 3A Best – 1:28.17 – Homewood-Flossmoor

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 1:28.17 – Homewood-Flossmoor

 

Preview – Three teams have run under 1:29 so far this season including state leader Homewood-Flossmoor at 1:28.17. Batavia ran their season’s best of 1:28.54 at their home sectional. Minooka ran 1:29.08 in their sectional. The Indians ran 2:28.68 in their conference meet. These three quartets are the ones you should keep an eye on.

 

Neuqua Valley and Lockport will be in the chase for the first three places. I would keep a close eye on Oak Park-River Forest. It seems they have been racing against the clock all year. The competition at Charleston could have them under 1:29. Naperville North and Plainfield South also should be teams to watch for in the final section of this event.

 

400 Meter Dash

 

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

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 46.24 – Kahmari Montgomery, Plainfield (Central) – 2015

 

2021 3A Best – 46.60 – Brandon Battle (SR), Edwardsville

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 46.60 – Brandon Battle (SR), Edwardsville

 

Preview – The marquee event of this meet. Brandon Battle went out at the Bloomington Sectional last Thursday and ran the second fastest time in Illinois High School history (46.60) for this distance. He trails only Kahmari Montgomery who ran his 46.24 in the 2015 IHSA State Meet. Battle will be by himself again in this race. He has a season best by more than two seconds ahead of the rest of qualifiers. He will be close at the record. I think he could re-write it where no one will touch it for some time to come.

 

Max Mitchell of Neuqua Valley is having a special senior season running 48.81 as a best. He will lead the chase pack going after battle along with Evan Gronewold of Huntley, Jonah Fallon of Batavia, and Ja’Mari Newell of DeKalb close behind.

 

300 Meter Hurdles

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 36.53 – Deion McShane, Freeport - 2017

 

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

 

2021 3A Best – 38.60 – Kalil Johnson (SR), Evanston (Township)

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 38.61 – Kalil Johnson (SR), Evanston (Township)

 

Preview – Could this be the second state championship of the day for Kalil Johnson? The Evanston senior comes in with the fastest two times in Class 3A. He is not a lock on the win. Jamarion Stubbs of Elgin Larkin, Gabe Czako of Lockport, and Jalen Johnson of Metea Valley are the only other runners under 39 seconds among the qualifiers and within at least a quarter of a second behind.

 

Davonte Crawford of Normal West should just make the final section of this race. He has a 39.15 seasonal best. Nathan Shapiro of Glenbrook South, Max Wilhelm of Deerfield, Saiheed Jah of Moline, and Adepoju Arogundade of Chatham-Glenwood all should be in the final section and should challenge for a top three finish along with Crawford.

 

1600 Meter Run

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 4:05.17 – Jeff Thode, Hoffman Estates (Conant) - 2009

 

IHSA State Meet Record (1-Mile) – 4:07.1 – Andy Isla-Rubert, Hillside (Proviso West) - 1970

 

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

 

2021 3A Best – 4:13.02 – Nicolas Dovalovsky (SR), Naperville (Neuqua Valley)

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 4:13.25 – Nicolas Dovalovsky (SR), Naperville (Neuqua Valley)

 

Preview – Four times Class 3A runners have gone under 4:14 this spring. Nicolas Dovalovsky has done it twice with the best 3A time (4:13.02) and best 3A sectional time (4:13.25). Dovalovsky has a great kick that he can start from 500-meters out. He could be tough to beat in this race.

 

Jacob Myers of Lake Zurich went under 4:14 last week (4:13.95) and does have god speed in the end that could also challenge the Neuqua Valley senior. Luke Schildmeyer of St. Charles East also has speed at  the end having a 1:54 best this spring at 800-meters. Ivan Wescott of Yorkville ran 4:13.96 in Wheaton last month. He will also be running the 800 Meter Run. He could still be a threat in this race. Micah Wilson of St. Charles East, Spencer Werner of Loyola Academy, and Luke Wiley of Warren Township all will be doubling back from the 3200. Al three could be factors in this race.

 

Griffin Pasha of Warren Township will be among the leaders along with Wil Kiley of Lockport and Marcellus Mines of Joliet West. The cutoff might be at 4:22.13 in this two-section race. Runners like Arthur Graham of Naperville Central, Pierce Cousins of Glenbard West, and George Cahill of New Trier could go under 4:20 in the opening section. Nine runners have gone under 4:20 in their sectional race. It could take 4:11-4:12 to win.

 

200 Meter Dash

 

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

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 20.89 – Anthony Moorman, Roselle (Lake Park) - 1997

 

2021 3A Best – 21.46 – Brandon Battle (SR), Edwardsville

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 21.61 – Brandon Battle (SR), Edwardsville

 

Preview – This should be a great race with five sectional qualifiers all under 22 seconds. Brandon Battle has the fastest time in the state at 21.46 and again could be tough to beat. Tyler Colwell of Minooka ran a personal best of 21.61 and is running hot. The junior could win this state title. Joshua Duncan of St. Charles North, Tyler Mack of TF South, and Marshall Ellis of Homewood-Flossmoor have all run under 21.8 this season and will be factors on who wins on Saturday. Javerius McGuinn of Wauconda at 21.86 will be in the mix for the win in this race as well.

 

Max Mitchell of Neuqua Valley, Jettason Rose of Quincy, and Jailen Duffie of Warren Township all should be in the final section. Any of the three athletes could finish in the top five. Reese Young of Wheaton-Warrenville South, Sean Hopkins of Glenbard West, and DeMarrea Davis could be the lead runners in Section 2 and could get all-state honors.

 

4x400m Relay

 

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

 

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

 

2021 3A Best – 3:21.63 – Hinsdale (Central)

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 3:21.63 – Hinsdale (Central)

 

Preview – Hinsdale Central has been the hot relay team in this field having run a state best of 3:21.63 and almost ahead of Plainfield South. It could be an interesting final 400 of this meet with Daniel Watcke of Hinsdale Central and Niko Schultz running sub-48’s in the final race of the day.

 

Batavia has the talent on their quartet that could run under 3:20 and win this race. Plainfield North and Neuqua Valley have the talent to claim the state championship in this race.

 

Field Events

 

High Jump

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 2.2225m (7-3.5) – Tom Smith, Heyworth - 1985

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 2.21615m (7-3.25) – Gail Olson, Sycamore - 1977

 

2021 3A Best – 2.03m (6-8) – Rob Pulliam (JR), Moline

 

2021 3A Best – 2.03m (6-8) – Jonovan Findley (JR), Normal (Community West)

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 2.00m (6-6.75) – Matt Cless (JR), Evanston (Township)

 

Preview – This event is wide-open. Only two athletes, Jonovan Findley and Rob Pulliam of Moline, have cleared 6-8 in Class 3A this season. Both will be favorites in this event along with Matt Cless who is the sectional leader. Porter Conroy of Kaneland, Charlie Nolan of Normal West, and Marcus Kennedy of Brother Rice are some of many that could win this state title.

 

Pole Vault

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 5.334m (17-6) – Zachery Bradford, Bloomington - 2018

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 5.334m (17-6) – Zachery Bradford, Bloomington - 2018

 

2021 3A Best – 5.05m (16-6.75) – Liam McGill (SR), Bloomington

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 5.05m (16-6.75) – Liam McGill (SR), Bloomington

 

PreviewLiam McGill is the class of this field after clearing 16-6.75 in his sectional meet. There are five other athletes that have cleared 15-0 or higher including Charles Cruse of Normal Community, Victor Rodriguez of BC Morton, Christian Sobecki of Oswego, and Kaneland’s Aiden Gatz and Ted Allen all could be among the first three in this event. Also watch for Tim Gale of Schaumburg, Nicholas Fortino of Batavia, and Joshua Kolodziej of St. Charles North in this competition.

 

Shot Put

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 20.9296m (68-8) – John Meyer, Lockport (Township) - 2018

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 20.9296m (68-8) – John Meyer, Lockport (Township) - 2018

 

2021 3A Best – 19.96m (65-5.75) – Kyle Clabough (JR), Yorkville

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 19.50m (63-11.75) – Kyle Clabough (JR), Yorkville

 

PreviewKyle Clabough has been the king of the ring in this event all season. He has the state’s best mark and the best sectional mark. One athlete that has showed great improvement as this season has progressed has been Hunter Matuch of Vernon Hills. They are the only athletes that have passed 60 feet this season that are in this meet.

 

Alex Sohn of Normal Community, Pablo Gennarelli of St. Charles North, and Ryan Faut of Glenbrook South all have marks better than 56 feet and will challenge for a top three finish.

 

Discus

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 62.7634m (205-11) – AJ Epenesa, Edwardsville - 2016

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 62.7634m (205-11) – AJ Epenesa, Edwardsville - 2016

 

2021 3A Best – 55.10m (180-9.25) – Hunter Matuch (SR), Vernon Hills

 

2021 3A Sectional Best  – 55.10m (180-9.25) – Hunter Matuch (SR), Vernon Hills

 

PreviewHunter Matuch has won five of six meets in this discipline with four of those marks over 170 feet. His 180-9 best in his sectional demonstrates how hot he is right now. He could be tough to pass on Saturday. Ethan Richter of Libertyville fouled on all his attempts in the Shot Put in his sectional meet. He did make it to state in this event and has a 169-8 best to his credit.

 

Six other athletes went past 160 feet in sectional led by Paolo Gennarelli of St. Charles North. Ryan Faut of Glenbrook South, Zach Petko of Cary-Grove, Chris Garcia-Cloud of Collinsville, and Kyle Clabough of Yorkville are some of the other athletes to watch in this event.

 

Long Jump

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 7.62635m (25-0.25) – Ja’Mari Ward, Cahokia - 2015

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 7.43585m (24-4.75) – Steve Battle, Chicago (Gordon Tech) - 1989

 

2021 3A Best – 7.28m (23-10.5) – Sean Hopkins (SR), Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 7.09m (23-3.25) – A’Tiq Muhammad (SR), Rockford (Guilford)

 

Preview – It could be up for grabs in this event led by the seasonal best of Sean Hopkins. The senior jumped 23-10.5 on his home runway in May but remains a threat to win the state crown. He has two other marks this spring over 22 feet. A’Tiq Muhammad is the hot jumper in this field jumping over 22-6 in three meets as well as having the sectional best of 23-3.25 last week. Malcom Bevans of St. Ignatius College Prep is on at the right time jumping 23-2.75 last week. Nathan Shapiro of Glenbrook South has jumped beyond 23 feet this season and will be a threat to win.

 

Jake Mackowiak of Lincoln-Way East and Connor Frank of Jacobs went past 22-6 last week and could challenge for a top finish. Jalen Buckley of Batavia and Jamar McMillan of Homewood-Flossmoor are some of the athletes to watch for.

 

Triple Jump

 

IHSA State Meet Record – 15.5702m (51-1) – Cameron Ruiz, Lake Villa (Lakes) - 2017

 

IHSA Class 3A State Meet Record – 15.5702m (51-1) – Cameron Ruiz, Lake Villa (Lakes) - 2017

 

2021 3A Best – 14.61m (47-11.25) – Malcom Bevans (SR), Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep)

 

2021 3A Sectional Best – 14.49m (47-6.5) – Leslie Fisher (SR), Normal (Community West)

 

Preview Malcom Bevans could sweep the horizontal jumps in this meet, but it could be tough. The senior does have the best jump in the state (47-11.25) and could go past 48 feet on Saturday. Leslie Fisher of Normal West will be one of the chief competitors to Bevans having jumped 47-6.5 at Bloomington last week. Desmond Horton is another great horizontal jumper from Lake Park. The junior jumped 46-9.75 last week and will be in reach for a state championship.

 

Three other athletes (Sean Hopkins of Glenbard West, Aaron Wofford of St. Laurence, and Josh Franklin of Crete-Monee) all can jump 47 feet and challenge for top three finishes. Jalen Buckley of Batavia and Justin Gnade of Naperville North could surprise with top five finishes.

 

TEAMS TO WATCH

 

Minooka

 

Qualifiers: Total = 12; 8 Individuals, 4 Relays

 

Outlook – Minooka enters this meet as the favorite to bring home their first state championship trophy. The Indians have the mix of strong relays and strong individuals that will get them to that point on Saturday. Minooka has the fastest time in the 4x800m Relay and will be the favorite entering this meet. Tyler Colwell will be one of the favorites in the 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash. He will be on the 4x100m Relay and 4x200m Relay teams that will challenge for wins in both events. Minooka also qualified their 4x400m Relay team to state. They could also pick up points in that race. Vincent Van Eck could pick up points in the 800 Meter Run along with Adam Shaw. Zachary Balzer ran big last week in qualifying for the 1600 Meter Run. The field is loaded but he could still score in that race. Dylan Meyer could score points in the Shot Put.

 

Naperville (Neuqua Valley)

 

Qualifiers: Total = 8; 4 Individuals, 4 Relays

 

Outlook – The Wildcats will be in the hunt for a state team title but do not have room for slip ups. Nicolas Dovalovsky has the top time in the 1600 Meter Run and will be the favorite in that race. He will also anchor their 4x800m Relay that is expected to score some major points. Max Mitchell will score big points in both the 400 Meter dash and 200 Meter Dash. Mitchell will be a part of the 4x100m Relay that could finish in the top five on Saturday. Mitchell did not run in the 4x400m Relay in their sectional meet. He is expected to race it on Saturday. That relay could be among the top finishers in that race. Their quartet in the 4x200m Relay could also pick up points.

 

Batavia

 

Qualifiers: Total = 9; 6 Individuals, 3 Relays

 

Outlook – The Bulldogs will rely on their relay strength to bring a state championship back to Batavia. Their 4x400m Relay will be among the favorites along with the 4x200m Relay. They should also pick up good points in the 4x100m Relay. Jonah Fallon should be among the top finishers in the 400 Meter Dash. Jalen Bradley should pick up points in both the Triple Jump and the Long Jump. Casey Carlson could pick up some good points in the High Jump. Nicholas Fortino could score high in the standings in the Pole Vault.

 

Homewood-Flossmoor

 

Qualifiers: Total = 7; 5 Individuals, 2 Relays

 

Outlook – The Vikings don’t have the quantity of qualifiers for any mistakes in the 3A State Finals but could leave Charleston with a trophy. Marshall Ellis is one of the favorites in the 100 Meter Dash and 200 Meter Dash and should score some major points. Ellis will be part of their top ranked quartets in the 4x100m Relay and 4x200m Relay that are favorited to win both races. Jamar McMillian could be among the top nine finishers in the Long Jump.

 

Edwardsville

 

Qualifiers: Total = 7; 6 Individuals, 1 Relay

 

Outlook – A false start in their 4x100m Relay sectional race hampers the Tigers’ chances to challenge for a state championship. They do have Brandon Battle that will the big favorite in the 400 Meter Dash. Battle will be one of the favorites in the 200 Meter Dash and will score major points in the 100 Meter Dash. Edwardsville does have the talent to score some points in the 4x800m Relay.

 

Normal West

 

Qualifiers: Total = 9; 7 Individuals, 2 Relays

 

Outlook – The Wildcats could score early and often in the field events and have other teams chasing them for the state championship. Leslie Fisher is the top seed in the Triple Jump and will score big points. Fisher could also score points in the Long Jump. Jonovan Findley and Charlie Nolan could pick up big points in the High Jump. Nolan could be a surprise in the 200 Meter Dash.  Jamari Myer should be among the top nine finishers in the Long Jump. Davonte Crawford should score points in the 300 Meter Hurdles. The Wildcats should also score points in the 4x100m Relay and 4x200m Relay.

 

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