2022 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championships - Class 1A Teams Preview

By Michael Newman [email protected]

The Class 1A meet beginning on Thursday is so up in the air with as many as 14 teams that could be chasing after a trophy. There is one certainty in this group of eight teams that we preview: Cowden Herrick is back to defend. Teams like Decatur St. Teresa, Shelbyville, and Lena-Winslow could be in the trophy mix as well. It is these eight teams that we list below that could have the best chance to claim the top prize on Saturday afternoon.

Here is a look at some of the teams to watch for this weekend.

Cowden-Herrick

Qualifiers – Total = 6 (6I, 0R) 6 Events

Preview – Cowden Herrick is back again ready to defend their 1A state title. They did it last season with only two athletes. Both athletes are back and put this team in contention for a trophy at the least. Jadon Robertson is having a banner season with the top times in the 110m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles, Long Jump, and the High Jump. He is the defending champion at the both the 110 Highs and the High Jump. Daniel Lucas will give the team points in both weight events. Lucas is fourth currently this year in the 1A Discus. He achieved a state lead in the Shot Put at the Newton Sectional on May 18.

Arthur-Lovington

Qualifiers – Total = 7 (7I, 0R) 6 Events

Preview – The Knights come into Charleston with no qualifiers in the relays or the field events. They do have the qualifiers on the track that could make a run at a trophy. Max Allen qualified in three sprint events to lead this team. He has the third fastest time in Class 1A in the 200 Meter Dash and fourth in the 400 Meter Dash. He could be one of the favorites in both events. He is also qualified in the 100 Meter Dash. ALAH qualified in all three distance events with two runners. Jace Green could get his team points in either the 800 Meter Run or 1600 Meter Run. Logan Beckmier is among the top 20 runners this season in either the 1600 Meter Run or 3200 Meter Run. He could also get points in either of those races.

Kankakee McNamara

Qualifiers – Total = 5 (3I, 2R) 5 Events

Preview – People were asking after the 1A finals a year ago of who was that freshman who swept the sprints? Tony Phillips did wow the crowd on that Thursday. He is now a sophomore and a little faster. He comes into the 1A Prelims Thursday in the 100 Meter Dash with the second fastest time in the 100 Meter Dash. He will lead the field with the fastest 1A time this spring in the 200 Meter Dash. McNamara, with Philips anchoring, will need to do some work to get into the Saturday finals of the 4x100m Relay. The Irish are ranked 16th in the yearly rankings. They are ranked #14 in 1A this season in the 4x200m Relay. It will take 30-35 points to win a trophy on Saturday. Bishop Mac could be in the hunt but will need a great Thursday.

El Paso-Gridley

Qualifiers – Total = 13 (10I, 3R) 12 Events

Preview – Another team that could make their presence known on Saturday. They are one of the top teams in Class 1A with 13 qualifiers. The Titans did qualify in the 4x1, 4x2, and 4x4. They could make the finals in all three of those relays. Noah Ludy qualified in the 1600 Meter Run and could provide points for his team. Sam Bushert will be in the 3200 Meter Run and could finish in the top nine. Freshman Marcus Czapar has improved all season in the Pole Vault. Watch for him in that event.

Pleasant Plains

Qualifiers – Total = 11 (7I, 4R) 11 Events

Preview – A team that we could see on the podium at the end of the day on Saturday. The Cardinals have all four relays at Charleston. They currently have the second fastest time this season in the 4x100m Relay, among the top 10 teams in the 4x200m Relay, eighth in the 4x400m Relay, and among the top 10 in 4x800m Relay. You could expect points in all four of those relays. Their strength on the track is in the 400 Meter Dash. Zach Powell enters this weekend with the top 1A time in the state. He could also be a surprise in the High Jump. His teammate Jack Pearce currently has the sixth fastest sectional time. Nathan Cain is in position to score points in both the 110 Highs and the 300 Intermediates.

Rockford Christian

Qualifiers – Total = 9 (5I, 4R) 9 Events

Preview – This is another year where the Royal Lions are in position to finish in the top three teams. Their strength again could be in the relays. They are #4 in Class 1A in the 4x400m Relay and Class 1A #7 in the 4x800m Relay. They could be favorites in both events. Bjorn Carlson will be one of the favorites in the 400 Meter Dash. He currently has the #2 1A time in the state at that distance. Adam Santana is #3 this season in the Triple Jump and has the best sectional mark heading into this meet. Weston Forward qualified in both the 3200 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run. He could be among the top 6 runners in the 3200 Meter Run.

Winnebago

Qualifiers – Total = 8 (5I, 3R) 8 Events

Preview – Winnebago should be in the mix for a trophy. The Indians have the top 1A time in the state in the 4x200m Relay and sixth in the 4x100m Relay. They could score big points in both. Winnebago also has the top 1A time in the 4x400m Relay and will be one of the favorites in the event that will end the meet. The rest of their points should come in field events. Jakob DiPiazza could pick up points in the Discus. Brady Schaller qualified in the Pole Vault and should make the finals. Michael Cunningham is also a possibility to get points in the Long Jump.

Newton

Qualifiers – Total = 14 (10I, 4R) 12 Events

Preview – The Eagles have the most qualifiers in the 1A field with 14. They are a team that could leave Charleston with a trophy. Parker Wolf qualified in both the 100 Meter Dash and 400 Meter Dash. He could score in both. Nick Zwilling could score points in both the 3200 Meter Run and 1600 Meter Run. All four relays advanced to Charleston. All four could score points. Their 4x800m team is currently ranked #4 in Class 1A. The Eagles are #5 in the 4x100m Relay. Newton has the top time this year in the 4x400m Relay and will be one of the favorites in that race. Jacob Wickham should make the finals in both the Shot Put and the Discus.