2022 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championships - Class 2A Teams Preview

By Michael Newman [email protected]

The balance of power in Class 2A remains south of I-80 in 2022. The only Chicago area team is Burlington Central who could challenge for a top five finish. Perennial track power East St. Louis-Senior could be the team to watch qualifying 16 to this weekend’s 2A meet. There are a number of squads that could walk away with the state crown including Mt. Vernon and Mt. Zion.

Here are some of the teams to watch for this weekend in Charleston.

East St. Louis-Senior

Qualifiers – Total = 16 (14I, 2R) 13 Events

Preview – The sectional performance by the Flyers at last week’s Triad Sectional indicates that they have not forgotten their third-place finish from a year ago. They did not qualify in the 4x400m Relay last week where they had the fastest 2A time in the state but missed the qualifying standard by less than a second. Eastside still has the numbers to win the state trophy. Kenneth Buchanon is #4 in the 100 Meter Dash and the 200 Meter Dash.  The sophomore will challenge for the title in both events. Timothy Cross is among the top 10 in the 400 Meter Dash in which he should place in the top five on Saturday. Demarlynn Taylor is #6 in the 110 High Hurdles and has the top 2A time in the state in the 300 Meter Hurdles. You should see big points from this junior in both events. The Flyers are #4 in both the 4x1 and 4x2 this season. Watch for action from their quartets in both events. Samuel McClain Jr. has the #2 mark in the Shot Put with sophomore Andrew Bownes among the top 10 in the Discus.

Mt. Zion

Qualifiers – Total = 11 (9I, 2R) 11 Events

Preview – The Braves could be the team to beat when this meet starts on Friday morning with the preliminary session. They have 8 qualifiers that could score for this team. Christian Keyhea stepped into the spotlight indoors. He will be one of the favorites this weekend in both the 100 Meter Dash and the 200 Meter Dash. He will also be part of a quartet that could score points in both the 4x1 and 4x2. Sam Atkinson is 2A #4 in the 800 Meter Run and #7 in the 400 Meter Dash this season. He could score in both events. Julian Baker has the #12 time in the 3200 Meter Run in Class 2A. He does have the fifth fastest sectional time and could score some big points. Kyle Hensley cleared 15-1 (2A #4) last week at Tolono Unity. He could pick up big points in that event.

Mt. Vernon

Qualifiers – Total = 11 (8I, 3R) 10 Events

Preview – The Rams won a tough sectional at Mascoutah with 98 points. They can throw their hat in the state championship ring with the qualifiers that they have. Jacob Morrison currently has the top 2A jump in the state in the Long Jump and will be one of the favorites.  Alec Sledge has one of the top times in Class 2A in the 110 High Hurdles and will be one of the favorites in that event. Sledge also qualified in the 300 Meter Hurdles where he could also score points. Trey Mygatt is one of the top eight qualifiers in the 800 Meter Run where he could finish in the top five. Tanner Koontz is #3 this year in the Pole Vault with teammate Dakota Minor #6 in the same event. Both could get major points for their team on Saturday. Mt. Vernon is among the top 10 in the 4x1 and 4x2 and should pick up points in both of those relays.

Marion

Qualifiers – Total = 10 (8I, 2R) 8 Events

Preview – Field events will be Marion’s strength this weekend. Kane Carter is 2A #4 in the Discus this season. He could score in that event as well as the Shot Put. Colin Beers is among the top five in 2A in the Pole Vault and could challenge for the state title. Bryson Wilson is also among the top five in the Long Jump and will be one of the event favorites. Wilson also #3 in the 400 Meter Dash and could contend for a top finish. Dylon Nalley has the third fastest time from sectionals in the 3200 Meter Run. He should get big points in that event. Marion has the second fastest sectional time in the 4x800m Relay. They could also score in the 4x400m Relay where they are the fifth sectional seed.

Cahokia

Qualifiers – Total = 9 (9I, 0R) 6 Events

Preview – The Comanches are back where they belong contending for a state trophy. Their strength in the field events could take them to the podium at the end of Saturday. Nicholas Deloach is among the top five in the Long Jump and could chase after the state title. Jo’viano Howard is also in the event and could also get points. DeLoach has the top mark in the 2A Triple Jump and is the favorite in the event. Lorenzo Johnson-Cutler is #7 this year in the event and could also provide points. Howard is #4 this year in the High Jump and could contend for the win in a wide-open event. Deloach could also finish in the top nine. Keshawn Lyons ran the #3 time last week in the 110 Meter Hurdles and will contend for the title in that race. Lyons is the top sectional seed in the 300 Meter Hurdles who ran the second fastest 2A time in that event. What for him to contend in that race.

Burlington Central

Qualifiers – Total = 10 (7I, 3R) 9 Events

Preview – A good prelim session on Friday morning could put the Rockets in contention for a state trophy. Zac Schmidt has run under 50 seconds in the 400 Meter Dash. He could finish in the top three. Schmidt will anchor two of their relays. Their 4x8 is ranked #10 and could be among the top five in that race. Central is within three seconds of the top time in the 4x400m Relay and could be among the top teams on Saturday. Their 4x100m Relay team could get points for the team if they can get to Saturday’s finals. Yusuf Baig has the second sectional seed time in the 3200 Meter Run and could give his team big points. Baig has the fourth fastest sectional time in the 1600 Meter Run and could finish in that top five. Gavin Sarvis could be a surprise in the Long Jump.

Kankakee

Qualifiers – Total = 11 (8I, 3R) 9 Events

Preview – The Kankakee Boys team could replicate what the Girls team did last Saturday in winning a state championship. Jayon Morrow will be the athlete to watch for the Kays as he will be the favorite in three sprint events. Morrow has the second fastest 2A time in the 400 Meter Dash, the fastest 2A time in the 200 Meter Dash, and #5 in the 100 Meter Dash. Kankakee also has the fastest 2A 4x1 time this putting them in contention for another win. Kankakee ran the fastest sectional time last week in the 4x200m Relay. They could also pick up points in the 4x400m Relay. Nahzir Hill jumped the second longest distance last week in the Long Jump and could pick up some big points. Jyaire Hill is also among the top 10 in the Long Jump and could earn all-state honors.

Bartonville Limestone

Qualifiers – Total = 6 (4I, 2R) 6 Events

Preview – The Rockets need a perfect Friday in order to finish in the top five in this meet. Wilson Georges is running hot at the right time. He has the fastest time in the state in the 1600 Meter Run and will be the favorite on Saturday. Georges will also anchor Limestone’s team in the 4x400m Relay that is currently 2A #3 in the state. Reese Dusek qualified in the 400 Meter Dash and could make the finals. Dusek will anchor Limestone’s 4x100m Relay team that could make the finals. Sam Morse will be part of both relays. He is ranked #3 in the Long Jump and could challenge for a state championship. Frank Driscoll could also give his team bonus points in the Discus.