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Boys AA State Meet Preview
The Grand Finale
IHSA Boys Class AA Track & Field State Meet Preview
Prepared by Michael Newman
[email protected]
Someone once said that all good things must come to an end. This weekend, the final boys 2 class meet will be contested at O’Brien Field on the campus of Eastern Illinois University. Next season, the IHSA goes to 3 classes as you well know in boys track. Therefore, this will be the final go around on the state meet stage for a great neighborhood rivalry: 2-time defending AA state champ Cahokia and traditional powerhouse East St. Louis-Senior. At the Belleville East Sectional last Friday, Cahokia edged the Flyers by 5 points. The stage is set for a great battle that will go down to the final two events on the track. The weather outlook looks fantastic with weather in the 70’s with no rain (cross your fingers).
Every state meet, there is one individual that takes over and powers his team to the title. In 1979, Bob McGee of Evanston Township won the 120 Yard High Hurdles and the 330 Yard Low Hurdles. The Wildkits needed to win the mile relay to win the team championship. Legendary coach Willie May called on his stud McGee to anchor the mile relay. McGee took the baton 5 yards behind and brought his team back to win. Who will it be this year? Earnest Winters of Cahokia? JeVaughn Tabbs or Kraig Appelton of East St. Louis-Senior? Vernon George of Zion-Benton?
Here is an idea of what to look for this coming weekend.
TEAMS
Cahokia 10 individuals, 3 relays
The Comanches came out of the sectional at Belleville East in great shape. They will have a slight psychological edge in the short relays, beating East-side. A lot will depend on Earnest Winters. He is one of the top qualifiers in the 200 Meter Dash, a qualifier in the 100, and their anchor in both the 4x1 and the 4x2. His “partner in crime”, Junior Darien Donald, is the top seed in the 400 and has one of the fastest times in the 200. One of the big questions remains will Donald have enough in his tank if he makes it in the 200 final to come back in the 4x4? A big key to the success of this team will fall on Senior Kendrick McRath in the High Jump and the Triple Jump. Two weeks ago at the South Seven Conference Meet, McRath shocked the crowd by clearing 7’ 0” in the High Jump, the best in the state so far this season and also a best by almost 6 inches from his previous PR. Coach LeRoy Millsap needs that same level of effort from McRath this weekend. Points will also be needed from Senior London Davis in the Shot Put and the Discus. After the sectional meet, team leader Winters stated: “I don’t see anybody beating us…I can see us three-peating.”
East St. Louis-Senior 12 individuals, 3 relays
The Flyers will push Cahokia for the team championship again and could surpass them with some quality qualifiers. Coach Roscoe Whitfield has his squad peaking at the right time…as usual. Defending State Champ Junior Kraig Appelton popped a state leading 36.6 in the 300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles at Belleville East and will be favored to defend his crown. He will also be looked for points in the 110 Meter High Hurdles with Senior Ryan Miller, and in two relays. Senior JeVaughn Tabbs looks to be recovered from an early season hamstring injury to post the fastest sectional time in the 100 meters and the 4th fastest in the 400. The Flyers could dominate in all 3 relays they qualified in. Whitfield has a strong pool of sprinters to choose from. Whoever he chooses, they should not skip a beat. They could get bonus points from Sophomore Patrick Fenderson in the High Jump and Senior Jonathan Edwards in the Discus. It will come down to the final two events to see what the Flyers have in their tank to overtake Cahokia.
Springfield Lanphier 8 individuals, 2 relays
Coach Mike Garcia has quality in the small numbers he is bringing to Charleston. But he has enough power to challenge for a trophy. There is not a lot of room for mistakes. Lanphier returns all 4 runners from last year’s state champion 4x1 relay. They have the third fastest sectional time and could challenge Bolingbrook, Cahokia and ESL-Senior again. Garcia will have to count on his two senior sprint workhorses, Jacob Mitchell and Warnether Banks, who will be in both sprints and both short relays, to lead the way. Senior George Weed will be counted on for major points in the Shot Put and the Discus. Junior Cheldon Brown has improved as the season has wound down and has the top qualifier in the High Jump at Sectional competitions.
Elmhurst York 11 individuals, 4 relays
The Dukes have a bevy of individual qualifiers, but the bulk of their points will come from the relays. The Distance tradition Dukes have been sprint powerful this year, having some of the top times in the 4x1 and the 4x2, the latter in a school record 1:27.07 at the Fenwick Sectional. The question will be how Junior sprint ace John Fox will be used. He has qualified in the 100 and 200. Coach Stan Reddel usually has some wrinkles up his sleeve…we shall see this weekend. York is the defending champ in the 4 x 800 and Distance Coach Charlie Kern has not loaded it all season, yet they have run 7:52. We should see their best on Saturday. Look for strong points also to come from Junior Steve Sulkin in the 3200 and Senior Tom Achtien in the 1600.
Frankfort Lincoln-Way East 8 individuals, 2 relays
The Griffiths and Coach Charlie Breedlove could be the dark horses in the trophy chase, but they do have some quality runners that could score some points. Watch for Derek Severson to do some damage in the High Jump. Senior sprinter Nic Neuman has posted some fast times all season in the 100 and 200 and will be looked upon for some points in those disciplines. Senior Nathan Troester has been lying in the weeds all springs and looks to be peaking at the right time in the 3200. We could also see points from Senior Myles Scott-Stirn in the 1600.
Wheaton North 7 individuals, 4 relays
Don Helberg’s squad overpowered the competition in the Streamwood Sectional last weekend and could surprise some people this weekend in Charleston. The Falcons’ 4 x 800 meter team has the 2nd fastest time in the state this year and will be a force in this event. North could also get points in their other 3 relays. Graham Farnsworth is one of the favorites in the 800 and will score points. Senior Chase Kadlec will challenge in the 1600 for points.
Zion-Benton 3 individuals, 3 relays
Even though they were runners up to Lake Forest at last weeks Grayslake Central Sectional, Coach Leon Muff could surprise some people this Saturday. They will ride on the back of Senior Vernon George, who is the favorite in the Long Jump and will have his hand in all of the Zee-Bees’ relays.
Aurora Waubonsie Valley 5 individuals, 4 relays.
The Warriors will score major points in the Shot and Discus with Seniors’ Brett Einbecker and Dwight Harris. Sean Wiggan had one of the fastest indoor 800’s and will be in position to challenge for the 800 title on Saturday. Watch for Waubonsie’s 4x4 and 4x8 relays to score points as well.
Palatine 6 individuals, 3 relays
The Pirates will live and die off of the strength of Tim “Mookie” Williams and Mat Smoody. Williams has some of the best marks in the Long and Triple Jumps and will score points there. He will be a factor in their 4 x 2 relay as well. Senior Smoody is the defending champ in the 800 and will be the favorite in this race, having the fastest time in the state this spring. Watch for Smoody to anchor in the 4x4 relay. Coach John Nalley could get some points from Nick Busch in the High Jump.
Individual Events
Long Jump
We could see 3 or more competitors over 24 feet in this competition. Senior Vernon George of Zion Benton has to be considered the favorite. He has the best jump so far this season at 24’ 3”. Josh Kimberly of Rockton Hononegah has jumped 24’ on May 2 with a favorable wind and could challenge George. Junior Japheth Cato of Chicago Heights Bloom corked a 23’ 7” jump at the Lockport Sectional and will be pushing George. Also watch for Tim Williams of Palatine, Sam Ojuri of Barrington, Ty Kirk of Rolling Meadows, Mike Milton of Mascoutah, Roger Jones of Belleville East, and Justin Lawrence of Oswego East all for a shot at medals.
Triple Jump
Ty Kirk of Rolling Meadows was the longest returnee from last year’s state meet and is undefeated so far this season…but he is not the jumper that people are talking about. Senior Willis Gragg of Springfield Southeast has improved 4 feet over the last two weeks and has put his stamp on as being one of the favorites in this event. Senior Julian Mayfield of Rock Island improved 2 feet from his previous best at last week’s Rock Island Sectional, pushed by East Moline United’s Quinton Musgrow, who also went over 47’. Watch also for Tim Williams of Palatine, Kenderick McRath of Cahokia, Shareef Chandler-El of Schaumburg, Vince Johnson of Chicago St. Patrick, and Junior Rendell Smith of Skokie Niles North all in the medal hunt.
High Jump
Could the High Jump title stay in Springfield again this year? Springfield Lanphier’s Major Clay won the last two seasons before graduating. Junior Cheldon Brown has come on this spring, culminating so far with a 6’ 10” clearance at the Springfield Sectional. He is one of the favorites. Kenderick McRath has been one of the biggest surprises in this event. At the South Seven Conference Meet in Cahokia two weeks ago, the Cahokia Senior cleared 7’0”, some 6 inches better than his previous best. Will McRath have this consistency to challenge for this championship? Mykhail Chambers of Urbana cleared 7’) indoors, but has cleared 6’10” outdoors…he has the tools to take this title. Also watch for Kendrick Branch of Rockford Jefferson, Ryan Michel of McHenry, Aaron Petty of Naperville Central, Matt Newman of Buffalo Grove, and Derek Severson of Frankfort Lincoln-Way East all with a shot of winning this or medaling.
Pole Vault
Defending Champ Mitchell Erickson of Chicago Heights Marian Catholic is the favorite in this event. Watch for him to flirt with 17’ after switching to different pole. Junior Mitch Viken of Rolling Meadows has been the invisible man all spring, struggling with injuries. Yet, Viken cleared 16’ 4” at the Palatine Sectional to lead all sectional qualifiers. He has the experience to push Erickson. Junior Josh Winder of Plainfield Central could also flirt with the championship and could push these two. Also watch for Peter Geraghty of Oak Park-River Forest, Greg Haugh of Roselle Lake Park, Logan Pflibsen of Streator, and Kyle Reid of Hoffman Estates Conant all to be around for medals.
Shot Put
Get to the stadium early to watch the weight events. There will be an epic battle in the Shot Put between Junior Dan Block of Roselle Lake Park and Senior Brett Einbecker of Aurora Waubonsie Valley. Block has been over 60 feet a number of times this year, his best being 63’ 5” at Lake Zurich in April. Einbecker has been getting better week by week, his best performance coming at the Aurora West Sectional. George Weed of Springfield Lanphier has been around 59’ all season and is ready to have a break-through performance. Other putters in the medal hunt include Dwight Harris of Aurora Waubonsie Valley, Bobby Kaputska of Lombard Glenbard East, Tommy Quevillon of Naperville North, and London Davis of Cahokia, and Juan Perez of Aurora West.
Discus
Records are meant to be broken and that has been proven by Junior Dan Block of Roselle Lake Park. In fact, Block has broken the state record twice this season and could be on the verge of a great state meet. His 201’8” heave at St Charles could be surpassed. He is not a lock to win this….but close. Senior Brett Einbecker of Aurora Waubonsie Valley will be will be on Block’s heals again. He is within 4 feet of Block. This will be a competition that will be talked about for the ages. Let us not disregard these other competitors who will be chasing these two: Sophomore Marcus Popenfoose of Huntley, Senior Phil Christensen of Maple Park Kaneland, Senior Cornelius Watkins of Waukegan, Senior George Weed of Springfield Lanphier, and Senior Brad Foote of Algonquin Jacobs.
4 x 800 Meter Relay
The first final on the track on Saturday will be interesting. Defending Champ Elmhurst York has not run with all of its aces all season and has run 7:52.80, the fourth fastest time this season. They will challenge led with Seniors Mark Talbot, Rojin Thomas, and Tom Achtien. St. Charles North is running with a chip on its shoulder after not being able to advance to the finals last year. Chris DeSilva, Max Clink, Steve Miller, and Scott Speare are a strong quartet that could flirt with 7:45. Wheaton North has been around 7:50 this spring and will challenge with Senior Graham Farnsworth anchoring. Arlington Heights Hersey has to be talked about here, having the fastest time this spring…but the question is will All-Stater Kevin Havel be apart of this quartet? Hoffman Estates Conant will also be a force anchored by Junior Jeffrey Thode. Also watch for Mt. Prospect-Prospect, Evanston Township, Aurora Waubonsie Valley, and Geneva all o be in the hunt.
4 x 100 Meter Relay
The first final challenge between Cahokia and East St. Louis Senior on the track. At the Sectional at Belleville East, anchor Earnest Winters overcame a 5 m deficit to catch Tommie Hopkins of East St Louis at the line. Coach LeRoy Milsap believes if his squad hits his handoffs, they can run 40.3 or 40.4. East St. Louis peaks at state and will challenge Cahokia. Lost in the mix is the defending state champ Springfield Lanphier, who returns all 4 of last year’s quartet. Warnether Banks and Jacob Mitchell have been running hot of late. This team has the experience with its handoffs to repeat again. Bolingbrook, led by Kayode Adegoke, Elmhurst York, led by John Fox, and Belleville East with Roger Jones and Freshman Darnell Stevenson will all be in the hunt. Will we see a winning time under 41 seconds?
3200 Meter Run
The first individual final on the track will be a dandy. AAA Cross Country Champ Chris Derrick of Naperville Neuqua Valley has been sizzling up the track all spring. After running a 13:55 solo 5,000 in California, he came back the following week with a tempo 8:48.9. He has been licking his chops for an opportunity to get the record…the weather should be in the low 70’s, which would be ideal. Senior Kevin Havel of Arlington Heights Hersey could chase Derrick…if he decides to run this race. (As of press time, he was still deciding if he will run in the relay). If he does, he has run sub 9:00 this spring and could push Derrick for the championship. The other major player in this race will be AA State Cross Country Champ Senior Nick Holmes of Bartonville Limestone. Two weeks ago, Limestone Head Coach Clint Lafary told us he was 99% sure Holmes would concentrate on the 3200 and follow up with a mile at the Midwest Distance Classic. If this is the case…Holmes, who has run 4:10 this spring at Pekin solo, has the strength and speed to push Derrick. Other runners in this field with a shot at a medal include Nathan Troester of Frankfort Lincoln-Way East, Kyle Gibson of Naperville North, Steve Sulkin of Elmhurst York, Danny Pawola of Naperville Neuqua Valley, and Scott Friedlander of Deerfield. I think the record is going down in this race!
110 Meter High Hurdles
Defending Champ Tyler Sipes of Bloomington has had a low-keyed spring, but has turned it up a notch the last few weeks. He has the fastest time in the sectionals and has the fastest time in the state running a 13.90 FAT at Mattoon two weeks ago. Junior William Lindsey of Harvey Thornton could challenge Sipes again. Major points could be had by East St Louis if its duo of Ryan Miller and Kraig Appleton make the finals. Also watch for Dan Hagberg of Burlington Central, Maurice Lyke of Country Club Hills Hillcrest, and Shawn Ledbetter of Moline to all be in the hunt for the title.
100 Meter Dash
Could be a toss up here. Defending Champ DeMarcus Brooks of Springfield Southeast returns and is one of the favorite. There could be any one of 6 to 8 sprinters that could win this championship. Watch for Earnest Winters of Cahokia, JeVaughn Tabbs of East St. Louis- Senior, Nic Neuman of Frankfort Lincoln-Way East, Kayode Adegoke of Bolingbrook, Imani Carey of Chicago Heights Bloom, Warnether Banks and Jake Mitchell of Springfield Lanphier, and Jonathan Majors of South Holland Thornwood all in the hunt to win the title of Illinois fastest man.
800 Meter Run
Dave Ayoub of Peoria Central ran 1:48.9 for 880 yards in 1977. This might be the year that it gets threatened. Defending Champ Mat Smoody of Palatine returns and is the favorite. At the beginning of the year, one of his goals was to chase after this record. He will have the horses to push him. Jeff Stapleton of Villa Park Willowbrook ran a great race at Streamwood last week and could push Smoody. Graham Farnsworth of Wheaton North was right on Stapleton’s heals last week and pushed Smoody in Wheaton in April. The one man who has been silent so far this season and will be a factor in this race is Sean Wiggan of Aurora Waubonsie Valley. If he runs a smart tactical race like he did at IPTT Indoors, he has the speed to run down all of these competitors. Also watch for Randall Babb of Wheaton-Warrenville South, Ryan Phebus of Burlington Central, Todd Farbiak of Huntley, and Ryan Shannon of Oak Park Fenwick all to be in the hunt.
4 x 200 Meter Relay
Another classic challenge between Cahokia and East St. Louis-Senior. The Flyers have dominated the Comanches all spring, but Cahokia won for the first time at last week’s sectional. Don’t discount East…they will be out for revenge. Elmhurst York has been running great in this event all spring and could push these two along with relay power Springfield Lanphier. Also watch for Oak Park-River Forest, Bolingbrook, Zion-Benton, and Belleville East all to be breathing down these leaders throats.
400 Meter Dash
Will the third time be the charm for Junior Darien “Doc” Donald of Cahokia. He has been favored the last two years, but ended up second in both state meets. He has been in the 47’s all season and could drop a bomb if the conditions are right. Senior JeVaughn Tabbs of East St Louis has been improving all year and could be the guy to stop Donald again. Watch for Chris Watts of Hillside Proviso West, Fernando Castillo of Berwyn-Cicero Morton, Greg Edwards of East St Louis, and Armand Rhone of Chicago DeLaSalle with a shot of getting a medal.
300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles
Defending champ Kraig Appleton of East St. Louis-Senior dropped a 36.6 bomb at the Belleville East Sectional last week serving notice that he again is the man to beat in this event. He pulled Mike Milton of Mascoutah to a two second PR and could challenge Appleton again. Also watch for James Matteson of Harvard, Joey Michals of New Lenox Providence, Nick Haab of Rockton Hononegah, Forrest Knight of Belleville East, and Mike Ellis of Lake Forest to run for a medal here.
1600 Meter Run
The Chris Derrick show part two here could be upstaged by Jeffrey Thode of Hoffman Estates Conant. Thode ran strong early in February, then the injury bug hit him. After the Mid Suburban League Conference at Buffalo Grove, Thode ran a 4:10.8. He will be in the hunt for the championship. Mr. Derrick has held back all season in the 1600…will he have enough in his tank to go sub 4:10? Kevin Havel has been around 4:14 all season….depending on what his first race is on Saturday, how will he do? Others that will push the pace and definitely have a shot include Myles Scott-Stirn of Frankfort Lincoln-Way East, Tom Achtien of Elmhurst York, Chris DeSilva of St. Charles North, Chase Kadlec of Wheaton North, and Jim Riddle of Naperville Neuqua Valley.
200 Meter Dash
The key to the meet in my eyes. Cahokia needs to score big in this event to offset East St Louis. They have the horses in Earnest Winters and Darien Donald. DeMarcus Brooks of Springfield Southeast could pull off the double in an event he has dominated the last two years. Others to watch include Evan Johnson and JeVaughn Tabbs of East St Louis, Nic Neuman of Frankfort Lincoln-Way East, Imani Carey of Chicago Heights Bloom, Warnether Banks of Springfield Lanphier, and Aireeo Greer of East Moline United.
4 x 400 Meter Relay
Last season, East St. Louis-Senior set a record in this event. They have the tools to lower it on Saturday. Cahokia will challenge them..it will be interesting to see if Donald has enough left if he makes the 200 final. Zion-Benton surprised me with a 3:18 at sectionals last week. Vernon George who bring them to a fast time this weekend. Also watch for Elmhurst York, Hillside Proviso West, Wheaton North, Palatine, and Evanston Township to be in the hunt.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL ATHLETES AND COACHES THIS WEEKEND!!! |
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