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2009 AAA Boys Track & Field Preview
A new look for the IHSA...3 classes in Track And Field. A look at the largest class: AAA Boys.
by Michael Newman
Dyestat Illinois Class AAA Boys Leaderboard Editor
The new era of the 3 class system has finally landed in track and field in Illinois. Through the first two seasons in
Cross Country, it has proved to be interesting. East St. Louis-Senior is the defending "AA" champion and moves up
to the new AAA. Through the 10 sectionals that will be set up by the IHSA, we will find out how this season shapes up
when it comes to the state meet.
The following preview will give you an idea what to look for this upcoming season. We have 4 months of meets to go
through so it will be interesting to see what develops. This is not a prediction of what will happen in Charleston...that comes in May!
But this will give you a guideline of who to watch.
| | | 100 Meter Dash |
|
| | 10.54* |
| Tyrone Jackson | SR | Blue Island Eisenhower | | 10.64* |
| Tremaine Gordon | JR | Evanston Township | | 10.77 |
| John Fox | SR | Elmhurst York | | 10.84* |
| Khirry Dukes | SR | Harvey Thornton | | 10.84* |
| Tommie Hopkins | SR | East St. Louis-Senior | | 10.84* |
| Darnell Stevenson | SO | Belleville East | | 10.90 |
| Chris Kyles | SR | Chicago Lane Tech | | 10.94* |
| Mike Trumpy | SR | Wheaton North | | 10.94* |
| Dominique Ware | SR | Plainfield North | | 10.94* |
| Kyle Williams | SO | Orland Park Sandburg | | 10.95 |
| Armand Evans | SO | Chicago DeLaSalle | | 11.01 |
| Kentaro Pierce | SR | Romeoville | | 11.03 |
| Richard Wooten | SR | Chicago Hubbard | |
| | | | | | |  | | Chris Kyles of Lane Tech is among the favorites in the 100 meter dash.
|
|
| 200 Meter Dash | * | * | | 21.70 |
| John Fox | SR | Elmhurst York | | 21.74* |
| Evan Johnson | JR | East St. Louis-Senior | | 21.94* |
| Chance Kuykendall | SR | Park Ridge Maine South | | 21.94* |
| Kentaro Pierce | SR | Romeoville | | 22.04* |
| Kolby Robertson | SR | Homewood-Flossmoor | | 22.09 |
| Josh Zinzer | SR | Aurora West | | 22.14* |
| Tremaine Gordon | JR | Evanston Township | | 22.24* |
| Tommie Hopkins | SR | East St. Louis-Senior | | 22.24* |
| Ivan Tamba | JR | Wheaton North | | 22.24* |
| Khara Williams | SR | Elmhurst York | | 22.26 |
| Japheth Cato | SR | Chicago Heights Bloom | | 22.27 |
| Armand Evans | SO | Chicago DeLaSalle | | 22.32 |
| Tony Tucker | SR | Aurora Waubonsie Valley | | 22.34 |
| Dominique Ware | SR | Plainfield North | |
| | | |
|
| 400 Meter Dash | * | * | | 48.42 |
| Greg Edwards | SR | East St. Louis-Senior | | 49.20 |
| Tavaris Thomas | JR | Zion-Benton | | 49.32 |
| John Fox | SR | Elmhurst York | | 49.34* |
| Eric Oliver | JR | Homewood-Flossmoor | | 49.37 |
| Dylan Remick | SR | Wilmette Loyola Academy | | 49.54 |
| Bai Kabba | SR | Batavia | | 49.64* |
| Matt Niklas | SR | Zion-Benton | | 49.74* |
| Ryan Blackmon | JR | South Holland Thornwood | | 49.74* |
| Evan Johnson | JR | East St. Louis-Senior | | 49.92 |
| Derek Drew | SO | Oswego East | | 49.94* |
| Japheth Cato | SR | Chicago Heights Bloom | | 49.99 |
| Lamar Blandon | SR | Waukegan | | 50.08 |
| Josh Silvia | SR | Huntley | | 50.09 |
| Glenn Smith | SR | Evanston Township | | 50.14 |
| Chris Clarkson | SR | Quincy |
In the 100 Meter Dash, 3 all-state runners return from the AA race led by Senior John Fox of Elmhurst York, who finished 2nd
last May. Fox has some choices to make what events he will run in. He has the top returning times in the 100, 200, and 400. I am
also sure that Coach Stan Reddell will love to have him in some of the sprint relays. Chris Kyles of Chicag Lane Tech and Tommie Hopkins
of East St. Louis-Senior are the other two returnees and will have a say in this race.Also watch for Khirry Dukes of Harvey Thornton
and Tremaine Gordon of Evanston Township to be in the hunt.
In the 200 Meter Dash, Fox again is the leading returnee from the State Meet. Josh Zinzer of Aurora West finished 6th last spiring
and will be chasing Fox. Evan Johnson of East St. Louis-Senior ran 21.5 last season and will be one of the major players for the Flyers
this spring.Gordon and Hopkins will also challenge.
In the 400 Meter Dash, Darien Donald of Cahokia is the defending champ, but he will stay in AA. This opens up the field considerably. Greg Edwards
of East St. Louis is the only returning all-stater in AAA and also has the fastst returning runner by 8 tenths of a second. Tavaris Thomas of Zion Benton
should push Edwards along with teammate Matt Niklas. Watch carefully for Bai Kabba of Batavia and Senior Chris Clarkston of Quincy to be in
contention.
The sprint relays could give the Flyers of East St. Louis-Senior to shine this year. With Cahokia, Springfield Lanphier, Rock Island, and
Bloomington all in AA, some new faces could shine in this event. The Flyers have the depth to control the 400 & 800 Relays. York has quietly
built up a strong sprint squad and could challenge ESL. Maine South is the defending champs in the 800 Relay, and will push the two
above schools in the short sprints. Thornwood always has a bevy of talent to choose from in the 3 relays and will be a factor along with East
Moline United, Thornton, Plainfield North, and Zion Benton.
| | | 800 Meter Run | * | * | | 1:55.29. |
| Ryan Mangone | SR | Barrington | | 1:55.40. |
| Alex Lyons | SR | LaGrange Lyons Township | | 1:56.04* |
| Dominique Manley | JR | Collinsville | | 1:56.57. |
| Max Clink | SR | St. Charles North | | 1:56.57. |
| Karsen Green | SR | Gurnee Warren | | 1:56.58. |
| Spencer Remick | SR | Wilmette Loyola Academy | | 1:56.84* |
| Craig Watson | SR | Roselle Lake Park | | 1:57.38. |
| Stephen Rogers | SR | Crystal Lake South | | 1:57.40. |
| Steven Miller | SR | St. Charles North | | 1:57.67. |
| Andrew Nelson | SR | Geneva | | 1:57.95. |
| Chris Higgins | SR | Geneva | | 1:58.24* |
| Zach Dahleen | SR | Orland Park Sandburg | | 1:58.24. |
| Michael A. McGuire | SR | Wilmette Loyola Academy | | 1:58.24* |
| Eli Sweatt | SR | Edwardsville | | 1:58.37. |
| Emmett Lorenz | SR | Aurora Waubonsie Valley |
|
| 1600 Meter Run | * | * | | 4:11.04* |
| Jeffrey Thode | SR | Hoffman Estates Conant | | 4:12.95y |
| Andrew Nelson | SR | Geneva | | 4:17.37. |
| Erik Stanton | SR | Arlington Heights Hersey | | 4:18.17. |
| Steve Sulkin | SR | Elmhurst York | | 4:18.47y |
| Anthony Manfrin | SO | Carpentersville-Dundee Crown | | 4:21.24* |
| Pat Lesiewicz | JR | Schaumburg | | 4:21.48. |
| Marshall Happ | SR | Woodstock | | 4:22.24* |
| Chris Hayek | SR | Mount Prospect-Prospect | | 4:22.33. |
| Kyle Gibson | SR | Naperville North | | 4:23.04* |
| Alex Lyons | SR | LaGrange Lyons Township | | 4:23.72. |
| Matt Mitchell | SR | Wheaton-Warrenville South | | 4:24.26. |
| William O'Malley | SR | Rockford Boylan | | 4:24.84* |
| Kyle Hannon | SR | Park Ridge Maine South | | 4:25.23. |
| Danny Pawola | SR | Naperville Neuqua Valley | | 4:27.04* |
| Aaron Werths | SR | Granite City |
|
| 3200 Meter Run | * | * | | 9:10.31. |
| Kyle Gibson | SR | Naperville North | | 9:12.00. |
| Steve Sulkin | SR | Elmhurst York | | 9:13.28. |
| Danny Pawola | SR | Naperville Neuqua Valley | | 9:24.55. |
| Aaron Beattie | JR | Naperville Neuqua Valley | | 9:24.57y |
| Andrew Larson | SR | Aurora Marmion Academy | | 9:26.33. |
| Phillip Fairleigh | JR | Cary-Grove | | 9:27.48. |
| Nico Composto | JR | Wilmette Loyola Academy | | 9:27.55. |
| Adam Cecil | JR | Elmhurst York | | 9:29.14* |
| Matt Perez | SR | Hoffman Estates | | 9:29.14* |
| Cameron Rieger | SR | Mundelein Carmel | | 9:29.44* |
| Pat Lesiewicz | JR | Schaumburg | | 9:31.94* |
| Chano Bernardo | JR | Palatine | | 9:32.29. |
| Ben Silver | SO | Downers Grove North | | 9:32.62. |
| Noah Graboys | JR | Winnetka New Trier | | 9:33.74* |
| Bryan Winek | SR | Naperville Neuqua Valley |
The 800 Meter run should be wide open with the graduation of two time champ Mat Smoody. Ryan Mangone of Barrington has
the fastest time returning in the big class. It took a while last year for Mangone to pop some times because he participates in
soccer during the fall. Watch for him come May. The one surprise runner from last spring and one who should challenge for
the title is Junior Dominique Manley of Collinsville. Also watch for Chris Higgins of Geneva, an all state runner from cross country.
The 1600 meter run could be one for the ages. Jeffrey Thode of Conant ran an epic race in November at Detweiller Park and is aiming for something
special this spring. Sophomore Anthony Manfrin(left) of Dundee Crown is looking for redemption after running not so well at state in November.
Senior Andrew Nelson of Geneva will be part of a strong Viking Distance crew that could be a favorite in the 4 x 8 Relay. Nelson will be a factor
in the 1600. Watch for the York duo of Seniors Steve Sulkin and Jordan Hebert to be in the mix of this event this spring. Erik Stanton of Hersey
had an up and down season in Cross Country battling various injuries and looks to rebound in this race. One runner to watch is Senior
Mike Herbert of Naperville North. Herbert had a down year last track season, but ran 4:21 as a sophomore. He could be flirting with
times in the teens after a come through performance at State Cross.
The 3200 meter run looks to be interesting yet again this spring. Kyle Gibson returns with the fastest returning time. Gibson was undefeated
in Cross Country until State Meet and will look to use that towards his advantage in this race. The Gatorade Illinois Cross Country Runner of
The Year Steve Sulkin of York could have a banner season in this race. After discovering what was effecting his performance at Conference Regionals and Sectionals last fall, Sulkin ran a great State meet and had a great post season. Watch for him to be flirting under 9:00 minutes this spring. Danny Pawola of
Neuqua Valley had a great post season culminating in a 13th place finish at the Foot Locker Nationals. With this confidence, the future
Nittany Lion will be a force in this event. Even though Jordan Hebert of York only ran 9:41 last spring, this Senior had a breakthrough season
in the fall and could be chasing Sulkin again in this event. He too has the capability of going sub 9 with Sulkin, Gibson, and Pawola.
St. Charles North is the defending champ in the 3200 Meter Relay. They do have the returning tools to be a factor in this event led by Seniors
Max Clink and Steven Miller. Geneva could be the main player in this event. Led by returning runners Andrew Nelson, Chris Higgins, and Drew Hickey,
the Vikings have a stable of runners to choose from to finish off this quartet. York will be a factor in this race as they always are. This
will be an unheralded squad led by Senior David Way, who according to Duke assistant coach Jim Hedman has the capability of
running 1:53 this spring. Senior Patrick Morgan and Junior Andrew Smith will be part of the squad when state meet comes around.
Conant has a good chance to have a say in this race at State if Jeffrey Thode is running the relay.
| | | 110 Meter High Hurdles | * | * | | 14.14* |
| William Lindsey | SR | Harvey Thornton | | 14.32 |
| Kraig Appleton | SR | East St. Louis-Senior | |
| | | | | 14.44 |
| Travis Manning | SR | Belleville West | | 14.44* |
| Mike Trumpy | SR | Wheaton North | | 14.64* |
| Forrest Knight | SR | Belleville East | |
| | | | | 14.73 |
| Brandon Winters | JR | Plainfield South | | 14.74* |
| Kyle Reid | SR | Hoffman Estates Conant | | 14.74* |
| Jason Taylor | SR | Barrington | | 14.83 |
| Kelly Williams | SR | Skokie Niles North | | 14.84 |
| Erick Gavin | SR | Chicago Heights Marian Catholic | 14.84
14.88 |
| Troy Walls
Evan Stamatoukos | SR
SR | Normal Community West
Northbrook Glenbrook North | | 14.97 |
| Daron Brown | JR | Chicago Morgan Park | | 15.00 |
| Danny Trevor | JR | Algonquin Jacobs |
|
| 300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles | * | * | | 36.84* |
| Kraig Appleton ** | SR | East St. Louis-Senior | |
| | | | | 38.64* |
| Forrest Knight | SR | Belleville East | | 38.64* |
| Joey Michals | SR | New Lenox Providence | | 38.84* |
| William Lindsey | SR | Harvey Thornton | | 38.94* |
| Abe Omar | SR | Lockport Township | | 39.44 |
| Jarvis Patterson | JR | Belleville West | | 39.44* |
| Kyle Reid | SR | Hoffman Estates Conant | | 39.60 |
| Josh Runnels | SR | Oak Park-River Forest | | 39.74 |
| Sal Salvato | SR | Chicago St. Ignatius | |
| | | | | 39.84* |
| Travis Manning | SR | Belleville West | | 39.96 |
| Evan Stamatoukos | SR | Northbrook Glenbrook North | | 40.04* |
| Patrick Fenderson | JR | East St. Louis-Senior | |
| | | |
Both hurdle races will come down to two runners...Kraig Appleton of East St. Louis-Senior and William Lindsey of Thornton.
Appleton ran a mind boggling 36.6 last spring in the longer of the two hurdles races and has the ability to dip under 36
this spring. Lindsey has the fastest returning time in the 110 Highs for this spring. Travis Manning of Belleville West
will be a factor in these events along with the jumps. Also watch for Forrest Knight of Belleville East,
and Mike Trumpy of Wheaton North to be factors in both of these events.
FIELD EVENTS
 | Joseph Cato of Bloom
|
| | | Long Jump |
|
| | 23' 7' |
| Japheth Cato | SR | Chicago Heights Bloom | | 23' 4.25" |
| Sam Ojuri | SR | Barrington | | 23' 3" |
| Alex Robinson | JR | Chicago Heights Bloom | | 23' 0" |
| Jeremy Kaplan | SR | New Lenox Lincoln-Way Central | | 22' 10" |
| Nigel Jolly** | JR | Chicago Morgan Park | | 22' 9.5" |
| Dan Karys | SR | Bartlett | | 22' 7" |
| Rendell Smith | SR | Skokie Niles North | | 22' 6.5" |
| Chance Kuykendall | SR | Park Ridge Maine South | | 22' 3" |
| Dion Strong | SR | Plainfield North | | 22' 3" |
| Jimmy Sullivan | SR | Elmhurst York | | 22' 3" |
| Jammario Taylor | SR | Aurora East | | 22' 1" |
| Kalen Petty | SR | Naperville Central | | 22' 0" |
| Rob Kowalski | SR | Roselle Lake Park | | 22' 0" |
| Jovante Slater | SO | Bolingbrook | | 21' 11.5" |
| Josh Moore | SR | Chicago Mt. Carmel |
|
| Triple Jump |
|
| | 46' 9.25" |
| Rendell Smith | SR | Skokie Niles North | | 46' 0.75" |
| Travis Manning | SR | Belleville West | | 45' 11.5" |
| Kevin Piriano | JR | Wheaton-Warrenville South | | 45' 9.5" |
| Rickie Walls | JR | Aurora Waubonsie Valley | | 45' 6.5" |
| Jovante Slater | SO | Bolingbrook | | 45' 5.5" |
| Chad Collins | SR | Dolton Thornridge | | 45' 5" |
| Colin Walker | SR | Rolling Meadows | | 45' 1.25" |
| Dijuantaye Brown | SR | O'Fallon | | 45' 0" |
| Thaddeus Perry | SR | Rockford Jefferson | | 45' 0" |
| Kalen Petty | SR | Naperville Central | |
| | | | | 44' 7" |
| Sadrac Cherfils | SR | Waukegan | | 44' 7" |
| Daron Coleman | JR | Skokie Niles North | | 44' 6.25" |
| Shavon James | SR | Evanston Township | | 44' 4.5" |
| Tharon Davis | SR | Zion-Benton |
The Long Jump could be the mystery event this spring in AAA. There are 4 athletes that return with marks over 23'. Japheth Cato
of Bloom has the capability of placing in this event and two others this spring. With teammate Alex Robinson pushing him, this duo
could be flirting with the 24' mark. Defending Champ Nigel Jolly of Morgan Park had a problem getting to the dance last spring not being
able to get on the field for his event. He will not be unrecognized this year...he has the ability to chase 23' + this spring. Also watch
for Rendell Smith of Niles North, Sam Ojuri of Barrington, and Jeremy Kaplan of Lincoln-Way Central all to be in the hunt with the
capability of winning this event.
There is no real favorite in the Triple Jump this spring. Rendell Smith of Niles North has the best returning mark here. Travis Manning of
Belleville West came on strong at the end of last season and has the talent to flirt with 49' this spring. Kevin Piriano of Wheaton-Warrenville
South had a major breakthrough at last spring's sectional...he could be a force again as well. Rickie Walls of Waubonsie Valley (transferred
from Oswego East) has the capability to be in the mix come state meet time. Watch also for Colin Walker of Rolling Meadows,
and Sophomore Jovante Slater of Bolingbrook all to have high marks this spring.
| | | High Jump |
|
| | 6' 8.25" |
| Matt Newman | SR | Buffalo Grove | | 6' 8" |
| Aaron Petty | SR | Naperville Central | | 6' 8" |
| Troy Walls | SR | Normal Community West | | 6' 7" |
| Ryan Michel | SR | McHenry | | 6' 6" |
| Patrick Fenderson | JR | East St. Louis-Senior | | 6' 6" |
| Eric Nelson | SR | Chicago Northside Prep | | 6' 4" |
| Jarrett Austin | SR | Wheeling | | 6' 4" |
| Michael Crabtree | JR | East Moline United | | 6' 4" |
| Marcus Harris | SR | Normal Community | | 6' 4" |
| Dan Hohenstein | JR | Wheaton-Warrenville South | | 6' 4" |
| Aviance King | JR | Aurora West | | 6' 4" |
| Darryl Rice | JR | Belleville East | | 6' 4" |
| Jammario Taylor | SR | Aurora East |
The High Jump is also an event that will be up for grabs. Cheldon Brown of Springfield Lanphier will compete in AA this spring, so
the chase for the title here could be anyone in the above list. Matt Newman of Buffalo Grove has the highest returning clearance
and will be one of a number of athletes with the chance to win. Troy Walls of Normal West imrovement as been dramatic over
the last year and he could be in the mix to get close to 7'. Patrick Fenderson of East St. Louis-Senior could be a factor here along
with Eric Nelson of Northside Prep, Ryan Michel of McHenry, and Aaron Petty of Naperville Central.
| | | Pole Vault |
|
| | 16" 4" |
| Mick Viken | SR | Rolling Meadows | | 16' 0" |
| Josh Winder | SR | Plainfield Central | | 15' 6" |
| Peter Geraghty | SR | Oak Park-River Forest | | 15' 3" |
| Kyle Reid | SR | Hoffman Estates Conant | | 15' 0" |
| Japeth Cato | SR | Chicago Heights Bloom | | 15' 0" |
| Josh Hodur | SR | Burbank St. Laurence | | 15' 0" |
| Matthew Page | SR | Chicago Heights Bloom | | 14' 6" |
| Tom Stacey | SR | Carol Stream Glenbard North | | 14' 3" |
| Barrett Guzaldo | SR | Park Ridge Maine South | | 14' 0" |
| Sam Wildemann | SR | Naperville Neuqua Valley | | 13' 9" |
| Chase Pavelonis | JR | East Moline United | | 13' 3" |
| Kyle Fitzgerald | SR | Plainfield South | | 13' 3" |
| Andrew Haney | SR | Plainfield South | | 13' 3" |
| Dylan Loch | SR | Glen Ellyn Glenbard West | | 13' 3" |
| Steve Monte | JR | Lockport Township | | 13' 3" |
| Ron Vick | SR | Skokie Niles North |
We will not go into last spring's debacle in this event. Needless to say, we hope that the competitors in the Pole Vault
never have to go through that again. Returning Champ Josh Winder of Plainfield Central came out of the weeds, so to speak,
at the end of last season. It won't happen again. He will be a force in pushing 17'. Mick Viken of Rolling Meadows has already
cleared 16' 3" this season. Working with a new pole, we should see higher clearances from him this year. Japheth Cato
of Bloom 15' 6" in Chicago at the end of December and could be in the mix of things with Viken and Winder.
Peter Geraghty of Oak Park
| | | Shot Put |
|
| | 63' 5" |
| Dan Block | SR | Roselle Lake Park | | 56' 1.5" |
| Frank Boenzi | JR | Geneva | | 54' 10.5" |
| Kevin Costin | SR | Aurora West | | 54' 5" |
| Marcus Popenfoose | JR | Huntley | | 53' 7" |
| Andrew Rixon | SR | Deerfield | | 53' 5" |
| Kevin Thomas | SR | Roselle Lake Park | | 52' 7.5" |
| Jake Sirios | SR | Bradley-Bourbonnais | | 52' 5" |
| Kevin Macek | SR | Orland Park Sandburg | | 52' 3.5" |
| Roosevelt Holiday | SR | Bolingbrook | | 51' 7" |
| Spencer Touchie | SR | Oak Lawn |
|
| Discus |
|
| | 201' 8" |
| Dan Block | SR | Roselle Lake Park | | 182' 8" |
| Marcus Popenfoose | JR | Huntley | | 168' 9" |
| Matt Babicz | SR | Mount Prospect-Prospect | | 164' 4" |
| Kevin Costin | SR | Aurora West | | 161' 6" |
| Ben Behling | SR | Machesney Park Harlem | | 160' 8" |
| Frank Boenzi | JR | Geneva | | 156' 2" |
| Ryan Psenka | SR | Cary-Grove | | 156' 1" |
| Matt Covall | SR | Wheaton North |
The sky is the limit for Lake Park Senior Dan Block this spring. Not only will he be the favorite in the weight events in Illinois this
spring, he should be a factor in the national scene as well. Marcus Popenfoose of Huntley has shown tremendous improvement
over the last season and appears to be the main athlete to push Block in the Discus. In the shot, this could be Block's event
to shine with returnees not within 7 feet of him. He is not a lock in the Shot, but is close to being that.
TEAMS
At this time of the year, two schools appear to stand out. This can change as the season progesses. East St. Louis Senior will not
have Cahokia to push them or to take away points from them. But, they have the talent to win the first AAA title. Kraig Appleton will
be a factor in both of the hurdle races. He can also be counted on in two relays. Sprinters Greg Edwards, Tommie Hopkins, Evan Johnson,
and Dechautz Wray will all be high scorers in either the relays and individual events. The key for the Flyers will being able to
find points in the Field events. Junior Patrick Fenderson could score in the High Jump, but no other athlete really stands
out at this time.
York could benefit from the split. Stan Reddell has built up a strong sprint squad led by John Fox, Khara Williams, and Jimmy Sullivan. The Dukes
should score major points in the relays and with Fox in the 100 and 200. The distance runners led by Steve Sulkin and Jordan Hebert are as
deep as normal and will score points here. Field Events could be where York can gain on East St Louis with Jimmy Sullivan and Khara Williams
in the jumps. Bloom will be benefitting from a new 8 lane outdoor track and the talent to occupy it led by Japheth Cato.
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