Every dynasty comes to an end no matter how matter good the team was previously. It will come to an end either through a drought of talent, heavy graduation, injury, laxation, or bad luck. In Lake Park's case, they have been a steady team with the arrow pointing reluctantly up on the Lancers bringing home another big plaque. For that to happen, the stars of Lake Park will have to ramp it up heavy. Antonio Shenault (Jr.) and Marcus Jegede (Sr.) will need to be active along with the other key field event contributors.
Edwardsville is a team that is lurking and very capable of taking control because of the balance they have. The Tigers will need to will need to win some points away from the sprint powers Harvey (Thornton) and E. St. Louis Sr.. It won't be an easy task. Bloom Twp. is deep in the field and on the track in the sprints.
The following events will sort out a few things-
100m: Cole Henderson (Sr., Pekin)-The state leader, sectional and defending state champion comes into the state championship as one of the most questioned winner in a long time. Henderson happens to be undefeated this season outdoors in the season. Don’t forget that he picked up steam toward the indoor season with a convincing victory in the 60m against a stellar Illinois Top Times field. A good test will be to see if challengers like Terry McGee (Sr., Chicago North Lawndale Prep) and Shandall Thomas (Jr., Schaumburg) can rekindle some magic that they may have lost. Overall, the field is going to be faster than its have in many years. It may take 10.90 to make the final.
Others to watch out: Eric McMiller (Sr., Chicago Lane Tech), Scotty Miller (Jr., Barrington), Shederick Majors (Sr., Plainfield East), Josh Farrar (Sr., Elmhurst York), Jauan Wesley (Sr., Harvey Thornton).
400m: The man to beat is Kahmari Montgomery (Jr., Plainfield Central) who converted from running primarily in the 100 and 200. He spilled a 47.42 banger that is the fastest quarter-mile time in three years. Illinois long sprinters have long been criticized in not being able to produced one legitimate sub- 48.00- and rightfully so. However, this event is slowly coming back to the fold and perhaps we all will see some great marks across the board. Chris Wilson (Sr., Minooka) is now the star for the Indians as he is among the state’s elite long sprinters. Wilson was beat by Montgomery at the Joliet Sectional last week. Matt Anyiwo (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor) is an elite 800 runner who happens to be blessed with tremendous leg speed. He was able to blaze 48.44 after a 1:51 half-mile. Sam Bransby (Sr., Naperville Central) missed the entire indoor season with a leg injury. He is healthy now after posting a near personal best 48.64 at the Joliet Sectional behind Montgomery and Wilson. Bransby also placed second in last year’s final running 49.25.
Others to watch: Zac Espinoza (Jr., Naperville Neuqua Valley), Carl Klamm (Jr., Evanston), Quinten Nash (Sr., Crete-Monee), Johnathon Warren (Jr., Bloomington), Corey Hertz (Jr., Lakes).
200m: Cole Henderson is the defending in perhaps his favorite event. He will now have company by the name of Corey Lockhart (Fr., Bloomington). The high school newcomer took over the state lead last week by beating a tough field at Edwardsville including Henderson. Lockhart was the junior high school star that broke several IESA records last year. According to one of his coaches, Roland Brent, Lockhart has very good work ethics for being so young. His maturity level is being enhanced by his relay mates.
Others to watch: Josh Farrar (Sr., Elmhurst York) Kahmari Montgomery, Scotty Miller, Titus Booker (Jr., Grayslake North), Terry McGee, Deshon Buchanan (So., Belleville West).
110HH: Fast and solid times abound in this event. Craig James (Sr., Edwardsville) is the marked man from the sectional round as is Antonio Shenault (Jr., Roselle Lake Park). Shenault originally cooled down after a great indoor campaign, but now he is back after rolling a 14.11 to James' leading 14.07. Connor Dunham (Sr., Chicago St. Ignatius) blazed 14.15 to easily win his sectional. William Session (So., Belleville East) is one of the fastest young guns in the state as 14.15 proves.
Others to watch: Tifonte Hunt (Sr., Thornton), Shabari Bailey (Sr., Minooka), Jonah Wiley (Sr., Bloom Twp.) Daylen Hubbard (Sr., Bloom Twp.).
300H: Connor Dunham may be destined to sit atop the top podium at the end of the weekend if he continues to defeat the best competition in his path. Last week at the St. Ignatius Sectional, Dunham rolled past the state leader Imani Payton (Sr., Chicago North Lawndale Prep) in a sectional leading 37.85. It was clear in that race that Dunham was better than Payton who was slowed a bit from a sore groin. However, Dunham was too smooth to lose on that day no matter what condition Payton or any intermediate hurdler from around the state looked like. Craig James continues to improve each week. He should be seeing the 37s real soon. Isaiah Michl (Jr., Edwardsville) gives the Tigers a deadly combination that is second to none in the state.
Others to watch: Luke Pilliod (Sr., Glenbrook South), Justin Agustin (Sr., Oswego East), Lewis Rogers (Sr., Riverside-Brookfield), Annile Williams (Jr., Plainfield North), Michael Jopes (Sr., Naperville Central).
Distance running-
800m: Johnny Leverenz (Sr., Danville) is going to have to work in order to keep his state title status. Matt Anyiwo (Sr., Hoffman Estates) is after his crown after posting a personal best 1:51.95. But remember Leverenz did lay down a 1:51.14 as a reminder that he is still that dude.
Others to watch: Ty Moss (Jr., Neuqua Valley), Bryce Richards (Jr., Mundelein), Blaine Bartel (Sr., Geneva), David Lenzini (Sr., Crystal Lake South), Pavlo Hutsalyuk (Jr., Chicago Lane Tech).
1600m: DEEP EVENT. It is so deep that it reminds old-timers of the 1970s golden era. That also means that someone real good is not going to make the final. Perhaps, some quality runners are going to have to dig all the way to the bottom of their well to be among the exclusive top 12. It may take 4:15 to get in. Patrick Perrier (Sr., O'Fallon) has established himself as the guy to beat. He ran 4:07.51 (now US#9) two days ahead of the quiet but amazing Jesse Reiser (Jr., McHenry) and his 4:09.50. Yes, this event is that strong. Zach Dale (Jr., Hoffman Estates Conant) ran 4:12.09 to win the prestigious Prospect Invite. Johnny Leverenz (Sr., Danville) is no joke and may be the most dangerous kid here. Can he return from running a grueling 800 to be among the leaders? We shall see.
Others to watch: Chris Korabik (Sr., Chicago St. Ignatius), Alex Bashqawi (Sr., York), Zack Smith (Sr., Downers Grove North), Ryan Clevenger (Jr., Downers Grove North), Matt Pereria (Fr., Lake Zurich), David Schmieg (Sr., Chicago Lane Tech), Peter Cotsirlos (Sr., New Trier), Jake Hoffert (Jr., Yorkville), Denis O'Callaghan (Sr., Orland Park Sandburg), Chase Silverman (New Trier).
3200m: Patrick Perrier, Jesse Reiser, Zack Smith, and Zack Dale are the protagonists. They are going to make or break this event. It is going to be hot on Saturday and that's going to play a factor into how the event goes. We all know that the potential here could be extremely fast and one of the best finals of all time with 3-4 guys under 9:00 or it could be a boring championship sit and kick affair. One would hope to see something like the Evan Jager (Jacobs HS) vs. Chris Derrick (Neuqua Valley) affair of a few years ago. Both runners laid it on the line and that help build their legacy... there are so many good names in the program. The "slow section" should be the deepest in meet history. Peter Johnsrud (Jr., Oswego) just missed the championship heat cut at 9:24.33.
Others to watch: Dan Lathrop (Sr., Plainfield South), Joseph Suarez (Jr., Plainfield East), Jake Hoffert, Luke Hoffert (Jr., Yorkville), Matt Pereira (Fr., Lake Zurich), Billy Magnesen (Sr., Hinsdale Central).
Shandall Thomas will be a factor in sprints and relays for Schaumburg (Colin Boyle photo)
Relays-
4x800: Without question this is the deepest event in Illinois not to mention the most popular with well over a dozen teams in the nation's top 75. Do you want more? The final may not be as exciting as the prelim round. Why? Teams are going to have to run fast, fast, fast to get in. Winnetka (New Trier) started trouble by dropping a US#9 7:43.65 completely solo. The Trevians are serious about this event and will be seeking some redemption for taking it for granted in 2012 when they came into the state meet in same position. Chicago Lane Tech has been on a roll since coming out of the gate in February, March, April. You get the picture right? The Indians have come to far to turn back now. It's state championship or bust for the team that rolled 7:49.65 during the regular season. The defending state champion Barrington has woken. The Bronchos are ready to roll as are the reloaded Orland Park Sandburg crew. Arlington Heights Hersey has the third fastest seed time coming in. We could go on and on...
Others to watch: Oswego East, Roselle Lake Park, Plainfield South, Batavia, Palatine Fremd, Prospect, Lyons Twp., Naperville Neuqua Valley, Downers Grove North, Hinsdale Central, Glenbard West, Crystal Lake South
4x100: Schaumburg is still the squad to watch despite dropping to IL#3. They haven't been challenged at all. Thornton is the defending state champion who has accepted the challenge from the Saxons. Edwardsville is still on a high from competing at the Penn Relays. This event was a disgrace in many eyes last year when no one broke 42.00 in the state meet. Now the state meet record may go down. Speed as a collective mass has returned.
Others to watch: Bloom Twp., Bloomington, York, Chicago North Lawndale Prep, Lake Forest, E. St. Louis Sr., Belleville West, Chicago Lane Tech, Minooka, Lake Park, Plainfield North.
4x200: Plainfield East has the sectional best of 1:26.97 but Schaumburg is the team to beat. The Saxons laid down a then mind blowing 1:26.60 at Prospect Invite when it was cold. That quartet will be shooting for much more in an event that has gotten healthy.
Others to watch: Edwardsville, Dekalb, Thornton, Joliet West, Elmhurst York, Minooka, Plainfield North, Barrington.
4x400: E. St. Louis Sr ran a big state best 3:16.45 that puts them as the favorite going into the prelims. Now the question is can they duplicate the feat. They will have some push from good teams like Belleville West, Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central, Edwardsville, and Lyons Twp.
Others to watch: Homewood-Flossmoor, Palatine Fremd, Normal Community West, Crete-Monee, Wheaton North.
Field-
Long Jump: Jonah Wiley of Bloom is the leader at 23'11". He will be incredibly tough to beat. Jonathan Wells will try and do his best as will several other notables.
Others to watch: John Hall (Sr., Bolingbrook), Jowahn Brown, Deven Cedzidio (So., Lakes).
High Jump: The sectional round rarely shows it hand for the high jump because positioning for state means very little. Jonathan Wells (Sr., Fox Lake Grant) will be out to rediscover the formula that got him over the 7-foot mark during the indoor season. If he cannot Erik Miller (Sr., St. Charles North) will be right there to pounce. He has cleared 6'10" this season along with Wells. Mike Monroe (Sr., New Lenox Providence Catholic) always seems to be around the top. He is the sectional leader.
Others to watch: Reid Smith (Sr., Elmhurst York), Parker Deloye (Sr., Barrington), Emmanuel Bofah (Sr., Plainfield North).
Pole Vault: The major name to study is Luke Winder. The all-time best senior vaulter from Plainfield Central has nothing to prove in this state but to add to his legacy and family legacy by winning another state title. After dusting off the state competition, it will be interesting to see where Winder will stack up nationally against the best in the nation. He is a top three vaulter in the United States for sure. He will be remembered around here for a very long time.
Others to watch: Steven Bradford (Sr., Bloomington), Andy Jatis (Jr., New Lenox Providence Catholic), Cory Tucker (Sr., Rockford Auburn)
Shot Put: This event is going to be very interesting between the top two throwers in the state Martinus Mitchell (Sr., Collinsville) and Kyrin Tucker (Sr., Normal West). Tucker handed Mitchell his first defeat to a state foe at the Edwardsville Sectional with a personal best 61'4.75". Tucker appears to have reached his full potential at the right time and is in potential to heave the ball a few more feet. But how will Mitchell respond? Can he rebound and show that he is still the man? He has the state best of 61'8.5". Curtwan Evans (Sr., Roselle Lake Park) carries the Lancers state repeat title hopes on his shoulders. He has hit on 60-feet and will be in the mix to be in the top three finishers.
Others to watch: Jared Kern (Sr., Machesney Park Harlem), Dennis Gargovic (Sr., Skokie Niles West), Ricky Hurley (Jr., Cary-Grove), Dominic Domenetto (Sr., Deerfield).
Triple Jump: Marcus Jegede (Sr., Lake Park) missed a lot of time due to an injury. Some how the University of Louisville bound Jegede mustered enough energy to post an outdoor mark of 46'3". A surprise Nkemjika Nwosu (Sr., Hinsdale Central) has burst on the scene where others have fallen off a bit by posting 46'4.50" in a suspect field. The unknown Malik Jenkins (Sr., Chicago Heights Bloom) is the 3A leader and sectional leader with a best of 47'3.5. He will be tough to beat if her can stay consistent.
Others to watch: Jowahn Brown (Sr., Harvey Thornton), Chris Ehimwhenmen (Sr., Rock Island).
Discus Throw: There is no thrower this year that will be leaps and bounds above everyone, but there are a collective bunch that's good enough to keep things interesting and honest. For example, the state leader Steve Hubona (Sr., Lisle Benet Academy) has a best of 189'6" is just ahead of the massive Kyrin Tucker at 189'0". Both throwers have the potential to reach 200-feet but it defend on who is most comfortable in the spirit of competitiveness.
Others to watch: John Harris (Sr., Aurora Waubonsie Valley), Curtwan Evans, Mike Prestigiacomo (Jr., Lake Park), Favio Nunez (Sr., Joliet Central).