IL Boys State Meet: Neuqua Valley US #2 7:40 4x800, Luke Winder 17-3 PV

Race Video: Illinois Boys 3A State 4x800m Relay

 

The girls had their turn last weekend. This weekend, it was the boys turn to shine in the state of Illinois for high school track & field with a state championship meet to culminate a season. One of the best performances came early in the action on Saturday with the Neuqua Valley boys winning the 3A title in the 4x800 meter relay with a US #2 time of 7:40.21 after a thrilling battle with Orland Park of Sandburg (2nd, 7:40.77).

Both of their times rank among the fastest in Illinois state history. The teams went back and forth jockeying for positioning and the lead most of the races, but Neuqua Valley had the better anchor leg to pull out the narrow win.

No debating the historic standing of Luke Winder as the Plainfield Central pole vaulter cleared a US #3 height of 17'3", which established a new IHSA state record in the event. This makes for at least the sixth meet in Winder's high school career which he has a cleared a height of 17 feet or greater. His teammate Kahmari Montgomery also had a memorable weekend in dipping under 47 seconds for the first time in the open 400 for the win, while notching another state title and PR in the 200 (21.25) as well. 

Jonathan Wells was twice a state champion in the jumps (long and high jump) with his first time above 7 feet in the high jump for the outdoor season after clearing a US leading 7'2" indoors at the Wheeling Wildcat Relays. 

Conor Dunham of St. Ignatius College Prep joined only 10 others across the country who have ran under 37 seconds in the 300 meter hurdles with a Class 3A victory in 36.90 (US #7).

In the distance races, O'Fallon High School's Patrick Perrier nearly pulled off the distance double in winning the 1600 with the fastest time of the meet in 4:10.34, while a pack of others were right behind either literally in the race or running against time in the other classifications with 4 others running times in 4:11 range. 

 

 

IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship

On-Site Coverage

Class A Boys State Championship Preview

The forecast for the weekend in Charleston is supposed to be a mixture of sun, heat, humidity, and thunder. If this holds true then the competition for the preliminary round will soak up all of that for a perfect concoction for the finals on Saturday.

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Photos: 3A Boys Semi Finals by colinbphoto

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Photos: 2A Boys Final by colinbphoto

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Photos: 3A Boys Finals by colinbphoto

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Boys Highlights