2015 400m state champion Tyler Higgins (Highland) is back
Sprints is here-
100-
Due to some technical difficulties at a particular sectional, it will be hard to place serious emphasis on some fast Century times. Urban Prep senior William Fleming has been the center of attention with two meets in which he has been clocked under 10.60. Those meets happened to be clocked in Chicago. Not that Chicago is a bad place but it is a little strange to have never broken 11 seconds under legal wind. The same goes for Bryce Billings of Chicago De La Salle. He had never broken 11.00 legally before last weekend. We will see if the top seed can sustain his good fortunes... or timing companies making kids look bad. The real speedsters to watch have to be Adam Nelson (Sr., Triad). He is headed to Chicago himself via Depaul University in the fall. Nelson is one of a small select group to have defeated Ja'mari Ward. He will be opposed by Franklin Hunt (Sr., Rich Central) and the repaired Aaron Harris (Sr., Lisle). Mitch West (Sr., Montini) has run 10.70 legally this season. Watch for him to explode in Charleston.
110HH-
The name to see in the program is Gamar Hayles (Sr., Rich Central). He could lead his team to big fortunes. His season best is 14.00 followed by a swift 14.20 at sectionals. The only person that is close to matching Hayles is Denzel Downing (Vernon Hills), Deion McShane (So., Freeport) and Darrell Woods (Herrin).
400-
There are nine guys under 50 seconds but only one under 49. What does that tell you? Not enough greatness is what it says. Aaron Porter is the class leader at 48.74. It is not known how much faster can he go, but defending champion Tyler Higgins (Jr., Highland) is completely back. So is Harris who had visions of breaking 48. Tayjione Nathan (Sr., Hillcrest) is also a force to be reckon with.
300H-
Deion McShane rocked the IHSA world last year as a freshman all-stater. This season he is tops in Illinois at a blazing 37.04. Unless he falls over hurdles he will not be touched. Reed Vanderheyden of Geneseo is also a sophomore with a great posting of 38.11 from the sectional round. Denzel Downing is the only other athlete to break 39 seconds entering state.
200-
If Aaron Harris is healthy he will be the main man. Other to follow will be Greg Howell and Kendall Joiner of Morgan Park. They will need vital points for sure. Tayjione Nathan is strong here as is Tyler Higgins and Mitch West.
Long
Jump-
No Ja'mari Ward means opportunities for others to shine. Davon Hynes (Sr., Thornridge) is an unfamiliar name in that he has never cleared more than 22-feet. He is now the sectional leader at 23-0.5. Now the brethren in Dolton are excited and rightfully so. But the favorite has to be high jump specialist Darryl Sullivan. The senior from Marion has been on point and the second best pit slayer outside of Ja'Mari Ward. Sullivan has jumped 23-10 indoors and 23-10.25- which spells consistency. Xavier Taylor leaped 22-10. Luther Newborn (Sr., Hillcrest) is a monster in the long jump. His season best is 23-3 and the thought of winning a team title for his school is added motivation. And can Anthony Roberts step up for Cahokia when they most need him?
Pole Vault-
The classification leader happens to be Arthur Atwell (Sr., Geneseo) who happens to be sectional leader and one of the state's best vaulters with a clearance of 15-5. Outside of Mike Rinella's (Sr., Maple Park Kaneland) 15-0 there is no one topping 15-feet. Instead a fleet of vaulters will fight improve from the 14-6/14-7 range.
High Jump-
It is hard to believe that leaping 6-7 was an appetizer- a warm up for the state meet. That's what the nation's #2 jumper at 7-4 did at sectionals. Darryl Sullivan apparently is waiting for the grand stage that the state championship will present on Saturday reclaim the top mark from sophomore Vernon Turner of Yukon, OK who went 7-4.5. Turner heard of Sullivan's then national leading mark and then proceeded shake things up. Noah Agnew (Sr., Vernon Hills) will be looking for revenge after narrowly losing the Top Times crown to Sullivan. Agnew has hit the pit for a personal best 7-1 which ranks well inside the nation's top 10. Anthony McRoberts back from a nasty injury that shut down his indoor season at the Top Times meet. He connected on a personal best 6-11 this season. Luther Newborn and Will Daniels (Sr., Geneseo) are top 5 candidates.
When it comes to the shot put there is no one in Illinois better than Sam Sikon (Jr., Carbondale). The state leader has heaved the ball US#8 65-2.8. It is also one of the farthest mark state history. Bryce Vollrath (Jr., Peoria Richwoods) has a personal best 59-1. He will be followed by Verdis Brown (So., Chicago Mt. Carmel), Bryce Vollrath (Sr., Peoria Richwoods), and Nick Krawczyk (North Boone). Sikon is the #1 seed in the DT.
Triple Jump-
Anthony McRoberts is the top seed now that his ace teammate is not here. He has worked tirelessly over the years. Coach Millsap is a master in the jumps so don't be surprised to see McRoberts will be opposed by Luther Newburn, and Will Daniels (Sr., Geneseo)