It should be a battle of two titans this season between Jordan Rowell and Kahil Wassell this season
The talent that is returning in 2017 is plentiful. Consider the fact that several hot shot performers were upstaged at times by less heralded performers. Some of those "less" talented performers are back and packed with confidence.... simply put we are in the "Golden Era" for Class A sprints. Perhaps more of the smaller school kids are coming out for the world's greatest sport. Coaching has gotten better as well as evident by the massive amount of fast marks. It will be interesting to say the least.
Events: 100, 400, 200, 110HH, 300IH
100m-
2016 State Champion: Connor Icenogle (Williamsville) 10.74 [+2.1]
Key returners: Kahlil Wassell (Sr., New Berlin), Blake Reifsteck (Sr., Bismarck-Henning), Jason Duncan (Sr., Decatur St. Teresa), Diondre Lewis (Jr., Warrensburg-Latham), Jordan Rowell (Sr., Elmhurst Immaculate Conception), Jaylon Bester (Sr., Belleville Althoff)
Season outlook: This is arguably the deepest event in Class A and is certainly respectable when stacked up against its 2A and 3A brethen on talent and depth. The main figure to watch here among the seven returning all-staters is state runner-up Kahlil Wassell. He was upset a then unknown Connor Icenogle and it did not sit well. His all-conditions 10.70 which he shares with fellow Class A speedster Blake Reifsteck rates as the fourth fastest Century time across all classes. You can bet Wassell with his good top speed, speed endurance, and confidence, he is going to zoom into the 10.5 range. As for Reifsteck he is worthy of his personal best which was conducted in a very small meet. He placed 3rd in state behind Wassell. More depth protrudes through field with Diondre Lewis, Jason Duncan, and Carson McKee who broke 11.00 last season. We did not even mention supreme all around sprinter Jordan Rowell who for some reason was a candidate to win it all last year but missed the final. He has a personal best 10.89. Long jump specialist Jaylon Bester stated his goal is "to run in the 10.6's this season." The 100 is going to be hot!
Top returning performances-
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10.70 | 2017 | |||
| 1 | 10.70 | 2017 | |||
| 3 | 10.75 | 2018 | |||
| 4 | 10.82 | 2017 | |||
| 5 | 10.96 | 2017 |
400m-
2016 State Champion: Kahlil Wassell (Sr., New Berlin) 49.00
Key returners: Kahlil Wassell, Jordan Rowell, Ben Friesen, Diondre Lewis, Zach Weaver
Season outlook: Wassell was at his very best in the state final on his third race. He was able to hold off the tough challenger Jordan Rowell and it seem to validate his existence among the state meet faithful. This season we should see both titans bypass the 48's and dip into the 47-second territory. These are numbers that we all will expect by the end of the season. It has been a long time since Class A has been as deep as this with seven returners under 51.00- six of them have broken 50.00. Ben Friesen, Diondre Lewis, Zach Weaver, and Caleb Logan will challenge one another.
Top returning performances-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49.00 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 49.15 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 49.72 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 49.82 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 49.94 | 2018 |
200m-
2016 State Champion: Jeremiah Davis (Chicago Collins) 22.12 [-2.6]
Key returners: Kahlil Wassell, Jordan Rowell, Ariz Andrew (Sr., Kankakee McNamara), Blake Reifsteck (Sr., Bismarck-Henning), Jason Bargy (So., Momence), Easton Bianchi (Jr., Sterling Newman Central Catholic)
Season outlook: No definitive favorite in this event with six all staters back. Kahil Wassell has to be slated as the man if a vote were to be sent out. Blake Reifsteck is incredibly underrated finishing third last year in Charleston. Jordan Rowell could win a state title here too. Could we see more times in the 21s this season?
Top returning performances-
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21.90 | 2017 | |||
| 2 | 22.10 | 2017 | |||
| 3 | 22.34 | 2017 | |||
| 4 | 22.37 | 2018 |