There is no one better in the field events than Sam Sikon (Mark Capapas photo)
Shot Put-
2016 State Champion: Sam Sikon (Sr., Carbondale) 62-11
Key returners: Sam Sikon, Jack Bunting (Sr., Marion), Jered Allison (Sr., Freeport), Sam Thomas (Sr., Geneseo), Tucker Sullivan (Sr., Marion), Clayton Hannula (Jr., Maple Park Kaneland)
Outlook: The "year of the Sikon" is here. The kid who has starred since his freshman year is ready to add to his legacy in the shot put. Yep, Sam Sikon is the state's best overall shot putter who rates as #6 state all time performer. Since there is no one in Illinois that can challenge the two-time state champion (#2 returner Verdis Brown transferred from Chi Mt. Carmel to IMG Academy in Florida), he may as well focus on improving his US #7 returning stature and venture into a few elite national meets. This would certainly cement Sikon on par with some of the best heavers to ever come out of the state. The bird watch will begin at Vanderbilt University and could end in late June at the Junior Nationals.
Key returning performances-
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 65-2.5 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 54-8 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 54-4 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 53-5 | 2017 |
Triple Jump-
2016 State Champion: Luther Newburn (Country Club Hillcrest) 48-3.5 [+4.2]
Key returners: Seth Groom (Jr., Marmion Academy), Myles Aldridge (Sr., Normal University), Diontae Smith (Sr., Burlington Central), Maurice Holloway (Sr., Freeport), Tredell Whitehorn (Sr., Marion)
Outlook: It was incredibly painful watching the great Ja'mari Ward sitting in the stands and holding a clipboard like a team manager for coach Leroy Millsap. The Comanches brass did not want to take any chances of excelerating Ward's leg injury sustained near the end of the regular season. His all time record 53-7 would have been in danger and undoubtedly the right send off gift for the fans. But kudos to champion Luther Newborn and those who stepped up behind him. Hopefully, with a new cast we will see tons of
Key returning performances-
| RANK | MARK | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 46-8.25 | 2018 | |||
| 2 | 45-4.5 | 2017 | |||
| 3 | 45-3 | 2017 | |||
| 4 | 44-6 | 2017 | |||
| 5 | 44-2 | 2017 |
The discus throw will be an interesting event to watch this season
Discus Throw-
2016 State Champion: Sam Sikon (Carbondale) 172-11
Key returners: Sam Sikon, Jordan Hawkins, Nathan Graves, Preston O'Sadnick (Jr., Mendota), Brayden Forrest (So., Dixon)
Outlook: The discus throw is not two-time defending state champion Sam Sikon's favorite event by a long shot. He will probably be a good weight thrower indoors this time next year along with the shot put. But remember one thing: he is very good at flinging plates despite saying: "I only threw the discus 10 times outside" during one stretch of conditioning. The state's overall #2 flinger wants to top the 190-foot mark which would put him in his own league just as AJ Epenesa of Edwardsville has. Watch for Jordan Hawkins to challenge and even threaten Sikon if he falters. Nathan Graves is good too as is several more up and comers.
Key returning performances-
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 180-5 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 170-5 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 169-10 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 168-11.5 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 166-0.25 | 2019 |
