Neuqua Valley brought it all together in winning their 4x200 over favored E. St. Louis Senior
4x200-
2016 State Champion: Naperville (Neuqua Valley) 1:26.72
Key returning teams: Neuqua Valley, ESL, Plainfield North,
Outlook: It was a surprise to many when Neuqua Valley held off E. St. Louis in a school record time. The Wildcats were a cohesive unit all season long from the time they traveled out to California for the Arcadia Invitational. There will be some heavy losses in terms of depth and personnel for the champs, but they are a great program who just reloads. This is the same thing for ESL. Let's be fair here: The Flyers were fast when they loaded to the best of their ability. The 1:25.64 is the fastest any Illinois team has ever run and they ranked 19th in the nation. They are going to reload fast. Word has it they are going to add star speedster receiver Jeff Thomas. But will he come out for football after signing with the University of Miami? Then there is Plainfield North rearing its head. The 'Cats lose two athletes but have Carlos Baggett (Sr.) and again expect freshman Marcellus Moore to be on that relay anytime Coach Tony Holler stacks it. Just like the 4x2 with many graduations subjecting units to piece meal situations, reloading fast will be the key to success.
Top performances in 2016-
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:25.64 | ||
| 2 | 1:26.58 | ||
| 3 | 1:26.72 | ||
| 4 | 1:27.37 | ||
| 5 | 1:27.41 | ||
| 6 | 1:27.61 | ||
| 7 | 1:27.62 | ||
| 8 | 1:27.76 | ||
| 9 | 1:28.12 | ||
| 10 | 1:28.14 |
Neuqua Valley won the 4x2 but was not able to reel in the Flyers of E. St. Louis Sr. in the 4x4
4x400-
2016 State Champion: E. St. Louis Sr. 3:15.35
Key returning teams: ESL, Neuqua Valley, Chicago Heights Bloom Twp., Evanston, Barrington, Minooka, Proviso East
Outlook: It was a great year in this event last season with 8 teams under 3:19. The winner ESL ran a fleek 3:15.35 who was among the elite quartets in the country. There will more than likely be a new state champion after ESL graduated its entire fleet. The consolation prize for the Flyers is they will be solid because of their ability to reload fast and furious. Evanston may be the best team on paper with three returners back including #1 400m man in the state Brad Garron. The Wildcats placed 7th in state last year and will shoot straight to the top when they stack things.
Top peformances in 2016-
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3:15.35 | ||
| 2 | 3:16.00 | ||
| 3 | 3:17.31 | ||
| 4 | 3:17.73 | ||
| 5 | 3:17.92 | ||
| 6 | 3:17.95 | ||
| 7 | 3:18.10 | ||
| 8 | 3:18.77 | ||
| 9 | 3:20.56 |