There are missing parts in the spring because of classification cross over (Angela Kerndl photo)
3200m
2017 State Champion: Brayden Hamblen (Rock Falls) 9:22.90
Key Returners: Austin Ohm (Illiana Christian), Mathias Powell (Mahomet-Seymour), Adam Gilbreath-Glaub (Metamora), Stephen Poorten (Sycamore), Charlie Parrish (Freeburg), Alex Helmuth (Monticello), Garrett Dixon (Monticello), Jacob Gebhardt (Sterling), Spencer Smith (Rock Island Alleman)
Season Outlook: Unfortunately we are not going to see many battles on the big stage like we did in cross country between the state champion Matt Richtman of Kaneland and Jake Gebhardt who finished in the runner up spot. For the first time since the IHSA has moved to three classes, Kaneland will compete in 3A. Surely Richtman and Gebhardt will compete in post-season competitions. It's not clear whether Gebhardt will compete beyond invitations or conference despite running 9:18. The Crystal Lake schools are back competing in 3A. That means Jack Becker of Crystal Lake South is out of the picture as well. Despite a void of great returning performances on paper there are several key all-staters back, Adam Gilbreath-Glaub (5th), Stephen Poorten (6th), Charlie Parrish (7th), Alex Helmuth (8th), and Garrett Dixon (9th). There should be enough depth to keep the fans happy.
Top returning marks:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:26.90 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 9:28.58 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 9:29.36 | 2020 | ||
| 4 | 9:29.46 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 9:30.19 | 2019 |
Josh Cable ran 1:53.35 as a sophomore; it could be a great season as a whole (A. Kerndl photo)
800m
2017 State Champion: Jake Gillum (Metamora) 1:53.74
Key Returners: Josh Cable (Rochester), Mitchell Kremer (Mattoon), Nick Oakley (Charleston), Falcon Mack (Rich East), Nick Swartzendruber (Geneseo), Riley Fortune (Mahomet-Seymour), Blake Jones (Lincoln), Willie Johnson (East St. Louis)
Season Outlook: Josh Cable is the favorite coming into this season. The Rochester native, took 3rd last year at state and is looking to come back and dominate this event as he had as a sophomore. Cable on his goals and training: "I'm hoping for some big improvements in the 400/800. It's my first year working with consistent weight training and I think it's gonna help out a lot." Joining Cable are returning al-staters, Mitchell Kremer (7th) and Nick Oakley (9th). Mitchell Kremer has big goals for this upcoming season: "My goal this year is to battle for the state title. Being the second [ranked] returner in the class I'm hoping for a top three finish with a goal to be in the 1:54 range." Jake Gebhardt is one of the top overall distance runners in the state who has only dabbled in the event. Don't be surprised to see him take a few cracks here and run in the 1:52-53 range.
Top returning marks:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:54.94 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 1:55.98 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 1:56.30 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 1:56.78 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 1:56.91 | 2018 |
Jake Gebhardt is ready to take over this event this season (Angela Kerndl photo)
1600m
2017 State Champion: Jake Gillum (Metamora) 4:14.28
Key Returners: Jacob Gebhardt (Sterling), Jared Schuckman (Normal University), Austin Knight (Carterville), Daniel Chen (Illinois Math and Science Academy), Michael Ronzone (Marmion), Austin Ohm (Illiana Christian), Austin Knight (Carterville), Ryan Hodge (Mahomet-Seymour), Matt Zacharias (Normal University), Derek Van Prooyen (Illiana Christian)
Season Outlook: Let's get something straight right now. Jacob Gebhardt continued to mature and get better in the mile/1600 at the end of last season. He was able to place second in the state 1600. Later at the St. Louis Festival of Miles, Gebhardt ran his best track race of his career 4:10.09. This converts to under 4:09 for 1600m. He is going to be outstanding after building his long distance resume. We are looking to be another great miler under 4:07 this season. Jared Schuckman has the best returning 1600 mark at 4:13. He will be running for big marks this season. But will he attempt to run some major races outside of Illinois season? And they return a top notch 4x8 that won state last year. Matthew Richtman has moved to 3A. It will be a good test of wills. Joining Schuckman and Gebhardt are Austin Knight (6th), Daniel Chen (8th), and Michael Ronzone (9th).
Top returning marks:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4:13.06 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 4:14.51 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 4:17.63 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 4:19.76 | 2018 | Magis Miles13th |