2014 Class A Boys Pre-Season Sprints Preview

Illinois T&F: 2014 Preseason Preview Series
Tony Jones

The landscape of Class A sprinting is going to be vastly different than it has been in recent years mainly due to heavy graduation and classification movement.  All five sprint events experienced a major power outage. It will be interesting to see who will step up as the long season unfolds.

Note: The rankings are based off of the top returning marks from the 2013 outdoor season and do not include wind-aided times.

100m-
2013 State Champion: Terence Roby (Rockford Lutheran) 10.93 [+1.2]
Key returners: Nick Hedges (Sr., Jamaica), Jason Pokalsey (Sr., Moweaqua Central A&M), Andre McGill (Jr., Madison), Spencer Cooper (Sr., Bushnell-Prairie City), Ryan Goeken (Sr., Southwestern), Tim Doll (Sr., Westmont), Sam Tinkham (Sr., Riverton), Theo Hopkins (Sr., Chicago Leo).
Outlook: Nick Hedges is the only all-state returner in an event that will be treated with caution.  In other words, it is up for grabs. Andre McGill will try and follow in the footsteps of his former teammate Carvel Dixon who placed fifth in the state last year.  His personal best of 11.08 puts him right in the mix of the key returners.
 

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 10.89 Brett Charlton Eureka High School 2015 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
2. 10.93 Micheal Randall Knoxville Senior High School 2014 04/20/2013 Rockridge Invitational
3. 10.97 Martel Hunter Monmouth-Roseville High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
4. 11.00 Ryan Goeken Southwestern High School 2014 05/02/2013 Macoupin County Meet
5. 11.01 Marcus Sitko Staunton High School 2015 05/02/2013 Macoupin County Meet
6. 11.06 Jason Pokalsey Central A&M High School 2014 05/11/2013 Shelbyville Open
7. 11.09 Spencer Cooper Bushnell-Prairie City High School 2014 04/25/2013 Warsaw Titan Invitational
8. 11.13 Nick Hedges Catlin Community High School 2014 04/22/2013 Tuscola Open
9. 11.14 Tim Doll Westmont High School 2014 04/06/2013 Lisle Megameet
10. 11.15 Broc Smith Tuscola High School 2014 03/28/2013 Tuscola 5-Team
11. 11.16 Gage Fowler Cerro Gordo High School 2015 04/29/2013 Tuscola Fresh/Soph Invitational
12. 11.18 Gary Lisewski Flanagan-Cornell 2014 04/30/2013 McLean County / Heart of Illinois Conference Meet
13. 11.19 Chris Bauer Erie High School 2014 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)
14. 11.22p Christian Lopez Auburn High School 2015 05/17/2013 3A Huntley Sectional (Boys)
15. 11.23 Taylor Moeller Pana High School 2015 05/11/2013 Shelbyville Open
16. 11.24 Kyle Blievernicht Teutopolis High School 2014 04/05/2013 Olney Invitational
17. 11.26 Dan Johnson Eureka High School 2014 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
18. 11.26 Shane Hawkins Decatur St. Teresa High School 2014 05/11/2013 Shelbyville Open
19. 11.28 Andre Mcgill Madison High School 2015 05/03/2013 Du Quoin Classic
20. 11.32 Justin Morgan DuQuoin High School 2014 04/16/2013 Du Quoin Indian Invitational


400m-
2013 State Champion: Martel Hunter (Monmouth-Roseville) 49.27
Key returners: Tim Doll (Sr., Westmont), John Lawrence (Sr., ROWVA), Zeke Snell (Sr., Goreville), Jason Pokalsey (Sr., Moweaqua Central A&M), Morgan Flynn (Sr., Williamsville), Johnathan Harrell (Sr., Aurora Christian).
Outlook: There will be a new champion and list leader because defending champion Martel Hunter and his school moved up in classification to 2A.  Tim Doll was the state runner-up last year in a personal best 49.87, but that doesn’t make him the automatic favorite to the vacated throne.  John Lawrence has the best returning time of 49.62.  In fact, he had the second fastest classification mark in 2013.  Jason Pokalsey will be a force this season after producing a solid 50.13.
 

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 49.27 Martel Hunter Monmouth-Roseville High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 49.87 Tim Doll Westmont High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
3. 50.24 Jason Pokalsey Central A&M High School 2014 04/30/2013 Sullivan Redskin invitational
4. 50.57 John Lawrence Galva-ROWVA High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
5. 50.68 Zeke Snell Goreville High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
6. 51.28 Kyle Blievernicht Teutopolis High School 2014 04/05/2013 Olney Invitational
7. 51.46 J.p. Mueller Southwestern High School 2014 05/02/2013 Macoupin County Meet
8. 51.88 Andrew Frazer Chester High School 2015 04/24/2013 Monroe/ Randolph Bi- County Meet
9. 52.02 Nicholas Meunier Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School 2016 04/12/2013 Monticello Boys Invitational
10. 52.09 Brady Rude Newman Central Catholic High School 2016 04/27/2013 Art Carlson Hawk Classic
11. 52.21 Steven Gilstrap Farmington High School 2016 04/26/2013 Eureka Invitational
12. 52.25 Fedrico Galaviz Arcola High School 2015 04/22/2013 Tuscola Open
13. 52.26 Josh Kirby Peoria Christian High School 2015 04/26/2013 Dragon Invitational
14. 52.53 Ronnie Drummond Wesclin High School 2014 04/22/2013 Tri County Championships
15. 52.71 John Evans Tuscola High School 2014 04/30/2013 Sullivan Redskin invitational
16. 52.78 Eli Larimore Tremont High School 2015 04/30/2013 McLean County / Heart of Illinois Conference Meet
17. 52.94 Ryan Mayberrty Morrison High School 2014 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)
18. 52.97x Philip Fox Peoria Christian High School 2015 07/28/2013 AAU Junior Olympic Games
19. 53.02 Drennian Martin Shelbyville High School 2014 04/30/2013 Sullivan Redskin invitational
20. 53.03 Colby Roundtree Chicago Christian High School 2015 05/08/2013 Suburban Christian Conference


200m-
2013 State Champion: Martel Hunter (Monmouth-Roseville) 22.30 [+0.2]
Key returners: Jacob Sholl (Jr., Carthage Illini West), Aaron Harris (So., Lisle), Jason Pokalsey (Sr., Moweaqua A&M), Jazeel King (Sr., Riverton), Dylan Troyer (Jr., Eureka), Andre McGill (Jr., Madison), Theo Hopkins (Sr., Chicago Leo).
Outlook: There is no sub-22.00 speedster returning here. There is hope that Jacob Sholl can be that person.  Aside from placing third in the state last year, he sprinted to a 22.41 clocking season best. Aaron Harris the only other sprinter under 22.5 returning. Also, Andre McGill could surprise.
 

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 22.29 Martel Hunter Monmouth-Roseville High School 2014 04/20/2013 Rockridge Invitational
2. 22.51 Jason Pokalsey Central A&M High School 2014 04/22/2013 Tuscola Open
3. 22.60 Dylan Troyer Eureka High School 2015 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
4. 22.76 Tim Doll Westmont High School 2014 04/20/2013 Plano Track & Field Dreams Invitational
5. 23.07 Devon Laubscher Cissna Park High School 2015 04/26/2013 Spartan Classic
6. 23.12 David Frye Leo High School 2016 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
7. 23.13 Drake Royal Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School 2014 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
8. 23.13 Orion Ciota St. Joseph-Ogden High School 2015 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
9. 23.16 Nick Hedges Catlin Community High School 2014 04/22/2013 Tuscola Open
10. 23.25 Justin Goff Wesclin High School 2015 04/22/2013 Tri County Championships
11. 23.25 Brett Charlton Eureka High School 2015 04/26/2013 Eureka Invitational
12. 23.31 Josh Kirby Peoria Christian High School 2015 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
13. 23.34p Ryan Mayberrty Morrison High School 2014 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)
14. 23.37 Dylan Malinowski Flanagan-Cornell 2016 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)
15. 23.38p Patrick Nelson Hales Franciscan High School 2015 05/03/2013 Chicago Catholic League Fresh/Soph Championship
16. 23.40 Andrew Frazer Chester High School 2015 04/24/2013 Monroe/ Randolph Bi- County Meet
17. 23.45 Taylor Moeller Pana High School 2015 05/11/2013 Shelbyville Open
18. 23.50 Christopher Leigh Fieldcrest High School 2014 04/30/2013 McLean County / Heart of Illinois Conference Meet
19. 23.53 Jesse Tice St. Joseph-Ogden High School 2015 04/26/2013 Spartan Classic
20. 23.53 Shane Hawkins Decatur St. Teresa High School 2014 04/30/2013 Sullivan Redskin invitational


100HH-
2013 State Champion: Marlon Britton (Chicago Leo) 14.47 [+0.7]
Key returners: Josh Kirby (Jr., Peoria Christian), Drew Crook (Sr., Gillespie), Tyler Rubarts (Sr., Paxton-Buckley-Loda), Brady Crain (Sr., Rushville-Industry), Bjorn Adden (Sr., Pleasant Plains), Spencer Cooper (Sr., Bushnell-Prairie City).
Outlook: The fourth place finisher in last spring’s state championship Josh Kirby returns back as the favorite. In order for him to be effective, he will need to improve on his 15.26 personal best.  Watch for top time returner Brady Crain work as a spoiler.
 

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 15.31 Drew Crook Gillespie High School 2014 05/02/2013 Macoupin County Meet
2. 15.34 Josh Kirby Peoria Christian High School 2015 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
3. 15.37 Spencer Cooper Bushnell-Prairie City High School 2014 04/25/2013 Warsaw Titan Invitational
4. 15.40 Brady Crane Rushville-Industry High School 2014 04/20/2013 Rob Garcia CoEd Invitational
5. 15.42 Jake Montgomery Athens Senior High School 2014 04/30/2013 Sangamo Conference Championship
6. 15.64 Michael Akande Robinson High School 2014 04/22/2013 Robinson Invitational
7. 15.66 Aaron Luesse Unity High School 2015 04/29/2013 Tuscola Fresh/Soph Invitational
8. 15.73 Bryce Holesinger Fulton High School 2014 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)
9. 15.76 Dawson White Fieldcrest High School 2014 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)
10. 15.81 Tyler Rubarts Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
11. 15.84h Ronnie Drummond Wesclin High School 2014 04/19/2013 Sparta Buzz Bradley Invitational
12. 15.86 Dylan Binion Erie High School 2016 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)
13. 15.86p Vaughn Gentzler Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School 2014 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
14. 15.91 Tucker Schoff Bureau Valley High School 2014 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)
15. 15.97p Connor Stark Sherrard High School 2014 04/20/2013 Rockridge Invitational
16. 15.97 Jacob Zagorski St. Joseph-Ogden High School 2014 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
17. 16.00 Taylor Kirby Catlin Community High School 2014 03/28/2013 Tuscola 5-Team
18. 16.13 Adam Huffstutler Mercer County 2015 04/20/2013 Rockridge Invitational
19. 16.23 Riley Drees Teutopolis High School 2015 04/22/2013 Robinson Invitational
20. 16.30 Regan Toddhunter Newman Central Catholic High School 2015 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)


300H-
2013 State Champion: Jason Bliven (Trenton-Wesclin) 39.85
Key returners: Bryce Holesinger (Sr., Fulton), Jake Montgomery (Sr., Athens), Matt McCoy (Sr., Lewisville).
Outlook: There are only two returners back from the state final: Bryce Holesinger and Jake Montgomery.  Holesinger clocked a personal 39.95 and is the only long hurdler back who ran sub 40.0 while Montgomery checked in at 40.65. Matt McCoy and Drew Cook will challenge for supremacy in this event during the spring.
 

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 39.95 Bryce Holesinger Fulton High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 40.65 Jake Montgomery Athens Senior High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
3. 41.30 Philip Fox Peoria Christian High School 2015 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
4. 41.44h Ronnie Drummond Wesclin High School 2014 04/19/2013 Sparta Buzz Bradley Invitational
5. 41.95p Robert White Perspectives Charter School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
6. 42.19 Brady Crane Rushville-Industry High School 2014 04/20/2013 Rob Garcia CoEd Invitational
7. 42.23 Matt Mccoy Lewistown High School 2014 04/20/2013 Rob Garcia CoEd Invitational
8. 42.27 Garrett Cadieu Eureka High School 2014 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
9. 42.48 Drew Crook Gillespie High School 2014 04/27/2013 Jokisch-Grandone Invitational
10. 42.61 Tucker Schoff Bureau Valley High School 2014 04/26/2013 Eureka Invitational
11. 42.79 A.j Cook Riverdale High School 2014 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)
12. 42.97 Mike Robertson Westmont High School 2014 05/04/2013 Carlin Nalley Invitational
13. 43.05 Dylan Binion Erie High School 2016 04/30/2013 Brockman Invitational
14. 43.07 Vaughn Gentzler Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School 2014 04/26/2013 Spartan Classic
15. 43.21 Issiac Wingerter Chester High School 2015 04/11/2013 Ste. Genevieve Old Settlement Invitational
16. 43.23 Regan Toddhunter Newman Central Catholic High School 2015 05/17/2013 1A Bureau Valley Sectional (Boys)
17. 43.35 Cassidy Dixon Hoopeston Area High School 2014 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
18. 43.37 Riley Drees Teutopolis High School 2015 04/22/2013 Robinson Invitational
19. 43.44 Adam Huffstutler Mercer County 2015 04/20/2013 Rockridge Invitational
20. 43.53 Nick Paff St. Joseph-Ogden High School 2015 04/26/2013 Spartan Classic