2014 Class 2A Boys Field Events Pre-Season Preview

Illinois T&F: 2014 Preseason Preview Series
Tony Jones

The Cahokia jumps will be outstanding once more this season

The field event arena will experience some growth and growing pains this season. The jumps and pole vault will be must see all year long with the likes of superstars Ja’Mari Ward of Cahokia and Alex King of Massac County.  But on the other side of the spectrum, the throws will be very lean due to heavy graduation losses.

Long Jump-
2013 State Champion: Ja’Mari Ward (So., Galesburg) 23-7.75R [1.2]
Key returners: Ward, Bryan Worby (Jr., Pontiac), Martel Hunter (Sr., Monmouth-Roseville), Clay Vaini (Sr., Lasalle-Peru), Drake Taylor (Jr., Normal University), Jacob Stephens (Sr., Mattoon). Brandon Blankenship (Sr., Glen Ellyn Glenbard South), JD Gieson (Jr., Dixon).
Outlook: There should not be any question who the favorite is now as Mr. Ja’Mari Ward has established himself as not only the premier jumper in the state, but one of the very best in the nation at the tender age of 15. For those that lost track of his amazing introductory season, Ward leaped an amazing 24-2 nwi last spring. At press time, he has already made it known that he is to be taken seriously with a 23-1.25i effort at the Arkansas HS Invite.
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 24-2 J'mari Ward Cahokia High School 2016 04/30/2013 St. Clair County Championship (Boys)
2. 21-11.75 Roman Hill Centralia High School 2015 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
3. 21-7 Jd Gieson Dixon High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
4. 21-6 Drew Sahni Mahomet-Seymour High School 2014 04/06/2013 Harold Jester Early Bird Invitational
5. 21-5.5 John Brady Montini Catholic High School 2014 04/26/2013 Mike Yavorski Invitational
6. 21-5.25 Bryan Worby Pontiac High School 2015 04/26/2013 Eureka Invitational
7. 21-5.25 Devyn Cedzidlo Lakes High School 2016 05/17/2013 2A Vernon Hills Sectional (Boys)
8. 21-5 Ben Barnes Kaneland High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
9. 21-3.5 Lamar Colon Mt. Carmel High School 2014 06/07/2013 AAU Area 14A National Qualifier
10. 20-11.5 Brandon Blankenship Glenbard South High School 2014 05/10/2013 Metro Suburban Boys Conference Championship
11. 20-10 Steven Eldridge Murphysboro High School 2014 04/06/2013 Jackson Invitational
12. 20-10 Pete Kopacz St. Laurence High School 2014 05/11/2013 Chicago Catholic League Boys Championship
13. 20-9 Breck Swinford Morton High School 2014 04/12/2013 Galesburg ABC Meet
14. 20-9 Jacob Stephens Mattoon High School 2014 04/30/2013 Sullivan Redskin invitational
15. 20-8.25 Joe Hughes Normal University High School 2015 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
16. 20-7.75 Connor Diedrich Mahomet-Seymour High School 2015 04/06/2013 Harold Jester Early Bird Invitational
17. 20-7.75 Austin Breunig Sandwich High School 2014 04/20/2013 Plano Track & Field Dreams Invitational
18. 20-7.5 Jordan Tribbet Springfield Lanphier High School 2015 05/07/2013 Lanphier Fresh/Soph Boys Invitational
19. 20-5.75 Kacey Adams Grayslake Central High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Vernon Hills Sectional (Boys)
20. 20-5.5 Aaron Quinn Champaign Centennial High School 2014 04/06/2013 Harold Jester Early Bird Invitational


Pole Vault-
2013 State Champion: Tyler Ginger (Stanford-Olympia) 15-3
Key returners: Tyler Jourdan (Sr., Salem), Chase Black (Sr., Charleston), Nick Wotton (Jr., Pontiac), Michael Rariden (Jr., Normal University), Trevor Dowell (Sr., Chatham-Glenwood), Dylan Kuipers (Sr., Maple Park Kaneland), Joseph McDaniel (Sr., Mt. Vernon), Riley Severns (So., Rochester), Joe Bevilacqua (Jr., Bloomington Central Catholic).
Outlook: This event will remain a strong staple on the event docket with six state finalists returning including runner-up Tyler Jourdan leading the way. Jourdan happens to be the only vaulter who has eclipsed the 15-foot mark.
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 15-0 Tyler Jourdan Salem High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 14-9 Chase Black Charleston High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
3. 14-6 Nick Wotton Pontiac High School 2015 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
4. 14-3 Trevor Dowell Chatham-Glenwood High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
5. 14-0 Joesph Mcdaniel Mt. Vernon High School 2014 04/20/2013 Winston Brown Invitational
6. 14-0 Dylan Kuipers Kaneland High School 2014 05/10/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Boys Conference Championship
7. 13-9.25 Michael Rariden Normal University High School 2015 06/25/2013 USATF World Youth Track and Field Trials
8. 13-9 Riley Severns Rochester High School 2016 05/07/2013 Lanphier Fresh/Soph Boys Invitational
9. 13-6 Robert Wolf Mahomet-Seymour High School 2015 04/06/2013 Harold Jester Early Bird Invitational
10. 13-6 James Angelico Elmwood Park High School 2014 05/10/2013 Metro Suburban Boys Conference Championship
11. 13-0 Jacob Gatliff Dunlap High School 2014 04/26/2013 Gene Ward Invitational
12. 13-0 Joe Bevilacqua Bloomington Central Catholic High School 2015 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
13. 13-0p Triston Ballinger Stanford Olympia High School 2016 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
14. 12-9 Mike Buckles Taylorville High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
15. 12-9 Jacob Wells Monticello High School 2015 06/07/2013 AAU Area 14A National Qualifier
16. 12-6 Jr Vest Kaneland High School 2014 04/06/2013 Kiwanis Invitational
17. 12-6 Dan Evers Kaneland High School 2014 05/06/2013 Rochelle JV Invitational
18. 12-3 Nick Dreska Rochelle High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
19. 12-3 Jimmy Krenger Woodstock North High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Vernon Hills Sectional (Boys)
20. 12-3 Dominic Giovannelli Chatham-Glenwood High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)


High Jump-
2013 State Champion: Alex King (Sr., Massac County) 7-1R
Key returners: King, Noah Agnew (So., Vernon Hills), Michel Andre (Sr., Carbondale), Devonte Clark (Sr., Jacksonville), Dakota Swadinsky (Jr., Rochelle).
Outlook: The superman of Illinois high jump Alex King is back to take his share of the center stage. King had a monster 2013 campaign that resulted in a US#7 7-1 state winner (although jumped indoors because of inclement weather).
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 6-10.25 Alex King Massac County High School 2014 06/19/2013 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championship
2. 6-8 Noah Agnew Vernon Hills High School 2016 05/17/2013 2A Vernon Hills Sectional (Boys)
3. 6-6 Logan Zeman LaSalle-Peru High School 2014 04/26/2013 Dragon Invitational
4. 6-6 Austen Stewart Princeton High School 2014 04/26/2013 Mendota Quad
5. 6-5 Devante Clark Jacksonville High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
6. 6-4.5 Erik Inman Metamora High School 2014 04/06/2013 Metamora Co-Ed Invitational
7. 6-4 Jacob Stephens Mattoon High School 2014 04/30/2013 Sullivan Redskin invitational
8. 6-3 Carlos Covarrubias LaSalle-Peru High School 2014 05/10/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Boys Conference Championship
9. 6-3 Dakota Swadinsky Rochelle High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
10. 6-3 Logan Wright Sycamore High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
11. 6-3 Tra Lewis Springfield Southeast High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
12. 6-3p Michel Andre Carbondale High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
13. 6-2.25 Sean Blunt Rich South High School 2014 05/08/2013 Southland Athletic Conference Boys Championship
14. 6-2 Bryce Fenton Galesburg High School 2015 03/30/2013 Shipley Invitational
15. 6-2 Luke Molen Taylorville High School 2015 04/04/2013 Lanphier Quad (Boys)
16. 6-2 Kyle Niebrugge Effingham High School 2014 04/06/2013 Belleville West Invitational
17. 6-2 Daniel Welling Monticello High School 2014 04/26/2013 Spartan Classic
18. 6-2p Jordan Lamie Herscher High School 2015 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
19. 6-1.5 Will Daniels Geneseo High School 2016 04/09/2013 Rock Island Boys JV Invitational
20. 6-1 Connor Gosell Grayslake Central High School 2016 05/10/2013 Fox Valley Boys Conference Championship


Shot Put-
2013 State Champion: Josh Augusta (Sr., Peoria) 62-4
Key returners: Nate Dyer (Sr., Maple Park Kaneland), Keith King (Sr., Peoria Richwoods), Tanner Farmer (Sr., Highland), A.J. Marmion (Sr., Geneseo), Brett Kowalczyk (Jr., LaSalle-Peru), Trevor Fox (Sr., Dunlap).
Outlook: Two-time defending state champion Josh Augusta has moved on to the University of Missouri for football means this event is very wide open. Nate Dyer is the only returner back from the field of 12.  He will have some competition from Keith King who drops in from 3A with a personal best of 53-7. No one returner has thrown over 52-feet.
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 53-2.25 Nate Dyer Kaneland High School 2014 05/10/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Boys Conference Championship
2. 53-0 Tanner Farmer Highland High School 2014 05/08/2013 Mississippi Valley Boys Conference Championship
3. 49-7 Deron Hood Champaign Central High School 2014 05/09/2013 Big 12 Conference Championship
4. 49-5.25 Trevor Fox Dunlap High School 2014 04/13/2013 Ottawa ABC Invitational
5. 49-0.75 Brett Kowalczyk LaSalle-Peru High School 2015 05/06/2013 Illinois Valley Conference Championship
6. 48-10.5 Evan Short Sycamore High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
7. 48-9 A.j. Marmion Geneseo High School 2014 04/26/2013 Dragon Invitational
8. 48-4.25 Isaiah Trumbo Springfield Lanphier High School 2014 04/30/2013 Springfield Boys City Meet
9. 47-7.5 Shane Jorgensen Kaneland High School 2014 04/06/2013 Kiwanis Invitational
10. 47-7 Nick Verbeck Geneseo High School 2014 04/06/2013 Kiwanis Invitational
11. 47-4.5 Daniall Akins Cahokia High School 2015 04/09/2013 Alton F/S Relays (Boys)
12. 46-10.5 Gabe Megginson Jacksonville High School 2015 04/12/2013 Granite City Invitational
13. 46-9.25 Cyrano Rayfield Ottawa Twp. High School 2014 05/06/2013 Illinois Valley Conference Championship
14. 46-4 Zach Travis Pontiac High School 2014 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
15. 46-2.5 Lane Luksander Mahomet-Seymour High School 2014 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
16. 45-11 Ry Schmidt Carbondale High School 2014 04/20/2013 Winston Brown Invitational
17. 45-11 Detric Mitchell Springfield Lanphier High School 2015 05/07/2013 Lanphier Fresh/Soph Boys Invitational
18. 45-9.5 Mckinley Bell Cahokia High School 2016 06/15/2013 USATF Ozark Association Championship
19. 45-9 Roderick Sanders Walther Lutheran High School 2014 04/26/2013 Plainfield Central Hunt Invitational
20. 45-8.75 Zane Sullens Prairie Central High School 2015 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational


Triple Jump-
2013 State Champion: Phillip Thompson (Dolton (Thornridge) 47-05.  [+0.0]
Key returners: Ja’Mari Ward (So., Cahokia), Jalon Monigan (Sr., Cahokia), Jon McDermott (Sr., Plano), Davion Foster (Sr., Champaign Central), Shaun Wollenweber (Sr., Plano), Carsen Cash (Sr., Marion).
Outlook: It will be 50-feet or bust this season for the man child known as Ja’Mari Ward. Ward has been a terror since he was introduced in the sport as a tyke.  Last season he registered 48-6 (no wind indicator), but only finished third in the state meet and second on his team’s depth chart.  That will change this season as he quests for youth world dominance along the way.  So far at press time, the wonder kind has hit the board for an unreal 49-0.75/US#2.  It is going to be to a great ride this season for Ward, his teammates, and his legion of fans.
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 47-9.5 J'mari Ward Cahokia High School 2016 04/30/2013 St. Clair County Championship (Boys)
2. 46-4 Jalon Monigan Cahokia High School 2014 07/11/2013 USATF Region 9 Championship (Missouri Valley)
3. 44-6.5 Davion Foster Champaign Central High School 2015 04/30/2013 Twin City Championships
4. 43-7 Dakota Swadinsky Rochelle High School 2015 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
5. 43-4.75 Shay Grant Taylorville High School 2014 05/10/2013 CS8 Boys Conference Championship
6. 43-3.5 Josh Beard Geneseo High School 2015 04/12/2013 Galesburg ABC Meet
7. 43-3 Carson Cash Marion High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
8. 42-6.25 Dalvell Triplett Kaneland High School 2014 04/20/2013 Kaneland Peterson Prep
9. 42-5.5p Jacob Kirchhoff Sterling High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
10. 42-4.5 Brandon Blankenship Glenbard South High School 2014 04/06/2013 Glenbard South Open
11. 41-11 Andrew Beckman Pontiac High School 2015 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
12. 41-7 Chase Mercer Salem High School 2014 04/05/2013 Olney Invitational
13. 41-6 Steven Eldridge Murphysboro High School 2014 04/20/2013 Cape Central Invitational
14. 41-5 Snjolfur Bjornsson Harrisburg High School 2014 04/19/2013 Sparta Buzz Bradley Invitational
15. 41-2 Ryan Grizzard Champaign Centennial High School 2014 04/26/2013 Gene Ward Invitational
16. 41-2 Brandon Ruffin Peoria High School 2015 04/26/2013 Gib Seegers Invitational
17. 41-1.5 Nathan Billings East Alton-Wood River High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
18. 41-0 Jonathan Gorman Springfield Southeast High School 2015 04/30/2013 Springfield Boys City Meet
19. 41-0 Charles Cargo Rantoul High School 2014 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
20. 40-10p Demry Croft Boylan High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)


Discus Throw-
2013 State Champion: Ryan Njegovan (Sandwich) 188-04R
Key returners: A.J. Marmion (Sr., Geneseo), Alan Taylor (Jr., Antioch), Jonathan Bell (Sr., Dekalb), Michell Hughes (Jr., Chatham-Glenwood), Nate Dyer (Sr., Maple Park Kaneland), Chris Smith (Sr., Winnebago), Trevor Fox (Sr., Dunlap).
Outlook: This event is undoubtedly going to be the leanest on the schedule with no all-state runners.  So who do we expect to shine this spring? A.J. Marmion is the top returner with a personal best 173-10.  He hit on another 170-foot plus effort but it was at the wrong time (sectionals) and just 16th in the state prelims.
 

Rank Mark Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 173-10 A.j. Marmion Geneseo High School 2014 05/10/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Boys Conference Championship
2. 165-0 Steve Hubona Benet Academy 2014 05/09/2013 ESCC Championship
3. 162-5 Alan Taylor Antioch High School 2015 04/26/2013 Crystal Lake Central Invitational
4. 153-9 Nate Dyer Kaneland High School 2014 05/03/2013 Kane County Boys Championship
5. 153-2 Trevor Fox Dunlap High School 2014 04/26/2013 Gene Ward Invitational
6. 150-3 Jason Mann Stanford Olympia High School 2014 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
7. 146-3 Ryan Mullen Lakes High School 2015 05/03/2013 Lake County Boys Invitational
8. 146-2 Mitchell Hughes Chatham-Glenwood High School 2015 04/06/2013 Metamora Co-Ed Invitational
9. 145-3 Cyrano Rayfield Ottawa Twp. High School 2014 04/13/2013 Ottawa ABC Invitational
10. 144-6 Tanner Farmer Highland High School 2014 05/08/2013 Mississippi Valley Boys Conference Championship
11. 143-1 Chris Crawford Springfield Lanphier High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
12. 142-9 Ry Schmidt Carbondale High School 2014 04/20/2013 Winston Brown Invitational
13. 142-6 John Rebholz Metamora High School 2014 04/06/2013 Metamora Co-Ed Invitational
14. 141-5 Nick Verbeck Geneseo High School 2014 04/26/2013 Dragon Invitational
15. 140-0 Chase Stroud Limestone High School 2014 04/12/2013 Galesburg ABC Meet
16. 138-11 Zane Sullens Prairie Central High School 2015 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
17. 137-8 Tyrin White Rantoul High School 2014 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
18. 137-6 Evan Short Sycamore High School 2014 05/10/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Boys Conference Championship
19. 137-3 Austin Morrison Marion High School 2014 04/12/2013 Granite City Invitational
20. 137-0p Josh Knie Sterling High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)