2014 Class 2A Boys Sprints And Hurdles Pre-Season Preview

2014 is going to be vastly different from 2013 because of classification defections. For example, Martel Hunter moves up from 1A and should be a dominant force in his league in all three flat races.  Several other highly touted speed demons and hurdlers climbed the stairs to 3A.  As well, the graduated talent such as DJ Duncan, Reggie Bratton, and Marcus Greer will be felt.  At the same time, it gives a bevy of emerging athletes an opportunity to step forward and make a name for themselves and their schools.

100m-
2013 State Champion: Reggie Bratton (Jacksonville) 10.68 [+1.3]
Key returners: Dion Hooker (Jr., Sycamore), Treston Fowler (Sr., Dunlap), Martel Hunter (Sr., Monmouth-Roseville), Sharvon Johnson (Jr., Chicago Phillips), Demoria Harris (Jr., Chicago Dunbar).
Outlook: The three-sport star and two-time defending champion Reggie Bratton has graduated and moved on to college, leaving the door wide open for a host of speedsters. Dion Hooker has the top returning time of 10.78 along with a fifth place finish in last year’s state final. If he can’t get the job done, the duties will fall upon Treston Fowler who was also a state medalist. Fowler holds a best of 10.79.
 

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 10.58 Brian Mays Rich South High School 2015 06/15/2013 Jane Dickens Invitational
2. 10.63 Berwyn Causey Rich East High School 2014 06/15/2013 Jane Dickens Invitational
3. 10.76 Terry Magee North Lawndale Charter High School 2014 04/26/2013 Gene Ward Invitational
4. 10.79 Treston Fowler Dunlap High School 2014 04/26/2013 Gene Ward Invitational
5. 10.85 Dion Hooker Sycamore High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
6. 10.98 Drake Tayler Normal University High School 2015 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
7. 11.02 Koran Ward UIC College Prep 2014 04/16/2013 CPS Midwest Conference Meet #3
8. 11.03 Gus Lathrop East Richland High School 2015 04/22/2013 Robinson Invitational
9. 11.06 Cory Hertz Lakes High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Vernon Hills Sectional (Boys)
10. 11.09p Matthew Domer Mt. Carmel High School 2014 05/11/2013 Chicago Catholic League Boys Championship
11. 11.10 Terry Mcgee Northside High School 2014 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
12. 11.11 Michael Hones Pontiac High School 2015 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
13. 11.17 Brett Segobiano Bloomington Central Catholic High School 2016 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
14. 11.17 Kwadjo Akuoko Springfield Southeast High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
15. 11.19 Austin Ray Mt. Zion High School 2014 05/11/2013 Shelbyville Open
16. 11.20 Roman Hampton Dunlap High School 2015 04/26/2013 Gene Ward Invitational
17. 11.20 Jeffery Allgood Urban Prep Charter School 2014 05/16/2013 2A Northside Sectional (Boys)
18. 11.22p Brandon Bishop Kaneland High School 2014 05/10/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Boys Conference Championship
19. 11.24p Jeremiah Peoples Champaign Centennial High School 2015 04/26/2013 Gene Ward Invitational
20. 11.24 Reid Deets Dixon High School 2014 05/10/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Boys Conference Championship


400m-
2013 State Champion: Marlin Brady (Sr., Cahokia) 49.30
Key returners: Brady, Jeremiah Watson (Sr., Chicago Urban Prep Charter), Martel Hunter (Sr., Monmouth-Roseville), Jeff Swanson (Sr., Winnebago), Brandon Riley (Sr., Chicago Morgan Park), Dion Hooker (Jr., Sycamore), Michael Giovannelli (Sr., Chatham-Glenwood), Jalon Monigan (Sr., Cahokia), Damion Allen (Sr., Lasalle-Peru). Nathaniel Kucero (Sr., Maple Park Kaneland).
Outlook: Can Marlin Brady get a three-peat this season? If the two-time reigning state champion is to do so, he is going to face some worthy opponents along the journey. Former 1A champion Martel Hunter enters the fray as a big threat to Brady because he is one of the state’s best one-lap sprinters. Last year he rocked a 48.93 to easily subdue his opponents.  Jeremiah Watson is a name that is not very familiar to Illinois fandom.  But inside the Chicago Public League circuit he was one of the best sprinters. Watson ran 49.58 with limited coaching and quality races, but he has hooked with touted North Lawndale Coach Zontavious Johnson during the pre-season track circuit. Look for Watson to crack into the 48s this season.

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 49.30 Marlin Brady Cahokia High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 49.52 Jeff Swanson Winnebago High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
3. 49.58 Jeremiah Watson Urban Prep Charter School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
4. 49.77 Nathaniel Kucera Kaneland High School 2014 04/26/2013 Crystal Lake Central Invitational
5. 50.12 Dion Hooker Sycamore High School 2015 05/10/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Boys Conference Championship
6. 50.18 Michael Giovannelli Chatham-Glenwood High School 2014 05/10/2013 CS8 Boys Conference Championship
7. 50.20 Jalon Monigan Cahokia High School 2014 04/30/2013 St. Clair County Championship (Boys)
8. 50.38 Tayvonne Landry Carbondale High School 2014 04/20/2013 Winston Brown Invitational
9. 50.38 Matt Ruff Wheaton Academy 2014 05/08/2013 Suburban Christian Conference
10. 50.55 Damion Allen LaSalle-Peru High School 2014 04/26/2013 Dragon Invitational
11. 50.65 Jd Lafayette Normal University High School 2014 04/22/2013 Bloomington/Normal Intercity Classic
12. 50.65 DeShaun Jordan North Lawndale Charter High School 2014 05/04/2013 CPS Co-Ed Championships
13. 50.85p Jack Medows Lincoln Way West High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
14. 50.85p Brian Mays Rich South High School 2015 07/28/2013 AAU Junior Olympic Games
15. 50.95 Dominic Giovannelli Chatham-Glenwood High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
16. 51.04 Grant Riggs Highland High School 2015 05/08/2013 Mississippi Valley Boys Conference Championship
17. 51.28 Kyle Carter Kaneland High School 2014 04/06/2013 Kiwanis Invitational
18. 51.54 Noah Van Dyke Wheaton Academy 2015 05/08/2013 Suburban Christian Conference
19. 51.55 Noah Van Dyke Wheaton Academy 2015 04/26/2013 Chicago Christian Invitational
20. 51.65 Tyran Lyons Cahokia High School 2016 06/15/2013 USATF Ozark Association Championship



 

200m-
2013 State Champion: Dion Hooker (Jr., Sycamore) 22.23 [-0.2]
Key returners: Hooker, Demoria Harris (Jr., Chicago Dunbar), Martel Hunter (Sr., Monmouth-Roseville), Nicholas Fizer (Sr., Dolton Thornridge), Monterious Wheatley (Jr., Springfield Southeast), Devante Clarke (Sr., Jacksonville), Jeremiah Watson (Sr., Chicago Urban Prep), Martel Hunter (Sr., Monmouth-Roseville)
Outlook: Will it be the defending champion Dion Hooker or both newcomers Martel Hunter and Demoria Harris on top of the heap this season? Hooker has the best returning time of 21.77 (no wind) in his best event.  Hunter, who won the 1A title, will have deeper competition to push him to his maximum potential. Harris ran 21.99 last as a sophomore last year while logging a full load of races.  His older brother Darvell Harris took the track world by storm two seasons ago when he demolished the 3A ranks in the 200 and anchored two winning state relays- the 4x2 squad ran the third fastest time in Illinois history.
 

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 21.77 Dion Hooker Sycamore High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
2. 22.26p Brian Mays Rich South High School 2015 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
3. 22.28 Cory Hertz Lakes High School 2015 05/09/2013 NSC Boys Championship
4. 22.32 DeShaun Jordan North Lawndale Charter High School 2014 04/13/2013 NLCP Invitational
5. 22.36 Devante Clark Jacksonville High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
6. 22.38p Nicholas Ficer Thornridge High School 2015 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
7. 22.38 Jeremiah Watson Urban Prep Charter School 2014 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
8. 22.40 Brandon Bishop Kaneland High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
9. 22.44 Palise Neal MacArthur High School 2014 04/19/2013 Mattoon Boys Invitational
10. 22.47 Terry Magee North Lawndale Charter High School 2014 04/13/2013 NLCP Invitational
11. 22.51 Evan White Rochelle High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
12. 22.54 Reid Deets Dixon High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
13. 22.62 Gus Lathrop East Richland High School 2015 04/05/2013 Olney Invitational
14. 22.63p Terry Mcgee Northside High School 2014 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
15. 22.64 Michael Giovannelli Chatham-Glenwood High School 2014 04/06/2013 Metamora Co-Ed Invitational
16. 22.68 Matthew Domer Mt. Carmel High School 2014 05/11/2013 Chicago Catholic League Boys Championship
17. 22.77 Rowdy Freeland Charleston High School 2015 04/19/2013 Mattoon Boys Invitational
18. 22.78 Treston Fowler Dunlap High School 2014 04/26/2013 Gene Ward Invitational
19. 22.81p Austin Breunig Sandwich High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
20. 22.82 Nick Wotton Pontiac High School 2015 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational

110HH-
2013 State Champion: D.J. Duncan (Harrisburg) 14.41 [+0.5]
Key returners: Gary Hickman (Sr., Cahokia), Lucas Ege (Jr., Burlington Central), Patrick Lefevere (Sr., Aurora Central Catholic), Terry Allen (Sr., Champaign Centennial).
Outlook: Gary Hickman had a rough time competing against the champion DJ Duncan who was the best overall hurdler in a deep pool. Duncan is gone now leaving the door wide open. Hickman is a starting member of the school’s state championship basketball team.
 

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 14.46 Gary Hickman Cahokia High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 14.63 Allen Terry Champaign Centennial High School 2014 06/15/2013 Jane Dickens Invitational
3. 14.78 Michael Billington Bloomington Central Catholic High School 2014 05/06/2013 Corn Belt Conference Championship
4. 14.94 Lucas Ege Burlington Central High School 2015 05/03/2013 Kane County Boys Championship
5. 14.97 Patrick Lefevre Aurora Central Catholic High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
6. 15.07 Imani Payton North Lawndale Charter High School 2014 04/26/2013 Gene Ward Invitational
7. 15.12 Tyler Parsons Woodstock High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
8. 15.16 Korrion Sessions Cahokia High School 2015 04/30/2013 St. Clair County Championship (Boys)
9. 15.16p Rodolphe Boyer Lakes High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
10. 15.17 Nicholas Ficer Thornridge High School 2015 04/25/2013 Pete Struck Eagle Classic
11. 15.28 Quincie Johnson DuSable High School 2014 05/04/2013 CPS Co-Ed Championships
12. 15.33 Dylan Nauert Kaneland High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
13. 15.36 Tevin Graham Hillcrest High School 2014 04/25/2013 Pete Struck Eagle Classic
14. 15.47 Brykell Patton Mt. Vernon High School 2014 04/06/2013 Jackson Invitational
15. 15.47 Jd Gieson Dixon High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
16. 15.58p Eric Walters LaSalle-Peru High School 2015 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
17. 15.60 Cal Urycki Metamora High School 2014 04/13/2013 Ottawa ABC Invitational
18. 15.63 Luicien Fitzpatrick Northside High School 2014 05/16/2013 2A Northside Sectional (Boys)
19. 15.76 Jacob Wiggins Grayslake Central High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Vernon Hills Sectional (Boys)
20. 15.82 Cody Roll Nazareth Academy 2014 05/09/2013 ESCC Championship


300H-
2013 State Champion: Marcus Greer (E. St. Louis Sr.) 37.82R
Key returners: Gary Hickman (Sr., Cahokia), Dylan Nauert (Sr., Maple Park Kaneland), Lucas Ege (Jr., Burlington Central), Michael Billington (Sr., Bloomington Central Catholic), JD Gieson (Jr., Dixon).
Outlook: Hickman is on track to be the top long hurdler if relay duties don’t stand in his way. He is capable of running in the mid 37s when he is at his apex. Dylan Nauert ran some swift marks last year and has the second fastest time of 39.00 despite missing the state final.
 

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 38.47p Imani Payton Northside High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 39.00 Dylan Nauert Kaneland High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
3. 39.22 Lucas Ege Burlington Central High School 2015 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
4. 39.45 Gary Hickman Cahokia High School 2014 04/30/2013 St. Clair County Championship (Boys)
5. 39.95 Jd Gieson Dixon High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
6. 40.33 Michael Billington Bloomington Central Catholic High School 2014 05/11/2013 Mahomet-Seymour Boys Invitational
7. 40.41 Patrick Lefevre Aurora Central Catholic High School 2014 05/08/2013 Suburban Christian Conference
8. 40.47 Sandro Magradze Johnsburg High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Vernon Hills Sectional (Boys)
9. 40.51 Aaron Cable Rochester High School 2015 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
10. 40.55p Carson Cash Marion High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
11. 40.64 Brock Robertson Kaneland High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Sterling Sectional (Boys)
12. 41.10 Tyler Parsons Woodstock High School 2014 05/03/2013 Peter Reiff Invitational
13. 41.10 Justin Seeley Geneseo High School 2014 05/10/2013 Northern Illinois Big 12 Boys Conference Championship
14. 41.11 Dion Hooker Sycamore High School 2015 05/03/2013 Northern Illinois Invitational
15. 41.19 Allen Terry Champaign Centennial High School 2014 05/09/2013 Big 12 Conference Championship
16. 41.21 Tyler Lafferty East Alton-Wood River High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
17. 41.39 Rodolphe Boyer Lakes High School 2014 05/09/2013 NSC Boys Championship
18. 41.40 Joel Thomas Springfield Lanphier High School 2014 04/30/2013 Springfield Boys City Meet
19. 41.55 Devon Leitschuh Greenville High School 2014 05/17/2013 2A Springfield Lanphier Sectional (Boys)
20. 41.71p Cal Urycki Metamora High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship