Distance running fans better get their 2014 school classification chart cheat sheets out. There are going to be so many classification changes, it will be virtually impossible to track your favorite runner. For example, 2A cross country individual state championship senior John Wold of Glenbard South will not face cross country foe Johnny Leverenz (Sr., Danville) in the state final because Leverenz’s school was bumped up to 3A. The league will also see other big names such as junior twin brothers Jake and Luke Hoffert (Yorkville), Ryan Pitner (Sr., Crystal Lake Central), and Peter Schaible (Sr., Chicago Jones)- top ten finishers in the 2A meet moving up to 3A. It’s really unfortunate that the fall’s premier runners will not be able to compete against the crème de la crème in late May. But on the upside there will be some emerging athletes ready to be great athletes. This is the kind of thing that makes high school distance running the crown jewel of the sport.
3200m-
2013 State Champion: Riley McInerney (Charleston) 9:08.44
Key returners: Simon Thorpe (Sr., Dixon), Zach Hird (Sr., Rock Island Alleman), Noah Affolder (Fr., Mascoutah), Eryk Yunk (So., Belvidere North), Nick Brey (Sr., Arlington Heights St. Viator), Nick Fiene (Jr., Lansing Illiana Christian), Kyle Whitley (Sr., Vernon Hills).
Outlook: This event is wide open for any challenger that wants it. It is unbelievable that JZ has never run a 2-mile or 3200m for an official time in high school. Let repeat this: JOHN WOLD, who is one of his era’s most talented distance runners, HAS NEVER RUN A 2-MILE OR 3200M FOR AN OFFICIAL TIME. We think it’s time for JZ to show us that he is capable of a great effort and also that he is the classification’s top long distance track runner. If Wold decides to forgo this event, then watch out for Simon Thorpe and Zach Hird to duel it out all the way to the state meet.
800m-
2013 State Champion: John Wold (Sr., Glen Ellyn South) 1:54.66R
Key returners: Wold, Nathan Kucera (Sr., Maple Park Kaneland), Zac Justus (Sr., Pontiac), Kevin Vroegh (Sr., Lansing Illiana Christian), Kyle Carter (Sr., Maple Park Kaneland), J.D. LaFayette (Sr., Normal University), Jalon Monigan (Sr., Cahokia).
Outlook: There are number of things that need to happen if we are going to see a repeat state champion in this event. One of those items will be consistent training and a solid injury-free report from JZ Wold. He is one of the state’s most gifted athletes (winning his last two state title races- xc and 800) regardless of class, but he has racked enough injuries to qualify for a frequent flyer mileage program. Even if he is to be at the top of his game, there is no guaranteed of the same outcome. Nathan Kucera has supplanted himself as a prime title threat after anchoring his team to the 4x8r title and then a few weeks later running a smashing 1:51.33 to close out his track season in the Midwest Distance Festival. His teammate Kyle Carter is also back and ran 1:54.46 last year.
1600m-
2013 State Champion: Chris Martin (Mascoutah) 4:18.62
Key returners: James Kaht (Sr., Richmond-Burton), John Wold (Sr., Glen Ellyn Glenbard South), Tony Wondaal (Sr., Lansing Illiana Christian), J.D. Lafayette (Sr., Normal University), Simon Thorpe (Sr., Dixon), Zac Justus (Sr., Pontiac).
Outlook: There will be a new champion here because Chris Martin has taken his talents to North Burlington High School in New Jersey. Look for John Wold to assert himself if he is healthy and show that he can run fast times on a consistent basis. James Kaht busted on the scene out of nowhere last spring and surprised the field with a second place finish. He could possibly drop a few more seconds here and get down in the 4:15-16 range. J.D. Lafayette blazed the fourth fastest time in ’13 but opted for the 4x8r and 800m in the post-season.