2014 Class 3A Boys Sprints Pre-Season Preview

University of Illinois recruits Julian Hylton and Cole Henderson are on line to re-up epic sprint battles. Nick Schnelle/Peoria Journal photo

2014 should be a year in which the sprints and hurdles collectively experience a big jump in performances as many of the emerging stars return. Pekin's four event star Cole Henderson returns for a senior year that is expected to wow the fans of track and field in this state. It has been a very long time since boys sprints and hurdles have gained the sport's attention in this state. It will happen this season for sure.  The tracks all across the state should see some fine performances that the girls have had for the past five years. 

100m-
2013 State Champion: Cole Henderson (Sr., Pekin) 10.63 [+1.6]
Key returners: Henderson, Julian Hylton (Sr., Frankfort Lincoln-Way North), Jauan Wesley (Sr., Harvey Thornton), Terry McGee (Sr., Chicago North Lawndale Charter), Leland Groves (Sr., Normal West), Craig James (Sr., Edwardsville), Titus Booker (Jr., Grayslake North), Treston Forbes (Sr., Chicago St. Rita), Natereace Strong (Jr., E. St. Louis Sr.), Devin Ingram (Sr., Minooka).
Outlook: Cole Henderson was everyone's surprise sprint superstar who busted on the scene last year with a sizzling Illinois Top Times performance that was one for the ages. Henderson usurped the Jonathan Boey show with his own indoor national 60m highlight show.  The phenom from Pekin ran 6.85 in the prelim to upstage the 2A star from Decatur MacArthur.  Boey would eventually claim the state top's top sprinter title in his final, but the Henderson bandwagon had already been built.  Cole recorded two Century dash times under 10.60, including the top legal and overall state best of 10.51.  This upcoming season should experience a renaissance in the short dash with the top two speedsters returning as well as six of the top ten. Julian Hylton, who recently signed to play football at the University of Illinois, should join Cole between the 42-inch lines this spring.  Both future Illini stars could stage a few epic battles during the indoor and outdoor seasons.
 

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 10.51p Cole Henderson Pekin High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 10.79 Julian Hylton Lincoln-Way East High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
3. 10.80 Daylen Hubbard Bloom Twp. High School 2014 06/15/2013 Jane Dickens Invitational
4. 10.82 Leland Groves Normal Community West High School 2014 04/22/2013 Bloomington/Normal Intercity Classic
5. 10.82 Craig James Edwardsville High School 2014 05/17/2013 3A Rock Island Sectional (Boys)
6. 10.83 Titus Booker Grayslake North High School 2015 05/16/2013 3A Buffalo Grove Sectional (Boys)
7. 10.89 Natereac Strong East St. Louis (Sr.) High School 2015 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
8. 10.90 Marcus Cosby Lincoln-Way East High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional (Boys)
9. 10.92p Jake Smith Minooka High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
10. 10.95 Tim Martin Harlem High School 2014 04/06/2013 Paul Gans & Fred Zeedyk Invitational
11. 10.96 Tim Roels Geneva High School 2014 04/06/2013 Les Hodge Invitational
12. 10.97 Jamal Baggett Oak Park-River Forest High School 2014 05/04/2013 McCarthy Memorial Invitational
13. 10.97p Reggie Murphy Evanston Township High School 2015 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
14. 11.00p Alex Martin Hononegah High School 2014 04/26/2013 45th Prospect Wanner Knight Invitational
15. 11.01 Jack Feeney St. Charles North High School 2014 04/06/2013 Les Hodge Invitational
16. 11.04 Kyonn Keith Bloomington High School 2014 04/22/2013 Bloomington/Normal Intercity Classic
17. 11.04 Jan Dimaano Schaumburg High School 2014 04/26/2013 45th Prospect Wanner Knight Invitational
18. 11.04 Murphy Evanston Township High School 2015 05/10/2013 Central Suburban League South Boys Championship
19. 11.05 Shandall Thomas Schaumburg High School 2015 05/17/2013 3A Hoffman Estates Sectional (Boys)
20. 11.06 Franklin Hunt Rich Central High School 2016 04/06/2013 Paul Gans & Fred Zeedyk Invitational


Sam Bransby will be a force this spring in the 400m

400m-
2013 State Champion: Matt Burns (Sr., Villa Park Willowbrook) 48.89
Key returners: Burns, Cole Henderson (Sr., Pekin), Sam Bransby (Sr., Naperville Central), Kenny Lewis (Sr., Plainfield East), Paul Ifianayi (Jr., Elk Grove), Alex Shulga (Sr., Grayslake North), Chris Wilson (Sr., Minooka), Matt Anyiwo (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor), Jack Meadows (New Lenox Lincoln-Way Central), Imani Payton (Sr., Chicago North Lawndale Charter).
Outlook: For the first time since 1999, no one broke the 48-second barrier.  That’s the bad news. The good news is the top three state placers return plus the multi-talented Cole Henderson.  In other words, 2013 was an abberation and this year fans should witness a few long sprinters running in the mid 47-second range.  Kenny Lewis ran 48.56 last year but was relegated to 49.44 in last year's state final. The awful weather had something to do with it, but at the same time it could have been nerves that unraveled Lewis who was in the limelight for the first time in his career.  Henderson was another first time emerging athlete turned star that had a rough time in the 400 final. He finished last in 51.10.  He did not offer any excuses for his performance.  He was able to regroup and win the 200. But somewhere there has to be an inner voice screaming: "we are going to get revenge next year!"

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 48.63p Sam Bransby Neuqua Valley High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 48.71 Kenneth Lewis Plainfield East High School 2014 04/26/2013 Plainfield Central Hunt Invitational
3. 48.72 Cole Henderson Pekin High School 2014 05/17/2013 3A Rock Island Sectional (Boys)
4. 48.73p Matt Burns Willowbrook High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
5. 49.14 Alex Shulga Grayslake North High School 2014 04/27/2013 Palatine Relays
6. 49.17 Chris Wilson Minooka High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Joliet West Sectional
7. 49.31 Paul Ifianayi Elk Grove High School 2015 04/20/2013 Sabre Invitational
8. 49.73 James Harriel Bloom Twp. High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional (Boys)
9. 49.78 Frederick Burk Proviso East High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A St. Ignatius Sectional (Boys)
10. 50.03 Roosevelt Davis East St. Louis (Sr.) High School 2016 04/30/2013 St. Clair County Championship (Boys)
11. 50.27p Ty Moss Neuqua Valley High School 2015 07/28/2013 AAU Junior Olympic Games
12. 50.38 Konrad Eiring Barrington High School 2015 05/16/2013 3A Buffalo Grove Sectional (Boys)
13. 50.47 Nick Rafacz Neuqua Valley High School 2014 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
14. 50.57 John Burke Waubonsie Valley High School 2014 04/27/2013 Red Ribbon Classic
15. 50.68 Kevin Grahovec Marmion Academy 2014 05/08/2013 Suburban Christian Conference
16. 50.69 Devonte Dillon Glenbard West High School 2014 04/27/2013 Jim Arnold Invitational
17. 50.69 Peyton Chapman Bolingbrook High School 2015 05/17/2013 3A Downers Grove North Sectional (Boys)
18. 50.72 Michael Hill Hononegah High School 2015 05/10/2013 Northern Illinois Conference (NIC-10) Championships (Boys)
19. 50.97 Josh Freivogel Belleville West High School 2014 05/04/2013 Collinsville Invitational
20. 50.97 Donald Middlebrook Deerfield High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Niles West Sectional (Boys)


200m-
2013 State Champion: Cole Henderson (Sr., Pekin) 21.76 [-0.2]
Key returners: Henderson, Sam Bransby (Sr., Naperville Central), Ti’Fonte Hunt (Sr., Harvey Thornton), Treston Forbes (Sr., Chicago Rita), John Hader (Sr., Park Ridge Maine South), Cory Hertz (Jr., Lake Villa Lakes), Scotty Miller (Jr., Barrington), Julian Hylton (Sr., Lincoln-Way North), Christian Neal (Jr., Bloomington), Kahmari Montgomery (Jr., Plainfield Central), Terry McGee (Sr., Chicago North Lawndale Prep).  
Outlook: Cole Henderson ran 21.50 last year and that was ok considering his previous best was 22.3 entering the season.  He will be shooting to run near 21.00 this spring if the tricky Midwest weather can hold up.  The defending state champion may not have much resistance due to several classification defections (Chicago Dunbar's Demoria Harris dropped to 2A) and few other solid sprinters have graduated. Still, there should be some respect given to the likes of Terry McGee, Sam Bransby, and Julian Hylton.  They should be able to close the gap that was created after last year.

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 21.50p Cole Henderson Pekin High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 21.70 Sam Bransby Naperville Central High School 2014 04/26/2013 45th Prospect Wanner Knight Invitational
3. 21.93p Ti'fonte Hunt Thornton High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional (Boys)
4. 22.04 John Hader Maine South High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Niles West Sectional (Boys)
5. 22.09 Treston Forbes St. Rita High School 2014 05/11/2013 Chicago Catholic League Boys Championship
6. 22.10 Parker Deloye Barrington High School 2014 07/13/2013 USATF Illinois Region 7 Championship
7. 22.12p Julian Hylton Lincoln-Way East High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional (Boys)
8. 22.22p Jamal Baggett Oak Park-River Forest High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A St. Ignatius Sectional (Boys)
9. 22.24 Octavian Wells Grant High School 2016 05/17/2013 3A Huntley Sectional (Boys)
10. 22.27 Craig James Edwardsville High School 2014 04/12/2013 Granite City Invitational
11. 22.27 Jeff Ostling York High School 2014 04/26/2013 45th Prospect Wanner Knight Invitational
12. 22.33 Paul Ifianayi Elk Grove High School 2015 05/10/2013 Mid Suburban League Championship (Boys)
13. 22.36 Josh Tibble Jefferson High School 2014 05/17/2013 3A Huntley Sectional (Boys)
14. 22.38p Juwaan Richard Schaumburg High School 2014 05/17/2013 3A Hoffman Estates Sectional (Boys)
15. 22.38 Tim Roels Geneva High School 2014 05/17/2013 3A Hoffman Estates Sectional (Boys)
16. 22.39 Matt Burns Willowbrook High School 2014 04/06/2013 Wheaton North Best Four
17. 22.40 Christian Glass Plainfield East High School 2015 04/08/2013 Plainfield North Triangular
18. 22.46 Tim O'Hara Notre Dame High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Niles West Sectional (Boys)
19. 22.47 Austin White Dundee-Crown High School 2015 04/20/2013 Kaneland Peterson Prep
20. 22.47 Bryce Petty Bartlett High School 2015 05/09/2013 Upstate Eight Boys Conference Championship


110HH-
2013 State Champion: Andrew Helmin (New Lenox Providence Catholic) 13.99 [0.8]
Key returners: Antonio Shenault (Jr., Roselle Lake Park), Austin Corydon (Sr., Frankfort Lincoln-Way East), Tifonte Hunt (Sr., Harvey Thornton), Daylen Hubbard (Jr., Chicago Heights Bloom), William Session (So., Belleville East), Nikita Smith (Calumet City T.F. North), Matt Konopka (Sr., Palatine Fremd), Os Moore (Jr., Belleville East), Luke Pilliod (Sr., Glenview Glenbrook South).
Outlook: The writing was on the wall when Lake Park head coach Jay Ivory smiled brightly when someone asked him who Antonio Shenault was. The then sophomore had produced one of the top sectional performances and no one really knew who he was.  He continued his rampage during the proceeding state championship weekend that ultimately earned him a third place medal and big personal best of 14.28.  Shenault will have a big target on his back as he returns as one of the nation's best short hurdlers. Austin Corydon ran 14.67 last season and finished sixth last year in the state.  Daylen Hubbard and William Session may be this season's top two emerging talents bubbling all the way to the surface. Hubbard picked up a huge personal best over the summer in JO Nationals (14.31). Session, the son of former E. St. Louis Senior superstar Rodney Session, also enjoyed a tremendous summer running a lifetime best of 14.49 during his freshman campaign.  Finally... here is a bonus name for you all that was not listed in the key returner category.  His name is Eric Walker and he is a junior at Chicago (St. Rita) on the south side of the "Windy City."  Walker is self professed track and field fiend who has big plans this spring.  He ran 7.81 for 55HH back in December at the University of Chicago Holiday Classic. The time would have been good for 10th in the state for 2013.  So in other words, don't be shocked when Walker busts out this year.

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
1. 14.28 Antonio Shenault Lake Park High School 2015 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 14.40 Ti'fonte Hunt Thornton High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional (Boys)
3. 14.43 Daylen Hubbard Bloom Twp. High School 2014 06/22/2013 USATF Illinois Association Meet
4. 14.49 Nikita Smith Thornton Fractional North High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional (Boys)
5. 14.49 William Sessions Belleville East High School 2016 07/22/2013 USATF National JO Outdoor Track and Field Championship
6. 14.50 Matt Konopka Fremd High School 2014 05/10/2013 Mid Suburban League Championship (Boys)
7. 14.53 Austin Corydon Lincoln-Way East High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional (Boys)
8. 14.56p Os Moore Belleville East High School 2015 05/17/2013 3A Rock Island Sectional (Boys)
9. 14.63 Zach Zamora Minooka High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Joliet West Sectional
         
11. 14.68 Conor Dunham St. Ignatius College Prep High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A St. Ignatius Sectional (Boys)
12. 14.85p Shabari Bailey Minooka High School 2014 07/28/2013 AAU Junior Olympic Games
13. 14.86 Michael Jopes Naperville Central High School 2014 04/26/2013 45th Prospect Wanner Knight Invitational
14. 14.86 Jonah Wiley Bloom Twp. High School 2014 05/08/2013 Southland Athletic Conference Boys Championship
15. 14.92 Jarvis Hill York High School 2014 04/26/2013 45th Prospect Wanner Knight Invitational
16. 14.98 Chris Hawkins St. Ignatius College Prep High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A St. Ignatius Sectional (Boys)
17. 15.02 Matt Henry Niles West High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Niles West Sectional (Boys)
18. 15.06 Catrell Colsen Mather High School 2015 04/06/2013 Paul Gans & Fred Zeedyk Invitational
19. 15.14 Isaiah Michl Edwardsville High School 2015 04/06/2013 Belleville West Invitational
20. 15.15 Brennan Bell Huntley High School 2015 05/17/2013 3A Huntley Sectional (Boys)

300H-
2013 State Champion:
Dave Kendziera (Mt. Prospect [Prospect]) 37.28
Key returners: Conor Dunham (Sr., Chicago St. Ignatius), Antonio Shenault (Jr., Roselle Lake Park), Michael Jopes (Sr., Naperville Central), Matt Henry (Sr., Skokie Niles North), Josh Yamamoto (Sr., Palatine Fremd), Imani Payton (Sr., Chicago North Lawndale Charter).
Outlook: The 2013 graduating cast that included Dave Kendziera, Andrew Helmin (Providence Catholic), and Lino Mogorovic (Lyons Twp.) will be very hard to replace, but someone will have to do it.  Conor Dunham will be the first name to sign up for supremacy in this event after placing third in the state last spring.  His personal best time of 38.36 puts him in line to run somewhere in the low to mid-37s this season.  Imani Payton (left photo) got his wish when his team was elevated to compete in 3A after dropping down last season.  He will now be able to compete head to head with the best athletes in the state.  Payton, who is a solid all-around athlete, stated that he intends on running in the "36s this year."  That very boastful comment will be put to the test this season for sure.

Rank Time Athlete Name Team C/O Date Meet
      l      
1. 38.36 Conor Dunham St. Ignatius College Prep High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
2. 38.62 Antonio Shenault Lake Park High School 2015 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
3. 38.68 Craig James Edwardsville High School 2014 04/06/2013 Belleville West Invitational
4. 38.88 Matt Konopka Fremd High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Buffalo Grove Sectional (Boys)
5. 39.02 Isaiah Michl Edwardsville High School 2015 04/20/2013 Winston Brown Invitational
6. 39.38 Max Roberts Libertyville High School 2015 05/16/2013 3A Buffalo Grove Sectional (Boys)
7. 39.42 Michael Jopes Neuqua Valley High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
8. 39.53 Ti'fonte Hunt Thornton High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional (Boys)
9. 39.59 Matt Henry Niles West High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Niles West Sectional (Boys)
10. 39.66 Joshua Yamamoto Fremd High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Buffalo Grove Sectional (Boys)
11. 39.68 Austin Corydon Lincoln-Way East High School 2014 05/04/2013 Carlin Nalley Invitational
12. 39.70 Justin Agustin Oswego East High School 2014 05/09/2013 Southwest Plains Conference Boys Championship
13. 39.75 Andrew Selgren Harlem High School 2014 05/17/2013 3A Huntley Sectional (Boys)
14. 39.75 Michael Saxon Cary-Grove High School 2015 05/17/2013 3A Huntley Sectional (Boys)
15. 40.15 Jarvis Hill York High School 2014 04/26/2013 45th Prospect Wanner Knight Invitational
16. 40.16 Zach Zamora Minooka High School 2014 05/16/2013 3A Joliet West Sectional
17. 40.23 Annile Williams Plainfield North High School 2015 05/16/2013 3A Joliet West Sectional
18. 40.30p Michael Billington Bloomington High School 2014 05/25/2013 IHSA Boys State Track & Field Championship
19. 40.34 Brennan Bell Huntley High School 2015 05/17/2013 3A Huntley Sectional (Boys