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The forecast for the weekend in Charleston is supposed to be a mixture of sun, heat, humidity, and thunder. If this holds true then the competition for the preliminary round will soak up all of that for a perfect concoction for the finals on Saturday.
O’Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University played a tremendous host for the girl’s championship last weekend with its fast surface. It is certain to produce ready name stars like Jon Davis (So., Oakwood), Nick Hess (Sr., Champaign St. Thomas More), Andre McGill (Jr., Madison), and Tye Sutherland (Sr., Cumberland) just to name a few.
Sprints-
Andre McGill has been on the watch list since the beginning of the indoor sesason on the strength of a great publicist department courtesy of the Madison athletic department. Although Carvel Dixon grabbed the team headlines, it was McGill who was on two fast relay teams that were disqualified in last year’s prelims. Now one year later he is the state leader in the 100m and 200m in terms of legal times. His team will be in contention in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays as well. The sectional leader in both sprints (regardless of wind conditions) is Broc Smith (Sr., Tuscola) at 10.82 and 21.92. Smith has been as consistent as anyone in the classification and should be considered armed and dangerous. He along with Brett Charlton (Jr., Eureka) will be key contributors on the track all weekend long.
Others to watch: Micheal Randall (Sr., Knoxville), Chris Neeld (Sr., Mercer County), Andrew Sharp (Sr., Altamont), Ben Montgomery (Sr., Athens), Kurterry Singleton (Sr., Chicago Holy Trinity).
Jon Davis and Nick Hess will go head to head all weekend (Colin Boyle photo)
Distance-
The pre-eminent distance runners in the classification are Jon Davis and Nick Hess. They dueled to the bitter end on the grass last fall during the cross country state series that Davis ultimately prevailed as the state champion. Hess has had greater success on the track in the 3200m/1600m and this season it is no different as 9:19.70/4:21.34 proves. Needless to say that Hess is going to be hard to beat, but if he has any kryptonite it is Davis. Davis bested Hess twice at the Tolono Sectional. Can he do it again this weekend?
Tye Sutherland is undefeated indoors and out in the 800m with a classification leading 1:55.72 from the Newton Sectional.
Others to watch: Caleb Imig (Sr., Tremont), Andrew Warnes (So., Tolono Unity), Sam Powers (Sr., Champaign St. Thomas More), Tyler Johnson (So., Pleasant Plains), Kenton Wilson (Jr., Shelbyville), 4:29.18 Jacob Silverman (Jr., Chicago Latin).
Field-
Pole Vault: Jack Denby (Sr., Carlinville) has been quite the traveler this season going to top notch competitions and earning indoor All-American honors at the New Balance Indoor Nationals. He now will bring his talent to the state meet this weekend. Denby has cleared 16’0” this outdoor season. He will have some company by the way of Casey junior Riley Smith. Smith has a personal best of 16’0”.
High Jump: Derek Wegman (Jr., Downs Tri-Valley) is the sectional and state leader with a best of 6’9”.
Shot Put: Jason Fry (Sr., Strasburg Stewardson-S.)is the state and sectional leader with Landon Rosenboom (Sr., Clifton Central) on his heels.
Triple Jump: Corey Kersey (Jr., Neoga) has one of the very best jumps in the state regardless of conditions. He should have an easy time in moving on to the finals as the favorite.
Discus Throw: Blaze Murfin (Jr., Carthage Illini West )is the state leader with a monster 178’4” but Fry is the man he needs to worry about.
Long Jump: Who is Sylvester Pydych (Sr., Chicago St. Benedict)? He has the sectional best 22’5”. The classification leader wasn’t too far behind in the sectional leaders list. The final should be a good one.
Relays-
Manlius Bureau Valley has the top sectional mark of 8:14.48 from the sectional in the 4x800. However, the team to be concerned with is Chicago University has a best of 8:07; Chicago Leo leads all foes with a 43.35 mark in the 4x100. Eureka and Aurora Christian are close by; Knoxville and Eureka are the top teams in the 4x200; Eureka ran 3:24.1 during the season and the Hornets should be the team to beat with Brett Charlton on squad