Track and Field 101 in Illinois starts with the 4x800m relay (Colin Boyle image)
Track and Field is great sport on any level, but it is especially fun on the high school level. Although the season can drag on for months (up to 8 months if you include club season), the rewards can be very gratifying. Yes, it's still cross country fever in many parts of the Land of Lincoln with Nike Cross Nationals and Footlocker Cross Country implications still to come... nothing should prevent us from talking a little prep track and field. Believe it or not but the first open track meets start in less than two weeks. The University of Chicago will be hosting their annual Ted Hayden Classic on December 20. There is talk of an area high school track and field club going to Toronto, Canada for a meet in early December. Texas A&M University and the University of Arkansas has drawn a strong following from Illinois to its high school invitationals in early January. Before you know it, the season will be in full flight.
-After a horriying 2013 indoor and outdoor statewide campaign that many fans and pundits asking what was wrong with Illinois boys track and field, 2014 turned out to be one of the best in history top to bottom. In virtually every event category there was a stark increase in performances. The sprint relays was perhaps the biggest improvement in terms of percentage. The state all-time record in both the 4x100m and 4x200m was threatened. The open sprints produced good returns and the jumps and hurdles were solid.
-The synopsis below is a general overview of the sport. The classification breakdowns will come later in January.
-The age old debate has to be who is the top team overall team in the great state of Illinois. Is it defending 3A champion Elmhurst York? How about previous four-time 3A champion Roselle Lake Park? What about Naperville Neuqua Valley? What about 2A superpower Cahokia who won the last four titles in their classification with astronomical titles with the foot halfway down on the accelerator. Some pundits will argue that the Comanches don't face the same type of competition as 3A. There are arguments on both sides of the fence. Cahokia head coach Leroy Millsap has stated openly in the past that his team could compete with ANYONE in the state at any venue. His Comanches squad may get that opportunity on February 28, 2015 at the 50th Annual Proviso West Indoor Invitational. The mega-meet is expected to fetch the talents of York, Lake Park, Neuqua Valley, E. St. Louis, and... CAHOKIA. So perhaps on one day there will be a big debate on who is the best overall team in Illinois.
The track events-
The 4x800m relay is the event that kick starts the track meet and especially the state championship where the faithful will get up out of their seats like a church revival. Last season was an exceptional year with over 35 teams breaking 8:00- three of those squads ended up with top US top 10 rankings lead by Chicago Lane Tech's sterling 7:39.76 at #8. Neuqua Valley nearly broke the state meet record on the strength of then junior Ty Moss' epic anchor carry in defeating Orland Sandburg 7:40.21-7:40.77- producing the nation's 8th and 10th fastest marks. The only team aside from the state medaling Downers Grove North to return more than two legs is Glen Ellyn Glenbard West. They could be the team to beat this season with all four legs back from a team that finished 10th in 7:50.83 and missed out on a medal. It was the fastest time in state history to not earn all-state honors. Downers Grove North may run its star senior Ryan Clevenger in the 1600 and 3200 meter runs during the state series. He gave his Trojans relay glory last season. Clevenger has now elevated himself as a premier talent in the long distance races.
The 4x200m relay was a strong event in 2014 with 11 teams under 1:28.00- four squads broke 1:27.00. In 2013, there were just three that broke 1:28.00. Schaumburg produced the fastest mark of 1:26.08 enroute to winning a state title. The Saxons may not be as dominant in the event this year but they do return senior ace Shandall Thomas. Edwardsville could easily be the team to beat in this event with three state legs back from a 1:27.32 unit. The Tigers admittedly did not place their biggest concern in this event. That may change this season.
In examining the 4x100m relay, 2014 was a resurrection year in which 10 schools cracked 42-seconds. Schaumburg busted out a 41.52 back in early May in cool climes at the Prospect Wanner Knights Invite. Thornton was destined to win the 3A state final until one of their aces went down with a hamstring injury. Cavion Clanton could not run in the final and that cost Thornton big time. Edwardsville stepped to the plate and seized the opportunity in a near record time 41.46. The Tigers squeezed by York who ran a smoking time of their own (41.48). Can a team touch the 41.00 mark? Bloomington is a team to watch in 2015 in the short relay. The Raiders stepped up in classification and ran a blistering 41.65 with a freshman on the anchor. Cary Lockhart may be the top 100m man this season. That is one event perhaps on the soft side in terms of depth.
East St. Louis led seven nationally ranked 4x400 relay teams with their 3:16.45 Edwardsville Sectional win. The Flyers backed it at state with a smooth striding 3:16.59 winner. Three legs return for Eastside. Neuqua Valley finished third in 3A and return three legs as well. We could see a 3:12 or 3:13 effort this season.
Distance events could rule the season-
It will be interesting to see how well the fast cross country times translate over to track. Undoubtedly some of the emerging and established stars will run well during the peak of the track season. Jesse Reiser (Sr., McHenry) is the defending state champion in the 3200m and holds the season best time of 8:54.31. He has clearly established himself as the man to beat with an undefeated fall campaign against state foes. Reiser is now among the national elite runners and will probably shoot for a time in the mid- 8:40s. His balance of closing speed and strength along with supreme race savvyness makes him a sure shot to hit a few immortal marks. Zach Dale (Sr., Hoffman Estates Conant) is the other sub-9:00 returner; he will be licking his chops after not finishing up his harrier season the way that he wanted. Both he and Reiser will be future teammates at the University of Illinois next year, but before heading off into the sunset they are going to have a few clashes on the track. Look for up and coming stars like Matt Pereira (So., Lake Zurich), Jake and Luke Hoffert (Sr., Yorkville), Kevin Salvano (Jr., Buffalo Grove), and even freshman star Charlie Kern Jr. of York to produce big results. We could possibly see the best overall season in the 3200m ever. If we wanted to we can add Jon Davis (Jr., Oakwood), Shane Williamson (So., Vernon Hills), and few others to be discovered later. But always remember the recipe to fast times is weather, competition, and the willingness of a few to go and venture out with fast but honest paces.
The 1600m/mile is another event that is going to be exciting to watch. The graduation of Patrick Perrier (O'Fallon) and Johnny Leverenz (Danville) will not hurt this event. Reiser is the top returner at 4:09.50 metrically speaking. This may be his off event but he will be dangerous every time he is entered here. Matt Plowman (Sr., York) made a huge statement last June at the Festival of Miles in St. Louis when he ran a IL#2 4:09.13. He indicated that he wants to touch the 4:00 barrier. "4:00 is my goal for track... why not," he said after the Niles West Cross Country Sectional. It will be interesting to see how well he handles the pressure of such talk. Dale should not be discounted after his 4:09.96 clocking in the race. Perhaps another runner to watch is Pavlo Hutsalyuk. The Chicago Lane Tech senior ran 4:17.85 last spring in limited opportunities. But after clocking 1:49.96 on the 4x8 anchor at New Balance Outdoor Nationals, his chops are wanting to take the event serious. His coaches have been grooming for him this event for several years now. Other faces to study are Jake Hoffert, Clevenger, Pereira, and possibly Connor Horn (Jr., Neuqua Valley). Of course there will be several athletes to emerge out of the woodwork by the end of the year.
Two seasons ago, the 800m was the sad sack event in Illinois. But it is not any longer. Moss is the fan favorite and top returner at 1:50.52. The confidence that he gained in closing out the 4x8 state title and earning the silver medal at the AAU National Championship over the summer makes him the easy favorite and hunted one. Bryce Richards (Sr., Mundelein) admitted to having a down season last year by "only" running 1:54.74. He ran 1:53.69 and finished second in the state in 2013. He stated he that he is ready to return as a premier 800m runner. Plowman and Hutsalyuk will see key action in the event as well. Evanston senior Carl Klamm has gread speed for a middle distance runner (400m- 48.31) and that makes him dangerous in this event. Surely he will be better than the 1:53.88 personal best he put up two seasons ago. His success or willingness to seriously compete in this event will depend on the needs of the team as Evanston usually have great relay squads. We may have to wait until college to see the real Klamm as a specialist. There are plenty of guys running in the 1:55 range coming back. Don't be surprised if Illinois produces several sub- 1:50 marks in 2015.
Kahmari Montgomery all day in the sprints-
Josh Eiker (Jr., Galesburg) turned many heads with his super indoor season in the 55/60m dashes and then in the 200m (21.36) which percipitated an appearance at the US Junior Nationals. He cannot be ignored. Last year's 200m 2A champ Demoria Harris (Sr., Chicago Dunbar) is the caveat. Do you remember when he was a novice entering 2014 and then went on to steal the headlines away from Eiker at state? He will have a say in how the event will shape again in May. But the speedster to watch is Kahmari Montgomery (Sr., Plainfield Central). The youngster took last post-season by storm in dominating the 200 (21.25) and 400 (46.82). The one-lapper is especially impressive because at the time that he ran it, it was the US#8 time and it's been a long time since an Illinois long sprinter has broken 47-seconds. Montgomery did not compete in the summer track circuit otherwise it could have been faster. Now there is talk of him possibly dipping to the 46.00 range. His off-season coach is the great Tom Boatright of the Aurora Flyers. Coach Boatright has produced so many great young athletes who went on to star at their respective high schools. So don't be surprised if we all see more amazing times out of Montgomery. By the way he signed with the University of Missouri and may play football along with track and field.
It would be disrespectful to omit names like Zac Espinoza (Sr., Neuqua Valley), Cory Hertz (Sr., Lakes), Johnathan Warren (Sr., Bloomington), Roosevelt Davis (Jr., E. St. Louis), Emmanuel Spearman (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor), and Paul Ifianayi (Sr., Elk Grove). They all will have an opportunity to pop the 48-second barrier.
Antonio Shenault (Sr., Lake Park) is the defending state champion in the 110HH. He is very explosive coming out of the blocks and very good on the undercover season in the 60m/60HH. Shenault signed a scholarship to attend the University of Minnesota as a defensive back. Let's hope that his track career doesn't end this season. Hopefully, he can improve on this 14.11 and move into the 13.70, 13.80 range. William Session (Jr., Belleville East) is the state's top returner at 14.05. He will be motivated by a bad state meet in 2014.
Long hurdlers Conor Dunham (St. Ignatius) and Imani Payton (North Lawndale Prep) have graduated. The 3A state champion Dunham is at Williams College in Massachusetts. Payton made his way to Indiana State University. This leaves a big hole in an event that was solid last year. Perhaps Lucas Ege (Sr., Burlington Central) can take over and improve on an already good 37.34 that earned him a 2A state title. Isaiah Michl (Sr., Edwardsville) clocked 37.99. He will be the best in 3A this year.
Ja'Mari Ward is the king of jumps-
When it's all said in done in 2016, Cahokia superstar Ja'Mari Ward may indeed stamp his name as the best horizontal jumps performer in IHSA history (if he already hasn't done it). So far after his first two high school seasons he has broken every age group and class record in the state as well as the nation. Entering his junior year Ward has all-conditions personal bests of 25-6.75 and 50-6.5 in the long and triple jumps. Ward's legal best in the LJ is 24-6.5- the 7th best effort in the country in 2014. That orbit 25-foot plus effort was just over the wind legal allowable at +2.2. It was also at altitude which may have aided his performance slightly. However, Ward is capable of leaping 25-foot without any assistance from Mother Nature and this year may be the season that he does it. Ward has had to deal with several leg pain and ankle issues in the past season. Some critics have blamed his coach Mr. Millsap for overextending in competitions. Millsap has never hid from the criticism. "The kid is a great athlete and great kid who comes from a great family," Millsap once said. "Ja'mari is also a great sprinter who wants to do it all; do all of these things like run on our relays and jump in every meet. My job as a coach is to get him to the best level I can." The next level for Ja'Mari may be one of the national teams next summer and possibly the 2016 and certainly the 2020 Olympics provided he continues to learn, improve, and stay focused on the long range goals that he has set for himself. The upcoming season will indeed be a joy to watch for Illinois and then national fans.
Long Jump: Ben Barnes (Sr., Kaneland)- the only long jumper who defeated Ward in 2014 returns to defend his state title; Matt Fleming (Sr., Chicago Simeon)- the Public League gridiron star surprised himself when he leaped 23-4.75 to the CPS title. He went on to earn all-state honors with a 5th place medal in the 3A final.
High Jump: Gone is 7-foot performer Jonathan Wells. The former state champion from Fox Lake Grant has taken his talents to the University of Illinois. There is still some talent though like Glenbard South senior Jack Curtis who leaped 6-9. Curtis may be the best athlete going over a cross bar this spring. He earned all-state honors in the 200m and posted a swift 10.97 for 100m. The triple treat athlete is point producer for a team that has team success on the state level. The question then may be will he sacrifice his full potential as a top high jumper to split time in the sprints? Hillside Proviso West senior Jamante Steward came of age late in the year when he stopped being a jokester and put that extra external energy toward the event that he loved. Steward advance to the 3A final and improved from 6-4 to 6-8. The end result was a 4th place finish. The mum Steward was all business afterwards and put a mandate on himself. "I want to jump 7-feet next year and win state." We may indeed see another 7-foot effort from him or from some other quality athlete like Steward's chief rival Chris Wright-Madison of Oak Park-River Forest. Now a senior, Wright-Madison is a lanky kid with great leaping ability. He is on the verge of busting out after getting over the 6-5 hump and improving to 6-8. Class A will be well represented among the elite with returning state champion Derek Wegman (Sr., Downs Tri-Valley) who leaped 6-9. He beat Tyler Owen (Jr., Georgetown-Ridge Farm) who surpassed the 6-8 mark. Matthew Martinson (Sr., Chicago Heights Marian Catholic) is the top returner in 2A at 6-9. He finished 3rd in state last year ahead of Darryl Sullivan (Jr., Marion) who boasts a 6-8 personal best.
Riley Smith (Sr., Casey-Westfield) will try and replace two recent legends in the pole vault by the names of Jake Winder (Plainfield Central) and Jack Denby (Carlinville). Winder happens to be the best pole vaulter in Illinois prep history leaping a US #3 17-3.75 (an all-time best). He will not be touched in the foreseeable future. Riley was the 1A state runner up to Denby and sports a personal best of 16-0. He should be the best in the state of Illinois this season if Adam Coulon (Jr., Downs Tri-Valley) doesn't return back in full health. Coulon had a great freshman year in which he cleared 16-2 as a freshman. The clearance is a national record for freshmen.
Doesn't it seem Lake Park always have a thrower in waiting? Welcome Mike Prestigiacoma. He is a senior discus thrower who slowly improved from 163-1 as a junior to an IL #3 184-5. The effort was good enough to take 5th in the state. Now the next goal is to reach 190-feet and then the magical 200-foot mark. Cary-Grove senior Ricky Hurley also comes from a throws rich program and the 180-4 personal best toss proves it. He along with Blaze Murfin (Sr., IIlini West Carthage) will put pressure on Prestigiacomo. Murfin was the Class A runner up in 2014.
Kyle Hedge (Sr., Crystal Lake Central) is the top returner in the shot put. He cleared 58-5.25 and finished 3rd in the 3A state championship.
-We hope that this fix will suffice you for awhile. Check for full team and individual previews going up in January 2015!!