The sprint events for the first time in meet history will have at-large entries. Emerging superstar Kahmari Montgomery (Sr., Plainfield Central) and Scotty Miller (Sr., Barrington) will highlight the action on Saturday. In addition, the depth of each event will more than likely put serious strain on the current leaderboards.
55m-
Meet Record: 6.0h by Kerwin Badie (Proviso West) 1992
Key entrants: Kahmari Montgomery (Plainfield Central), Scotty Miller (Barrington), Johnathan Stokes (Chicago North Lawndale), Jamari Hare (Cahokia)
Outlook: It is pretty much cut and dry who the favorite is in this one. Kahmari Montgomery is the premier sprinter in Illinois as far as the 200 and 400 meters go, but he has made it known that his "off event" is not slacking. He is the state leader in the 55 and 60 meters (6.43/6.94). If all is well on Saturday he should make a case to a new meet record. The 6.0 hand mark is an ancient one that should be replaced if the winner breaks 6.34 with automatic timing available. Scotty Miller will have a lot to say in terms of the outcome. He enters the field as an at-large entry aiming to prove his 10.66 personal best and third place effort in last year's state championship was not a fluke. As you know anything can happen in a crapshoot event such as the 55m. Don't blink because you might miss something great.
55HH-
Meet Record: 7.0h by Erik Amen (Oak Park-River Forest) 1984
Key entrants: Eric Walker (Chicago St. Rita), Alex Teague (Elmhurst York), Korrion Session (Cahokia), Marquis Murray (Cahokia)
Outlook: The Eric Walker hype machine is back. For those that don't know what is going on here, Eric Walker hails himself as the "Clout man." Clout usually refers to someone of significant stature. Walker was on pace to be one of the elite hurdlers in the state last year until he was slowed a few ordeals. However, he was able to still run 14.60 for the 110's. Now, Walker is at it again with a great performance last weekend at the University of Kentucky Invitational. He took 6th place in a loaded 60HH field logging a solid 8.30. That confidence should translate well on Proviso West's fast oval. Korrion Session has the second fastest mark in the field. He will make his case as the best man on Saturday.
200m-
Meet Record: 22.1h by Kerwin Badie (Proviso West) 1992
Key Entrants: Kahmari Montgomery (Plainfield Central), Johnathan Stokes (Chicago North Lawndale), Keveion Akins (Cahokia), Marquis Murray (Cahokia), Alex Teague (Elmhust York)
Outlook: Montgomery of course is the reigning state champion in this event and enters as one of the top returners in the nation. He already has clocked 22.21 on a supposedly slow oval in Rockford back in December. No one has ever broke 22.00 in the automatic timing era inside the Proviso West field house. Montgomery could be the first one to do it. Keveion Akins has emerged as one of the top sprinters this indoor season. He is definitely one of the best 1-lap specialists in the state at 22.72. Johnathan Stokes was in love with football the past three seasons before finally giving track a chance. It now turns out that he may have a new love Jones. He ran 22.82 at U of Arkansas in January. The fans of Illinois will finally get to see him on the home turf.
Neuqua Valley's Zac Espinosa will make his season debut in the 400m on Saturday (Colin Boyle image)
400m-
Meet Record: 49.4 by Julius Edwards (Proviso West) 1995
Key entrants: Zac Espinosa (LaGrange Lyons Twp.), Tyran Lyons (Cahokia), Dan Lillard (Hinsdale Central), Chris McGee (Cahokia)
Outlook: Unfortunately the state's best long sprinter Kahmari Montgomery is not going to compete in his specialty. Nonetheless, this race should be a dandy with the current IL #2 Tyran Lyons in the field. He has raced to a smoking 50.45 a month ago in Arkansas. His teammate Chris McGee will be competing as well. McGee is a workhorse for the Comanches relays and will be so again this weekend. There is no guarantee that he will be fresh by the time he steps in the blocks on Saturday. Zac Espinosa in most instances would be the favorite based on his resume. He has a fine personal best of 48.18 from last year's state meet. But Espinosa could be rusty since he has yet to compete this season in the event that he loves. Dan Lillard drops down after winning a surprise 600m last weekend at Proviso West.