The relay scene will be just about the same as it was last year in terms of production and notoriety. You can expect to see many of the familiar returning state individual event runners competing in multiple relays. Can Arcola repeat in the 4x1, 4x4, and move up in the 4x2? Who will step up and replace Tolono Unity who left for 2A after winning the 4x2 and 4x8? (Colin Boyle photo)
4x800m relay-
2015 State Champion: Tolono (Unity) 7:59.63
Thoughts and analysis: The state champs will take their talents to 2A and see if they can build a new legacy. In the meantime you can expect state runner-up Robinson to make a run to the top with three returners back. With leadoff man Noah Tennison back as a senior, Robinson should be in good standing, though they may have a few guys yearning to run individual events. Shelbyville lost two legs including anchor Kenton Wilson who graduated. Shelbyville is obviously strong on the distance side with a state cross country title to boot, but so is St. Joe-Ogden who placed third. The Spartans basically have their starters from cross country squad running this relay: Austin Earp, Gabe Lyons, and Brennan Guido. Guido and Earp are the Genesis and Revelation of this unit. Sparta, Dwight, and Eureka return at least three legs which will add depth and excitement to an event that is already deep from top to bottom.
Last year's top marks-
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7:59.63 | ||
| 2 | 8:01.82 | ||
| 3 | 8:03.65 | ||
| 4 | 8:04.34 | ||
| 5 | 8:04.84 | ||
| 6 | 8:05.45 | ||
| 7 | 8:06.20 | ||
| 8 | 8:08.17 | ||
| 9 | 8:08.44 | ||
| 10 | 8:08.74 |
4x100m relay-
2015 State Champion: Arcola 42.96
Thoughts and analysis: With several classification moves coupled by defections through graduation will make things very difficult to predict. Not too many quartets return more than two legs. The state champs Arcola is one of the teams with two legs returning. Since Class A as a whole don't usually have the quality of depth of sprinters like 2A or 3A, a bit of luck and hard work will springboard a number of teams.
top times in 2015-
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42.90 | ||
| 2 | 43.00 | ||
| 3 | 43.28 | ||
| 4 | 43.39 | ||
| 5 | 43.48 | ||
| 6 | 43.49 | ||
| 7 | 43.50 | ||
| 8 | 43.54 |