2016 Class A Boys Distance Preview


We don't mean to sound repetitive but 2016 could be Jon, Davis, Jon Davis, Jon Davis as depicted here by photographer Andrew Everett in last June's Festival of Miles. That's because the #1 rated distance runner in all of Illinois could very well be the top runner in the classification's 3200m, 1600m, and 800m. Let's see what Davis and others are positioned to do this season.

Events: 3200, 800, 1600 meters

3200m-

2015 State Champion: Jon Davis (Sr., Oakwood) 9:05.23

Key returners: Davis, Tyler Johnson (Sr., Pleasant Plains), Marcus Skinner (Sr., Shelbyville), Brayden Hamblem (Jr., Rock Falls), Sir Laurence King (Sr., Chicago Leo), Cory Landon (Sr., Carlinville), Hunter Cobbley (Sr., El Paso-Ridley)

Outlook: Jon Davis completed one of the best cross country seasons in state history that achieved many of his goals. He broke into the "Craig Virgin measuring stick" with a 13:59.3 dominating performance in the state championship at historic Detweiller Park. If that wasn't enough to digest, Davis went on to compete in the NIKE Cross Nationals and Footlocker Nationals where he earned All-American honors in the latter. His personal best 9:05.23 is also the Class A state meet record and certainly subject to being destroyed. In fact, look for Davis to be to chase the 8:42.89 all-class mark by the legendary Don Sage of York back in 2000. No one will be within a stone's throw of Davis, but it should be pointed out that competition among the pack is expected. State runner-up Tyler Johnson will have to contend without xc second and third place finishers Andrew Warnes (Sr., Tolono Unity)  and Brayden Hamlem (Sr., Rock Falls) whose teams moved up to 2A. Marcus Skinner will more than likely be on the case chasing with Johnson. 

Top times from key returners-


800m-

2015 State Champion: Andrew Gardewine (Effingham St. Anthony) 1:55.78

Key returners: Trevor Wiley (Sr., Henry Senachwine), David Horn (Sr., Champaign St. Thomas More), Joseph Stone (Jr., Newton), David Plunkett (Sr., Pleasant Plains), Jon Davis (Sr., Oakwood), Ryan Skowronski (So., Shelbyville), Gabe Lyons (Sr., St. Joe-Ogden)

Outlook: There are not a lot of top name performers here but there can be as all state meet returners have run sub 2:00. Ryan Skowronski was the only freshman that qualified for the state meet. He is ready to take a big leap to the top of the charts. Joe Stone is top returner, though, with a sixth place finish. One person who will probably occasionally perform here is Jon Davis. The long distance phenom has quality speed and has a personal best of 1:56 which makes him better than the lot.

Top times from key returners-


1600m-

2015 State Champion: Jon Davis 4:15.11

Key returners: Davis, Cory Landon (Sr., Carlinville), Chris Ahlers (Jr., Sterling Newman Central Catholic), Nick Porter (Sr., Paxton-Buckley-Loda), Tyler Johnson (Pleasant Plains)

Outlook: Davis won his state title going way last year but his 4:09.93 was dominant. He proved how great of an all around athlete at the St. Louis Nike Festival of Miles. Look for Tyler Johnson, Ross McCormick and many others to chase times under 4:20.

Top Times from key returners-