A key figure in Cahokia's strong hold in the field events is Ja'mari Ward (Colin Boyle photo)
The Cahokia dynasty has derived over the span of ten years and counting. One of the caveats in the racking up of 10 trophies are the field events. Coach Leroy Millsap is a master coach with ego aside when it comes to winning championships. The Hall of famer Millsap has held out many a stud athlete's potential individual glory for the sake of the team. Superstar athlete Ja'mari Ward is a perfect example. Ward has competed in the jumps to maximize team points instead of running individual events where he obviously could have showed off. Several top Comanches have done the same over the years. Winning begins in the field because it puts pressure on teams and it ultimately can determine wins and losses.
Long Jump-
2015 State Champion: Ja'mari Ward (Cahokia) 25-0.25
Outlook: Ja'mari Ward is the best of all-time in Illinois annals and rated #1 indoors and #2 outdoors last season. But in reality we are in the final stages of a living legend. Appreciate Ja'mari Ward while he is here... Ward has no equal state side. Ward jumped the IHSA state meet record in the prelims last year after only two attempts. The goal for 2016 is getting the 26-7 Olympic Trials standard and a shot in competing for a spot on the US Olympic team. Ward will be the spotlight athlete in Illinois this season for sure.
Top returners in 2016-
| RANK | MARK | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25-6.5 | 1.8 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 22-10 | 2017 | |||
| 3 | 22-4 | 2.2 | 2016 | ||
| 4 | 22-1.75 | 3.6 | 2016 | ||
| 5 | 22-1.5 | 1.8 | 2017 |
Pole Vault-
2015 State Champion: Danny Walker (Maple Park Kaneland) 14-9
Outlook: The leanest event on the docket was here with only one performer over 15-feet. Even more disappointing was the state champion winning with just a 14-9 effort, which happened to be the lowest measurement of all the classifications. But on a positive spin Danny Walker's ceiling is limitless. He started last season a complete novice before incrementally improving to his current personal best. His confidence should carry him well above 15-0 this season. List leader Arthur Atwell became his school's first all-stater in the vault with a fourth place finish. He and Walker should be heads and shoulders above a bevy of 14-footers.
Top returners in 2016-
| RANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15-1 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 14-9 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 14-0 | 2016 | ||
| 3 | 14-0 | 2017 | ||
| 3 | 14-0 | 2016 | ||
| 6 | 13-9 | 2016 | ||
| 7 | 13-6 | 2016 | ||
| 7 | 13-6 | 2017 |
High Jump-
2015 State Champion: Hunter Johnson (West Frankfort) 6-9
Outlook: Hunter Johnson beat Noah Agnew on less misses last year in a spirited competition that saw both jumpers go for 6-0. Hunter has graduated and the "Candy Man" Agnew is back to become the best jumper he can be. The Swedish Fish candy loving Agnew is also the defending Top Times champion. Anthony McRoberts is in line to becoming a premier performer. The talented McRoberts also competes at a high level in the triple jump. But it is the high jump where he shines the brightest with a personal best 6-8.25 personal best. McRoberts already jumped 6-6 on the calendar in winning the Arkansas University HS title in early January. Coach Millsap thinks McRoberts can top 6-10 on a perfect day.
| ANK | MARK | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6-9 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 6-8 | 2016 | ||
| 2 | 6-8 | 2016 | ||
| 4 | 6-5 | 2016 | ||
| 5 | 6-4 | 2016 | ||
| 5 | 6-4 | 2016 | ||
| 7 | 6-3 | 2016 | ||
| 7 | 6-3 | 2017 | ||
| 7 | 6-3 | 2018 |