AJ Epenesa was a phenom in the discus throw last was a sophomore (Colin Boyle photo)
Shot Put-
2015 State Champion: Ricky Hurley (Cary Grove) 59-4.75
Outlook: Only three return from last year's state championship final. One of those throwers is from the rich Lake Park program. Dylan Scheirich nearly topped 60-foot a season ago. He will be a true candidate to reach the gold standard known to high school shot putters. Surprisingly there isn't a thrower who has a mark over 55-feet returning. AJ Epenesa and Sam Weisz are the second and third state finalists back. Scheirich teammate ChagoBasso threw 54-4 indoors but concentrated on the discus outdoors. He could be in the upper echelon this season with more attention given to his secondary event.
2015 State Champion: Chris Walker (West Aurora 48-9.25
Outlook: This could be the fire power event of the year with the top three leapers back. Two of them hail from West Aurora. The defending champion Chris Walker scored a big personal best when it counted most at the state meet. Davion Cross experienced the same exponential increase as teammate Walker at the state meet. The Blackhawks dynamic duo will be tough to handle especially since they work together every day from school to practice to competition.It's better than telepathy. If last there is anyone who can break up the West Aurora pack it is Ja Shaun Steward. Steward came into 2015 a novice in track and field and closed out the campaign as one of the best in Illinois. Steward is a tremendously talented athlete with potential to be great at the next level. He will need complete focus on keeping himself grounded and focused in the sport. If so, he could be a 50-foot jumper along side Walker and Cross.
2015 State Champion: Ricky Nelson (Belleville West) 192-3
Outlook:Ricky Nelson got the best of AJ Epenesa at the state championship on the final throw to win it all. It should be another excellent season for Epenesa. He will be hungry toward winning his first state title and tossing the plate over 200-feet this season. The nearest competitor is Chago Basso whose personal best is nearly 20 feet behind. The goal for Basso will be to narrow the gap and go from there.
