2016 Class 3A Boys Pre-Season Sprints & Hurdles Preview

Galesburg senior superstar Josh Eiker has moved up to the Major League known as 3A (Colin Boyle)

There are some major changes for the major league classification... some athletes will come and go from 3A. Some of the returning faces that we have grown accustomed to will remain strong. There will be a few surprises that will enhance the love our sport. Of the big pleasant surprise is Josh Eiker. Eiker stated last year he was inspired by Kahmari Montgomery's triple crown. He may want to attempt one too. It is going to be a very interesting and fun year in the sprints this season.

100m-

2015 State Champion: Kahmari Montgomery (Plainfield Central) 10.50 [+1.6]

Outlook: Last year reminded many of yesteryear in terms of deep and quality performances. Many of the old school speedsters would have been proud to see that all nine state finalists broke 11.00. They would be appreciative because there was a stretch in the late 1990s to the early 2000s where 10.90 was the gold winning standard. Not anymore. There were 71 performers in all of Illinois that broke 11 seconds... 22 performers that broke 11.00 return in Class 3A. One of those athletes is Josh Eiker. Eiker was a dominant force in 2A over the past three years. His school moves into 3A just in time to give him the push from the best talent week after week. One of the speedsters who will give Eiker all that he wants is Cary Lockhart. Lockhart is emerging into one of the state's elite sprinters that got the collective crowd at Eastern Illinois University on its feet when he pushed the champion Kahmari Montgomery to the limit. Lockhart is more of a pure sprinter and with an event such as the Century, it is a bang-bang as to who is the best.

Top returners in 2016-

*Complete List

400m-

2015 State Champion: Kahmari Montgomery (Plainfield Central) 46.24

Outlook: Last year's final was incredible with Kahmari Montgomery leading the way and taking down a long standing IHSA record. Montgomery's 46.24 is also the all-time best mark for an Illinois school boy. It is now the Gold Standard which might stand for a few years if Josh Eiker cannot take it down. Eiker indicated that he would like to take a shot at breaking 46-seconds if the conditions and opportunities are there... three returners are back who broke 48- seconds. Roosevelt Davis is the top returner until further notice. He got his personal best down inside 47.50. The next logical step is sub- 47.00. It is going to happen with the overall field very strong on the top end. In case you didn't know, Davis is the leadoff runner on his team's 4x4 relay. Chris Thompson actually ran 47.99 over the summer. The University of Iowa signee has no pressure nor does Octavian Wells. It will be simply go and have fun time.

Top returners in 2016-

*Complete List


200m-

2015 State Champion: Kahmari Montgomery (Plainfield Central) 20.96 [+1.8]

Outlook: There will be four all-state returners when Josh Eiker is added. His personal best is sure to go under 21 seconds this season, maybe in the 20.5 range which would make him the all-time best.Illinois could indeed have two sub guys by the state meet. Cary Lockhart of course will be out to make a name for himself, though he is the best sprinter in the central Illinois sector. There of course will be new faces emerging this season after a heavy exodus due to graduation. Derrius Rodgers dropped in from the 23s the year before. He ascend could push into the 21.3 or 21.4 range this year. The rest of the lot is ready to bust 22.00.

Top returners in 2016-

*Complete List