2016 Class 3A Boys Pre-Season Distance Preview

Chris Torpy and John Partee are two of the top performers returning in a deep event (Colin Boyle photo)

800m-

2015 State Champion: Ty Moss (Naperville Neuqua Valley) 1:51.80

Outlook: Last year, the favorite in the half-mile was clear, and Ty Moss did not disappoint, holding off Wes Schoenthal (Edwardsville) and adding to his strong state performance. This year, the favorite is not so clear, but since we have the most returners under 1:54.00 we have had in several years, we should be seeing some outstanding performances in Illinois this year. Let's have a look:

Chris Torpy owns the fastest returning time with a 1:52.43 from the Midwest Distance Classic. He ran six 800s in the 2015 track season, and the slowest was 1:56.62 (!!!). He second returner from the final last year, and picked up his second all-state showing with a 16th place in cross country in 2015 as well. Like his brother Sean, Torpy has the opportunity to contribute to the defending state-champion Sandburg 4x800 team, but has the middle-distance chops to make both races interesting. That is what he did last year, anyways.

The first state meet returner is John Partee, sporting a 1:53.23, and ran a series of fast 800s throughout indoor and outdoor in 2015. Similarly to Torpy, Partee ran this event five times outdoors and none slower than 1:57.4. He is a strength-oriented half-miler runner, having clocked 15:20 for three miles and sporting a 4:21 1600m personal best. Partee surely is not to be forgotten and will be a contender in the 800.

Heath Warren and Connor McCue are both mentioned in the 1600m preview. They are the second and third returners time-wise in the state for 800 (both faster than 1:53.09) so at the very least both runners will be competing in the 800 throughout the season. Warren is marginally more likely to run the 800 based on his racing history, but McCue also may have some sour taste in his mouth from 2014 when he missed the 800 final by less than .4 seconds (McCue has had some pretty bad luck in state prelims). Although the motivations may be different (Warren to improve from 8th in the 800 and McCue to show up big in a final), both of these guys will be hanging around the top of the 800 boards all season long.

MileSplit faithful may remember the special piece done on Torrain Haughton last fall. Haughton showed up big time at the state meet and grinded out a 1:53.76 PR on his way to 5th and an All-State spot as a junior. Haughton is relatively new to the state scene, but he has now been equipped with valuable long-distance strength after a XC season that included a 14:58 Detweiller run and a 6th place finish at the tough CSL Conference Champs. By early May, we will have a strong idea of Houghton's progress since he is likely to compete again at the Wanner Knight Invite. Houghton will be able to solely focus on this event and give it all that he has.

A strong dark horse to watch out for is Thomas Moseley from Zion-Benton, who has unjustly received little to no attention over the past couple years. As a frosh, Moseley notched a 4th place at the USATF Youth Champs with 1:58.68. Last year, he broke 1:59 nine times in a row and was seen off in the prelims with a tough heat draw, but stormed back and ran his fastest ever 800, 1:53.96 at the World Youth Trials in June. Moseley is young and just about as specialist in the 800 as they come. You may have not heard his name yet, but his black and yellow uniform will be impossible to miss throughout the 2016 season.

Last but certainly not least, Charlie Kern adopted the unheralded role of 4x800 team member throughout his freshman track season, although he has a 1:55.1 to his name solo and surely can hold his own in a final if he chooses to move that route. We likely will see Kern be employed in multiple events by the Dukes since his unfathomable range can be utilized in many ways... still, this preview would not be complete without mentioning Kern and his incredible ability to put himself in the right spots at all the right times-and in the 800, that is a very valuable skill.

Keep an eye also on Isaiah Robinson, Brian Griffith, Ted Oh, and Bryan Gamboa.

Top returners in 2016-