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"Really can't get any bigger than this indoor," said Morgan Park's Xavier Taylor when learned of the massive talent that's going to be assembled for the Proviso West Boys Invitational. He knows that classification barriers will not hold him or his team back in facing the top competition in the state.
Track and field in Illinois has been a mystery since classification took hold in 1976. It was the year that the IHSA (Illinois High School Association) went to two classes. It that wasn't enough the powers that be voted to enact another change in 2009. So in effect the best teams and athletes rarely face each other... until now. 3A, 2A, 1A competitors will be ready to leave it all on the line inside the Proviso West Field House on Saturday!
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The teams to watch: Cahokia, Naperville (Neuqua Valley), Oak Park-River Forest, Roselle (Lake Park), Elmhurst (York), Lagrange (Lyons Township), Hillside (Proviso West)
The action will start with five-time defending 2A state champion Cahokia who happens to be the best team in all of Illinois. The Comanches are loaded from top to bottom and it will start in the field events. The hall of fame coach Leroy Millsap demands that his troops score as many points as possible before the track events even start. Seniors Anthony McRoberts, Ja'mari Ward, McKinley Bell, and Leo Stewart are all top ranked in their individual events that range from the high jump to the shot put. This meet will also feature stand out teams such as York, Neuqua Valley and Lake Park. York was the 3A champion in 2014 on the strength of speed, field, and distance. This will be a recipe the Dukes will work to rediscover. Neuqua Valley tied for second place last spring with Evanston in the 3A championship. The Wildcats will be a threat on Saturday with strong distance and sprints. Lake Park has won several state titles on the strength of the field events. The Lancers will once again feature its strength in the infield.