Ja'mari Ward unleashes a monster effort in the long jump (Colin Boyle photo)
The 2016 indoor season came and went as it as it always does with Cahokia over the past decade: wins, wins, wins. Although the race wasn't officially scored, it seemed pretty obvious with the Comanches picking up six gold medals. The indoor meet does not represent the track and field season as a totality but it does serve notice as who is the team to beat in May.
PHOTOS
RESULTS
- Ja'mari Ward (Sr., Cahokia) continued his mastery once again by putting up some monster numbers in his final Top Times performance. Ward started the day in the long jump where after several attempts, he uncorked an all-time best meet record 25-3.5 explosion. The entire field house was buzzing each time Ward stepped up for his attempts. Ward took a break from the jumps to contest the 60 prelims. He turned in a leading 6.97 along with Adam Nelson (Sr., Triad) and Jayden Kaiser (Sr., Tolono Unity) who posted the same time. In the final, Nelson got out well on the field but it was Ward who rebounded greatly from a horrible block start and with all the might in his body and teeth grit and snatched the win in an IL best 6.81... Ward ran on the winning 4x2 (1:31.73) and improved to 8th best in the state when he won the 200 in a personal best 22.37. So you see the iron man Ward proved he more than a jumper. Oh by the way he did win the triple jump only taking a few attempts with the best going 48-11 (US #5).
- 1600: The pace was only 4:30 at the halfway point. That is when Nick Wondaal (Sr., Illiana Christian) took over prior to the 1200m over Lincoln Way West junior Evan Mitchell who earlier won the 3200 in a personal best 9:24.89. Wondaal's momentum carried him well and his legs were still fresh from the 4x8 relay. He won in 4:23.41. His teammate Colin DeYoung (Sr.) closed things out well too and finished second in 4:24.54.
- Aaron Porter (Jr., Marion) came in as an unknown despite being in the fast section of the 400. Porter got out well for the first lap and built up a small lead over Tyran Lyons (Sr., Cahokia) and Tyjione Nathan (Sr., Hillcrest). Lyons tried to use his patent kick but the gap was too great. He closed on Nathan at the finish line and took second. Nathan was later disqualified for a lane violation.
- Sam Sikon (Jr., Carbondale) continued to prove that he is the best shot putter in Illinois. Sikon broke the class record with a new personal best and state #1 61-9. Sikon hit on all measurable attempts over 60-feet which is an all-time meet best for a series.
- Gamar Hayles (Sr., Rich Central) made his last indoor high school meet one to remember by taking apart the competition in a fast 8.10 for 60HH. He broke the class record which was 8.16 by Marcus Greer (E. St. Louis Sr.). Hayles finished up with the 5th fastest time of the season.
- Danny Rosen (Sr., Chicago Northside Prep) continues to have a great senior season. It got a bit better when he confidently went out and took the lead after the opening 400 and put pressure on the field. The final effort was a winner in 2:00.21. Rosen who more noted for his longer distance exploits proved that he has some wheels in an event that requires speed.
- Geneseo's 4x8 relay came in with a plan to run their race and not get lulled to sleep with the heavy favorite Cahokia. The Comanches got out fast as usual on the first leg lead. However, an overzealous Chris Stanley on an unnecessary blazing first 200 of his opening leg was a set up for destruction. He ended up dying a terrible death with a 2:09 leg. Geneseo would take over and rest is history going way to victory in 8:07.51.
- Perhaps the battle of the day was in the high jump between Marion senior Darryl Sullivan and fellow senior Noah Agnew of Vernon Hills. Both premier leapers traded blows from 6-6 on. Actually the US #1 Sullivan was a feeling a bit of pressure from the carefree Agnew who cleared 6-7. Sullivan missed on one attempt there. Agnew got over 6-10 first and then it was Sullivan's turn who missed. But he did make it and finally put away the pesky Agnew with an all-time meet tieing 7-0.25 which he shares with the former great Major Clay from Springfield Lanphier.
Ja'mari Ward unleashes a monster effort in the long jump (Colin Boyle photo)
The 2016 indoor season came and went as it as it always does with Cahokia over the past decade: wins, wins, wins. Although the race wasn't officially scored, it seemed pretty obvious with the Comanches picking up six gold medals. The indoor meet does not represent the track and field season as a totality but it does serve notice as who is the team to beat in May.
