The Josh Eiker Show In The Sprints-
The 100m is going to be a serious affair from the start. The superstar in the making Josh Eiker (Sr., Galesburg) was worked on a few things since the end of the indoor season when he lost the 60m final. One of those things had to be block starts. Getting a great start is the key to running fast. Eiker has run 10.48 to lead the entire state. As good as Eiker is, he can be touched. If there is any kid who is capable of defeating him is Derrius Rogers (Sr., Lockport). Rogers came of age at the Top Times meet and beat Eiker with an excellent start. Rogers is excited about this weekend and the opportunity to improve on his personal best 10.60.... Eiker will double back in the 200 as the major favorite. He is admittedly after the legendary mark of 20.89 by Lake Park's legendary Anthony Moorman set back in 1997. Eiker has blazed a legal 20.83. He wants to get under 20.70 and make himself immortal. The wind conditions could be the only enemy to any record attempt. No one should threaten Eiker in his main event but Derrius Rogers and senior Roosevelt Davis of ESL are capable of keeping things honest or Eiker.
There is only one long sprinter under 48.00 and that goes to Brad Garron (Jr., Evanston). His time 400m time of 47.90 is more than a half second better than Cameron Ruiz (Lakes) ran in his sectional round. A slew of 48s will fight for their positions on Friday. Octavian Wells (Grant) was incredibly missing from the list of candidates in terms of time. Indoor champ Chris Thompson (Sr., Lemont) is ready to go sub 48. Jordan Cagigal (Sr., Metea Valley), and this newcomer Michael Edwards (Sr., Zion-Benton) may surprise.
The short hurdles will be led by Travis Anderson (Jr., Edwardsville) and defending champion William Session (Belleville East). Anderson beat Session at sectionals. Even more interesting is both elite hurdlers missed a good portion of the season with leg injuries. They are reportedly 100%. There are some supporting cast mates like Timothy Brundidge (Grant). Add Tyler Kirkwood (Sr., Waubonsie Valley), Roland Armarteifio (Sr., Evanston), Jaylan McConico (Sr., Bolingbrook), Gavin Hock (Sr., Lake Forest), Avery Taylor (Sr., Crete-Monee), and Richard Azunna (Sr., Niles North) to stew.
Who is this kid Gavin Hock? Is he the 2016 version of Deefield's Chris Douglas who came in and stole the show. Hock is the only IL kid who ran under 38 seconds this year classification wise at 37.96. There is more in the tank we assume after he cruised at his sectional meet. He will have pre-season faves Roland Armarteifio, Delano Anderson (Jr., E. St. Louis Sr.), and William Session on his tail. Session ran a re-run in 38.79 after the meet was over at the Collinsville Sectional. He acted as though it was routine and not a big deal. Good luck to anyone in his heat on Friday.