Heath Warren is one of the top distance runners in the state
distance preview by Ray Lewis-
3200m-
The 2015 3200 was full of surprises, not the least of which being Irwin Loud's gutsy 2nd place finish and Jack Aho's unexpected 3rd place finish. As far as these guys go, however, there will be no more surprises- Aho (Jr., Grayslake (Central)) won the 2A cross country title in 2015 and has the fastest qualifier (9:10.29) in 3A. Loud (Jr., Oak Park (O.P,-River Forest) has a 9:13.55 to his name this year and spectators can depend on him to make a race honest right from the start. The best times in the division, however, belong to Blake Evertsen (Jr., Hinsdale (Central)) and Connor Horn (Sr., Naperville (Neuqua Valley)), both sub 9:10 runs at Arcadia. Two breakout seniors to watch are Martin Barr (Skokie (Niles North)) and Brett Davidson (Highland Park), both under 9:14 from a quick Loyola sectional race. Add underclassmen Warren Blood (Jr., Winnetka (New Trier)), Danny Kilrea (So., LaGrange (Lyons)) and Alec Danner (Jr., Downers Grove (North)) into this equation as well and we have a string of talented runners across all four classes in this race who likely will be fighting to hold on to a hot pace from the front pack right at the start of the race until the final lap. Any one of ten or more runners could walk away with the win, and even more can finish all state. The 3A 3200 is historically very quick so it is worth not missing.
1600-
After a fall of leading his team from the front, Sean Torpy (Sr., Orland Park (Sandburg)) has a fantastic chance to take home a personal trophy in the 1600. Torpy took down Jon Davis in a quick Palatine Distance Night effort, blazing 4:08.64 (3A #1) and eventually winning the Downers Grove North sectional for the fastest qualifying time in 4:12.65. Although he is a likely member of the Sandburg 4x800 team, expect to see Torpy's strength bring him to a solid position to win the 1600 (as well as experience from a tough final last year). Also 1600/800 doubling are Connor McCue (Sr., West Aurora), who holds 3A's #2 in 4:11.61 from Arcadia, and Heath Warren (Sr., Springfield), the Wanner Night invitational winner in 4:15.32. All three of these runners have been the major players in the 1600 throughout 2016 but their roles may change depending on strategy come Friday.
Torpy's young teammate Dylan Jacobs (So.) is the second fastest qualifier in 4:16.08. Karson LeComte (Sr., Prospect), Andrew Niewiarowski (Jr., Wilmette (Loyola), Soren Knudsen (Jr., Minooka), Reese Jordan (Jr., Park Ridge (Maine South) and Robby Prescott (Sr., Downers Grove (North)) are each entered only in the 1600 and ran under 4:18.3 to qualify. Dan Santino (Sr. Chicago St. Ignatius) is the fastest returner from last year's final (the only other returner is future teammate Sean Torpy), and brings a 4:18.72 into the semifinal rounds. Jack Aho (Jr., Grayslake Central), Connor Horn (Sr., Naperville Neuqua Valley) and Charlie Kern (So., Elmhurst (York)) are all dangerous runners as well and could make noise in the 1600.
800-
Heath Warren (Sr., Springfield) is an obvious choice to watch for in this race. He is a 4-time state qualifier and has run 11 consecutive 800s under 1:55.61. He is also the currently IL #1 at 1:51.91. However, a strong sectional showing has placed Chris Conrad (Jr., O'Fallon), the fastest qualifier, in the same conversation (1:51.99). Conrad is a relative newcomer and made great strides in the fall to run far better than he has ever before. Speed runner Connor McCue is also entered in the 1600 but has the chops to win the 800 (IL #3 1:52.72). Two established strength-oriented 800 runners are John Partee (Sr., Plainfield South) and Chris Torpy (Sr., Orland Park (Sandburg), who bring 1:53.23 and 1:52.43 bests (respectively) to the race. Torpy is likely to be used in the 4x800 so his 800 duties will be heavy throughout the course of the weekend.
The field is especially deep this year past those runners as well. Demetri Panici (Sr., Frankfort (Lincoln-Way North)), Torrain Haughton (Sr., Park Ridge Maine East), Thomas Mosley (Jr., Zion-Benton), and Isaiah Robinson (Jr., Naperville Neuqua Valley) lead a powerful group of 800 athletes in a race for all state. Qualifying features 30 sub-2:00 times, 28 sub-1:58, 22 sub-1:57, and 8 sub-1:55 runners. The winning time may have to be in the 1:50.00-1:52.00 range.