Logan Hall returns as the marked man after finishing in the runner up spot in Charleston
Over the past three seasons it was Jon Davis, Jon Davis, Jon Davis. Davis has now moved on to the University of Illinois, but sadness should not creep into the fan's mindset. If this past cross country season meant anything, it should tell us that quality abounds. Of course there is going to be some growing pains with new athletes and ones emerging to the top. This is what makes track and field and especially distance running so special. It's a process to see who will be the next great athlete.
Events: 3200, 800, 1600
3200m-
2016 State Champion: Jon Davis (Sr., Oakwood) 9:14.15
Key returners: Logan Hall (Jr., Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond), Wyatt McIntyre (Jr., Athens), Tanner Chada (Sr., Hinckley Big Rock), Justin Phillips (Sr., St. Joseph-Ogden), Riley Wells (So., Rockford Christian), Alex Helmuth (Jr., Monticello)
Outlook: 1A cross country champion Brady Hamblen (Sr., Rock Falls) will compete in 2A when the state series arrives in May. It is unfortunate that xc runner up Wyatt McIntyre will not have an opportunity to duel against Hamblen on the big stage. But he will get an opportunity to compete with Logan Hall. Hall was state 3200 runner up a year ago in Charleston. He placed 3rd in Detweiller last November. Both competitors should run well under their personal bests this year. Don't be surprised if we see a few marks under 9:20. Fast times have to be demanded even from Class A. Jon Davis proved that you can run fast without a team or with quality training partners. In other words, size means nothing.
Top returning performances in 2016-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9:34.93 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 9:40.60 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 9:46.57 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 9:48.41 | 2017 |
The state runner up last year Joseph Stone could be the man this season in the 800
800m-
2016 State Champion: Michael Bennett (Dwight) 1:54.06
Key returners: Joseph Stone (Sr., Newton), Jason Landon (Jr., Carlinville), Chris Ahlers (Sr., Newman Central Catholic), Ryan Skowronski (Jr., Shelbyville), Jason Yaccino (Jr., Westminister Christian)
Outlook: It could be lean times for this event after heavy graduation taking its toll over the past few years. There are only four state finalists back and in many people's mind spells doom. However, if you were to take a silver lining approach, you would have noticed state runner up Joseph Stone leading the way. Stone improved from 1:58 to 1:55 in one year. Ryan Skowronski could be someone that busts out big. He anchored his team's second place 4x8 relay with a 1:55 split a year ago. There are six total sub 2:00 runners back hoping to dispel any gloom and doom. Also, Jason Landon is the younger brother of standout Cory Landon.
Top returning performances in 2016-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:55.92 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 1:57.64 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 1:59.00 | 2017 | ||
| 4 | 1:59.01 | 2018 |
1600m-
2015 State Champion: Jon Davis 4:19.72
Key returners: Chris Ahlers (Sr., Sterling Newman Central Catholic), Wyatt McIntyre, Tommy McHugh (Sr., Northshore Country Day), Jacob Bryan (Jr., Illini West). Riley Wells (So., Rockford Christian)
Outlook: Jon Davis took with him a ton of graduates leaving only three all staters. What does this mean? We could see a big dropoff off from the usually fast marks. Obviously, we will not see anyone go 4:05 like Jon Davis did, but the hope is for balance among the classification. Justin Phillips could be that individual. He should be able to dip under 4:20 along with a few other guys. Riley Wells could be the future here. Don't count out Logan Hall. This might be his event low key.
Top Times from key returners-
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4:26.24 | 2017 | ||
| 2 | 4:26.50 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 4:26.97 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 4:27.83 | 2017 |