A tight knit finish in last year's state 800 saw all nine finalists break 2:00
800m-
2016 State Champion: Sean Zerrusen, Effingham (H.S.) 1:55.38
2016 State Leader: Josh Cable, Rochester, 1:53.25
Key returners: Josh Cable (Jr., Rochester), Tim Krashevsky (Sr., Vernon Hills), Drew Wilkerson (Sr., Freeburg), Jake Gillum (Sr., Metamora), Chris Stanley (Sr., Cahokia)
Season Outlook: Last year's state leader, Josh Cable returns as a junior after now two full years of state experience in cross country and track each. Cable has finished all-state in the 800 twice, and after more or less being part of a crowded 800 field for a couple of years, now starts to rise to the top as a favorite in this event throughout the season. He is, however, far from being the only returner from last year's state final, which featured seniors in first through fourth place, and underclassmen in the final eight spots. Tim Krashevsky bounced back from a disappointing 11th place at state to run a 1:53.62 at the Festival of Miles over the summer and does not appear to be far behind Cable. Jake Gillum has been a mid-distance wizard the last couple of years and will almost surely be a major player in the 800 as well as the 1600. Drew Wilkerson is the highest returner from the 2016 state meet (5th place in 1:57.35), as well as the fifth overall returner by time. Keep an eye on how fast Chris Stanley runs this year during the season as well. Cahokia will almost surely use him in the 4x800 as they try to continue their relay dominance, but he has the chops returning to be an all-stater in his own right.
Some of the other boys to watch include: Brendon Sebastian (Sr., LaSalle (L.-Peru), 1:57.38), Jacob Oury (Sr., Hampshire, 1:57.45), Eduardo Rodriguez (Sr., Chicago (Lindblom), 1:57.64), Falcon Mack (Jr., Park Forest (Rich East), 1:58.44), Ryan Melvin (Jr., Marion (H.S.), 1:58.12), and Brayden Hamblen (Sr., Rock Falls, 2016 1A State XC champ)
Nick Wondaal wins a spirited state championship in the 1600
1600m-
2016 State Champion: Nick Wondaal, Lansing (Illiana Christian), 4:18.24
2016 State Leader: Nick Wondaal, Lansing (Illiana Christian), 4:15.47
Key returners: Jake Gillum (Sr., Metamora), Ben Flowers (Sr., Jersey), Jacob Gebhart (Jr., Sterling), Matthew Richtman (Jr., Maple Park Kaneland), Austin Knight (Jr., Carterville)
Season Outlook: The mile's 2A final last year was more senior heavy than the 800, and only has four final qualifiers returning to the 2A scene this year. The first is Jake Gillum who has been one of the most consistently fast runners in the entire state in the 1600 and 800 the past two years. Gillum finished fourth last year in 4:22.38 at state, only one of a mind blowing 12 sub-4:28 performances since 2015. Just behind Gillum was Ben Flowers who was dominant in the cross country season and boasts a 4:19.90 best mile. A notable omission from last year's all-state podium was Jacob Gebhart who improved immensely during the 2016 cross country season but still is the #4 returning mile performer (4:22.35). Another notable pair of juniors are Kaneland's Matthew Richtman (4:25.17), who may be the most improved runner in the entire division, and Carterville's Austin Knight (4:25.92). Both finished just on the outside of qualifying for the final, but do not expect the same to happen this season.
The field continues, with some names such as: Michael Church (Sr., East Peoria, 4:23.75. 6th in state in 2016), Andrew Walmer (Sr., Mahomet (M.-Seymour), 4:26.09), Zach Young (Sr., Marion), and Michael Ronzone (Jr., Aurora (Marmion Academy)
Jack Franklin could move into the top spot with the exodus of several prominent figures last year
3200m-
2016 State Champion: Colin DeYoung, Lansing (Illiana Christian), 9:16.13
2016 State Leader: Luke Beattie, Woodstock (H.S.), 9:10.70
Key returners: Jack Franklin (Sr., Normal University), Andrew Walmer (Sr., Mathomet-Seymour), Brian Butcher (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour), Ben Flowers (Sr., Jerseyville), Matthew Richtman (Jr., Kaneland), Jacob Gebhardt (Jr., Sterling)
Season Outlook: The placement of Grayslake Central in 3A opens up the long distance events for 2A a little bit in track. The 3200 could start with 2016 XC 3rd place finisher Jack Franklin, who is also the highest finishing returner from the state track 3200 final last year, as well as the fastest returner by time (9:22.34), and his 14:30 at Detweiller suggests he could go even faster. Franklin is the only all-state returner, but don't expect him to run away with the title. Matthew Richtman proved himself emphatically with a surprise 14:36 4th place finish at Detweiller in November, and we fully expect him to be a major player in this event for the next couple years (he currently has a 9:38 3200 best). Mahomet's Andrew Walmer is the best runner from a pack of Bulldogs, all of whom could finish all-state in this event, although on that team, Brian Butcher has the best 3200 time from last year (9:42.93). Although they were also mentioned in the 1600, Ben Flowers and Jacob Gebhardt could just as well put their eggs in the 3200 basket.
This race could be much more open from an all-state contender standpoint. Of the list of all-staters from the 2A cross country race in November, most of them will be qualifying for state in the 3200 and competing hard for a potential top 9 spot on the blue track in Charleston.