2017 Class 3A Boys Distance Pre-Season Preview

Soren Knudsen wants to be the first Illinois school boy to break 4:00 in the mile

1600m

2016 State Champion: Sean Torpy, Orland Park (Sandburg), 4:15.13

Season Outlook: This could be Soren Knudsen's event in 2017. Knudsen turned some heads winning his prelim heat and then finishing 3^rd in the final last year, but really solidified his legacy by running away with the cross country title in a blazing 14:02. Knudsen's running style lends to that of a strong 1600 runner, and his event selection throughout the year could hint at his intentions for the state meet. Expect Knudsen to take at least a couple shots at fast 1600 times as well this season. Knudsen is the favorite in the 1600.

He is not the only competitor in the event, though. Knudsen is just one of seven returners from last year's final. Irwin Loud completed an impressive double by finishing fourth. Tyler Dau (Sr., Geneva) finished 6^th, Reese Jordan (Sr., Park Ridge (Maine South)) finished 7^th, Jack Aho finished 9^th, Charlie Kern (Jr., York) finished 10^th and Jacobs finished 11^th. Many of these runners, particiuarly Dau and Jordan, may be likely to choose the 1600 only and will be strong competitors in the mile. Kern in particular has started to be weaned off of 4x800/800 duty only, and we will begin seeing him appears more often in these solo events as he continues to mature as a runner. He may be the most talented runner still in the state-so do not count out Charlie Kern in the 1600. Aho and Jacobs felt the burn from tough doubles (4x800 for Jacobs, 3200 for Aho) but not have more experience with handling that workload. Either one of them including Vince Zona and Danny Kilrea can come out with a victory in this event.

Other runners to watch: Dylan Zangri, Noah Healy, Brian Leonard, Matt Pereira, Brian Griffith, Blake Evertsen, Alec Danner, Evan Mitchell

Top returning performances-