2018 Class A Boys Pre-Season Field Events Preview

Cameron Getz put on a show last year at the Illinois Top Times (Mark Capapas photo)

High Jump-

2017 State Champion: Nathan Kiger (Palestine) 6-07.00

Key Returners: Tristen Tewes (Pleasant Plains), Cameron Getz (Meridian), Devin Yocum (Bushnell-Prairie City), Tyson Magee (Cumberland), Bryce Heatherton (Athens), Joseph Wooten (Madison), Vidal Cargo (Leo), Kobe Wells (Arthur Lovington)

Season Outlook: This is going to be a close one between Tristen Tewes, Cameron Getz, and Devin Yocum. Tewes took 5^th last year, Getz took 6^th last year at Charleston last year, and Yocum took 7^th. It will be a great battle between those three but, you cant count out Returning All-Staters, Vidal Cargo (8^th)  and Kobe Wells (8^th)

Top returning performances: 

• Complete list

Shot Put-

2017 State Champion: Nick Olson (Flanagan-Cornell) 55-09.00

Key Returners: Andy Bird (Warsaw), Hunter Woodard (Tuscola), Jackson Sheckler (Illini Bluffs), Peyton Taylor (Mt. Pulaski), Payton Taylor (Catlin)

Season Outlook: This event is going to be hurting due to continued depletion of depth. It appears as though Andy Bird will be the go to guy after taking 2^nd at Charleston last year. His biggest competition will be Hunter Woodard. Woodard took 4^th last year at Charleston. Returning with Bird and Woodard is returning all-stater, Jackson Sheckler (7^th). 

Top returning perfomances: 

•  Complete list

Triple Jump-

2017 State Champion: Mason Wright (Forreston) 47-00.00

Key Returners: Michael Hill (Illini Bluffs), Ramsey Hunt (Shiloh), Jacob Donaldson (Ridgeview), Carl Moore (Madison), Lukas Kiefer (El-Paso-Gridley), Caleb Bleich (Gibson City-Melvin-Shibley)

Season Outlook: Michael Hill took 2^nd at state last year and is the favorite to take home the title this year. Joining Hill are returning All-Staters, Rasmey Hunt (7^th) and Jacob Donaldson (8^th). Jacob Donaldson's commented: "Jacob is playing basketball but has big goals for the season." Donaldson wants to do better than what he did last year at state.

Top returning performances: 

• Complete list 

Discus Throw-

2017 State Champion: Ty Kinkelaar (Effington St. Anthony) 164-06.00

Key Returns: Hunter Woodard (Tuscola), Peyton Taylor (Mt. Pulaski), Andy Bird (Warsaw), Nate Brown (Altamont), Jackson Sheckler (Illini Bluffs), Daniel Card (Carlinville), Brad Olysav (Williamsville), Payton Taylor (Catlin)

Season Outlook: Nate Brown is the best state meet returner but, the true favorite is Hunter Woodard if he choices to do Discus this year. Last year Woodard qualified for State year for the Discus throw but, chose to defer the event. Multiple all-staters are returning this year. Nate Brown (6^th), Andy Bird (7^th), Jackson Sheckler (8^th), and Daniel Card (9^th) are all Returning All-Staters from last year.  Card is the younger brother of the best discus thrower in IHSA girls history Kelsey Card.
Top returning performances: 

• Complete list