The always exciting 100m dash is expected to give us all another rush this season (A. Kerndl photo)
100m
2017 State Champion: Roderick McMiller (Chicago Perspectives Charter) 10.85 [+0.1]
Key Returners: Brett Schenck (Princeton), Romell Clark (Chicago Dunbar), Nyrel Sullivan (Sterling), Geno Hess (Peoria), Bret Dannis (St. Bede), Ronald Reed (Decatur MacArthur), Matthew Burris (Monmouth-Roseville), Terrance Hill (Effingham), Luke Rathbun (Morton), Quan Williams (Rich South), Jarrell Anderson (East St. Louis), Marcus Lampley (East St. Louis)
Season Outlook: Five names come to mind regarding this race: Nyrel Sullivan, Brett Schenck, Geno Hess, Jarrell Anderson, and Romell Clark. They all can be the man on top of the mountain by season's end. Sullivan earned a 6th place finish in the state last year. Schenck is a two-time State Qualifier in the 100 and a 2-time State Qualifier in the 200 and 4x100. Schenck took 4th place last year at State. Hess is a one-time State Qualifier in the 100, 4x100, and 4x200. Hess took 7th place last year at State. Clark qualifed in the 100, 4x100, and 4x200. Anderson is a previous State Qualifier in the 100, and twice placing in the 4x100 and 4x200 for the previously 3A Flyers. Clark took 5th place at State last year. They were all .09 away from each other at prelims last year. Joining them is returning All-Stater Terrence Hill (8th). This will be a great race where going into the season I think there is no clear favorite in this race.
Look for Ronald Reed to take hold of the situation after enduring a tough outdoor season because of a sore foot. Reed was able rebound over the summer during the AAU National Finals in Michigan. There he placed 6th with a time of 10.80. But remember this: the Century is a crap shoot race and at anytime someone can jump up and become fastest sprinter in the state.
Top returning marks:
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10.73 | 2018 | |||
| 2 | 10.75 | 2018 | |||
| 3 | 10.82 | 2018 | |||
| 4 | 10.85 | 2018 |
In a year filled with surprises Vance VanHarvey stood tall (Angela Kerndl photo)
400m
Key Returners: Vance, Brandon Bretz (Mahomet-Seymour), Nick Swartzendruber (Geneseo), Davon Bolden (Thornridge), Gabby Gavino-DaCosta (Dunlap), Brett Schenck (Princeton), Trey Chamberlain (Dunlap), Deante Anderson (East St. Louis), Willie Johnson (East St. Louis)
Season Outlook: VanHarvey Vance, the defending State Champion is back and he has his eyes set on defending his title and running some fierce times. Vance has been on the scene since running 50-point as a freshman. With progression VanHarvey became state champion. Vance endured a strong summer of track in which he lowered his personal best to 48.49. As good as things are and appear to be, there are going to be new challenges. Classification changes have brought E. St. Louis Sr to the party. Don't expect Deante Anderson, Willie Johnson and company to be cordial guests. They were a dominant force last year in 3A, destroying the state's deepest talent. There is no Cahokia or Kaneland to buffer the proposed onslaught.
Brandon Bretz (3rd), and Nick Swartzendruber (7th) are key holdovers that will give added value. Swartzendruber indicated that he is ready for the task at hand: "I am training for the 400 to repeat as an All-Stater in that race. I am eventually going to extend my training to include the 1600 meter run in order to run it a couple times this year, so I can prepare myself for college. I began my training about after football ended and will increase my intensity, the closer we get to the season. I am super excited for my senior year and can't wait to compete against the best in the state." Swartzendruber is a state qualifier in the 400 and a as well as in the 4x400 and the 4x800. Will Swartzendruber's increased training be enough to dethrone VanHarvey and whoever else that lays in the path?
Top returning marks:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48.24 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 48.72 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 48.72 | 2020 | ||
| 4 | 49.33 | 2020 | ||
| 5 | 49.62 | 2018 |
Roderick McMiller completes the double sprints dash sweep (Angela Kerndl photo)
200m-
2017 State Champion: Roderick McMiller (Chicago Perspective Charter) 21.69
Key Returners: Deion McShane (Freeport), Seth Sottos (Rock Island Alleman), Seth Groom (Marmion Academy), Vance VanHarvey (Rich Central), Bret Dannis (St. Bede), Marcus Coleman (Chicago St. Rita), Zach Glass (Urbana), Darreon West (Cahokia), Marshawn Cook (Decatur MacArthur), Nyrel Sullivan (Sterling), Jarrell Anderson (East St. Louis), Anthony Bartley (East St. Louis)
Season Outlook: The lowkey Roderick McMiller exited Charleston with his second dash title. Deion McShane is the favorite going into the year. The Freeport native, ran a 21.93 at State last year to take 2nd place. McShane ran extremely well here and is in line to do some major damage. McShane will be joined by returning all-stater Seth Sottos (7th). Sottos is hoping his training can help boost into contention with McShane. Sottos qualifier in the 100, 200, 4x100, and 4x200. Nyrel Sullivan about his goals this season and he indicated this: "I want to run a 21.8 in the 200 by the end of season." Sullivan qualified in the 200 last year. Also, watch for Jarrell Anderson and Anthony Bartley who are moving from 3A to 2A this year. Will Seth and Nyrel contend with McShane? Or will McShane run away with his second 200m State Title? Or can some East St. Louis kid come in and take it?
Top returning marks:
| RANK | TIME | WIND | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21.76 | 2018 | |||
| 2 | 21.81 | 2019 | |||
| 3 | 21.92 | 2018 | |||
| 4 | 22.18 | 2018 |