Normal U High was one of the elite teams in all of Illinois in 2017 (Angela Kerndl photo)
4x800m
2017 State Champion: Normal University 7:48.13
2017 State Leader: Naperville (Neuqua Valley) 7:45.51
Key teams: Normal U, E. St. Louis Sr., Sycamore, Mascoutah, Aurora (Marmion Academy), Burlington Central
Season Outlook: Defending state champion Normal U High return 3 of 4 legs including stout man Jared Schuckmanpion Normal U High return 3 of 4 legs including outstanding ace Jared Schuckman. They have all the tools to continue on and make another run at a state title and fast times. Schuckman of course is an elite talent who is ready to become an individual champion in all three events on the track. He will have to pick something. More than likely it will be the relay and mile again. Mahomet-Seymour won the state cross country title once again last fall. That does not allows translate into fast 4x8s. The Bulldogs only ran 7:57 last year which means they don't have many speedy leg guys. E. St. Louis Sr. on the other hand drops in the party from 3A with a beastly relay and sub 7:50. It appears no matter who they graduate they are able to reload immediately. Sycamore is good as is Marmion when they load up.
Top performing relays in 2017:
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7:48.13 | ||
| 2 | 7:48.93 | ||
| 3 | 7:56.33 | ||
| 4 | 7:56.59 | ||
| 5 | 7:56.76 | ||
| 6 | 7:57.47 |
Rich Central pulled away on the curve in last year's state championship (Angela Kerndl)
4x100m
2017 State Champion:
Rich Central
2017 State Leader:
Homewood-Flossmoor 41.49
Key teams:
Rich Central, E. St. Louis Sr., Cahokia, Mascoutah, Chicago St. Rita, Montini, St. Bede
Season Outlook: Rich Central the defending state champion return everyone including the state 400m champion VanHarvey Vance if they decide to use him against new challengers. E. St. Louis has a fleet of returners and will look to bully Rich Central and Cahokia as well as the entire classification. Chicago St. Rita was a state finalist performer last year. The Mustangs return three legs and transfer from believe it or not Rich Central Javon Venson (Jr.). They could make a run in both 4x1 and 4x2 relays power.
Top Performing Relays In 2017:
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 41.82 | ||
| 2 | 42.14 | ||
| 3 | 42.16 | ||
| 4 | 42.43 |
Rich Central completed a great run with against juggaknot Cahokia (Angela Kerndl photo)
4x200m-
2017 State Champion:
Rich Central 1:28.71
2017 State Leader: Bloomington 1:26.30
Key teams:
Rich Central, Cahokia, Chicago (St. Rita), E. St. Louis Sr., Sterling
Season Outlook: Adding ESL will strengthen things here eventhough quite a few teams lose many parts of their relays. Defending champion Rich Central return all four legs and look to keep pace with the high flying Flyers of E. St. Louis. Willie Johnson and Deante Anderson are ready to lead the charge. St. Rita as with the 4x1 are strong. Sterling's Nyrel Sullivan will be here to assist his mates. Chicago speed powers Morgan Park, Dunlap, and Phillips have represented will over the years.
Top peforming relays in 2017:
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:27.02 | ||
| 2 | 1:28.71 | ||
| 3 | 1:28.84 | ||
| 4 | 1:29.58 |
Geneseo got the job done last year in the "Showstopper" (Angela Kerndl)
4x400m-
2017 State Champion: Geneseo 3:21.27
2017 State Leader: E. St. Louis 3:14.76
Key teams: ESL, Geneseo, Burlington Central, Dunlap, Rantoul, Cahokia
Season Outlook: It was a rare occasion to not see Cahokia in the final. Injuries was the main culprit and a defection or two. The Comanches will challenge at the end of the day. State Champ Geneseo finally got it done after 2nd in 2016. Long hurdles ace Reed Vanderheyden assisted well. But everyone's top team is The Flyers of E. St. Louis. They made the 3A field a joke with national level 3:14.76. There is belief in the Flyers camp that running 3:11 is not out of the question. They admittedly agree going to New Balance Outdoors, Penn Relays or Texas, or Arcadia would be the only place to achieve such a feat.
Top performing relays in 2017:
| RANK | TIME | TEAM | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3:14.76 | ||
| 2 | 3:19.70 | ||
| 3 | 3:21.27 | ||
| 4 | 3:22.60 |