2018 Class 3A Boys Pre Season Field Events Preview



Discus-

2017 State Champion: AJ Espensa (Edwardsville) 197-11.00

Key Returners: John Meyer (Lockport), Brian Keyes (McHenry), Jordan Johnson (Quincy), Matt Bilek (Palatine Fremd), Xavier Wickersham (East Moline United Twp.), Clayton Hannula (Kaneland), Jamir Gibson (Zion-Benton), Ben Litwin (Huntley), Elijah Green (Batavia), Jaylen Alexander (Hoffman Estates)

Season Outlook: AJ Espensa finally graduated having dominated the event over the past several years which included a few monster tosses that sailed over 200-feet and in the top 10 national annals. He is now  off doing great things at the University of Iowa on the gridiron. John Meyer is the state's top returner and he will be more focused than ever in his "secondary" event. He lost the state title courtesy of Espenesa's final throw. Brain Keyes took 4th place last year and would like to improve in a big way. Keyes has the state's 2nd best returning effort of 180-6. 

Clayton Kannula will be a welcomed addition to 3A after his school's enrollment increased. Hannula's coach Andy Drendel assessed his star pupil's training and goals: "The day after the state meet last year, Clayton has attacked the weight room with more vigor and focus. His technique has always been pretty good and he's added on a lot more muscle. It has us all pretty excited to see how far he throws this year." Joining Meyer, Keyes, and Hannula is returning all-stater, Jordan Johnson (9th). Will Hannula's added muscle be able to beat Meyer and Keys in the crunch time? 

Top returning performances

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Camron Donaltlan returns as one of the nation's top high jumpers 

High Jump-

2017 State Champion: Camron Donatlan (West Aurora) 7-00.00

Key Returners: Donatlan (West Aurora), Peter Willis (St. Charles North), Cullen Fitzgerald (Hinsdale Central), Michael Shafis (Prospect), Marquise Kennedy (Chicago Brother Rice), Brandon Ellis (Warren), Maki Mohr (McHenry), Frank Massey (Bloom Twp), Lawrence Knish (Wheeling), Sebastian Gutierrez (Belevidere North), Brian Ross (DeKalb)

Season Outlook: The dynamic Camron Donatlan is back for his senior year and if you are a fan of the high jump, get ready for a tremendous treat. The two-time defending state champion indicated that he would like to eclipse the state record 7-3 and be the best leaper in the country. The multi-talented athlete could play basketball, football, or track simultaneously at the next level if he chose to. Donatlan signed a college letter of intent to play football at the University of Wyoming. Hopefully in his future plans is the high jump. Joing Donaltan are All-Staters Peter Willis (2nd), Cullen Fitzgerald (4th), Michael Shafis (5th), Marquise Kennedy (6th), Brandon Ellis (7th), and Maki Mohr (8th).

Top returning performances

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Shepard's Nieko Carter soars through the air at the 2017 state championship (Capapas photo)

Long Jump-

2017 State Champion: Davion Cross (West Aurora) 23-11.25

Key Returners: Jamal Safo (Crete-Monee), EJ Burruss (Homewood-Flossmoor), Geremiah Lawson (Plainfield Central), Deonte Bryant (Proviso East), Dan Spejcher (Lake Park), Conor McCarthy (Lockport), Christian Reed (Homewood-Flossmoor), Frank Massey (Bloom), Nieko Carter (Shepard)

Season Outlook: Jamal Safo is the top returner from last year's state championship where he placed 5th. However, the top returner is Geremiah Lawson who jumped a sweet 23-8.5 during the early portion of the season. But Lawson could not get out of a late season funk that ultimately landed him in the dungeon pit at the Naperville North Sectional. The 15th place finish had a silver lining though. Lawson refocused and qualified for summer track nationals. EJ Burruss could both take home the state title if he has the right bounce. With only two returners over 23-feet returning, the palate is open for many athletes who put in the work and be the king of the pit.

Top returning performers

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No Illinois boy has leaped further than Zach Bradford indoors or outside

Pole Vault-

2017 State Champion: Zachery Bradford (Bloomington) 17-04.00

Key Returners: Bradford, Blake Neville (Edwardsville), Tom Paprocki (Lake Park), Dominic Ruettiger (Minooka), Joe Kreikmeir (Lyons), Declan Ritzenthaler (Loyola), James Leahy (Fremd), Ethan Harsted (Ottawa), Aidan Williamson (Vernon Hills), Reed Wilson (Normal Community)

Season Outlook: If what happened at the recent Reno Pole Vault Summit is an indication for Zachery Bradford , it is going to be another wonderful season. The two-time state champion cleared an all-time best 17-8. Bradford is no where near his capacity for jumping. and he is looking for his 3rd State Title. Bradford is also coming off a season where he took 2nd place at New Balance Outdoors Nationals in Pole Vault.  Already the Illinois record holder outside and indoors, Bradford said this about upcoming goals: "Indoor [i'm] trying to be the third high schooler to clear 18' in pole vault history and outdoors- I'll be happy with anything over 18'. I'm really going to be training hard for the indoor season to hit that 18' mark early and set the bar higher for the future." 

Top returning performers: 


 

John Meyer is the creme of the crop when it comes to the shot put

Shot Put-

2017 State Champion: John Meyer (Lockport) 65-10.50

Key Returners: Meyer , Brad Warmen (Barrington), Jamir Gibson (Zion-Benton), Tyler Johnson (Wheaton North), Clayton Hannula (Kaneland), Andrew Stokes (Cary-Grove), Anand Batbaar (Stevenson), Charlie Frank (Barrington)

Season Outlook: John Meyer returns as the two time defending state champion and the goal this season is to become the first Illinois boy thrower over 70-feet or bust. Along the way is becoming an national champion too. Meyer took 4th place at New Balance Outdoor nationals last year and he is among the elite returners in this event. Joining Meyer are returning All-Staters, Brad Warmen (4th), Jamir Gibson (6th), and Tyler Johnson (8th).

Top returning performances: 

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Peyton Frankenreider could be one of the best frog leapers this season (Capapas photo)

Triple Jump-

2017 State Champion: Cameron Ruiz (Lakes) 51-01.00

Key Returners: Kevion Polk (Rockford Guilford), Jonathan Wilburn (Evanston), Peyton Frankenreider (Yorkville), Moshe Rogers (West Aurora), Qa'Ron Hawkins (Springfield), Conor McCarthy (Lockport), Marshall Davis (Hoffman Estates), Tyrone Treadwell (Springfield)

Season Oulook: This event will go through major changes after seeing exceptional marks over the past decade. It is highly doubtful that we are going to see any 50-foot marks anytime soon. The top returner from the state meet is Kevion Polk of Rockford Guilford. He placed 6th ahead of challengers Jonathan Willburn and Peyton Frankenreider. Both jumpers have had tremendous success on their teams relays. Now they will have an opportunity to shine bright in the pit. This rebuilding year will not be short of competitive fire.

Top returning perfomances: 

RANKMARKWINDATHLETE/TEAMGRADEMEET DATEPLACE
147-0.753.72018
246-9.753.52018
346-9.253.42018
445-7.52019

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