Danny Kilrea and Clayton Mendez forge their way to the front in last year's state final
3200m-
2017 State Champion: Soren Knudsen (Minooka)
Key Returners: Clayton Mendez (Chicago Whitney Young), Danny Kilrea (Lyons Twp.), Zach Kinne (Neuqua Valley), Dylan Jacobs (Sandburg), Matt Richtman (Kaneland), Tom Brady (Maine South), Nick Laning (Barrington), Josh Methner (Hersey), Matt Moravec (Downers Grove North), Josh Rodgers (Geneva), Jacob Ridderhoff (Downers Grove North), Jack Becker (Crystal Lake South), Jackson Bode (York), Stephen Pipilas (Downers Grove South)
Season Outlook: The ultimate distance runner Soren Knudsen has set sail for national championship powerhouse Northern Arizona University. In his wake is a great cast of individuals who arguably produced the best ever post-season cross country run in Illinois history. The "Big Three" Clayton Mendez, Danny Kilrea, and Dylan Jacobs swept through the national championship circuit with tremendous success. Mendez in his first ever participation earned All-American honors at NXN and Foot Locker Nationals. The same was said for Kilrea who was ranked #2 in the FLO 50 rankings. Jacobs overcame set back at the start of the state series to ultimately win the most prestigious cross country race for an individual- FL NATS! It was this type of hype turned into reality that will prove fruitful for the spring.
Mendez was the first one to break 9:00 last year in a dominating performance at the Distance Night In Palatine. Mendez would later place third at states and fourth at New Balance Outdoor Nationals. After experiencing some pivotal success beyond the state meet, we are going to see some great times from Mendez. One would assume the 8:50 marker is in his sights.
Believe it or not but Kilrea has not broken 9:00 in his career. In his best opportunity at the Arcadia Invitational last year, he ran 9:00.81 for 26th place. It may have been the deepest display of talent in a regular season 3200 in high school history. Kilrea was consistent in that he ran all of key races under 9:10. The 3A state cross country champ and decorated All-American distance runner is motivated more than ever to dip under the watershed mark and put a stamp on his prep career.
The question of the year is "what is Dylan going to do?" Keep in mind that Jacobs won the FL title and he came into the school year as one of the nation's best distance runners. It would be a slam dunk for Jacobs to set his vehicle to cruise control and run fast 3200s. His personal best 9:16.70 is super underrated because he ran the event less than a handful times. Jacobs indicated that he wants to run sub 8:50 somewhere special. He also said that he wants to assist his team on the relay side. "I think we can run some great times and we have some really good guys coming back," said Jacobs.
Because the cross country season was a great success there are so many quality athletes who will be missed, but don't be surprised if see an unheralded name pop up and blaze the track.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:59.46 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 9:00.81 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 9:11.48 | 2019 | ||
| 4 | 9:15.36 | 2019 | ||
| 5 | 9:16.70 | 2018 |
Sometimes the truest test of character and competition is the start
800m-
Key Returners: Charlie Kern (York), Grant Jensen (Prairie Ridge), Wes York (Waubonsie Valley), Phillip Hall (Danville), Joey Simon (Wheaton North), Clayton Mendez (Chicago Whitney Young), Brian Hauser (Shepard), Oswaldo Guzman (Joliet Central), Ed Worthem (Palatine Fremd), Franky Romano (Edwardsville)
Season Outlook: Behind state champion Chris Conrad's great feat was a solid cast of individuals. It should be an even better year with many of the top returners ready to drop some serious times. One individual in particular is Charlie Kern who has been in limited action over the past calendar year. He missed some meets due to illness/injury and was out for the majority of the cross country season. His father Charlie Kern Sr. said his son appears to be coming around and hopefully will be ready for a great senior campaign. Grant Jensen was a relative unknown who ran 1:53.32 at the Midwest Distance Classic after the state meet. He is the #2 returner in the classification. West York's 1:54.61 is the third fastest time in 3A. He will be a threat to challenge for the state title in May. Another 1:54 guy in Phillip Hall may run more open half miles. Hall has excellent speed to boot.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1:53.03 | 2018 | ||
| 2 | 1:53.32 | 2019 | ||
| 3 | 1:54.61 | 2018 | ||
| 4 | 1:54.73 | 2018 | ||
| 5 | 1:55.30 | 2018 |
Dylan Jacobs returns as the state leader in the 1600m
1600m-
2017 State Champion: Soren Knudsen (Minooka) 4:10.51
Key Returners: Dylan Jacobs (Sandburg), Clayton Mendez (Whitney Young), Danny Kilrea (Lyons Twp.), Charlie Kern (York), Alex Tam (Libertyville), Jack Becker (Crystal Lake South), Matt Richtman (Kaneland), Tommy Brady (Maine South), Andrew O'Keefe (Granite City), Zachary Albrecht (Jacobs), Sam Rivera (Whitney Young), Ryan Birkmeier (Downers Grove North)
Season Outlook: Isn't it ironic that the only three returners from last year's state championship field is Jacobs, Mendez, and Kilrea? They were the top rated cross country runners this past fall and they have what it takes to run some fast times on the track. Jacobs' 4:07.57 conversion down from the full mile is very impressive. It is certain that he wants to run this event along with the 4x800 at the state championship level. Those plans may change as he has the stamp and seal of a national title holder on his resume. Still, the thought of a mark of under 4:05 is intriguing and probably would have to wait until a national post-season meet.
Mendez ran 4:11 showing that his range is improving. He is ticketed for a sub 4:10 sometime this season. Kilrea' dones not get enough credit for his mile/1600 best of 4:12.81. Alex Tam ran 4:15 to win the prestigious Prospect Invite. He will go faster this season.
Top returning performers:
| RANK | TIME | ATHLETE/TEAM | GRADE | MEET DATEPLACE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4:07.57 | 2018 | Magis Miles7th | |
| 2 | 4:11.26 | 2018 | ||
| 3 | 4:11.67 | 2018 | Magis Miles1st | |
| 4 | 4:12.81 | 2018 | Magis Miles2nd | |
| 5 | 4:15.87 | 2018 |