Boys Preview: The first order of this exclusive meet is going to be the field events. Senior Connor Artman of Illini West has impressed the faithful tremendously during the early undercover season. Artman will start his day in the long jump where he might be his best. Several weeks ago at the University of Missouri, Artman snatched his way to victory with a US #4 23-11.5 effort. Winning will not be as easy this time around because a deep field that has four jumpers over 23-feet entered. Springfield, OH ace jumper senior Quincy Scott placed 2nd in Lexington a year ago, is not only ready to take the top spot, but he would like to improve on his US #5 23-10. Scott is undefeated on the season. Kevin Snyder has traveled from North Carolina to get in on the sweepstakes. The junior is a champion jumper in his state and looking for more competition. Centerville, OH standout all-purpose athlete Yariel Soto and Geremiah Lawson of Plainfield Central will look to impress.
US #1 Kevin Snyder will return in the triple jump as the heavy favorite at 49-9. He will attempt to clear 50-feet on Saturday. Peyton Frankenreider of Yorkville will make his season debut. Frankenreider is on the case to be one of the state's elite triple jumpers.
The track-
60HH: Bret Dannis (Sr., Peru St. Bede) will take his US #11 7.92 mark. Myles Marshall of Georgia will be a top contender at 8.00.
60: By now you have heard of Plainfield North sophomore Marcellus Moore. It's been awhile since he shooked the earth at the University of Arkansas. Moore ran a personal best 6.85 which is now good for US #11. Local Kentucky product Langston Jackson has the same time this season. But the man to beat will be senior Eric Allen of the powerful Bullis HS fame. Allen likes a strong start that overpowers his foes. Moore has really improved his starts and that will be a key in how he handles Allen. Illinois will see its strongest set of participants in this event. Dubem Anikamadu (Huntley), Artman, and US#15 Ronald Reed (Decatur MacArthur) is entered. Reed has been under the weather for much of the week and his participation will be a game time decision.
200: Allen is the defending champion but Moore has the time to beat. The 21.30 is the fastest time ever for an Illinois boy indoors and don't be suprised if Moore gets close to 21.00. Look for the US #3 Moore to shine bright and blow this race wide open.
400: New blood from Illinois will be in this event. Illinois 3A champion Luis Cossio of Barrington is here. He will be racing in this big time affair for the first time. His seed time is from last year's state championship. It will a tall order right now for him to run 48.23. Brandon Adams (Minooka) is the state leader at 49.20 and he has an excellent shot at running under 49.
Dustin Horter vs. Brodey Hasty: The titan match probably would have been more inticing had they met in the mile. Hasty ran a blistering 4:00.03 several weeks ago and appears to be holding back until NBNI. Horter indicated that he wants to break 4:10 and then return a short time later in the half-mile go under 2:00. Look for both runners to run well regardless and keep the distance fans in the mix.