Although it may be 15-20 degrees warmer than the typical Chicago area forecast this weekend, the Indianapolis area will not be immune to inclement weather. It has been one of the most trying seasons in recent memory for the Midwest as a whole. Midwest Prep Invite meet director Alfie Hernandez stressed and stewed for several days whether or not to cancel the meet. Fortunately, in old school competition spirit, the meet will be conducted under a close watch. Temps are expected to be in the upper 60s and lower 70s but rain is imminent. Maybe even heavy at times. The key to completion is minimal damage and hopefully the thunderstorms will stay away. "As you know, we are expecting some inclement weather Saturday," said Hernandez. "If it is actively raining upon your arrival, we will have our Field House open for athletes and coaches to hang out. We will have to assess the conditions of the competition areas as the day goes. We will error on the side of safety especially when it comes to the field events."
Boys-
Field:
Last year it was the emerging Nate Patterson stealing the show in the high jump when he leaped 7-feet. The threat of meet canceling has driven the Plymouth IN HS star has driven him elsewhere. Look for Frank Massey of Chicago Bloom Twp to take charge. Massey is a future decathlete at the collegiate level. He can run virtually any race on the track, but his prowess is in the high jump and long jump. Massey leaped 23-10 during the indoor season and could match that effort if the weather holds up. Massey has also skied 6-8 in the high jump... look for Indiana State University signee Frankie Young III of Heritage Christian (Indy) to shine in the long jump. Young is the son of former Sycamore great Frankie Young Sr. and he is ready to make his own mark. Junior has a personal best of 23-0 from a year ago.
Track:
Defending 110HH champion Tremaine Gonzales of Silver Creek IN is back to run faster than he did prior. The senior clocked 14.78 enroute to an all-state campaign. Familiar foe Garrett Wagner of Batesville HS IN is back and he took second to Gonzales here. Wagner will be a major threat in the 300H.
Bloom Twp is the team to watch out for in the 4x400 relay. The Trojans ran 3:15 last year and although they graduated some talent, look for some fast action. Proviso West could challenge for the lead in this.
Amitai Wheat (Sr., Bloom Twp.) will compete in the 800 as the top seed. Wheat is an integral part of the Trojans relay success as well.
Girls-
With Illinois' top team Homewood-Flossmoor pulling out of the meet, it will be a challenge for any team to put up the national standard marks that the Vikings were going to release.
Look at the following names:
Enyaeva Michelin (Sr., Evanston IL): One of the premier distance runners in Illinois. Michelin has run 2:11 and 4:54 so far during the 2018 campaign.
Hannah Morris (Sr., Bloom Twp. IL) is back after enduring some tough injuries over the past few seasons. The U of Minnesota signee has leaped 19-10 indoors. Morris is seeking to get back to the 20-foot mark again.
Beth Barnes (Jr., Indy Chatard) is the top seed in the 300H after posting a personal best 45.34 last year.