1600m-
2018 State Champion: Jared Schuckman (Normal University) 4:19.97
Key Athletes: Daniel Chen (Sr., Aurora [Illinois Math And Science Academy]), John Bruce (Jr., Marion), Hunter Roedell (So., Metamora), Eli Ward (Jr., Waterloo), Brent Brunner (Sr., Rockford Christian), Mathias Powell (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour), Riley Wells (Sr., Rockford Christian), Dawson Smith (Jr., Rock Falls), Casmir Cozzi (Sr., Mascoutah), Stephen Thomas (So., Rockford Christian), Hunter Roedell (So., Metamora)
Breakdown: On paper, it looks as though Daniel Chen is the guy to beat based on his outstanding third-place finish in last year's state meet that netted a time of 4:20.19.
But hold on let's pump the brakes!
There is more than meet the eyes here. Let's add a few villains to the mix. Based on projections Riley Wells is a runner that could come and change the face of this event. It has been stated that most outstanding high school middle-distance runners have a tremendous mix of speed and endurance. Riley has been clocked under 50 seconds on 4x4 relays and has run 15:05 for three miles. Riley has only run in a limited amount of mile races, and his personal best 4:21 was conducted in a fun out of season competition. It is likely that the mile will be his future event in college, so why not get things started now? The fans should expect to see a time in the 4:10-15 range this season.
State cross country champions typically find the ability to run the mile with proficiency. Mathias Powell is another runner whose true ability is untapped. Unlike some of his peers, Powell has had the opportunity to compete at the highest level. He was on the 2016 cross country squad that ran in the Nike Cross Nationals. Big meets make impressions on lads and it certainly did for Powell who was a sophomore then. It is just a thought here, but his 4:25.76 personal best is from the indoor season. He barely attempted running it outside. Powell is going to run a few more 1600s this year and is going to be very good at it and be among the best in the state.
John Bruce went somewhat AWOL because of an injury during the summer. Things continued to manifest itself throughout the latter half of the 2018 cross country season, but unless some new info surfaces on exactly happened, he will be a force. It is important to keep a watchful eye on someone who anchored a strong state 4x800 relay. Bruce did just that with a good sub 2:00 anchor. Somehow all of the scenarios should lead to fast times and place among the class elite. Bruce will be better than 4:25 this season. Book it!
Other returning sub 4:30 performers include Eli Ward, Hunter Roedell, and Brent Brunner.