2019 Class 3A Boys Pre-Season Field Events Preview


Sam Liokumovich is expected to be one of the elite putters in the state this spring

Shot Put-

2018 State Champion: John Meyer Jr (Lockport Twp.) 68-8

Key Athletes: Sam Liokumovich (Sr., Deerfield), Henry Boudreau (Sr., Deerfield), Amiri Buchanan (Sr., Romeoville), Matthew Appel (Jr., Neuqua Valley), Amari Brooks (Sr., Edwardsville), Anand Batbaar (Sr., Stevenson), Matt Becker (Sr., Antioch), Shawn Lee (Jr., Downers Grove South), Jordan Johnson (Sr., Quincy), Chandler Dilworth (Sr., Moline), Quentin Ivory (Jr., Evanston)

Breakdown: In 2017, very few people knew the name Sam Liokumovich. Sam's older brother, Igor Liokumovich, was a standout thrower for the Warriors a few years back. The younger Liokumovich had a massive junior campaign and looks to do something that his older brother never accomplished, winning a state title. Sam took sixth place at the state meet last season, and returns as the only shot putter with all-state credentials in 3A. Deerfield isn't done, with Henry Boudreau on the scene, Liokumovich has a bonafide training part and will compose the state's best one-two punch. Both standout performers threw 59-4.5 and 57-4.5 respectively. It is not a stretch to assume they will surpass the 60-foot mark this season.

Uhh oh but don't blink now. Jordan Johnson's kryptonite has always the shot put. For a tremendous discus and weight thrower, it has been rather odd to see his personal best only 54-7i. That was until before press time of this article. Jordan had been in the lab all fall and early winter working on this deficiency. He traveled to the University of Missouri Indoor series and launched a big PB 57-9.5i. This now will put him in the discussion of state elite throwers. 

Amiri Buchanan, who finished 11th in Charleston, flew under the radar last year, not this as he will look to get climb high atop the podium.