2019 Class 3A Boys Pre-Season Relays Preview

Dylan throws hands in another thrilling state championship for his beloved Eagles

4x800m-

2018 State Champion: Orland Park Sandburg (Dylan Jacobs, Peter Demogerontas, Connor Devlin, Nico Calderon) 7:45.12

Key Teams: Batavia, Naperville Central, Minooka, Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West), Algonquin (Jacobs), Orland Park (Sandburg), St. Charles East, Plainfield South, Neuqua Valley, Huntley, Wheaton-Warrenville South, Danville, Downers Grove South, Lyons Twp., Prospect, Evanston, York, Downers Grove North, HInsdale Central

Breakdown: It was another banner season for the's #1 relay. Sandburg once again led the way at US #17 and four teams followed suite inside the top 50. Additionally, there were 22 teams that went under the watershed mark of 8:00. Guess what? It is going to be another banner year and Sandburg should be once again a squad to be dealt with. The Eagles lost their top guy All-American Dylan Jacobs to the University of Notre Dame. As bad as that sounds coach John O'Malley and company will be just fine. They will replace Jacobs with someone polished and experienced.

It is hard to imagine Neuqua Valley without a top distance relay. The Wildcats graduated their entire state runner up quartet. That is usually a bad sign for most teams, but Neuqua Valley is typically a senior-dominant program. They will reload once again with a group of fast and furious #nonames.

There is one team out there that could jump into the national spotlight for either one race or in prime time. Naperville Central ran 7:53 without their best runner and top returning miler/800 man senior Thomas Shilgalis. The Red Hawks already have all four legs back, but imagine plugging in Shilgalis' 1:51 smoker?

Minooka returns three legs from their 7th place state finish. Junior Hector Ramos will lead the Indians this season.

State cross country champion Wheaton-Warrenville South wants in on the sweepstakes. They believe they can contend and run around 7:50. If that is the case and assuming that some of their top personnel like the Maison twins Sean and Scott don't go for individual glory, then the vote is affirmative.