Victor Cameron believes he can dominate in the hurdles this weekend
Date: May 23-25, 2019
There will not be a single soul or fan of track and field that will complain about the weather this weekend in Charleston. High humid coupled by low to mid-80s is what Mother Nature provides us this weekend.
The team battle comes in what a ton of hype based off of one meeting- the Bloom Township Sectional. In that championship, there were 45 national elite marks! That is extraordinary considering the fact that most sectional meets are surviving and advance by nature. #1 Crete-Monee won a close tilt over #2 Homewood-Flossmoor but importantly advanced a large number of major firepower that should score a ton of points in the field and on the track. The Vikings should be contenders as well despite being somewhat neutered by the new kids on the block. The host Bloom team is ready to strut their stuff as well.
Marcellus Moore-
We have all taken this great specimen for granted ever since he had been a freshman. We adore everything about him. His smile is infectious, his personality is contagious, and he has boldly accepted the nickname "Baby Holyfield." This is not the time to abandon Plainfield North junior Marcellus Moore. He is our true superstar who is hurting physically and mentally. He hurt his lower leg in mid-April at a meet in Edwardsville and has not been the same. The Moore and Plainfield North camps have been quiet as church mice in recent days. Moore ran at the Ottawa Sectional last weekend and won both events. For the first time in his career, he does not come into the state meet with the fastest seed times. Moore clocked 10.79 and 21.83. It will be interesting to see how things transpire over the next several days on the "Big Blue" track... Victor Cameron (Sr., Crete-Monee) could steal Moore's shine indirectly in the hurdles, especially the low variety. The state leader has gone 13.92. The lone threat: JT Lowder of Oak Park-River Forest fell victim to a hammy injury. However, the Huskies camp thinks it was an aberration. We will see just pass high noon... the 4x100 and 4x200 all-time records are in DANGER! We could see our first sub 41.00 at the state meet. The undercard race appears to be the 4x400. A number of squads aside from HF, and Crete-Monee could put up fast numbers.
It's time for the 4x800 to get things started-
We got a glimpse at the sectional round of what the usual is for the state's top event. There were 17 teams that broke the 8:00 mark. Prior to last weekend, there were just two. To be blunt the fireworks are going to start right away in the first preliminary heat. Neuqua Valley has seemingly reloaded fast and furious. Naperville Central who returns all four legs from an all-state performance last will have star senior Thomas Shilgalis as a backdrop. It appears as though the Redhawks are going to proceed without him. But really there are sub-7:50 performers St. Charles East, Batavia, and Huntley that have a slight advantage. They will try and set the standard for others to fall behind. Actually there a ton of teams that can make the final and provide some resistance- too many to name.
The field events noise is loud-
The buzz of Jamal Safo's incredible 25-foot performance at last week's Bloom Sectional is still ringing in everyone's ear. Some haters refuse to believe that he really performed the marvelous feat. The Crete-Monee star had already been considered one of the elite runners in the state, if he can drop another bombshell this weekend, hand him the gold medal... it's time for Quinton Stringfellow (Sr., Homewood-Flossmoor) to elevate toward 50' in the triple jump. He was the sectional and regular season leader.
Who is the best overall thrower in the state? There are several to choose from. There is Jordan Johnson (Sr., Quincy), Sam Liokumovich (Sr., Deerfield), Amiri Buchanan (Sr., Romeoville), and Joe Boyer (Sr., Rolling Meadows). These stallions have thrown the shot and discus over 60' and 170' respectively. However, the guy who could win both is Jordan. His 206'1" is amazing and US#3. Did we mention that it is almost 20' better than the nearest competitor?
The sleeping Josh Methner is dangerous along with some best of the talent on the boards-
There is nothing more terrifying than waking a mother bear from winter hibernation. That's what it seems like with Josh Methner (Sr., Hersey) and the foes who dared to poke him several times this season. He has lost two major tilts in the 3200m. Don't expect him to get beat a third time season. It would be great to see a sub-9:00 as well.
Andrew O'Keefe (Sr., Granite City) will either has a nightmare or positive vibe when he steps on the track. Last year a premature celebration deterred him from winning the 1600m title. Though 4:08.98 looks good on the resume right now, don't expect Sam Rivera of Chicago Whitney Young or Shilgalis or any other top performer to lay down easily.
Ramon Lacey (Sr., Bloom) and Jason Hoffman (Jr., Minooka) are the two top seeds in the wide open 800m.
Khullen Jefferson (Jr., TF South) is back and ready to prove those who abandon wrong in the 400. Ricky Johnson (Sr., Crete-Monee) is the centerpiece for the team in a variety of events. But he will be there to stop any advancement toward the gold medal.