4x800m-
2019 State Champion: Morrison 7:57.85
Key Teams: Morrison, Niles (Northridge Prep), Elmwood, Urbana (University), Deer Creek-Mackinaw, Tremont, Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy), Carthage (Illini West), Bismark-Henning-Rossville-Alvin, Clifton Central, Havana, Erie, Farmington, El Paso-Gridley, Lena-Winslow, Centralia (Christ Our Rock Lutheran), Glen Carbon (Father McGivney), Minonk Fieldcrest
Outlook: There is no question who the top team is this year as Morrison returns once again all four legs of their second consecutive championship. This may very well be the first time that a team from this classification breaks 7:50. The only problem is we may not hear from them until the Top Times and State Meet. The Mustangs have had a history these past two years of going into hiding until arguably the top two meets of the year. Hopefully that changes this go-around as they are one of the best units in the state regardless of classification.
Northridge Prep is one team that springs to mind as they return three legs of their second-place team last year that challenged Morrison for some of the race. While they did lose one of their sub 2:00 runners to graduation, they have a few options to replace him as they have a freshman from the cross country that ran an eye-opening 15:40 for three miles and a much improved Dan Gomez who dropped almost 50 seconds off his PR this fall.
Urbana University could be a very sneaky wildcard team. If they choose to load up their relay they could very well challenge with the Mustangs. Returning three members of their 5th place team that went all-state last year, they did not run arguably their top runner in Aryan Lalwani who instead ran the 3200m. He is a potential sub 2:00 runner and if the Illineks decide to run him in the 4x800m instead this year then it will be a very interesting year to be in 1A.