Pole Vault-
2019 State Champion: Chandlar Ifft (Prairie Central) 16-0
Key Athletes: Mitchell McKelvey (Sr., Metamora), Kyle Mulhern (Sr., Peoria [Notre Dame]), Alan Lauterbach (Jr., Rochester), Aasav Shah (Sr., Dunlap), Carson Kleparski (So., Tolono [Unity]), Dan Grant (Sr., Morris), Bryce Kirsch (Jr., Highland), Dominic Squires (Sr., Mascoutah), Nate Clark-Holke (Jr., Geneseo), Brady Monahan (So., Pontiac), Michael Mercurio (Sr., Mascoutah), Ian Cherry (Jr., Monticello), Jace Benton (So., Rochester), Michael Alverado (Jr., New Lenox [Providence Catholic]), Clayton Kessler (Jr., Mahomet-Seymour), Dyson Roye (Jr., Marion), Caleb Rutz (Jr., Triad), Jaden Blake (Jr., Chicago [De La Salle]), Clayton Tanner (So., Marion), Tyler Carrel (Sr., Urbana)
Breakdown: The top four state meet placers are now graduated which brings a fresh face but yet a veteran name back into the fold. Former state champion Tyler Carrel rejoins the mix after a two year absence. A main reason was a case of mononucleosis. Usually symptoms of mono last for one to four weeks, but even after three months, Carrel was still feeling its effects. Hopefully, we will see the beginning of renewed greatness.
The 15-foot barrier is usually a starting point in terms of attention-grabbing. A trio led by Mitchell McKelvey, Alan Lauterbach, and Kyle Mulhern have met such goals and will be seeking more in a crowded field. Lauterbach finished fifth in the state and was the most consistent of the bunch in terms of 14-foot clearances. Mulhern toppled the 15-foot mark on several occasions and that makes him a candidate to be a big boss.