1600m
2019 State Champion: Andrew O'Keefe (Granite City) 4:13.50
Key returners: Brett Gardner (Sr., Frankfort [Lincoln-Way East]), Josh Methner (Sr., Arlington Heights [Hersey]), Jared Kreis (Sr., New Lenox [Lincoln-Way Central]), Charlie Smith (Sr., Antioch), Ethan Kern (Sr., Elmhurst [York]), Ian Geisler (Sr., Huntley), Joey Kasch (Sr., Park Ridge [Maine South]), Erik Snell (Sr., Mt. Prospect [Prospect]), Guillermo Ibarra (Sr., Berwyn-Cicero [Morton]), Daniel Occhipinti (Sr., Maple Park [Kaneland]), Michael Moriarty (Sr., Elmhurst [York]), Jake Myers (Jr., Lake Zurich), Aidan King (Sr., St. Charles East), Jack Pifer (Sr., Edwardsville), Daniel Klysh (Sr., Elmhurst [York]),
Outlook: Last year's dominant state champion O'Keefe is off to college which supposedly leaves a void. However, that should be filled quickly as a fleet of returners are back. State runner-up Charlie Smith deserves the mention with a personal best of 4:15.47. While that time is solid, it is not the best. Brett Gardner and Ben Rosa lead the charge with marks of 4:11.44 and 4:12.86 respectively.
One would think that the state's overall best distance runner Josh Methner be placed in as the "X" factor. Why? In three seasons, Methner has been a lightly raced individual by state standards. Despite getting better over time (PR went from 4:26 to 4:13), he has never seriously attempted the event late in the season. That should change. It is certainly plausible that Methner will be going for the vaulted "distance triple crown" and put the final stamp on his great high school career. As well, we should expect to see a time under 4:08 this spring.
There has been some criticism of several top runners not attempting doubles in the state series. Jared Kreis is a name that has been mentioned in the past but after running 4:13.14+ (converted) from the Festival of Miles, things may change. Kreis is one of the most improved runners in the state over the past school year.