2. Minooka
10. Evanston
The narrative: Things have begun to heat up across the top classification, many top performances from early in the season have been gobbled up by these last season marks.
Neuqua Valley grabs the post-conference meet top spot. Nicolas Dovalovsky holds the state leading time in the 1600m (4:13.02) and is a premier threat in the 800m. Junior star Maxwell Mitchell showed he can do more by adding the 200m (21.87) to his already second fastest 400m performance. Those two athletes could potentially join forces in a relay or two to add to already high-ranked Wildcat relays, yes they can potentially score in all four.
Minooka moved up in the rankings their junior star Tyler Colwell dropped a 100m bomb (10.48), ran an awesome 3rd leg for the 4x100 (41.98), anchored the state-leading 4x200 (1:28.68), and won gold in the 200m. Add in potent 4x400 and 4x800m relays along with Vincent Van Eck, the Indians appear to be peaking at the right time.
Batavia remains in the mix, though they can roll out some individual heat with the likes of Anthony Bradley (200/400m), Jonah Fallon (400/800m), and Quintin Lowe (1600m) when sectionals roll around their strength may be in the relays, we shall see how the coaching staff approach things.
As long as Edwardsville has that bad man in Brandon Battle they have a shot. He is a triple crown threat and is ready to unleash on the state during his final state series, the Tiger relays will need to come up big, as well as a surprising athlete or two.
Normal West has been quiet since their breakout performances at #Smithstrong, look for Leslie Fisher and the boys to ramp it up as they represent central Illinois.
Homewood-Flossmoor is a team to watch as they appear to be rounding into form at the right time. Their 4x1 (41.91) dropped a state leading time, the 4x2 opened big eyes by laying flame to the track in an IL#2 performance in the 4x200 (1:28.81) WITHOUT ace sprinter Marshall Ellis. Ellis appears to be rounding into form as he recently dropped season best in the 100m (10.78) and 200m (21.98) at his conference meet. Jamar McMillian in the long jump (22-9) is showing late season promise as well.