High Jump-
2021 best: CJ Shoaf (Mahomet-Seymour) 7-0
2021 3A State Champion: Rob Pulliam (Sr., Moline) 6-9
2021 2A State Champion: Shoaf 7-0
2021 1A State Champion: Jadon Robertson (Sr., Cowden-Herrick) 6-6.25
Top returners: Pulliam, Robertson, Teegan Davis (Jr., Princeton), Mark Hellwig (Sr., Stevenson), Jonovan Findley (Jr., Normal West), Drew Hurelbrink (Sr., Meridian), Jadon Robertson (Sr., Cowden-Herrick), Matt Cless (Jr., Evanston), Beau Edwards (Sr., Arcola), Trenton Coulter (Sr., Mercer County), Karson Lewsader (Sr., Georgetown-Ridge Farm), Charlie Nolan (Jr., Normal West), Trevor Heffren (Sr., Eureka), Kacey Battle (Sr., Oswego East)
Breakdown: This event may be the most balanced as sometimes it's a matter of inches and centimeters that determine placements.
Things have changed quite a bit since Trevor Heffren's huge freshman moment. The former state champion was unseated by Covid-19 in '20 and when the smoke cleared a year later, it was CJ Shoaf ruling the jumping mats. We will see if he can get back on top.
Basketballer Rob Pulliam seemed to enjoy track and field in his first season and should be back shooting for the 7-foot barrier. It will be a crowded field this year as 8 of the 9 all-staters are back in 3A.
Class A may be the most interesting classification with nearly the entire finalist field returning and everyone jumping 6-feet. It's going to be a very good year across the board.