800m-
2021 Best: Dan Watcke (Hinsdale (Central)) - 1:50.34
3A state champion: Watcke - 1:54.24
2A state champion: Brock Drengenberg (Dixon) 1:54.69
1A state champion: Eli Mojonnier (Bismarck-Henning-Rossville) 1:57.33
Top returners: Watcke, Ryan Schreiner (Sr., Wheaton North), Logan Veloz (Sr., East Moline [United]), Mojonnier, Brian Hiltebrand (Sr., Glenview [Glenbrook South]), Brett Wasick (Sr., Bolingbrook), Wilson Georges (Sr., Limestone), Byron Jones (Sr., Belleville East), Michael Polizzi (Jr., Chicago Taft), Jonah Fallon (Sr., Batavia), Grayden Rill (Jr., Oak Park Fenwick), Patrick Jamieson (Sr., New Trier), Emerson Fayman (Sr., Minooka)
Breakdown: The 3200 and 1600 provide open fields with several athletes in the discussion, but the 800 provides no such narrative entering 2022.
This event is squarely the territory of junior Daniel Watcke. Watcke won the 3A title to continue an undefeated season, which culminated with a 1:50.34 high school title at the 800 Jamboree. Watcke also brought the Red Devils home as 4x400 anchor and won his second state title in that event. Throughout the regular season, the 800 will be Watcke and then everyone else. The state meet may prove to be complicated for Watcke, who could stretch from the 400 all the way to the mile and participate in the 4x800 and 4x400 as well. Keep an eye on Watcke as Illinois' best national figure in the half-mile.
The gap back to the pack means there will definitely be breakout performances to watch for. As it stands preseason, the top returners from last season include Ryan Schreiner and Brian Hiltebrand, the returning 4th- and 5th- place finishers in 3A from 2021. Logan Veloz fell outside all-state last year but entered with one of the best qualifying times from the sectional round.
There is a strong cohort of returners in 2A as well, headlined by Grayden Rill and Wilson Georges. Georges may be a candidate to drop a serious time at some point this season--his 4:12.00 1600 so early in the season indicates he has speed ready to go. At 1A, defending champ Eli Mojonnier returns to defend his title.