1600m-
2021 Best: Drew Rogers (Herscher) 4:06.58+
3A state champion: Jacob Myers (Lake Zurich) 4:10.63
2A state champion: Rogers 4:13.26 (2A Record)
1A state champion: Matthew Olech (Elgin [Harvest Christian Academy]) 4:21.59
Top returners: Rogers, Luke Wiley (Sr., Warren), Dan Watcke (Jr., Hinsdale Central), Spencer Werner (Sr., Loyola Academy), Wilson Georges (Sr., Limestone), Gavin Genisio (So., Benton), Tim Neumann (Jr., Downers Grove South), Alex Partlow (Sr., Carbondale), Nick Falk (Sr., New Trier), Ethan Summer (Sr., York), Brock Rice (Sr., Orland Park Sandburg), Zach Balzer (Jr., Minooka), Paul Proteau (Sr., Riverside-Brookfield), Roy Llewellyn (Sr., Downers Grove North), Riley Newport (Jr., Dekalb)
Breakdown: There are a number of runners who return under 4:15 this season, so seeing several sub-4:10 Illinois athletes by season's end is likely. Technically, the fastest 1600 returner in the state is Luke Wiley (4:10.95), but he clocked this time en route to losing to Spencer Werner at Magis Miles. Werner was 4:11.01 through 1600 but beat Wiley to the line 4:12.28 to 4:12.32. Werner is dangerous in this event for 2022, but Wiley has shown more health and consistency in the past calendar year and is returning from a huge win in the HOKA Mile.
The current state leader is Wilson Georges, third place from Magis Miles behind the first two and sporting a 4:12.00 from the Louisville Indoor Games. Georges is the best bet to take down Drew Rogers at the 2A level in the 1600. Rogers did manage a 4:13.26 at the 2A state meet, but he is not the class of the field like he is in the 3200.
The 2A 1600 is not a two-horse race, however--star sophomore Gavin Genisio is the fastest returner in the class of 2024 in the country. Genisio could drop a serious 1600 time throughout the season, and the state may be discussing him as the next great miler in Illinois if he comes out with a 1600 crown in 2A.