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Date: April 9, 2022
Location: Belleville West HS; 11am
Quick info: It will be a little chilly with temps expected to be in the mid 50s. But the track should be hot with the amount of action from all fronts. Look for this to be one of the best meets of the season outside of the IHSA state series.
Live Results and Start Lists: https://liveresults.
1. Jalen Johnson (Sr., Aurora [Metea Valley])
Events: 110H, 100m, 300H, 200m
Outlook: One of the state's premier sprinters and hurdlers will be looking to keep his hot momentum from the indoor season rolling into the outdoors. Johnson made his outdoor season debut this past Tuesday at Plainfield North as he ran state leading times of 14.33 and 39.05 in the 110H and 300H events. Can the Illinois Top Times 60m and 200m Champion, remain undefeated on the season in the 200m here?
(Photo Credit: Tony Holler)
2. Tyler Colwell (Sr., Minooka)
Events: 4x100m, 4x200m, 200m
Outlook: This will mark the first major test that Colwell has had this season as he faces a stacked 200m field and will be depended on heavily in the relays. Minooka's 4x200m 'A' Team remains undefeated this season, the real question is how far under 1:30 can these guys go? Colwell ran consistent 22.4's during indoors this year for the 200m, but with facing the likes of Jalen Johnson will the top returner in the 200m from last year prove to the rest of the state that he is the top dog?
3. Gabe Czako (Sr., Lockport Twp)
Events: 4x100m, 110H, 300H, 4x400m
Outlook: The multi sport superstar will have his work cutout for him this weekend as he is scheduled to run 4 events. This will mark the outdoor debut for the Illinois Top Times 60H champion, who will face off against the man he defeated, Jalen Johnson. This should be a great matchup between the two, with the top 2 times in the state in each event happening here at Belleville.
4. Ryan Watts (Sr., Edwardsville)
Events: 3200m, 1600m
Outlook: Watts has been coming out of the gates swinging already dropping 4:19.02 and 9:13.15 already. After a season ending stress fracture last year, Watts has been on a vengeance tour as he has remained undefeated in individual events during the indoor season. This marks his first time EVER running the 3200m and 1600m double. How will he far in a strong distance field?
(Photo Credit: Tony Holler)
5. Dylan Gramley (Sr., Plainfield North)
Events: 4x100m, 100m, 200m
Outlook: After a breakout indoor season, we will see how Gramley fairs in the outdoor conditions. After a breakout performance at Top Times taking 2nd in the 60m, 1st in the 4x200m, and 4th in the 200m. Gramley is now an emerging name to watch in the state. He opened his outdoor campaign this past Tuesday at home running a great 4x1 for this point of the season in 42.59. Can that success translate into the open events?