Saturday is expected to be a high-flying day of track and field action at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center
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One of the premier indoor track and field events during the COVID-19 era is back and will be on Illinois soil at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track and Field Center (Gately). Previously, it was held in January 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky.
You won't have to wait long to see what arguably could be the boy's 1600m, section three. Among the entrants will be 2023 indoor star Ethan Hogan (Sr., Columbia), who clocked 4:08.82 en route to a fabulous mile performance at the New Balance Indoor Nationals. However, Hogan will have his hands full this time as he comes into the fray after recovering from an injury. Will Kozlowski (Sr., Chicago Lane), Jacob Barraza (Jr., Dekalb), and Dalton Lowery (Sr., Chicago Whitney Young) are sub-4:20 performers and already possess sharpened blades. We could see the winning time in the 4:15 range.
Keep your eyes on two guys in the 400m, and you can add one more if you like. Viper Track Club mates Jayon Morrow (Sr., Kankakee) and Deangelo Hughey (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour) will be the center of attention because they are the top returning long sprinters in the state. Hughley lit up the preseason with a still state-leading 48.77 mark. He is also the state leader in the 300m (34.45). Morrow built his resume throughout the years, and although he has yet to contest the long sprints, he should not be underestimated. Short sprint specialist Reece Curtis (Sr., St. Anne) has run 50.15 and will be hunting for the fastest quarter-mile of the season.
The 800m lists four runners under 2:00 and three under 2:02. That is their personal bests coming in, not this season- not yet, but a fast Gately oval can assist in getting the ball rolling. Van Schneider (So., Chatham-Glenwood) ran 2:00.95 in his last competition and will be among those chasing fast times. Connor Foley (Sr., Maine South), Jack Kleinschmit (Sr., Evanston), and Bodi Ward (Jr., Chicago Depaul Prep) are sub-2:00 performers.
The state's top returning discus thrower Maverick Ohle (Sr., Naperville Central), was considered average in the shot... before this indoor season. He had only thrown over 50 feet less than a handful of times throughout his career before 2024. So far he's eclipsed the mark four out of five times including a IL#6 55'6" and inching toward 60 feet. That special milestone could happen on Saturday.