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-- The Illinois "Power Weekend" has been adopted by this state over the years, primarily to welcome the end of the winter training blues and usher in the first true mass action of track and field. The 59th edition of the Proviso West Boys Indoor Invitational has been a signature event for many decades.
#1 Oak Park River Forest has won two of the last three titles. In order to win a third in four tries, they will need to go hard in the field events. The Huskies have the defending 3A state long jump champion, senior Kwabena Osei-Yeboah, who will match up against 2023 state champion Parrish Hartley Jr for the first time since last spring. It could be the field event of the evening.
Senior Lukas Brauc is back for OPRF in the pole vault and the heavy favorite, clearing 16'10" during the early portion of the indoor season.
#3 Chicago Kenwood is loaded to the gills with sprint talent. The Broncos will be represented from top to bottom. It will start with Hartley Jr and Armond Boulware (Sr.) in the 60m. Both are capable of breaking 7.00, which would be enough to secure vital points in the team title chase. Keep an eye on the 60HH, 400, and 4x200 relay, where Kenwood expects to gain big points.
It is still early in the 4x800 relay sweepstakes, but York, Chicago Lane, and Lyons have squads that can populate inside the top five rankings. The race to sub 8:10 will be up for grabs for all three units.
Staying with the distance events is the mile. Yes, Proviso West conducts the English version, which should be fast. Aidan Murphy (Sr., Wheaton North) is the favorite with a seed time of 4:20. He will challenge the sub 4:20 barrier.
The final event of the afternoon will be the showstopper and Kenwood will seek to break 3:30 for the first time this season.