Ben Crane will be looking to defend his 3200m crown and add another one in the 1600m (Laura Duffy photo)
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If we go by an eyeball test, this year's edition could be among the best during this century, which is 25 years in. Of course, how the weather plays out and the effort of the individuals and team will be paramount, and will be the deciding factor.
Date: 5/2/2025
-Meet Schedule-
4:30 Start Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, and Discus
4:30 Open 1600m - 4 sections -
4:45 Start High Jump and Pole Vault
5:00 3200m Run - Section 1 - Waterfall
5:15 4x800m Relay - Section 1 -
5:30 Frosh/Soph Medley (200-200-400-800) -- 3 Sections --
5:45 Hedstrom-Clements Wanner Knights' Invitational Service Award
5:55 4x800m relay introductions and run out
6:00 MileSplit / Coach Stogie 4x800m Relay -- Section 2 -.
6:15 4x100m Relay -- 3 Sections -- Yellow exchanges
6:25 3200m Run -- Section 2 --
6:40 110m High Hurdles -- 5 Sections --
6:55 100m Dash -- 6 Sections
7:10 800m Dash -- 3 Sections --
7:25 4x200m Relay -- 3 Sections --
7:40 400m Dash -- 6 Sections -- Yellow
7:55 300m Intermediate Hurdles -- 6 Sections --
8:15 Dick Pond Gauntlet 1600m Run -- 3 Sections --
8:35 200m Dash -- 6 Sections --
8:50 Rockin' 4x400m Relay -- 3 Sections -- 3 turn stagger -- Blue -- We will be rocking music for all three heats.
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MileSplit IL 4x800 Relay will set the tone-
This is the signature event of the meet and has, over the years, told a true story of what the state championship will look like. The meet record of 7:34.10 by York in 2000 appears safe, but if a team is bold enough to challenge it, it will be Chicago Payton. The Grizzlies ran 7:42 indoors and clocked 7:47.16 outdoors. They will need some help getting to the finish line and below 7:40. A loaded field, which includes defending champion Naperville Central, is fighting with a new unit. IIC champion Lakes and formidable strongholds Prospect, Hersey, Chicago Lane, and Downers Grove South are in the field.
Ben Crane is back for two shots at the dome-
He has nothing to prove other than running fast and rewriting meet history. "I'm running the 3200 and 1600, and I'm trying to run a fast 3200," said superstar senior Ben Crane of New Trier earlier in the week. Crane ran 8:49.02 at the Arcadia Invitational last month. This field is not nearly as potent in that one, so a solo effort will be in order for Crane. He will double back in the 1600, which features Max Sudrznski (Sr., Jacobs) and Jackson Summy (Sr., Lakes). Both runners will be there to push Crane or even overthrow him if he isn't ready.
Fast sprint relays on tap-
The 4x100 will feature Barrington, who surprised everyone with an early-season 41.80. New Trier has clocked 42.02, and they will be in the mix along with Jacobs. Eight of the nine teams have broken 43.00.
Jacobs' 4x200 ran 1:28.30 during the indoor season, which is one of the fastest ever in the state of Illinois. It will be interesting to see what they are capable of this time. One suspects that a 1:27 or even lower is possible. Barrington and possibly Proviso West could chase them in hot pursuit.
In the day's final event, a slew of mid-3:24-25 teams will be after the vaulted 3:20 mark. Batavia, Naperville Central, and Jacobs are the favorites.
The best of the rest-
100: Indoor 60m boss William Landwer (Sr., New Trier) is ready to strut his new signing with Penn State with a good performance. He has run 10.60 this season.
400: Nolan Lamoureux (Sr., Lockport) is the name to watch here. He should go under 48 seconds along with Chase Cutler (So., Hononegah).
800: Ethan Petrillo (Jr., St. Ignatius) ran 1:55.78 during the indoor season. Let's hope he can keep it going against a strong field.
200: Lamoureux and a few others like Mekhi Newman (Jr., Springfield) and Xavier Adeniyi (Jr., Lockport) will be chasing sub 22.00.
Shot put: Gavin Pecor (Jr., Batavia) ranks #5 in the state with 59'7.25"
Discus: Logan Farrell (Sr., Hersey) has connected on two separate 180'1" efforts this season. Let's see if he can improve on IL#3.
PV: Lukas Brauc (Sr., OPRF) has cleared 16'10" indoors; so far, he is undefeated this outdoor season.
LJ: The defending state champ Kwabena Osei-Yeboah (Sr., OPRF) has yet to hit his potential this season. The time is now!
TJ: Keep an eye on IL#7 Patrik Dortch (Sr., Lakes). He is ready to pop a big one!