Relays will be a major part of the 58th edition of the Prospect Wanner Knights Invitational
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Date: 5/1/2026
-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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Meet Program and outlook:
Did we mention that it is going to be cold on Friday evening at the Prospect Wanner Invite? That is nothing new, despite the expected cool climes. It is going to be another wonderful track and field meet.
The 4x800 will again be in the forefront-
Unlike the girls, the boys have a showcase meet penciled in for the last Friday of April or the first Friday of May every year. The Prospect Wanner Invite is the meet that highlights the 4x800 relay a month prior to the boys' state championship. The legendary coach Joe Newton brought his best quartet to Prospect High School for many years to prove one point: 'We have the best 4x8 in the state.' In 2000, the Dukes set the national record there, and the massive 7:34.10+ is still the meet record.
Ironically, the top time this season is held by York at 7:53.40. It is time for a list of teams to chase after that mark. The slumber is over. Downers Grove South and Naperville Central both ran sub-8:00 during the undercover season. Chicago Lane clocked 8:00.37. All three are stronger and could get under 7:50. The opening pace must be deliberately strong, and the supporting casts all must be ready to maintain the aggression needed.
Let's add in the home team Prospect who have won a number of Wanner titles. They should not be discounted. New Trier is young, but one of their coaches, Mike Stokes, used to be the head man at Prospect. He is a master at getting his guys up for the Wanner. Minooka and Rockford Christian are also expected to be in the mix. All in all, it is going to be a great event to watch.
The shot put will be the field event to watch-
Check out this cast:
Jordan Phelan (Sr., Lake Villa Lakes),
Joey Michelini (Sr., Roselle Lake Park), and
Dakota Edwards (Sr., Hillside Proviso West) all have eclipsed 60 feet this season. Shea Lewis (Sr., Prospect) is ready to join the trio. We could see a mark near 64' if the energy and conditions are ripe.
Other events to watch-
Top sprinter
Dylan Nemerovski of New Trier has him penciled in the 100 and 4x100 relay. The 200 is not certain, according to head coach Andy Schmitt. It will depend on the temperature late in the meet.
Opposing Nemerovski will be
Chase Cutler (Jr., Rockton Hononegah), who happens to possess the fastest 400 in the state. Cutler will be in the 100 and 400.
Edward Mason (Sr., Naperville Neuqua Valley) and possibly
Deandre Brown (Sr., Springfield) will add depth in the latter event. We could also see the emergence of
Miles Lyons (Sr., New Trier). He is a 47.xx transferred from Loyola Academy.
The last significant event could be the 1600m. It is loaded! Keep in mind that a good portion of the performers will be doubling back from the 4x800. This is an excellent opportunity to recreate a scenario for the state series. Here are the protagonists:
Conrad Saner (Jr., Downers Grove South),
Alexander Krieg (Sr., Palatine),
Gabriel Gronski (Jr., Hersey),
Charlie Calderone (Sr., Hoffman Estates Conant),
Quinn Anderson (Jr., Chicago Lane),
Jack Jennings (Jr., Palatine Fremd),
Samuel Assefa (Jr., Chicago Lane),
Tyler Gantt (Sr., Lyons), and
Amilo Rajandram (Jr., Chicago Whitney Young). Saner is the favorite after running 4:10.39 during the indoor season. Gronski's 4:13.01 occurred a week ago at the Distance Night In Palatine.
