Could Sterling Newman Catholic get their second state championship in three years?

By Michael Newman

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1A Boys in 2015 could give the critics a chance to cry out that there really needs to be a true team championship in Track & Field. There could be teams with a couple of individuals that will score the bulk of their team points. That is the case in 1A where schools have enrollments 512 students or smaller. So naturally, the teams are smaller.

The one team that could buck the trend is Sterling Newman who won the state championship in 2013. The Comets have a good combination of relays, sprints, and distances that could put them on top. Schools like Carthage Illini West and Tuscola have two great individuals that will score the bulk of their school’s points and possibly put their schools in the top three. Eureka has Brett Charlton who could push his team on top. He was a part of 37 of his team’s 42 points last year.

We did not mention Fithian Oakwood in the team preview. They have Jon Davis who is the defending champion in the 1600 and 3200. 20 points put a team in seventh place last season. That point total could put a school in the top five in 2015.

Here is a look at some of the teams that will be in contention this season. Teams are listed in alphabetical order.

Carthage Illini West

2014 Finish – 5^th 1A

Key Returnees – Jacob Sholl SR (Sprints), Blaze Murfin SR (Weights), Austin Curfman SR (Sprints), Carson McKee SO (Sprints), Jace Norman SO (Sprints).

Preview – In 2015, it won’t take a ton of points to win the team championship. In the case of Illini West, it could come down to just two athletes to score the bulk of the points. Jacob Sholl is one of the top sprinters in 1A. He is the defending champion in the 200 and finished 4^th in the 100. He has the top returning time in the 400 where he could be the favorite if he participates in it. Sholl will also be a part of a 400 Meter Relay team that could get a couple of points. Blaze Murfin should get points in both weight events. He has the best returning performance in the Discus. He could also score some big points in the Shot Put. Add the points from Sholl and Murfin and this team could end up with a state championship.

Chicago Leo Catholic

2014 Finish – 22^nd 1A

Key Returnees – David Frye JR (Sprints), Darias Oliver JR (High Jump), Latrell Giles SR (Jumps, Sprints), Sirlaurence King JR (Distance), Zurell Cook SR (Sprints), James Davis SR (Sprints), Tyler Goodwin SO (Sprints), Jamil Green JR (Sprints), Russell Lamb JR (Sprints), Harvey Moss JR (Sprints), Joshua Thomas SR (Sprints), Christopher Winters JR (Weights).

Preview – There are no real stars on this team. But there is a good quality sprint squad that could get the Lions into the top three. The 400 and 800 relays have the potential to place in the top three. David Frye is the key returnee for these relays. The 400 relay finished fifth a year ago and was DQ’d in the 800 Relay prelims. There cannot be any mistakes this season. Frye only ran 11.40 in the 100 last year. The Leo sprinters make a huge improvement between their sophomore and junior seasons. Frye could be in the mix in both the 100 and 200. Sirlaurence King finished 36^th last fall in the 1A state cross country meet. King could score points in the 3200 this spring. Darias Oliver was consistently clearing 6-2 last year in the High Jump. Look for improvement from him in that event.

Erie Prophetstown

2014 Finish – 6^th 1A

Key returnees – Dvaree Thompson SR (Sprints), Dylan Binion JR (Hurdles, Sprints), Grant Ames SR (High Jump, Sprints), Jared Cole SR (Pole Vault), Jack Bauer JR (Sprints), Seth Cameron JR (Sprints), Kody Wetzell SO (Sprints), Lucas White SR (Sprints).

Preview – Relays will be the key if Erie-Prophetstown wants to finish in the first three teams. Three runners are back from their third place 400 Meter Relay Team. The 800 Relay also finished third. Dvaree Thompson and Grant Ames will be the key parts of those teams. The 1600 relay finished third and returns two from that team. Dylan Binion qualified for state in both hurdle events but failed to make the finals. He has the potential to score points in both of those events.

Eureka

2014 Finish – 2^nd 1A

Key Returnees – Brett Charlton SR (Sprints), Lane Fowler SR (High Jump), Kyle Hardy SR (High Jump), Jarad Turpin JR (Jumps, Sprints), Luis Berardi SR (Mid-Distance), Travis Dietrich JR (Distance), Nic Erickson SR (Distance), Jake Miller JR (Sprints), Jaxon Riedke SR (Sprints), Lane Young JR (Distances).

Preview – Brett Charlton was the key to this team last year scoring 37 of the team’s 42 points that gave them a second place finish. The Hornets will need to count on Charlton again if they want to leave Charleston with another trophy. Charlton is the defending champion in the 100 as well as placing third in the 200. Charlton also has the second fastest returning time in the 400. If he decides to run that event, he could get some big points. Eureka won both the 400 and 800 relays last year. It could be tough for them to repeat. Charlton is the only returnee from the 400 relay. Lane Fowler could get the team some points in the High Jump. Jarad Turpin could be a surprise in the Triple Jump. Their 1600 relay ran 3:24 at the Dunlap Relays. With Charlton in there, that quartet could be in contention.

Sterling Newman

2014 Finish – 4^th 1A

Key Returnees – Brady Rude JR (Sprints, Jumps), Nolan McGinn SR (Sprints, Jumps), Reagan Todhunter SR (Hurdles, Sprints), Bryson Reyes SR (Distance), Drew Rosengren SR (Distance), Chris Ahlers SO (Distance), Quincy Coomes SR (Distance), Ethan Nash JR (Sprints), Aaron Scroggins SO (Sprints).

Preview – The Comets won the 2013 1A State Championship with strong relays. Sterling Newman will use the same formula to go after their second state championship in three years. Brady Rude and Nolan McGinn power an 800 Meter Relay team that placed sixth last season. They should be in the mix for the win. Their 400 Meter Relay could be tough also. Even though they finished 9^th in the 3200 relay at last year’s state meet, Newman Catholic could be tough returning three from that team led by Bryson Reyes. Brady Rude will be strong in the sprints and also the Long Jump. Nolan McGinn was all-state in the Triple Jump. He should finish in the top four in that event this season. McGinn could also be a surprise in the 200. Reagan Todhunter was all-state in the 110 Hurdles last season. He should score big points in that event. It would be a bonus if he scores points in the 300 Intermediate Hurdles.

Tuscola

2014 Finish – 3^rd 1A

Key Returnees – Eric Ponder SR (Distance), Stephen Gibson SR (Weights), Clayton Turner SR (Weights).

Preview – This team is small but could get a trophy from only three athletes scoring points. Eric Ponder will be in contention for both the 1600 and 3200. He should give his team some big points. Stephen Gibson finished second last year in the Shot Put and fourth in the Discus. He will be among the favorites in both events. Just like Ponder, he should give his team some big points. Clayton Turner finished ninth last year in the Shot Put. He could get his team some bonus points. They finished third a year ago, but they sprint help from graduated Broc Smith and John Evans. With this classification a little weaker than it was last year, the possibility is still there that Tuscola leaves Charleston with another state trophy.