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DS IL 2015 Season Preview – 1A Boys Sprints / HurdlesPublished by
Charlton headlines a deep 1A deep sprint field
By Michael Newman
Brett Charlton (Eureka HS) was part of 37 of his school’s 42 points as the Hornets finished second at last year’s state team finals. Charlton could have a different role this season as Eureka’s sprint squad was hit by graduation. With Charlton part of the relays, a young squad could still contend for relay championships that they won in the 400 and 800 relays.
There is a bevy of talent back in the sprints. Jacob Sholl (Illini West HS, Carthage) is the defending champion in the 200. He could also contend for the 400 if he decides to compete in that event. Andre McGill (Madison HS) and Brady Rude (Newman Catholic HS, Sterling) will also push for individual titles in the short sprints.
Here is a look at the three sprint events and two hurdle events. We will also look at the three sprint relays and some of the schools to keep an eye on in 2015.
100 Meter Dash
2014 State Top Returnee – Brett Charlton – SR – Eureka HS – 2014 1A State Champion
Preview – The finish of last year’s 100 at state was close. The top four finishers were within seven hundredths of a second of each other. Three of that top four are back. Brett Charlton continued his amazing state day with a win in that event. He was undefeated in finals races last year with a 10.73 PR at the Metamora Co-Ed Invitational in April. Andre McGill (Madison HS) had his best race of the year at the state meet when he finished third. You can again expect him up front. He has already started the indoor campaign running an IL #2 6.99 in the 60 Meter Dash. Jacob Sholl finished fourth last year just behind Charlton and McGill. He will be up front as well.
The sprints in 1A have talent that will make it interesting to watch in 2015. Jordan Rowell (IC Prep, Elmhurst) burst onto the scene last year as a freshman as he finished 6th in the 100. Brady Rude (Newman Catholic HS, Sterling) is following in his brother Nick’s footsteps and is developing into one of the better 1A’s sprinters. Rude finished seventh as a sophomore. He will look for a higher finish in 2015. Justin Goff (Wesclin HS, Trenton), Josh Parker (St. Thomas More HS, Champaign), and Devon Laubscher (Cissna Park HS) are three other athletes to keep an eye on in this upcoming season.
200 Meter Dash
2014 State Top Returnee – Jacob Sholl – Carthage Illini West HS – 2014 1A State Champion
Preview – Jacob Sholl controlled the state final race coming out of the turn easily winning by almost three tenths of a second ahead of Brady Rude. Both athletes are back. Out of the three sprint events, this could be Sholl’s best event. Brett Charlton finished fourth a year ago. He does return with the fastest returning time (21.90) in this event. The surprise of this event could be Jordan Rowell. He finished third a year ago. He is a year older and stronger. I could see him going under 22 seconds in 2015.
This event is open after these four. Aaron Harris (Lisle HS) is the only other state finalist back. Andre McGill ran 21.97 last year and will be a threat in this event. BJ Bailey (Reed-Custer HS) and Devon Laubscher are two other athletes that I would keep an eye on.
400 Meter Dash
2014 State Top Returnee – All of the 2014 finalists graduated
Preview – This is a wide open event. None of last year’s finalists are back. It leaves a lot of speculation when you look over the top returnees. Jacob Sholl did not run in this event at state last year. He does have the fastest returning time (49.90). His school could be in contention for a state championship. He could be in this event. Brett Charlton ran the two short sprints along with the 400 and 800 relays. He could run this event instead of the 800 relay. His seasonal best of 50.45 is almost a half second behind that of Sholl. I would not count Charlton out in this event.
Athletes that I could see emerging towards the front in this event for 2015 includes Aaron Harris, Michael Bennett (Dwight HS), Quinton Brown (Westmont HS), and Josh Kirby (Peoria Christian HS). With no state finalist returnees, do not be surprised to see someone off the radar stepping up towards the front.
110 Meter High Hurdles
2014 State Top Returnee – Josh Kirby – SR – Peoria Christian HS – 2nd 1A
Preview – Tommy Lovett emerged last year as tops in this event. The Seneca athlete won the state championship two tenths of a second ahead of Josh Kirby. Five state finalists are back this season led by Kirby. Nick Matthews (Cisne HS) has the fastest returning time (14.72). He finished third a year ago. Matthews is also a favorite in the two weight events. It would be a unique double/triple if he was victorious in this event and one of the two weight events.
Regan Todhunter (Newman Catholic HS, Sterling), Aaron Luesse (Unity HS, Tolono), and Joe Feemolu (Mooseheart HS) are the three other returning finalists. Dylan Binion (Erie-Prophetstown HS) ran under 15 seconds last year (14.98) and could be a threat in this event.
300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles
2014 State Top Returnee – Riley Drees – SR – Hillsboro HS – 9th 1A
Preview – Just like the 400, this is a wide open event. Riley Drees is the only finalist coming back. Cole Deming (Hillsboro HS) finished sixth and is also returning. He will, however, be competing in 2A this season. Drees and Andy Margason (Timothy Christian HS, Elmhurst) are the only two athletes back that ran under 40 seconds last year. I would keep an eye on those two.
Phillip Fox (Peoria Christian HS) is the next closest athlete that could challenge the above two. Nick Poff (St. Joseph-Ogden HS) and Jerry Ruddell (Rockridge HS, Taylor Ridge) are two other athletes also to watch.
4 x 100 Meter Relay
2014 State Champion – Eureka HS – 42.90
Preview – With 2014 champion Eureka only returning state 100 champion Brett Charlton and second place Aurora Christian graduated all of their quartet, there is a good probability that there will be a new school on top in 2015. Erie, Arcola, and Leo Catholic return three and would be the lead teams that I would watch. Staunton, Madison, Pana, and St. Joseph-Ogden are the other teams that could threaten for the win in Charleston.
4 x 200 Meter Relay
2014 State Champion – Eureka HS – 1:29.56
Preview – This could be a wide open relay event. Eureka does return two but the question will be if Brett Charlton will run another event instead of this one. Sterling Newman has the most talent back to contend for the relay championship led by Brady Rude and Nolan McGinn.
Elmhurst IC Prep, led by Jordan Rowell, could be a threat to win in this event. They return all four athletes from last year’s 8th place team. Madison and Taylor Ridge Rockridge could also be threats.
4 x 400 Meter Relay
2014 State Champion – Mooseheart HS – 3:24.48
Preview - This is another wide-open event. Eureka returns two from last year’s 4th place team. They could add Brett Charlton to this relay. Dwight, Tremont, and Elmwood-Brimfield would be teams to keep an eye on. Chicago Christian could be a surprise in this event.
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