By Michael Newman

1 – Carthage Illini West

Notes – The Chargers may not have an individual state champion this season, but they do have the athletes that together could bring home a state championship even though they only finished 14^th last season. Connor Artman could be their big gun. He will be one of the favorites in the 300 Hurdles and could be a difference maker in the Long Jump. Jace Norman finished fourth last year in the High Jump and could be one of the favorites. Carson McKee is one to watch in both the 100 and 200 Meter Dash. Jacob Bryan could surprise people in the 1600 Meter Run.

2 – Shelbyville

Notes – The Rams don’t have the numbers but do have the quality to contend for a trophy. They finished 18^th last year. Ryan Skowronski could be their heavy hitter. He anchored their 3200 Relay squad that finished second in Charleston. He made the finals in the 800 last year but finished 11^th. He could be one of the favorites in that event. Tyler Pasley should also be part of their 3200 Relay. He could also get points in the 1600. Dillon Birch could be a factor in the front in both the Shot Put and Discus. Tyler Pullen could pick up points in the 110 Highs. It would also be a bonus for him to get points in the 300 Intermediates.

3 – New Berlin

Notes – Khalil Wassel played a big part of his team’s state championship last year with 36 of the team’s 46 total points. It might be a little tougher for the Pretzels to defend. The core of their 800 relay team that won the event title has graduated just leaving Wassel. He did win the 400 Meter Dash and finished second in both the 100 and 200. He should be a favorite in all three events again this spring. He was the anchorman for his team’s win in the 400 Relay. He could get help from Jacob Pearson who was part of their championship 800 quartet. They just need to find two other runners to get the baton to Wassel. Four wins gets them 40 points. That could be enough to get this school another team trophy.

4 – Elmhurst (IC Catholic Prep)

Notes – The Knights will be in the same situation as New Berlin relying on Jordan Rowell for the bulk of their points. IC scored 18 points to finish 17^th last year. Rowell finished second in the 400 and sixth in the 200. He failed to advance to the finals last year in the 100. He will be one of the favorites in all three of those events. He also anchored their 400 Relay to a fourth-place finish. Three of the quartet are back looking for the win. Luke Ricobene, who was also a part of the 400 Relay state team, could also get the Knights points in the 300 Hurdles.

5 – Warrensburg-Latham

Notes – The Cardinals tied for tenth in last year’s state finals. They are looking for a trophy in this campaign. Diondre Lewis could be one of the big reasons why. The junior finished fifth last year in the 100 Meter Dash and sixth in the 400 Meter Dash. He has one of the fastest returning times in both short sprint events and could score big points in both. His twin brother Dionte could also pick up points in the 100. The Lewis brothers are the only runners back from the 400 Relay that finished second at state. They have a good sophomore group back in the sprints that could help. It would be a bonus if Trevor Miller scores in the Shot Put.

6 – Elmwood-Brimfield

Notes – This perennial distance power could move into the top five with the help of other events. Jackson Harkness was fourth last year in the Shot Put and is the second returnee in the event. Watch for him to pick up big points in the Shot and place in the Discus. Hayden Goleman will be one of the favorites in the 300 Hurdles and could also get bonus points in the 110 Highs. Cooper Hoffmann had a good cross-country season and could score points in the 3200 Meter Run.

7 – Gibson-City-Melvin-Sibley

Notes – Nick Schultz should be one of the top athletes in 1A this season. He could boost the Falcons into trophy contention. They scored 29 points to finish fourth wo points away from getting a trophy. Schultz is the defending 1A champion in the Long Jump. He also is the top athlete back in the High Jump as well as finishing fourth in the Triple Jump. 30 points from him could push GCMS to big things. Sophomore Caleb Bleich could also make it to state in either the High Jump and the Long Jump. He could score in either of those events.

8 – Belleville Althoff Catholic

Notes – Jaylen Bester was all-state last fall in Football. He could pick up some all-state honors this spring as well as boosting his team into the top five. Bester finished sixth last season in the Triple Jump at state and will again be a factor in that event. He could be one of the favorites in the 100. He did not make to the finals last season. You could watch for big things from him in that event.

9 – Bismarck- Henning

Notes – If it is not Wassell, Schultz, or Rowell driving their team to a state trophy, it could be Blake Reifsteck that is doing it for the Blue Devils. He finished third in the 100 and fourth in the 200 at last year’s state meet. He also helped his team to all-state honors in the 400 and 800 relays. We have seen one individual at past state meets take their team to a trophy like we saw Wassell do. It could be Reifsteck’s turn.

10 – St. Joseph-Ogden

Notes – The Spartans finished 16^th last year and lost many of their top athletes due to graduation. Justin Phillips could be the big scorer for this team. He will be one of the favorites in the 1600 Meter Run. He could also score in the 3200 Meter Run. Wyatt Wolfersberger improved dramatically last fall during cross-country. He could also score in both of those events. Riley Baker could be among the top nine athletes in the 300 Hurdles.

11 – Decatur St. Teresa

Notes – Jason Duncan finished ninth in last year’s 100 final but does have one of the fastest returning times in the event. He is an athlete to keep an eye on. Jacardia Wright placed ninth as a freshman last year in the Long Jump. He could be a surprise his spring in the event. Jackson Stewart showed improvement last fall finishing 15^th in the 1A State Cross Country Meet. It would not surprise me if he scores in either the 3200 or 1600 this spring.

12 – Altamont

Notes – Mitchell Stevenson leads Altamont this spring. The junior could score points in both the 110 High and he 300 Intermediates. He could also qualify for the High Jump. Nate Brown also is a possibility of scoring points in the Discus.

13 – Newton

Notes – Joseph Stone should be the favorite in the 800 this spring in 1A after finishing second last year in the state finals. Nick Cartright could be someone to watch this spring in the Discus and maybe the Shot. He could pick up points for the Eagles. Keith King could also help in the High Jump.

14 – Vandalia

Notes – Curtis Gordon is the defending state champion in the Pole Vault and could be the best athlete in the event in the state regardless of classification. Gordon also finished third last spring in the 110 Highs and should be one of the favorites this May.

15 – Polo

Notes – AJ Christensen could be one of the athletes to watch for the Marcos. He could get the team points in both the 110 Highs and the 300 Intermediates. He could also be a help to the team’s sprint relays. You could also watch for Mason Wright to possibly get points in the Triple Jump.