By Michael Newman, ILXCTF.com

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The team championship is wide-open. We did not expect New Berlin to capture the team title this season. Lightning could strike twice for this team as they are in the same position that they were at the same time last year.

Illini West has the pieces to capture the title along with Rockford Christian, Sterling Newman, and Forreston/Polo (COOP) to name a few.

Here is a look at some of the teams to watch in the 1A meet this weekend.

1A Teams to Watch

Carthage Illini West

1^st – Beardstown Sectional

Qualifiers – 9 Total (7 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – The Chargers had one of the top teams indoors. They will be one of the teams to beat this weekend. Connor Artman will be one of the go-to guys on this team. He will be one of the favorites in both hurdle races as well as the Long Jump. Artman should also be a part of Illini West’s 1600 Meter Relay team that could get bonus points if they advance from Thursday’s prelims. Jacob Bryan qualified in both the 800 and 1600 Meter. He could pick up points in both of those events. He could also be a part of a 3200 Meter Relay team that has the top 1A sectional time in the state. They could manage to get some big points there. Jace Norman will be part of a tough High Jump field but could pick up some big points. There is a possibility for this team to score between 42 to 50 points. That might be enough for a state championship.

New Berlin

4^th – Tuscola Sectional

Qualifiers – 6 Total (5 Individuals, 1 Relay)

Overview – New Berlin won the 1A team title last year off the legs of Kahlil Wassell. On his final hurrah on the big blue oval, lightning could strike twice for the Pretzels. The senior has not had a dream senior season with a foot injury slowing him down. It looks like he is a full speed based on his sectional performances. He will be one of the favorites in the 100, 200 and 400 Meter Dash. Wassell will be a part of their 400 Meter Relay that could challenge for a top five finish. It would be a bonus if Evan Gustafson in the 110 Hurdles and Jacob Pearson in the High Jump can pick up bonus points. This team needs everything to click to return to the awards stand at the end of Saturday.

Sterling Newman Catholic

1^st – Bureau Valley Sectional

Qualifiers – 8 Total (5 Individuals, 3 Relays)

Overview – One of the many 1A teams to walk away from Charleston with the team title. Easton Bianchi surprised some indoors with his 60 Meter Dash win. He has the fastest 1A times outdoors in the 100 and 200 Meter Dash even though they could be wind-aided. The junior has the top sectional time in the 100 and top five in the 200. He should pick up big points in both races. Bianchi should be the team’s anchor in the 400 and 800 Meter Relays. They could pick up bonus points in both of those races. Chris Ahlers leads a strong 3200 Meter Relay team that will challenge for he even championship. Ahlers could also pick up some big points in the 1600 Meter Run. The Comets could potentially score 40 or more points. That could put them at the head of the class by the end of Saturday.

Forreston/Polo (COOP)

1st – Oregon Sectional

Qualifiers – 10 Total (9 Individuals, 1 Relay)

Overview – A.J. Christensen could be the one athlete to push the Marcos into the top three this weekend. The junior has the fastest 1A times this spring in both hurdle events. He will be the favorite and could score 20 for his team. He will be part of a 1600 Meter Relay that could surprise other teams. Mason Wright has one of the top 1A marks in the Triple Jump and should pick up some big points. Hunter Daws could score in the 110 Highs. It would not surprise me if they are in the top five and maybe in the first three.

Warrensburg-Latham

1^st – St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional

Qualifiers – 10 Total (8 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – This squad could duplicate what the Girls team did last weekend when they placed second at this venue. Juniors Dionte and Diondre Lewis could push the Cardinals to a top three finish. Dionte has qualified and could score in all three events. His brother Diondre is in the 100 and 400. They could pick up points from him. Both will be in the 400 Meter Relay that will be one of the favorites in that event. Trevor Miller could also score in both the Shot Put and the Discus.

Rockford Christian

2^nd – Oregon Sectional

Qualifiers – 10 Total (6 Individuals, 4 Relays)

Overview – The Royal Lions have their athletes in the right spots to succeed and possibly bring back a trophy to Rockford. Riley Wells has one of the top sectional times in the 800 Meter Run and could pick up big points in that event. Wells will also be a part of their 3200 and 1600 Meter Relay teams. They are the defending state champions in the 3200 Relay and could score. Their 1600 Meter Relay has the talent to win. Quinn Halverson will be part of that relay as well as in the High Jump. His team will need points from him in that field event. It would be a bonus if Noah Fulcomer would make the 110 High Hurdles finals. Big points in the two above mentioned relays and possibly in the 800 Relay could get this team into the top three.

Tuscola

1^st – Tuscola Sectional

Qualifiers – 11 Total (10 Individuals, 1 Relay)

Overview – This team has the numbers to challenge for a top three finish in this meet and possibly a state championship. Josiah Lemay has a good chance to finish in the top five in the Pole Vault. Hunter Woodward could pick up double-digit points between the Shot Put and Discus. Joey Lopez could be a plus for his team as he could earn points in both the 400 Meter Dash and maybe the 100 Meter Dash. Their 1600 Meter Relay team is one of the best and could challenge for the win or a top three finish. It would be a bonus of Ray Kerkhoff picks up points in the 300 Hurdles.

DuQuoin

2^nd – DuQuoin Sectional

Qualifies – 7 Total (5 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – They have the quality points to find their way into the top five. Caleb Vogel has one of the top 1A marks in the High Jump and should be one of the favorites in the event. Devin Jones has one of the top 1A throws in the Discus. The senior should be the big favorite in the event. Shamar Adams qualifying for the 110 High Hurdles and one of their relays advancing to Saturday would be a big bonus for this school.

Bismarck-Henning

3^rd – St. Joseph-Ogden Sectional

Qualifiers – 7 Total (5 Individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – The 1A Meet sometimes comes down to the exploits of just one individual. It could be Blake Reifsteck for his team. He will be one of the favorites in both the 100 and 200 Meter Dash. He also anchors their 400 and 800 Meter teams that could also score big in this meet. Connor Watson qualified in three individual field events. It would be a bonus if he scored in one of them.

Madison

1^st – Carlinville Sectional

Qualifiers – 9 Total (6 Individuals, 3 Relays)

Overview – The winners of the Carlinville Sectional could be a surprise in the top five if they can have a safe preliminary round on Thursday. Eric Griffin will lead the 400 and 800 Meter Relay teams that could put up some big numbers in both events. Griffin could also score in the 100 and 200 Meter Dash. Dontez Pittman could be among the top five in the 300 Hurdles. He could pick up bonus points in the 110 High Hurdles. Pittman could push the 1600 Meter Relay into the Saturday finals.

Chicago Leo Catholic

3^rd – Leo Catholic Sectional

Qualifiers – 9 Total (8 Individuals, 1 Relay)

Overview – Even though they finished third in their own sectional, the Lions could find their way back into the five or maybe better. Michael Mays should be the key to their success getting points in the 100, 200, and 400 Meter Dash. Aamir Holmes could be a surprise in the Long Jump, High Jump, and the Triple Jump as well as Vidal Cargo in the High Jump. Points in the 800 Meter Relay would be a big plus.

Vandalia

2^nd – Altamont Sectional

Qualifiers – 6 Total (5 Individuals, 1 Relay)

Overview – The return of Curtis Gordon has helped the Vandals to be in the position to contend for a trophy. Gordon has the second-best Pole Vault mark in the state and will be the favorite on Saturday. Zach Steele has emerged in that event as well and could also score. Sophomore Trevor Smalls could be a surprise in both the Long Jump and the 100 Meter Dash.

Elmhurst IC Catholic Prep

2^nd – Seneca Sectional

Qualifiers – 6 Total (4 individuals, 2 Relays)

Overview – Most of the success for a 1A team is to have one athlete on fire in Charleston. The Knights could have that one athlete with Jordan Rowell. The senior has come on strong at the end of the year having the top sectional mark in the Long Jump. He qualified for the 100 and 400 Meter Dash in not so great conditions. I would expect him to be near the front in both of those races. IC did qualify their 400 Meter Relay with Rowell most likely the anchor. They will need points from that event. If Rowell has a great weekend, this team could find their way to the awards podium.