By Michael Newman, ILXCTF.com Editor

[email protected]

This was the toughest category to find just one outstanding athlete. There were so many great field event performances this season in this state.

John Meyer of Lockport Township will be one of the top athletes nationally in the Shot Put in 2018. The junior achieved the second longest throw ever in for an Illinois high school athlete when he threw 67-2 at the Lockport Sectional. He won his second straight state championship in that discipline as well as earning All-American honors by finishing fourth at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals. Meyer also finished second at the state meet in the Discus.

Injuries slowed down Cameron Ruiz of Lakes Community this season. It looked doubtful at the beginning of May that Ruiz would be able to defend his 3A titles in the Long and Triple Jump. He got hot just at the right time. He jumped a seasonal best of 23-7.5 in the state prelims which was good enough for a second-place finish. He saved his best for last as he set a new IHSA State Meet Record of 51-1 to win the Triple Jump.

Camron Donatlan of West Aurora in his second year of competing in the High Jump back up his sophomore season with his second straight state championship. The junior went undefeated this outdoor season with a 7-0 personal best in the state finals ending his season. He ends up ranked in the top 20 nationally.

The athlete that was not touched during the 2017 season in Illinois competition was Zachery Bradford of Bloomington. The 3A champion in the Pole Vault was almost perfect again this season. His sectional clearance 14-7 in adverse conditions got him second place. His main concern was just qualifying for state at that meet. He defended his state championship in a big way breaking Luke Winder’s state meet record clearing 17-4 in the finals. He also earned All-American honors twice finishing fourth at the New Balance Indoor Nationals and second at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals.

Bradford is our choice in this category. Meyer should break the Illinois all-time and state meet record in the Shot Put in 2018. Ruiz’s performance to set the state meet record in the Triple Jump was great. It was Bradford’s dominance in setting the state and all-time record as well as picking up two All-American places top s them all.

Congratulations to Zachery Bradford of Bloomington High School as the 2017 ILXCTF.com 3A Boys Field Events Athlete of the Year.