2020 ILXCTF.com Illinois Track & Field Previews - 1A Boys Teams

By Michael Newman

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Morrison enters this season as the team to beat in this classification. They missed a trophy last year by three points last year in Charleston. Their strength in the relays and the middle distances will put all of the focus on them.

Here is a look of some of the teams to keep an eye on in 2020.

Teams are listed in alphabetical order.

Argenta-Oreana

Preview – In a year where it could take near 30 points to finish on the podium, you then have to look at this team in which Makail Stanley could score all of their points. Stanley was all-state in all three sprint events in last year’s state meet. He will be one of the favorites in all three of those sprint disciplines. Three wins by Stanley puts them in the top five teams, maybe among the first three.

Bismarck-Henning

Preview – A team that could finish in the top five in Charleston. Gabe Martinez surprised some last spring when he finished fourth in the 1600 Meter Run. He should be one of the favorites in that event. Martinez has the fourth fastest returning time in the 800 Meter Run. If he chooses to run that double at state, he will be one of the favorites.

Chase Benjamin should be competitive in the 110 High Hurdles especially since the event is wide open this spring. Caleb Lahey finished sixth last year in the Shot Put. He could end up a state champion in this event. He could also place in the Discus.

Chicago (Leo Catholic)

Preview – The Tigers only scored 2.5 points to tie for 79th place in last year’s state meet. Leo Catholic should finish higher in Charleston this May. Dorian Woods and Tobias Sample both made it to state last year in the 100 Meter Dash but failed to make the finals. Both could be racing in that event in this year’s finals. All of their quartet are back from the 400 Meter Relay including Woods and Sample and could challenge for the relay title. Woods could also be a factor in the Long Jump.

DuQuoin

Preview – DuQuoin missed the state title by four points last year tying for second-place. They have the talent returning that could push the Indians to the top of the podium. Dasani Edward leads this team. He is the defending state champion in the Long Jump. He also finished third in the Triple Jump. Edward should be one of the favorites in both of those events.

Edward was part of the 400 Meter Relay that finished third and 800 Meter Relay that placed eighth. Edward and Ethan Zettler return from both of those squads and will be the nucleus in those two baton events.

Forreston

Preview – The Cardinals have the potential to challenge for a top five finish in Charleston. Bennett Soltow made it to the finals last year in the 110 High Hurdles. That event is wide open. Expect Soltow to challenge for a top five finish.

Jace Coffey finished second last year in the Discus. He has the top returning performance in that event. Coffey could also score in the Shot Put. Forreston has the tradition of having strong relays. There will be some rebuilding in all three sprint relays for the Cardinals. Don’t be surprised if all three advance back to the state meet.

Cayden Shelton is one of six returning runners in the 800 Meter Run that went under two-minutes. The junior could be a surprise this May in that two lap race.

Hume-Shiloh

Preview – Ramsey Hunt could push the Titans to a top five finish in the team standings. Hunt is the defending state champion in the Triple Jump. He finished sixth as well in the Long Jump. Watch for him to challenge for wins in both events. Hunt also cleared 6-3 in the High Jump in his junior season. He could also be a factor in that field event.

Michael Hawkins could be an athlete to keep an eye on in the 400 Meter Dash.

Morrison

Preview – Morrison caught the attention of a small fraction of fans when they won the 3200 Meter Relay with all four sophomores in that quartet. More focus flowed on this team last March when they won all three relays at the Illinois Top Times Championships. The Mustangs missed a trophy by three points last May when they finished fourth. They could leave Charleston at the end of May with a state championship.

They captured the 3200 Meter Relay for the second straight year and will look for a third title in May. The group also finished second in the 1600 Meter Relay in which they will be the favorites this season. Keegan Anderson is a key cog in their relay machine. A calf injury slowed him down in last year’s state meet as he finished eighth in the 400 Meter Dash. He has the fastest returning time in that event and should be one of the favorites.

Hunter Newman was a huge surprise last spring as he finished second as a sophomore in the 800 Meter Run. He will be one of the favorites in that event along with teammate Koby Brackemeyer in finished fifth in that state race. This team is deeper this season where some of the athletes could branch out to individual events. Scoring over 42 points makes them a state championship lock.

Salt Fork

Preview – The 2019 Class 1A State Champions lost some of the bulk of their points with Dawson Rogers and Caine Wilson graduating. The Storm could still have the athletes to challenge for a top five finish. Payton Taylor was all-state in both the Shot Put and the Discus a season ago. He will be one of the favorites in both of these weight events. Clayton Jarling could be a factor in the High Jump.