ILXCTF.com 2022 IHSA Boys Track & Field Previews - 1A Distances

By Michael Newman [email protected]

We have close to the same scenario that we had entering the 2021 Outdoor season. Some of the top 1A distance runners of the fall, such as Drew Rogers and Gavin Genisio, find themselves competing in Class 2A again this spring. 2021 State Champions in the distances Justin Mumford and Mathew Olech have graduated opening the door to a wide range of possibilities for the 2022 season.

The one runner that will stay in Class 1A is Ryder James. The senior from Paxton-Buckley-Loda had a great cross-country season during the fall by running 14:16 to claim the Class 1A title. James was all-state in Class 2A last spring in two events. He could be in the mix to win both of those races this fall.

Eli Mojonnier of Bismarck-Henning surprised some by winning the 800 Meter Run last June. He is back to defend that title. He should also be a factor in the 1600 Meter Run. Miles Sheppard of Hamilton-West Hancock could be a runner that steps into the spotlight and challenges James in the 3200 Meter Run and the 1600 Meter Run. Sheppard ended his fall cross-country campaign finishing third and could make that next step up in 2022.

Here is a look at the three individual distance events for Class 1A for the 2022 season.

3200 Meter Run

Notes – This is an event full of talented as we saw last fall in Peoria for the 1A finals. The top three finishers from last year have graduated. There are seven runners that were all-state in either 1A or 2A that will be factors in this event this spring. There are some newcomers that could also make their presence known.

Ryder James of Paxton-Buckley-Loda enters the season with the fastest returning time (9:22.97) after finishing fourth in the Class 2A State Finals last June. The success that he experienced last fall could drive him to bigger things especially in this event..

Miles Sheppard of Hamilton-West Hancock enters this track season with a 9:24.78 time just behind James. Sheppard has the highest returning placer from the Class 1A Finals in Charleston when he finished fourth. James and Sheppard are 15 seconds ahead of the rest of the returning runners in this distance. Daniel Winkelman of Harvest Christian Academy could be their chief competition. The junior finished fifth last June and did run 9:39.55 during the season. His 14:42 that he ran at Detweiller Park last November to finish fourth is another reason to keep an eye on him.

Akili Parekh of Latin School, Tommy Murray of Riverdale, and Kieran Subra of Lycee Francais de Chicago were all-state last spring and are capable of running sub 9:30 by the time we get to the state series. Mason Stoeger of Minonk Fieldcrest showed dramatic improvement last fall finishing seventh at state. It will be interesting to follow his progress this spring. Freshman Ben Gibson and his teammate Ryan Hardiman of Latin School helped their school win state last November. Either of these athletes could be all-state in May when all is said and done.

Brock Loftus of Amboy, Henry Laufenberg of Urbana University, Cannen Wolf of Liberty, and Landen Swiney of DuQuoin will be part of the process of who finish in the top nine. Isaac Teel of Pinckneyville did not run in this event last spring. He did have a breakout fall that included finishing fifth last November at state. If he chooses to race this event at state, this sophomore is someone that I would keep an eye on.

800 Meter Run

Notes – Eli Mojonnier of Bismarck-Hennig had to wait after winning his section to see if he would be crowned state champion last June since there were no prelim races in any event. Mojonnier is back and could be the big favorite in this event. His 1:56.44 best time of last year is more than a second ahead of the rest of the returning pack.

This distance could be a mystery with Thomas Harmon of Elmwood and Seth Hamerski of Bluford Webber the only other athletes back that were all-state. Isaac Jones of Astoria and Tyler Bickerman of Rushville-Industry finished in the top 12 and could play factors in this event. Ryan Hardiman of Latin School ran 1:59 last year and could be a surprise in this event if he decides to compete in it. Asa Smith and Noah Ludy of El Paso-Gridley, Reece Butcher of New Berlin, and Phoenix Firnhaber of Shelbyville are some of a talented group of half-milers that could jump into the spotlight when we get to May.

1600 Meter Run

Notes – This could be an interesting event with five all-state athletes leading the way. Latin School’s Ryan Hardiman and Akili Parekh both ran under 4:26 two days after their state races at Hope Academy. Hardiman finished third at state and also has the top returning time at 4:22.46. Ryder James of Paxton-Buckley-Loda started the season with the second fastest returning time at 4:24.21. James has already started the indoor season having run 4:19 in January in the 1 Mile Run. Big things could be ahead for the State Champion from this past fall.

There are three other athletes back that were all-state in 2021. Daniel Winkelman of Harvest Christian Academy and Mason Stoeger of Minonk Fieldcrest finished fifth and sixth and will be factors in this event again. Eli Mojonnier of Bismarck-Henning was pointing for this event last year. He finished ninth after winning the 800 last year. I think he could contend for the titles in both of these races.

Miles Sheppard of Hamilton-West Hancock will make his presence known in this event as well as Isaac Teel of Pinckneyville, Henry Laufenberg of Urbana University, Jack Hiller of Althoff Catholic, Beau Edwards of Arcola, and Thomas Harmon of Elmwood. Watch for Ethan Walsh of Rockford Christian, Noah Stout of Hamilton-West Hancock, and Logan Beckmeier of Arthur-Lovington to surprise some as this season progresses.