2026 IHSA Track and Field Boys State: 3A Preview

100m

Marcellus Moore's state record of 10.31 has stood as the gold standard of Illinois sprinting, but it may not survive this weekend. Bennett Konkey of Geneva arrives as the favorite and the biggest threat to that mark, and his resume this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. The senior never even qualified for state a year ago, yet here he stands as the most dominant sprinter in Illinois, owning a blistering 10.25 PR that is not only the fastest in the state this season but sits well below Moore's longstanding record. Konkey has been untouchable in the 100m all year, going undefeated against every challenger who has lined up against him, and his 21.00 PR in the 200m makes him the frontrunner in that event as well, setting up what could be a historic weekend in Charleston. Still, this is far too talented a field to hand him the trophy before the gun fires. Manny Blake of Evanston has been on an absolute tear, bringing a 10.36 PR, the Illinois Top Times Championship, and an unblemished record in the month of May into the meet, making him one of the hottest sprinters in the state heading into the finals. Oreoluwa Sobodu of Dundee-Crown is equally dangerous, carrying a 10.44 PR and his own undefeated record in the 100m this season, a combination that would make him the favorite in almost any other year. Further down the heat sheet, Micah Pickett of Hoffman Estates brings a rare blend of speed and pedigree, having earned All-American honors in the 60m indoors at Adidas Indoor Nationals to go along with a 10.53 PR, while Nick Gast of Lake Zurich has made a massive leap from 12th in last year's prelims to a legitimate top five contender with a 10.50 PR this season. Daniel Robinson of Neuqua Valley also owns a 10.50 PR and returns with the benefit of experience after finishing 8th in 2025, and both Joe Owusu of Plainfield East and Justin Johnson of Evanston, who finished 5th and 6th respectively a year ago, bring proven state meet mettle as they look to climb even higher this time around. Then there is Dontrell Young of Oswego, the 4th place finisher from 2025, who is chasing something far greater than just a medal in this event. Armed with a 10.65 in the 100m, a 21.12 in the 200m, and a 47.76 in the 400m, Young has his sights locked on an extraordinarily rare Triple Crown across all three sprint events, a feat that would cement his legacy as one of the most versatile sprinters in IHSA history. The 100m will be his toughest test given the firepower above him, but if anyone has the range and competitive spirit to pull it off, it is Young. When the smoke clears on what promises to be an electric afternoon, Konkey looks like the man to beat and Moore's record looks more vulnerable than it has in years, but in a race this deep, with this much talent, nothing is written until the finish line.

200m

The boys' 200 is looking like an event to look out for this Saturday, with multiple medalists from last year running and many new faces, with some of the fastest athletes in the state competing. The co-favorite to win is Bennett Konkey of Geneva, who is also the heavy favorite in the 100, and with the season he has had, it is highly possible he pulls off the double. Also, Konkey has a PR somewhat close to the meet record, so if all goes well, he has a shot. However, his co-favorite is Dontrell Young of Oswego, who beat Konkey earlier in the season in good conditions, so he should not be counted out. Also, Young has speed in both the 100 and 400, so he has an upper hand here. Another athlete to look out for is Justin Johnson of Evanston, who placed 8th here last year but has had an amazing season, so he definitely can shoot for the win or a top place. Alongside Johnson is his teammate Manny Blake of Evanston, who also has some phenomenal times this season, so they could definitely score some big points for their team. Another athlete who is more of a 400/200 runner is Damir Harris of Normal West, with him running some amazing times in both events this season, and his first time running the 200 at state. A more experienced athlete is Prezadent Morgan of Harvey Thornton, who ran the 200 last year as a sophomore and has produced even quicker times this year, so he will definitely be one to look out for. An athlete who qualified last year but unfortunately got hurt and had to DNS is Oreoluwa Sobodu of Dundee-Crown who has put on a wonderful season with many amazing races and fast times against top competition. However, he got injured last year at state, so he didn't get to fully shine and will hopefully show up this Saturday. Lastly, Micah Pickett of Hoffman Estates, is a wonderful athlete who has put up some strong times this season and is definitely in a strong position to gain his first medal after missing state last year. This race is towards the end and will definitely be crucial for the team scores, while also creating an entertaining race to look out for.

400m

The boys' 400m dash is one of the most electrifying events in track and field, a perfect storm of raw sprinting speed and the grinding endurance of middle distance running, and this year's field at state promises to deliver exactly that kind of spectacle. With the top time in the state out of contention, the door has been blown wide open for a handful of athletes who are more than capable of seizing the moment. At the center of it all is Dontrell Young of Oswego, who has had a sensational season and enters as one of the co-favorites. Young has gone under 50 seconds in every open 400m race he has run this year, a remarkable display of consistency that signals he is ready to compete at the very highest level when it matters most. His co-favorite is Nathan Murray of Lemont, who built serious momentum during a strong indoor season and has continued to improve outdoors, posting a 47.29 that puts him among the genuine title contenders. Murray has shown the kind of steady progression that is dangerous come state time, and he arrives in Charleston with every reason to believe the gold medal is within reach. He beat Young at the Sectional and he will be looking to top him another week in a row. Henry Faber of Metea Valley is another name to watch closely, as the returning state qualifier experienced the heartbreak of missing finals a year ago and comes back hungry for his first medal, with this deep field providing the perfect stage for a breakout performance and a new personal best. Morquez Bulliner of Belleville West brings a different kind of credibility to the starting line, having earned all-state honors in the 200m last year, and his sprinter's pedigree combined with a 47.62 PR makes him a genuine scoring threat who could be vital in helping Belleville West chase a team trophy. Finally, Myles Lyons of New Trier cannot be overlooked, as the 3rd place finisher from last year's state meet has the experience, the competitive instincts, and the ceiling to not just medal again but potentially win the whole thing if he puts together the race of his life. From front to back, the boys' 400m is shaping up to be one of the premier events of the entire state meet, and it would be a shame to miss a single second of it.

800m

The 3A 800 is absolutely stacked this year, but one athlete still comes in as the heavy favorite for the title: Owen Horeni of Yorkville. Horeni has been on an absolute tear in this event all season long, taking third place at the Arcadia invite in April in 1:50.25, and going undefeated in every 800 he’s raced since then. He ran a slight PB and IL #1 of 1:50.18 at his sectional, and running sub-1:50 is absolutely a possibility at the state meet. If anyone’s going to challenge Horeni, it’s Ben Gorsage of Washington. The junior took third in this event last year, and has lowered his PB by three seconds since then to run IL #2 1:51.30. He took second to Horeni at the Moline Sectional, and their rematch on Saturday will be incredibly exciting. Orlando Sandoval of Berwyn-Cicero Morton will also be in the field. Sandoval lowered his 800 drastically this season, taking his 1:55 down to a 1:52.65 to take third overall at Distance Night in Palatine. In addition, Sandoval negatively split that race 57.07, 55.58, showing he absolutely has more to give in this event. Another athlete who’s exploded onto the scene this year is Glenbrook South’s Junior Lopez. He’s been having a spectacular senior season, and has lowered his open 800 by almost 20 whole seconds to run a solo 1:53.07 at his sectional meet. Last season, he ran a season’s best 2:12.6, splitting a 2:03 in a relay. It will be super exciting to see what he can run with great competition at state. Mateo Ramiro-Garcia of Orland Park Sandburg returns as last year’s fourth place finisher in 1:54.34. So far this season, he’s run 1:57.23, but expect to see him towards the front of the pack in this race. Two other all-state returners are Tinley Park Andrew’s Caden Wolfe and Antioch’s Carson Lanners. Wolfe took 6th in 2025, running a 1:54.89. He dropped this down to a 1:54.80 at the Lockport Bill Jackson Invitational, and will be ready for a strong showing on Saturday. Lanners snagged 9th place last year with a 1:55.59 run, and ran a half second off this time at sectionals. If he wants to repeat his all-state finish, he’ll need to have a big day.

1600m

The 1600 is another event that will have incredible depth on Saturday. The two co-favorites in this event are Phillip Cupial of Downers Grove North and Owen Horeni of Yorkville. The two have not faced off in the mile since Illinois Indoor Championships in March, where Cupial got the best of Horeni 4:08.04 - 4:09.17. They have both had phenomenal races in this event since then, with Cupial running 4:07 to win the WSC Silver Conference, and Horeni running milliseconds off his PB to capture the win at Distance Night in Palatine. Cupial will likely be ready for a win on Saturday after missing finals last year, and Horeni could be looking to take his second title of the day after the 800, which will make this race very interesting. Cupial’s teammate William Surratt will also be in this race. Surratt took 5th in 2025 with a 4:18.2. He will surely improve on this mark in finals, as he’s run 4:11.03 this season. He could very well contend for top three, and potentially higher. Plainfield North also brings two contenders into this race with Thomas Czerwinski and Aiden Connors. These two go back and forth all the time, and even though Czerwinski owns the faster PB of 4:10.63, Connors beat him at their sectional. They will both be running other events earlier in the day with Czerwinski in the 4x8 and Connors in the 3200, but expect them to place high in this field on Saturday. Jameson Tenopir of Cary-Grove placed 4th in the 1600 last year and has a season’s best of 4:15.41. Tenopir will only be contesting the mile this year, and could absolutely pass guys who are running multiple events on Saturday. Dylan Buturisis of Plainfield South and Bryce Counihan of Lincoln-Way Central will both be running the 1600 at state for the first time this weekend, and both have the opportunity to finish within the top 9 and go all-state. Buturisis lowered his PB by three seconds to run 4:13.81 to take fourth at Distance Night in Palatine, while Counihan ran 4:14.19 to take seventh overall. If they replicate these performances, they will very likely end up with all-state finishes.

3200m

The 3200 could be a wide open event, with a bunch of guys capable of taking the win. This event is split up throughout the day, with the slower seed times in section 1 running early in the morning, and the faster seeds in section 2 running after the 4x8s. Some of the biggest contenders in this event are divided between the sections, which could make for some interesting outcomes. Jamie Chandler of Deerfield comes in as one of the favorites with the fastest time this year in 8:58 from the Arcadia Invite in April, and he will be running out of section 2 in the morning. The Illinois Indoor Championships second-place finisher will be joined in this section by Alex Batsala of Plainfield South. Batsala set his PB at Distance Night in Palatine, running 9:05 to place 8th overall in that race. Another 9:05 performer running out of this section is Quinn Anderson of Lane Tech. Anderson was milliseconds behind Batsala at Distance Night, also running a 9:05 to take 9th. Finally, Brayden Kloeppel of O’Fallon will be joining the field in section 1. He placed 8th in this event last year and holds a PB of 9:16. Kloeppel has been having a great season in this event, winning all but one race, where he lost to one of the 2A favorites, Max Weber. Section 3 has just as stacked of a field, starting with another favorite in Jack Jennings of Fremd. Jennings is the only other athlete besides Chandler to dip under 9 minutes, running 8:59 at Distance Night to secure third place behind Phillip Cupial and Chaz Oberkfell. He will be joined by Plainfield North’s Aiden Connors, who will be doubling the 1600. Connors is another favorite, as he took the win at Illinois Indoor Championships, running 9:01 to do so. Sam Hill is another athlete that could be right up at the front of this race. He ran his PB of 9:02 at the Arcadia Invite, and took 6th at Distance Night in 9:04. He will only be contesting in the 3200 on Saturday, which could give him a slight advantage in this race. Similarly, Sam Assefa of Lane Tech is only competing in the 3200 on Saturday. Assefa has been having a great outdoor season, running 9:00 at Distance Night to earn 4th place. If this race gets out fast, he might have the chance to dip under 9 minutes for the first time. Finally, Alex Krieg of Palatine will be joining the mix in section 3. Krieg was 4th in the 3200 last year, and holds a PB of 9:02. He came pretty close to this time at Distance Night running 9:08, and he could absolutely be in contention for all-state on Saturday.

110mH

All indoor season, the hurdles were one of the most anticipated events at every meet, and coming into 3A states that anticipation is even higher. Four separate competitors have broken the Illinois all-time state record in 110mH, three of which being juniors. The fastest junior hurdler in the country is the top athlete coming into the meet, Daylin Donaldson of Belleville East with a time of 13.49! He’s had great progression all year as he broke both outdoor hurdle records and has gotten faster with each meet. Last outdoor season, he was the runner up at states to none other than Jayln Cole. Cole bested Donaldson’s time of 13.91 (+2.2) in one of the best finals of the meet. However, coming into this year's meet, Donaldson is looking to take Cole’s crown as he is the favorite for the title. However, Janardie Turner of Jefferson is right behind him as the IL#2 and US#13 hurdler just behind Donaldson with a blazing time of 13.50! Turner is one of the most versatile athletes in the state as in indoor season he was the best long jumper in the state and the second best hurdler. Turner was also the bronze medalist at states last year just behind Donaldson in a time of 13.94 (+2.2). He has yet to lose a single race in the hurdles and will be fighting to continue that streak come Saturday. However, Jayln Cole of Belleville West is still not out of the mix as his 13.56 is not far off Donaldson and Turner. Cole’s first loss came to Donaldson in the Bloomington Sectional, however he did beat him at the SWC and 3A State last year. This could be a factor come race day as it could have huge implications as Cole knows best what it takes to beat him. Cole is also the defending state champion and is coming in hot at the chance to best Donaldson to finish off his senior campaign. The last record breaker is Ben Schoettle, however he has done it indoor and outdoor. He beat the defending state champion at IIC this year where he had a massive PR of 7.73 in the 60mH to break the all time state record. His outdoor season has followed in the same tracks as his 110mH time of 13.68 is IL#4 and US#36. This huge PR came from his most recent meet at the Lake Park Sectional so he is peaking at the right time. If he can keep up this streak and beat Cole once more, he’s got a shot for gold. Jordan Harvey of Evanston looks to be another all-stater with his 14.03. Not far behind him is William Hardy of Champaign Centennial with a time of 14.11 who is looking to take the 6th spot. The 110mH hurdles have yet to be locked up by anyone and it could take another record-breaking time to become a champion.

300mH

The boys' 300m hurdles has the feel of a coronation waiting to happen, but the depth of this field ensures nothing will come easy. Daylin Donaldson of Belleville East is the man everyone is chasing, and for good reason. The senior owns the all-time state record of 36.46, has gone undefeated this season, and finished 2nd a year ago with what feels like unfinished business driving every stride. Barring something unforeseen, Donaldson looks like the favorite to finally claim that state title and cement his legacy as the greatest 300m hurdler in Illinois history. The most dangerous threat to that dream is Jamari Randolph of Bloomington, who owns a 36.57 PR that ranks 3rd all-time in Illinois history and has only been beaten once this season, by Donaldson himself. The fact that Randolph did not even qualify for state a year ago makes his emergence this spring one of the more remarkable stories in the entire meet, and if he can close the gap on Donaldson one more time, he has the time on the board to pull off an upset. Aiden Kolkmeyer of Yorkville enters with a 37.30 PR and his own undefeated record this season, giving him every reason to believe a podium finish is well within reach. Myles Ellis of Homewood Flossmoor brings a different kind of motivation, as the 2024 state runner-up missed last year's meet due to injury and returns to the track with two years of pent-up competitive fire and a 37.39 PR that shows he belongs in the medal conversation. Janardie Turner of Rockford Jefferson has been perfect this season as well, carrying a 37.77 PR and an undefeated record that suggests he is quietly one of the more dangerous athletes in the field. Anthony Lusciatti of Lincoln Way West missed last year's state meet due to injury but signals his return to full strength with a 37.99 PR and an eye-opening 46.0 split in the 400m at the SWSC conference meet, hinting that his fitness and raw speed are right where they need to be. Alex Carter of Normal West rounds out the contenders with a 37.87 PR, while Ray Black of Schaumburg returns with the experience of a 9th place finish in 2025 and a 38.86 PR, giving him a solid foundation to improve on that result. From top to bottom, this event is loaded, but all eyes will ultimately be on Donaldson as he chases history and a state title that has been a long time coming.

4x100m

The boys' 4x100m relay is shaping up to be one of the most wide open and fiercely contested events of the entire state meet, with six teams capable of standing on the top step of the podium when it is all said and done. Evanston enters as the team to beat, and their credentials are staggering. The same group of Emmanuel Roache, Manny Blake, Anthony Honore, and Justin Johnson that already owns the state record in the 4x200m brings a 41.03 PR into this race, the fastest in the field, and with Blake and Johnson both operating at an all-state level in the individual sprints, the ceiling for this relay is as high as any in recent state meet history. Homewood Flossmoor arrives as the defending state champions and refuse to be counted out despite the significant blow of likely being without injured sprinter Zion Morrison. The Flossmoor squad returns three legs from last year's State Championship relay in Myles Ellis, Joaquin Jordan, and Charles Dee Jr, and with Ceon Barnes Jr stepping into the lineup, they have the experience and the chemistry to defend their title if they run a clean race. Plainfield East is another team with serious unfinished business, as the 4th place finishers from 2025 bring back Joe Owusu, David Croom, and Nasir Robinson from last year's all-state relay, making them one of the most experienced units in the field. With Josiah Wilcox completing the foursome and both Owusu and Robinson running at an all-state level individually, Plainfield East has every piece in place for a podium breakthrough. Belleville East may be the most intriguing wildcard in the field, mixing the all-state hurdling brilliance of Daylin Donaldson with the all-state sprinting of Jaylen Dewalt, and rounding out the group with Jashawn Hardy and Qwilee Holmes to post a 41.36 PR that puts them firmly in the title conversation. Glenbard West brings a similar blend of talent with a 41.38 PR, leaning on the all-state sprinting of Jordan Ademuyiwa and the all-state hurdling credentials of Benjamin Schoettle, joined by Chase Martin Scott and Owen Ashmore to form a relay that is dangerous from start to finish. New Trier rounds out the contenders at the same 41.38 PR, with Dylan Nemerovski serving as the lone returner from last year's 8th place squad and stepping into a leadership role alongside Myles Lyons, James Markul, and Gio Borlo. If Nemerovski can anchor the kind of individual brilliance he has shown all season and the new pieces around him click, New Trier is more than capable of making a run at the podium. From the opening exchange to the final straightaway, this relay is going to be an absolute sprint for glory, and with this much talent packed into one race, expect the unexpected.

4x200m

The boys' 4x200m relay is headlined by a team chasing redemption and a record that already belongs to them. Evanston enters as the overwhelming favorite, and the case for them is almost impossible to argue against. The same core of Emmanuel Roache, Manny Blake, Anthony Honore, and Justin Johnson that owns the all-time state record of 1:24.94 comes in undefeated this season and hungry after a devastating DNF in last year's final, a race they had run 1:26.90 in the prelims. With Blake and Johnson both operating at an all-state level in the individual sprints and the full squad returning with a chip on their shoulder, Evanston is not just the favorite, they are the team everyone else is trying to figure out how to beat. Homewood Flossmoor is the most credible threat to dethrone them, having finished 2nd in 2025 and posting a 1:26.00 at the Texas Relays with Charles Dee Jr, Jackson Wingba, Kameron Jones, and Myles Ellis, a time that puts them in a different tier than the rest of the challengers. The likely absence of Zion Morrison due to injury complicates things, and with Kameron Jones, Ayden Carmichael, Charles Dee Jr, and Joaquin Jordan expected to carry the load, the question is whether they can replicate that Texas Relays form without their full complement of talent. They are undefeated on Illinois soil this year, however, and should not be taken lightly for a single second. Chatham Glenwood has been one of the more impressive stories of the outdoor season, entering the meet undefeated in the 4x200m with a 1:27.28 PR and a lineup anchored by all-state level sprinter Colton Ladage alongside Cruz Evans, Blake Lehnen, and Larry Wills. If they run their race cleanly, a top three finish is very much on the table. New Trier brings intrigue of a different kind, having run 1:27.52 at sectionals with James Markul, Gio Borlo, William Hanahan, and Dylan Nemerovski, but the key question surrounding their bid for a podium finish is whether Myles Lyons, the returning all-state 400m runner who ran on the relay that posted that 1:27, will be in the lineup come finals. With Nemerovski's all-state sprinting ability already in the mix, adding Lyons could be the difference between a top five finish and a medal. Champaign Centennial is another team capable of cracking the top three on the right day, with Josue Mukoka, Escko Law, Leke Owojori, and Precieux Tshibanda combining for a 1:27.54 PR that keeps them firmly in the conversation. Belleville West brings a fascinating blend of multi-event talent to the track, pairing all-state hurdler Jalyn Cole with all-state long jumper TJ Cason alongside Kameron Austin and Antonio White, and their 1:27.67 PR suggests they have the raw ability to make some noise. Naperville Central is a team worth watching closely as well, having run 1:27.87 at sectionals with Connor Marvin, James Vent, Vince Barcelona, and Eron Kennedy, but the most interesting development surrounding their relay is the potential inclusion of Kyle Clark in the finals. The all-state level 400m runner who has gone 21.72 in the open 200m this season could give Naperville Central a significant boost if they make it through prelims and choose to deploy him. St. Laurence arrives as something of a wild card, having struggled to find their best form outdoors despite winning the Illinois Indoor Championships earlier this year, and Matthew Williams, Joey Philip, Isaiah Little, and Jacob Diaz will need to rediscover that indoor magic to contend. Finally, Plainfield East is a team flying a bit under the radar despite their pedigree, having finished 2nd at the Illinois Indoor Championships and posting a 1:27.98 in their varsity indoor appearance this season with Nasir Robinson, Joe Owusu, Josiah Wilcox, and David Croom. They have been running this outdoor season with Kaleb Hancock being the 4th athlete in this relay. The biggest development for their relay heading into this week is the expected addition of Nasir Robinson, who owns a 21.3 PR in the open 200m this season and could give Plainfield East the kind of upgrade that turns a dark horse into a genuine podium threat. From top to bottom, this event is stacked, but if Evanston runs anywhere close to their ceiling, they look poised to add a state title to the record they already own.

4x400m

The boys' 4x400m relay is set up to be one of the most gripping team battles of the entire state meet, with three squads capable of winning it outright and a handful of others capable of crashing the podium if the favorites stumble. Lockport enters as the team to beat, arriving with a 3:18.28 PR and three-fourths of the relay that finished runner-up a year ago in Fope Omisore, Xavier Adeniyi, and Michael Nicholson. That returning core knows exactly what it feels like to stand one step below the top, and with Jack Mertens completing the lineup, they have the experience, the hunger, and the fastest PR in the field to finally claim that state title that slipped away in 2025. Lincoln-Way West is riding a wave of momentum heading into Charleston, having beaten Normal Community West at sectionals and bringing a 3:18.99 PR to the line. The anchor of their relay is all-state level 300m hurdler Anthony Lusciatti, who announced his fitness to the entire state with a sizzling 46.0 split at conference, and the addition of all-state level 800m runner Hunter Spee alongside Zaven Johnson and Caleb Terdic gives them a beautifully balanced lineup that can hurt teams at every stage of the race. Normal Community West is the third team with a legitimate claim to the title, and their story is one of the more compelling in the field. The squad was disqualified in this event at last year's state meet, a gut punch that has clearly fueled an outstanding outdoor season. Isaiah Willis, Cade Gonzalez, and Damir Harris all return from that relay looking for redemption, and the addition of Alex Carter, who is operating at an all-state level in the 300m hurdles, gives them a weapon that most 4x400m lineups simply cannot match. Naperville Central brings perhaps the deepest individual talent of any relay in the field, pairing all-state level 400m runner Kyle Clark with all-state level 800m runner Lukas Probst alongside Chad Earl and Vince Barcelona, a combination that gives them the ability to make a move at virtually any point in the race. Their 3:19.46 PR undersells what this group is capable of on a big day, and they should be squarely in the medal conversation. Hinsdale Central and Naperville North round out a field that has genuine depth from top to bottom, with Hinsdale's Braden Tingler, Sammy Mourad, Rohin Mendi, and George Zilliox posting a 3:19.60 PR that keeps them firmly in contention for a top five finish, and Naperville North's Andrew Hebron, Jude Knechtel, Charlie Minott, and Jayke Collins doing the same with a 3:19.74 PR. In a race this tight and this loaded, every exchange, every position battle, and every kick down the final straightaway will matter, and the team that executes cleanest under pressure will be the one cutting down the nets at the end of the day.

4x800m

The 4x8 is one of the deepest events in Illinois this year, making this race one of the most exciting of the weekend. Downers Grove North are the two-time defending state champions in this event. Last year, they ran the state meet record of 7:36, and they return two strong legs from that relay in Phillip Cupial and William Surratt. They have yet to fully load a relay this outdoor season, but they did run a strong 7:49 to dominate the DGS Mustang relays during the indoor season. With the emerging runners, Tyler Lynch Goff and Dylan Wood, serving as quality replacements for the graduated members of their state record holding team, this team is ready to defend their state title. Downers Grove South is also going to be contending for a podium finish here. They currently hold IL #5 in 7:48 from the Wanner Invite. They have a stud on the anchor leg in Conrad Saner, who has run 1:53 low in the open 800 this season. Saner has elected to opt out of the open 1600, where he was a top 3 contender, so he will be putting all of his eggs in the 4x8’s basket. This means that DGS is ready to put it all on the line for a state title, which would make for an epic race between the two Downers Grove schools. The top three times in Illinois so far have all come out of one sectional: Moline. Minooka took the win in this race with a 7:45 over Plainfield North and Moline, who ran 7:46.49 and 7:46.98 respectively. Moline is a team to keep your eye on, as they’ve run well all season with almost no competition. The sectional meet was the first time they had someone to race against, and it led the the IL #3 time this season. With the entire state in the field, they should be elevated to a new level. Minooka ran 8:05 during the indoor season, and had a season best of 8:03, so you can imagine how shocking their 7:45 was to the rest of their 3A competitors. Their recent spike in performance could be signs of momentum that will lead into a great finish at state. Hersey is another team that’s dipped under 7:50 this season. They ran 7:49 to take third place at the Wanner Invite behind DGS and Lane Tech, and are looking to make finals on Saturday. Hersey has returning all-stater Mateus Salomao on anchor leg, who will only be running the 4x8 as he missed out on qualifying in the open 800. With him running fresh, there’s a lot of potential for greatness from this Hersey team. Another team in the mix will be Lincoln-Way Central. They took second in the 4x8 last year, but only return Bryce Counihan from that relay. That being said, Cian Scanlon and Mekhi Wright have both improved beyond recognition, which will help this LWC team move towards the top of the podium. The final team to keep your eyes on is Normal Community. NC is returning from last year’s 4x8 podium, but they graduated 3 seniors from that team. In a wild turn of events, they have reloaded into a 7:49 season best, with AJ Ince and Luke Eganhouse spearheading the relay. Ince split a 1:53 for NC last season, and Eganhouse has split a 1:55 so far, so this team might even have more in the tank. Either way, they should be able to get back into the top 9 this year. 

Shot Put

The top athletes in Illinois for Shot have put up some of the top marks in the nation this season, so if the state goes well, this could be a very competitive event. The athlete with the highest seed and the #2 mark this season is Logan Abrams of Cary Grove, who threw 20.15m at sectionals and placed 5th here last year, so he can definitely win it if all goes right. However, Patrick Peterson of Dunlap has the #1 mark in the state this season with a massive throw of 20.6m, but he hasn't shown the best consistency in the event but has shown he has the ability to let it rip. Another returner is Gavin Stukenberg of Edwardsville, who unfortunately missed out on finals last year by 1 spot but has a very high mark this season and can definitely place in the top three. Also, Jordan Phelan of Lakes is one to look out for with his strong indoor season and a lot of consistency throughout the outdoor season. Joseph Michillini of Lake Park is another athlete who just barely missed out on finals last year but has shown tremendous growth and is now a top contender for a medal. Tyson Hill of Machesney Park Harlem is another returner from last year's finals, where he missed a medal and placed 12th, but this year he is looking like a top contender for the top 5 and can definitely sneak up some places. Lastly, Dakota Edwards of Proviso West, who will be making his first appearance at a state meet with a breakout season and many big pr’s, so hopefully he can claim his first medal. Although many of these athletes will be doubling in discus and Shot put, this is still very important, and a new state champ will be crowned.

Discus

The boys' discus throw is headlined by one of the most fascinating storylines of the entire state meet, centered on a sophomore who is already throwing like a seasoned veteran. Patrick Peterson of Dunlap is nothing short of remarkable for his age, owning a 195'8" PR and having cleared the 190-foot mark on three separate occasions this season, a level of consistency that very few throwers at any class achieve in their entire high school career. He has lost just once all year and enters Charleston as one of the co-favorites with the kind of upside that should make every competitor in this circle nervous. Standing directly across from him in the co-favorite conversation is Logan Abrams of Cary Grove, who has been absolutely dominant this spring, going undefeated in the discus all season and posting a 190'5" PR that places him right in Peterson's territory. Abrams has the added motivation of a 7th place finish at last year's state meet, and everything about his trajectory this season suggests he has been building toward this exact moment. Shane Box of Collinsville has been one of the steadiest throwers in the state all spring, and his 183'8" PR puts him in a strong position to challenge for a top three finish if Peterson and Abrams have an off day. Shea Lewis of Prospect and Ben Blank of Naperville Central each own identical 179'1" PRs, with Lewis having the look of a thrower capable of a big performance on the right day and Blank carrying the ceiling for a massive throw despite some inconsistency of late. Judah Van Engen of Andrew has been finding his form at exactly the right time of the season, and his 177'6" PR combined with recent consistency makes him another legitimate top three contender. Francis Sessenou of East Moline United and Rodrigo Gonzalez of Lake Park round out the field as experienced state meet performers, with Sessenou returning after a 6th place finish in 2025 and Gonzalez looking to improve on his 8th place showing from a year ago. All eyes, however, will ultimately land on that discus circle when Peterson steps in, because watching a sophomore throw 190 feet at the state meet is the kind of thing you remember for a very long time.

High Jump

The boys' high jump may be the single most unique team storyline of the entire state meet, as Chatham Glenwood arrives with not one but two legitimate state title contenders who have spent the entire season pushing each other to extraordinary heights. McKenzie Doe III is the slight favorite of the pair, owning a 6'11.75" PR that makes him the top jumper in the field on paper, having cleared 6'8" or better on ten separate occasions this season, and carrying the motivation of a 2nd place finish from 2025 that has clearly driven everything he has done this spring. His teammate Larry Wills is every bit as dangerous, posting a 6'10.75" PR and clearing 6'8" four times this year, and the fact that he holds a 4-3 head-to-head edge over Doe outdoors this season is a testament to just how competitive and unpredictable their rivalry has become. When these two share a pit at state, the bar is going up, and the only question is who stops jumping first. Jaden Jean Paul of Evanston is the most credible threat from outside of Glenwood, owning a 6'10.25" PR and two clearances above 6'8" this season that confirm he belongs in the title conversation on any given day. JJ Lewandowski of Champaign Centennial brings a different kind of credential to the competition, arriving undefeated in the high jump this season and as the Illinois Top Times Indoor Champion with a 6'9.5" PR that makes him a serious podium contender. Daniel Jaquez of Lemont owns a 6'8.75" PR and has the ability to crack the top five if the bar keeps climbing and he stays clean through the early rounds. Nathan Botanga of Lincoln Way East returns with the benefit of an 8th place finish from 2025 and a 6'7.75" PR that gives him a solid foundation to improve on that result. Malik Griffee of Oak Park-River Forest and Nicholas Roskilly of West Chicago round out a group of experienced state meet performers, with Griffee coming off a 6th place finish and Roskilly a 5th place finish in 2025, while Otis Powell of Willowbrook and Devyon Hill-Lomax of Edwardsville, who finished 7th and 9th respectively a year ago, add even more depth to what is shaping up as an exceptionally competitive field. When the bar gets to 6'8" and above, however, this competition belongs to Glenwood, and watching Doe and Wills go head to head on the state's biggest stage is reason enough alone to find your way to the high jump pit.

Pole Vault

The boys' pole vault is shaping up as a battle between a jumper chasing redemption and one seeking to cap an unbeaten season, with a deep enough supporting cast to make every height genuinely interesting. Will Mercure of Lakes enters as the favorite, and the pedigree behind that label is well earned. The junior owns a 16'5.50" PR, won the Illinois Indoor Championships earlier this year, and comes from a Lakes program with a rich tradition of producing elite vaulters at the state meet. After finishing 6th in 2025, Mercure has spent the entire year proving that result was nowhere close to his ceiling, and this weekend represents his clearest opportunity yet to announce himself as the best vaulter in Illinois. Parker Owens of Edwardsville is the most compelling challenger, arriving undefeated in the outdoor season with a 16'0" seasonal best and seven clearances above 15 feet this year, a volume of big vaults that speaks to his consistency and reliability under pressure. Owens already has a 3rd place finish from 2025 on his resume and has the look of a vaulter who has been building toward a title run all season. Hayden Dahlin of Barrington is another name that commands respect, having finished 4th a year ago and carrying a 15'9" PR into the competition alongside the distinction of being one of the few athletes in the field to have beaten Jack Kruger head to head this season. Kruger of Prospect has otherwise been excellent all spring, owning a 15'7" PR and improving dramatically on his 9th place finish from 2025, and with only Dahlin having gotten the better of him this year, he arrives as a genuine top five threat. Cooper Bowman of Minooka rounds out the top tier of contenders, having vaulted over 15 feet five times this year and clearly hitting his best form at exactly the right moment, giving him every reason to believe he can improve on last year's 5th place finish and climb onto the podium. When the bar gets to 16 feet and above, this competition is Mercure's to lose, but in pole vault nothing is ever settled until the last attempt is called.

Long Jump

The boys' long jump carries one of the most intriguing layers of any field event at this year's state meet, blending a dominant favorite, a defending champion capable of magic, and a cast of contenders deep enough to make every round matter. Daniel Robinson of Neuqua Valley is the clear man to beat, and his season has been nothing short of sensational. The Neuqua Valley sprinter owns a 24'9.75" PR, has been undefeated since February 28th, and has been consistently clearing 23 feet throughout the outdoor season, a combination of distance and reliability that puts him in a tier above the rest of the field on paper. After finishing 8th in 2025, Robinson has transformed himself into the favorite, and this weekend is his opportunity to put an exclamation point on a remarkable turnaround. Anthony Edison Jr. of Homewood Flossmoor is his most dangerous challenger, having gone undefeated on Illinois soil during the outdoor season and cleared 23 feet five times this year to go along with a 23'10.5" PR that keeps him firmly in the title conversation. Larry Wills of Chatham Glenwood adds yet another dimension to what is already shaping up as a remarkable state meet weekend for him, as the Illinois Top Times Champion brings a 23'9.5" PR and seven jumps over 23 feet this season into the pit alongside his high jump duties. After finishing 6th in 2025, Wills has clearly elevated every aspect of his game this spring. TJ Cason of Belleville West announced himself as a major factor in this event by jumping 23'9" in his very first meet of the season, and while he has been chasing that opening mark ever since, the fact that he opened with a jump that good speaks to the kind of raw ability that can produce something special on a big stage. His teammate Braden Missey carries perhaps the most compelling comeback story in the field, having finished 3rd at last year's state meet and placed 10th at Nike Outdoor Nationals before missing the majority of this season with a stress reaction. A healthy Missey returning to the runway is not only enormous for Belleville West's team trophy hopes but is a genuine podium threat if he is anywhere close to the form that made him one of the best jumpers in the country a year ago. Aarien Lee of Palos Heights Shepherd has been quietly putting together a strong season with a 23'7.25" PR and four jumps over 23 feet, making him a legitimate top three contender if he puts together a career round. Then there is Zoelen Terry of Metea Valley, the defending state champion who won last year in shocking fashion and arrives with the quiet confidence of someone who has already done the impossible once. The question hanging over this pit all weekend is whether Terry can reach back and find that magic again against a field that is deeper and faster than the one he conquered in 2025. Taras Kilchytskyi of Buffalo Grove, the 4th place finisher from a year ago, rounds out a field loaded with state meet experience and the kind of competitive hunger that makes every single jump worth watching. From the opening round to the final attempt, this pit is going to be electric.

Triple Jump

The boys' triple jump is one of the deepest and most evenly matched field events of the entire state meet, with five athletes capable of jumping 47 feet and a sixth who has been flawless all season. Homewood-Flossmoor arrives as the team to watch, sending two of the top jumpers in the state down the runway in Anthony Edison Jr. and Will Bundy, a one-two punch that could deliver the program a podium sweep if both athletes are at their best. Edison enters as the slight favorite, owning a 47'10.5" PR and clearing 46 feet seven times this year while riding a scorching hot stretch of form heading into Charleston. Bundy has been right behind him nearly every step of the way, matching Edison's seven jumps over 46 feet with a 47'7.5" PR of his own, finishing 2nd to his teammate in most of their recent matchups with the notable exception of sectionals, and returning with the experience of an 8th place finish from 2025 fueling his desire to climb much higher this weekend. Nicholas Jafilan of Richards matches Edison's 47'10.5" PR exactly and has cleared 46 feet six times this year, making him just as dangerous as anyone in the field and a genuine co-favorite for the state title. Pierre Dennis of Thornton Fractional South adds even more firepower to an already loaded field with a 47'6" PR that puts him squarely in medal contention from the opening round. Tibet Okwen of Lincoln Way East has cleared 46 feet six times this season and owns a 46'11" PR that keeps him in the top three conversation, while Shaun Alexander of Romeoville brings one of the more remarkable stories in the event, having missed most of the indoor season due to injury before returning to post a 46'9" PR and go undefeated all outdoor season with four jumps over 46 feet. Alexander's perfect record and healthy body arriving at exactly the right moment make him one of the more dangerous wildcards in a pit already overflowing with talent. With four athletes above 47'6" and two more knocking on that door, this triple jump competition has the makings of an all-time great state meet battle, and every single round is going to matter.