2026 Pre-Season Track & Field Previews: Boys 1600m

The Illinois high school track season has showcased elite distance talent, and the Top 10 ranked boys in the 1600 meters across Classes 1A through 3A represent the standard of excellence in the event. Requiring a blend of endurance, speed, and race intelligence, the mile has produced thrilling finishes and consistently fast times throughout the state. From established championship contenders to emerging breakout performers, each athlete on this list has earned his ranking through disciplined training, competitive toughness, and standout performances on the track. Together, they highlight the depth and tradition of distance running across Illinois high school track and field.

3A

1. Philip Cupial (Sr., Downers Grove North)

PR - 4:07.38

• 56th at Nike Outdoor Nationals

• Magis Miles Champion

• 14th at IHSA 3A State Meet

• East Aurora Sectional Champion

2. Jameson Tenopir (Sr., Cary-Grove)

PR - 4:12.76

• 4th at IHSA 3A State Meet

• Runner-Up at Illinois Indoor Championships

3. Will Surratt (Sr., Downers Grove North)

PR - 4:11.36

• 32nd at Nike Outdoor Nationals

• 5th at IHSA 3A State Meet

• WSC Silver Indoor Conference Champion

4. Mateo Ramiro-Garcia (Sr., Orland Park [Sandburg])

PR - 4:12.61

5. Alexander Krieg (Sr., Palatine)

PR - 4:13.36

6. Mateus Salamao (Sr., Arlington Heights [Hersey])

PR - 4:14.55

7. Owen Horeni (Sr., Yorkville)

PR - 4:14.91

8. Alex Rodriguez (Sr., Berwyn-Cicero [Morton])

PR - 4:16.21

• 10th at IHSA 3A State Meet

• St. Ignatius Sectional Champion

9. Declan Slavin (Sr., Chicago [Payton])

PR - 4:14.95

• 11th at IHSA 2A State Meet

• CPS Conference Champion

10. Conrad Saner (Jr., Downers Grove South)

PR - 4:15.56

• 16th at IHSA 2A State Meet

• WSC Gold Conference Champion

2A

1. Micah Weiss (So., Chicago [Latin])

PR - 4:17.26

• 4th at IHSA 2A State Meet

2. Liam Bettis (Jr., Taylorville)

PR - 4:18.13

• Apollo Conference Champion

3. Raphael Greer (Jr., Marion)

PR - 4:18.91

• DNS at IHSA 2A State Meet

• Mascoutah Sectional Champion

• South 7 Conference Champion

4. Thomas Jochum (Jr., Glen Ellyn [Glenbard South])

PR - 4:19.85

5. Max Weber (Sr., Bethalto [Civic Memorial])

PR - 4:22.26

• 5th at IHSA 2A State Meet

• Mississippi Valley Conference Champion

• Madison County Champion

6. Henry McMurry (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour)

PR - 4:20.32

• 6th at IHSA 2A State Meet

7. Carson Kaiser (So., Maple Park [Kaneland])

PR - 4:21.10

8. Michael Whitacre (Sr., Aurora [Marmion Academy])

PR - 4:24.86

• 7th at IHSA 2A State Meet

• Marmion Academy Sectional Champion

9. Augustus Gaudio (Sr., Mahomet-Seymour)

PR - 4:22.69

• DNS at IHSA 2A State Meet

• Apollo Indoor Conference Champion

10. Abe Martin (So., Morton)

PR - 4:24.26

• Distance Night In Palatine Freshman Champion

1A

1. Jonathan Iacobazzi (Sr., Sullivan)

PR - 4:19.33

• Runner-Up at IHSA 1A State Meet

• Lincoln Prairie Conference Champion

2. Darwin Herman (Sr., Elmwood)

PR - 4:17.75

• 11th at IHSA 1A State Meet

• Kewanee Wethersfield Sectional Champion

• Prairieland Conference Champion

• ICAC Conference Champion

3. Chaz Oberkfell (Sr., Gillespie)

PR - 4:20.77

• 3rd at IHSA 1A State Meet

• North Mac Sectional Champion

• Macoupin County Champion

• South Central Conference Champion

4. Luca Bryja (Sr., Elgin [Harvest-Westminster])

PR - 4:21.36

• 4th at IHSA 1A State Meet

5. Braeden Bode (Sr., Port Byron [Riverdale])

PR - 4:26.43

• 6th at IHSA 1A State Meet

• Rockridge Sectional Champion

• TRAC Conference Champion

6. Will Fuson (Sr., Cerro Gordo)

PR - 4:24.91

• 9th at IHSA 1A State Meet

7. Evan White (Sr., Rockford Christian)

PR - 4:25.63

8. Kade Parker (Sr., Petersburg [PORTA])

PR - 4:27.95

• 10th at IHSA 1A State Meet

• Pleasant Plains Sectional Champion

• Sangamo Indoor Conference Champion

9. Aiden Faulkner (Sr., Elmwood)

PR - 4:28.42

• 14th at IHSA 1A State Meet

10. Keegan Dewall (Sr., Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley)

PR - 4:29.21

• 16th at IHSA 1A State Meet