Davis, Mundekis, and Keller lead a strong distance field

 

 

By Michael Newman

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The Illinois Top Times Championships kicks off at 3:00 PM Friday afternoon with the 1A meet. Some of the top 1A distance runners will be on the floor of the Shirk Center looking for some quick times. Jon Davis and Anna Sophia Keller have a chance to break the 1A meet record in the 1600 Meter Run. Cassie Mundekis could break the 800 record and possibly get close to 2:10 in her race.

 

Morgan Zacharias cleared 13-3 at a meet a week ago. Could she go past the all-time indoor best for a Girls athlete in the Pole Vault? The sprint fields will be tough especially in the Boys Meet. Brett Charlton, Andre McGill, and Jacob Sholl will push each other for fast times in the sprints.

 

Here is a look at each of the events that will be contested in Friday’s Illinois Top Times 1A Meet.

 

If you cannot make it to Illinois Wesleyan University for this meet on Friday, you can watch a live webcast of the meet on RunnerSpace Plus. You can find details of the webcast here.

 

Meet Program

 

 

Long Jump – 3:05 PM

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – Amelia Glueck, Tremont HS – 18-2 – 2014

2015 1A Leader – Nichyria Byrd – Chicago Ogden International – 18-3.75

 

Preview – Nichyria Byrd had a big Sunday winning both the Long Jump and the Triple Jump at the CPS Group C Championships at the University of Chicago. Her jump of 18-3 ¾ at that meet makes her the favorite Friday Night. Amanda McClain (Sullivan HS) has only jumped at the ISU Invitational at the beginning of March. Her 17-6 jump so far makes her the chief challenger to Byrd. McKendra Barthelme (Newton HS) is the only other athlete in this field than has gone past 17 feet indoors. Tessa Holland (Fieldcrest HS, Minonk) has the ability to challenge for a top three finish.

 

Boys

1A Meet Record – Babetunde Ridley – Carlinville HS – 23-5.5 – 1996

2015 1A Leader – Brett Charlton – Eureka HS – 21-11.75

 

Preview – This could be an interesting competition. The top three athletes in this event are separated by only 1 ½ inches. Brett Charlton will be busy in this meet competing in three individual events and possibly a relay. Charlton finished third last week at Champaign jumping 21-5. Marcus Sitko (Staunton HS) finished second behind Charlton at Jacksonville by an inch. Both of these athletes could go past 22 feet this weekend.

 

Bryan Heath (Rockridge HS, Taylor Ridge) is the hot jumper. He went 21-9 ¼ to place second last weekend at Galesburg which was his first meet. He could be dangerous in this event. Phillip Fox (Peoria Christian HS) and Connor Artman (Illini West HS, Carthage) are other athletes to watch in this event.

 

 

Triple Jump – 5:00 PM

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – Leah Orley, Benton HS – 38-0.75 – 2008

2015 1A Leader – Nichyria Byrd – Chicago Ogden International – 39-6.5

 

Preview – Nichyria Byrd is the big favorite in this event. She jumped 39-6.5 at a small meet at Evanston at the beginning of March. Byrd jumped over 37 feet last Sunday at the CPS Championships. Megan Reed (Cambridge HS) is the only other athlete over 35 feet in this event. Madison Davis (Rockford Lutheran HS), Cheyanna Michael (Williamsville HS), and Rachel Cobert (Erie-Prophetstown HS) are athletes that could factor into the top three.

 

Boys

1A Meet Record – Ridge Thompson – DuQuoin HS – 47-1 – 2007

2015 1A Leader – Corey Kersey – Neoga HS – 44-11

 

Preview – Two time defending state champion Corey Kersey started off his season with a win at Charleston last Saturday. He will be only participating in this event. He should be the big favorite with no other athlete within 2 feet of him on the leaderboard. Marcus Sitko (Staunton HS) and Ethan Meyer (Vandalia HS) could be Kersey’s chief competition if he has an off night.

 

 

High Jump

 

Girls – 5:00 PM

1A Meet Record – Megan Reese, Eureka HS – 5-9 – 2001

2015 1A Leader – Ellie Niemann – Litchfield HS – 5-6

 

Preview – This is a wide open event with list leader Ellie Niemann choosing not to participate this Friday. Hope Tewes (Pleasant Plains HS), Paige Holloway (Byron HS), Olivia Rossman (Lowpoint-Washburn HS), Lucy Rulon (St. Thomas More HS, Champaign), and Tessa Holland (Fieldcrest HS, Minonk). Keep an eye on Tewes and Holland. Both have big meet experience that could pay off in this competition.

 

Boys – 3:05 PM

1A Meet Record – Zach Riley – Herrin HS – 6-11 – 2009

2015 1A Leader – Logan Ross – North Greene HS – 6-9

 

Preview – Logan Ross is the only athlete to go past 6-6 indoors and should be the favorite in this event. He has only jumped at Jacksonville at the beginning of March. He finished sixth at this meet last year. He will be looking for a higher finish this year. Noah Adams (Meridian HS, Macon), Kyle Matthews (Fulton HS), and Kyle Woodside (ROWVA HS, Oneida) could challenge Ross for the championship.

 

Pole Vault

 

Girls – 3:05 PM

1A Meet Record – Morgan Zacharias, Reed-Custer HS – 12-3.25 – 2014

2015 1A Leader – Morgan Zacharias, Reed-Custer HS – 13-3

 

Previews – All eyes will be on defending champion Morgan Zacharias in this event. She was disappointed with her second place finish at the Windy City Pole Vault Summit even though she cleared 12-9. She did clear 13-3 at a quintangular meet at her school on March 17. She would love to go after that mark or better in this competition. There is more than a 2 foot difference between her and the rest of the field. Nicole Bagwell (Unity HS, Tolono) and Teah Bliven (Wesclin HS, Trenton) will challenge for the second spot in this competition.

 

Boys – 3:05 PM

1A Meet Record – Matt Bane – Rochester HS – 16-6 – 2010

2015 1A Leader – Adam Coulon – Downs Tri Valley HS – 15-9

 

Preview – This competition will be missing a little of its luster with list leader Adam Coulon not competing and Matt Knipfler (St. Joseph-Ogden HS) still not recovered from an ankle injury keeping him out of this meet. This still could be a good competition. Riley Smith (Casey-Westfield HS) has cleared 15-0 so far this season. He has a PR of 16-0 last year outdoors. Curtis Gordon (Vandalia HS) should challenge Smith for the win. He has cleared 14-7 ¼ this season. He did finish third in this event a year ago. The sophomore would like to leave Bloomington with the championship.

 

 

Shot Put

 

Girls – 3:05 PM

1A Meet Record – Kelsey Card - Carlinville HS – 47-2 – 2010

2015 1A Leader – Kathleen Young - Warrensburg-Lathan HS – 48-6.75

 

Preview – The 1A meet record could be threatened in this event. Kathleen Young is currently ranked sixth nationally. She should threaten that record Friday night. She has gone 47 feet or better 5 times this indoor season. She will be tough to beat. Rachel Clowers (Pleasant Hill HS) had a 43-3 effort at Principa College two weekends ago. She could push Young in this event. Abby Nicholson (Jamaica COOP), Allee Bunting (Watseka HS), and Katie Hise (St Teresa HS, Decatur) could challenge for a top three finish. Keep an eye on Mikah Maples (Central A&M, Moweaqua) in this event. She just started competing after a long basketball season. She could surprise with a finish towards the front.

 

Boys – 5:00 PM

1A Meet Record – Matt Maddox – Girard HS – 59-2.5 – 1996

2015 1A Leader – Stephen Gibson – Tuscola HS – 55-6

 

Preview – Stephen Gibson is the favorite in this event. He is the only 1A athlete that has gone past 55 feet this season. Brock Whalen (Aurora Christian HS) has a 53-0 PR in this event. He is consistent in the 52 foot range. If Gibson is off and Whalen can get close to the mid 53’s, he could leave the Shirk Center with the championship. Blaze Murfin (Illini West HS, Carthage) is known more for his work in the Discus ring. He has gone 52-10 ¾ in this event this season. He could challenge for the win in this meet. Ross Sealby (Byron HS) could also be a threat for a top three finish.

 

 

3200 Meter Run

 

Boys – 4:15 PM

1A Meet Record – Steve Schroeder – Monticello HS – 9:27.7 – 2012

2015 1A Leader – Marcus Skinner – Shelbyville HS – 9:58.08

 

Preview – Eric Ponder (Tuscola HS) is the big favorite in this event even though he has only run 10:01 this season. The 1A runner-up at last fall’s state cross country meet, he ran 10:09 heading into this meet a year ago. He ran 9:33.54 to win the championship with ease. Jake Adams (Harvest Christian Academy, Elgin) has the next fastest seed time and could challenge Levi Schmillen (Fieldcrest HS, Minonk). Do not be surprised if Ponder laps the field on his way to the win in this race.

 

Girls – 4:30 PM

1A Meet Record – Kelsey Hildreth - Byron HS – 10:49.20 – 2014

2015 1A Leader – Anna Sophia Keller – Effingham St. Anthony HS – 10:55.83

 

Preview – This will be a good race with any one of four athletes with the ability to come away with the win. Maria & Adrienne Brauer (PORTA HS, Petersburg) have the fastest seed times in this event. Erika Hibser (Lewistown HS) ran 11:30 at Byron three weeks ago and will challenge for the win. Keri Burmester (Red Bud HS) ran 11:35 to win at SIU at the beginning of the month. She could also challenge for the win. Maria Brauer did run 11:15 at Champaign last weekend behind Anna Sophia Keller’s win. She could be the favorite in this event.

 

 

4 x 800 Meter Relay – 5:40 PM

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – Eureka – 9:46.7 – 2006

2015 1A Leader – Urbana University HS – 10:05.31

 

Preview – Urbana University has the fastest seed time in this event, but that was run with Freshman Arielle Summit in their lineup. The star freshman has not raced the past few weeks and is not entered in an individual event in this meet. U-High could still win with Annemarie Michael as part of this quartet. The team to keep an eye on is Eureka. The Hornets ran 10:22 on this track last Saturday and could be the favorite if Mercer Mack and Quincy McSweeney are in their lineup. If it comes down to the final 800 meters and the race is close, Tolono Unity may have the advantage with 220 800 runner Hannah Stone anchoring their team. Decatur St. Teresa and Deer Creek Mackinaw will also be threats for the championship in this race.

 

Boys

1A Meet Record – Monticello HS – 8:00.15 – 2006

2015 1A Leader – Tolono Unity HS – 8:22.05

 

Preview – List leader Tolono Unity should be the big favorite in this event especially if they have 1:58 800 runner Andrew Warnes as their anchor. Shelbyville has the talent and will challenge for the championship especially if they have Marcus Skinner and freshman Ryan Skowronski part of their quartet. It could be tight up front with Robinson, Sterling Newman, Carlinville, and St. Joseph-Ogden challenging for a top spot.

 

 

60 Meter Hurdles – 5:00 PM Prelims / 6:20 PM Finals

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – Peyton Wade – Aurora Christian HS – 8.89 – 2014

2015 1A Leader – Jenny Kimbro – Sidell Jamaica COOP – 9.11

 

Preview – Jenny Kimbro could challenge the 1A meet record in this event. She will be pushed by McKendra Bartheleme (Newton HS) has run 9.32 this indoor season and will push Kimbro to a faster time. Annie Carlson (Westmont HS) has the fastest 1A time in the 55 Hurdles (8.79) and could also be a threat for the win.

 

Boys

1A Meet Record – Joe Morrow – Chicago Hales Franciscan – 8.24 – 2013

2015 1A Leader – Josh Kirby – Peoria Christian HS – 8.34

 

Preview – Josh Kirby will be one of the athletes to watch in this race. He finished second last week in Champaign. The meet record is 8.24. He could get close to it in the finals. Aaron Luesse (Unity HS, Tolono) ran 8.38 at Champaign two weeks ago and will push Kirby for the win. Andy Margason (Timothy Christian HS, Elmhurst) ran 7.95 to win the Metro Suburban Conference Championship in the 55 Hurdles. He could be in the mix for the championship in this race. Dylan Binion (Erie-Prophetstown HS) and Jake Wayda (Pleasant Plains HS) are some of the other athletes to watch in this race.

 

 

60 Meter Dash – 5:20 PM Prelims / 6:35 PM Finals

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – Jessica Jump – Edwardsville Metro East Lutheran – 7.87 – 2013

2015 1A Leader – Willow Studemann – Seneca HS – 7.90

 

Preview – Does this race come down to a photo finish? It is a possibility. Willow Studemann ran 7.90 in January at the Arkansas HS Invitational. She has not gone under 8 seconds since that meet. Mariah Woods (Seton Academy, South Holland) is the hot sprinter in this race. She ran 7.91 to finish third at the GCAC Championships. It will come down to these two athletes for the championship. Emily Neuhauser (Sullivan HS), Edoise Omoike (Lisle HS), and Michaela Groenewold (Illini West HS, Carthage) could also be a threat in the front.

 

Boys

1A Meet Record – Brett Charlton – Eureka HS – 7.00 – 2014

2015 1A Leader – Andre McGill – Madison HS – 6.95

 

Preview – This field is loaded. Andre McGill has run one of the fastest times in the state in the 60 (6.95) and will be the one to watch in this race. He did run 7.03 to win at Charleston last week. Brett Charlton (Eureka HS) will be a threat to McGill. He did run 7.02 against McGill’s season best at Normal at the end of February. Charlton did run 7.04 last weekend at Champaign. This is an evenly matched race between two super sprinters.

 

The deep field including Jacob Sholl (Illini West HS, Carthage) Jayden Kaiser (Unity HS, Tolono), Connor Icenogle (Williamsville HS), and Marcus Sitko (Staunton HS) will keep this race very interesting. Charlton ran 7.00 to set the 1A meet record last year. It will take a faster time to win in 2015.

 

 

800 Meter Run – 6:45 PM

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – Stephanie Brown – Downs Tri-Valley HS – 2:13.23 – 2008

2015 1A Leader – Cassie Mundekis – Manito Midwest Central HS – 2:12.01

 

Preview – Can anyone come close to Cassie Mundekis in this race? It seems highly doubtful since she is almost ten seconds faster than the rest of the field. She ran 2:12 at Nationals two weeks ago. She should be able to get Stephanie Brown’s record in this event. Hannah Stone (Unity HS, Tolono) and Mariah Brodie (Illini West HS, Carthage) to challenge for the second spot. Do not be surprised to see Audrey Harrod (Hinckley-Big Rock HS) up front in this pack at the end of this race.

Boys

1A Meet Record – Zach Glavish – Chilicothe IVC – 1:55.84 – 2003

2015 1A Leader – Andrew Warnes – Tolono Unity HS – 1:58.66

 

Preview – Andrew Warnes will be doubling back from the 3200 relay. He still has the fastest seed time in this event by close to five seconds. The one threat to Warnes could be Michael Cook (Wethersfield HS, Annawan). Cook did run 2:04 at Galesburg last Saturday. He did run 1:56 to finish sixth at last spring’s state meet. He could be a threat to win this race. Nick Porter (Paxton-Buckley-Loda HS) and Andrew Gardwine (St. Anthony, Effingham) should also push to finish in the first three.

 

 

4 x 200 Meter Relay – 7:15 PM

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – South Holland Seton Academy – 1:47.90 – 2012

2015 1A Leader – Carthage Illini West – 1:50.29

 

Preview – Carthage Illini West could be challenged in their section by Erie-Prophetstown. Sullivan could run away with the win from the third section if they have Amanda McClain and Emily Neuhauser in their quartet.

 

Boys

1A Meet Record – Harrisburg – 1:32.97 – 2000

2015 1A Leader – Chicago Hales Franciscan – 1:36.10

 

Preview – This event should be up for grabs. Hales Franciscan ran their time last week at the CCL Championships. Arcola, St. Joseph-Ogden, Tolono Unity, and Fulton will challenge for first in this race.

 

 

400 Meter Dash – 7:45 PM

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – Gena Rowlings – Stanford Olympia HS – 57.03 – 2001

2015 1A Leader – Amanda McClain – Sullivan HS – 58.69

 

Preview – This could be an interesting race. Cassie Mundekis will be doubling back from the 800 Meter Run giving her 30-35 minutes rest. Amanda McClain will have less recovery time if she runs the 800 relay. The dark horse in the race could be Westmont’s Annie Carlson or Megan Reed (Cambridge HS).

 

Boys

1A Meet Record – Zach Glavish – Chilicothe IVC – 50.62 – 2002

2015 1A Leader – Aaron Harris – Lisle HS – 50.15

 

Preview – The mystery man in this event is Aaron Harris who ran his list leading time in January at the Arkansas HS Invitational. Jacob Sholl, who won this race last year, could be the big threat for the win. He has run 50.84 so far this season.

 

 

1600 Meter Run – 8:00 PM

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – Katelyn Bastert – Carthage Illini West HS – 4:54.83 – 2007

2015 1A Leader – Anna Sophia Keller – Effingham St. Anthony HS – 5:02.80

 

Preview – Anna Sophia Keller has not been defeated in the 1600 n her high school career. She has the fastest seed time by 11 seconds. Do not be surprised if she goes under 5 in this race. Bastert’s 1A record could be threatened. Annemarie Michael (University HS, Urbana) will be coming back from the 3200 relay. She could run between 5:05 – 5:07 in this race. Maria and Adrienne Brauer will be doubling back from the 3200 along with Erika Hibser and Keri Burmester. The one runner that could push Keller is Daly Galloway (Dwight COOP HS). She stayed with Keller the first half of last fall’s state cross country meet. Do not be surprised if she is under 5:00.

 

Boys

1A Meet Record – Jason Bill – Manlius Bureau Valley – 4:19.52 – 2002

2015 1A Leader – Jon Davis – Fithian Oakwood HS – 4:16.77

 

Preview – It should be Jon Davis vs. the clock in this race. He has the fastest seed time by 17 seconds. Davis was pushed in the race where he ran 4:16 at Champaign at the beginning of March. He should go under the 1A meet record time. The question is will he run faster than Zach Dale ran last weekend (4:14.11)?

 

This is a good field behind Davis. We could see two or three runners go under 4:30. Marcus Skinner (Shelbyville HS), Tyler Johnson (Pleasant Plains HS), Michael Cook, and Austin Woodard (Unity HS, Tolono) will be some of the runners in the pack chasing Davis.

 

 

200 Meter Dash – 8:25 PM

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – Tominique Boatright – Aurora Central Catholic HS – 25.70 – 2001

2015 1A Leader – Willow Steudemann – Seneca HS – 26.10

 

Preview – It could be closer than expected. Amanda McClain will be in her fourth event of this meet. She has run 26.23. She has the ability to dip under 26 seconds. Teammate Emily Neuhauser, Nichyria Byrd, and Mariah Woods should be her chief competition.

 

Boys

1A Meet Record – Jeff Farnell – Lombard Montini Catholic HS – 22.30 – 2005

2015 1A Leader – Aaron Harris – Lisle HS – 22.66

 

Preview – Harris’ time comes off of a banked track at the University of Arkansas. Section Four is loaded with Jacob Sholl, Brett Charlton, and Andre McGill joining Harris in what could be a close final.

 

 

4 x 400 Meter Relay – 8:45 PM

 

Girls

1A Meet Record – Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley – 4:08.45 – 2012

2015 1A Leader – Carthage Illini West – 4:16.19

 

Preview – Carthage Illini West, Erie Prophetstown, and Eureka will challenge for the win in the final race of the evening for the Girls. Henry-Senachwine or Decatur St. Teresa could be surprises up front.

 

Boys

1A Meet Record – Monticello – 3:27.49 – 2006

2015 1A Leader – Arcola HS – 3:35.09

 

Preview – Arcola ran a strong 3:35 to win at Charleston last Saturday. Tremont was two seconds behind them in this race and will threaten for the win in this race. St. Joseph-Ogden has the tradition of running tough in this event in this meet. The Spartans could come away with the win in the final race of the night.