Wildcat Invitational - 2/24/2011

[Historian]

Hosted by Normal West on Thursday , Feb 24 at Illinois Wesleyan University Shirk Center (home of the IPTT meet). 5th annual Mens meet with full FAT timing, completely volunteer run, and on-time every year.

Featuring 24 teams - one of the few invitationals with a true state-wide presence.

North: Hillcrest, Homewood-Flossmoor, Plainfield North, Minooka, Naperville North, and Palos Hts Shepard.

South: Belleville West, Edwardsville, Cahokia, Herrin , and Granite City.

Central Illinois: Springfield Lanphier, Springfield Southeast, Springfield High, Danville, Champaign Centennial, Urbana, Fieldcrest, and Mahomet-Seymour

Bloomington-Normal Intercity schools - Normal Community, Normal West, Normal U-High, Bloomington, and Bloomington Central Catholic.

Schools from across the state - great program reputations, state trophies, and top notch individuals should make for a fun meet to watch. And, just like last year, anyone can watch (and listen) - the meet will be live webcast - and be able to comment on the live chat.

Over the next week, some of the highlight races and individuals will be profiled here, as well as the link to the video feed. Set aside a little time and catch some of Illinois' best high school athletes as they open their indoor seasons. A great way to jump start the weekend...

[Historian]

NOTE: Since the 2011 Wildcat is on Thursday night, in the interest of time, a decision was made to not contest the open 3200. When the meet returns to Friday night, the 3200 will again return to the event list.

FYI - the event schedule has also been tweaked- the open 800 has been dropped to the spot normally occupied by the 1600, and the 1600 has gone to just before the 4X4. This means an athlete could run both the 4X8 and the open 800 with good rest, but probably not the 800 and 1600 or 1600 and 4X4.

All of these previews are written before entry lists have become official- and all times are either from 2010 outdoor lists or 2011 inddor lists as reported on Dyestat ESPN Rise. (runners shown as 2011, 2012, or 2013)

Event Previews:

800 - On paper, this event features the strongest field on the track, with three returning medalists from last year's AAA meet. Start with Joe McAsey 1.53.0 (Minooka), along with Bryce Basting 1.54.9 (Normal West), and Ephraim Dorsey 1.55.3 (Homewood-Flossmoor). Follow with three more runners with excellent times - Irwin Pierce (Hillcrest) and James Leigh (Fieldcrest) both at 1.57.2, and Eli Johnson of Mahomet-Seymor at 1.58.1. Pierce may well opt for the 400, where he has the fastest time from last year. Look for the potential for 1.57 or better to start the year....

400 - As stated, Irwin Pierce (Hillcrest) is the top time at 48.69. Brock McGee (Herrin) is at 49.70, while Darren Payton (Cahokia) already has an indoor 2011 time of 49.84. CJ Hamilton (U-High), Ryan Everly (NCHS) and Dameon Morgan (Edwardsville) all have times between 50.37 and 50.65. The bumping and positioning could be really fun to watch in the 400 fast heat. Strong chance to see the 50 second barrier broken...

1600 - The discussion starts with Garrett Sweatt (Edwardsville) 4.17.3.
Following Garrett - Kyle Smith (Minooka) 4.19.6 and Andrew Sandoval (Plainfield North) 4.25.0. Throw in Michael Simon (Springfield) 4.26.3 and Drew Kerscheiter (Normal West) 4.19.9 already indoor this year in the true mile, and we have what looks like a very strong field. Sub 4.20 is definitely in the cards...

[Historian]

On paper, the long jump is clearly the class of the field events. The triple could feature many of the same names, while the high jump is potentially strong on star power but not as deep. Again, previews are created from the returning athletes and not from entry lists - some athletes may still be involved in winter sports.

Long Jump - 13 jumpers at 21'4 or better. Deep, deep, field. Start with Torre Harrell (Bloomington) 23'7 1/2, Laderrick Ward (Cahokia) 23'5, Vernon Carter (Cahokia) 23'3 1/4, Emmanual Richter-Shea (Ch Centennial) 23'2 1/4, then move to Caleb Ivory (Plainfield North) 22'9 1/2, Deonte Andresen (Edwardsville) 22'4'3/4, Demetrius Carr (Ch Centennial) 22'2, and Wil Ewan (Normal Comm) 22'1/2. Wow - 8 over 22. Add in Cedric Cheeks (Homewood-Flossmoor) at 21'11 3/4 already indoors this year, plus Mike Malone (Hillcrest) at 21'11, Branden Tanthavong (Granite City) 21'9 1/2, Dean Jordan (Bloomington) 21'8 1/4, Antonio Owens (Naperville north) 21'4 1/2, and Kevin Martin (Shepard) 21'2 1/4 indoor 2011, and you have the kind of field that challenges everyone. It will keep the rakers busy.

Triple Jump - Some of the same names from the LJ, but also some special additions. Demetrius Carr (Ch Centennial) 46'7, Branden Tanthavong (Granite City) 46'3'1/4, Brian Pankey (Herrin) 45'9 1/4, Justin Brooks (Bloomington) 45'6, plus Vernon Carter at 45'6 1/2 indoors in 2011, and the field shapes up strong. Between 42'4 and 44', we also have Wil Ewan (NCHS), Dean Jordan (BHS) Cartez Walker (Spfd Southeast), Mark Hicks (Hillcrest), and Cedric Cheeks (H-F). Edit: Robert Cole (Shepard) at 46'1/2 should also be a strong contender.

High Jump - lighter on depth, but "high" on quality. Feautring two returning state AAA medalists, last year's sophomore sensations Matt Wilson and Marcus Mason are back for their junior seasons - both from Granite City and both with 6'9 bests.

[Historian]

Okay - I agree these events don't usually go together (except at Shirk Center where they are contested right next to each other).

Pole Vault - Should be a good night for the sky riders, with Brock McGee (Herrin) bringing the top 2010 returning height of 14'6 to the competition. Eric Gordon (Normal West) went 14'0 last spring, and already has a 14'6 clearance in 2011. Mike Malone (Hillcrest) also has a 14'0 from last spring. A fourth vaulter over 13 feet is Dylan Korzec (Plainfield North).

Shot Put - Expect the heavy ball to be carrying well. Three throwers were over 52 feet last spring, headed by Kevin Fairly (Springfield Lanphier) at 56'7. Derek Bunch (Mahomet-Seymour) 52'10 and Demetrius West (Bloomington) 52'2 should challenge. A side note - the meet will mark the offical high school debut of Kyrin Tucker (Normal West) last year's IESA 8AA state shot put champion.

[Historian]

Sprint previews...some of the top sprint schools in Illinois over the past 6-8 years.

55 - (using 100 meter times) Jordan Collins (Springfield) heads the field at 11.03, while Cameron James (Edwardsville) is at 11.14. Justin Kilpatrick of Hillcrest has a 2011 indoor 55 time of 6.56.

200 - Deonte Andresen (Edwardsville) leads the list at 22.41, followed by Jordan Algee (Centennial) 22.50 and last year's "Wildcat Most Outstanding Track Athlete" Quinnarius Hill (Cahokia) at 22.92 already this year.

55 Hurdles - (110 times) Divonte Ridley (Belleville West) is the top returner at 14.56, while five other athletes check in between 15.03 and 15.73 - Vernon Carter (Cahokia), Kevin Dorenkamper (Minooka), Jonah Peoples 15.18, Steve Day (Belleville West), and Dan Lentz (Minooka).

For the 55 and 55H - prelims are held, with the top 14 advancing to two final heats.

[Historian]

The "Wildcat Invitational" has three Frosh-Soph relays - 4X8, 4X2, and 4X4. Plenty of opportunities to see the newcomers and future leaders of these programs get started indoors.

And of course - the same three relays for the varsity squads.

4X2, 4X4 - Belleville West, Cahokia, Hillcrest, Lanphier, H-F, Edwardsville, Plainfield North, etc, etc...Pride will be on the line.

Nothing more to say about those races - just enjoy...

[Historian]

Here we go,this takes you to the Normal West website - from there, you can click the webcast or the live results...

http://www.unit5.org/ncwhs/sports/boystrack/

[Cougar Coach Crowe]

Here we go,this takes you to the Normal West website - from there, you can click the webcast or the live results...

http://www.unit5.org/ncwhs/sports/boystrack/

Historian, Thanks for all the previews and info. It should be a great meet tonight!