By Michael Newman

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The kickoff to the outdoor season happens this weekend as some of the top athletes and individuals travel to the Norm Armstrong Invitational on the campus of Belleville West High School Saturday. The forecast looks great with temperatures in the low 70’s with a slight wind. You will see performances that you would normally see towards the end of the season in this meet. That is what happens when you have some of the top teams squaring off against each other. They will push each other to the limit.

Here is a look at some of the athletes to watch in this meet. Field Events begin at 11:00 AM. Running finals begin around 12:20 PM.

Field Events

All eyes will be on the south end of the track at the jumps pits. Ja’Mari Ward (Cahokia HS) kicks off his season as the favorite in both the Long and Triple Jump. With favorable conditions, we could see some memorable efforts here. Last year, Ward jumped 23-10 ¾ and 49-6. The jumps fields behind Ward could also be interesting. Matthew Fleming (Simeon HS, Chicago) jumped 23-8 at an indoor meet and has averaged jumps in the mid 22’s in the last year. The field is deep with six athletes seeded at 22 feet or better. We could see some performances (other than Ward) in the 23 foot range. The battle will be for second in the Triple Jump as no one is within six feet of Ja’Mari.

Darryl Sullivan (Marion HS) and Anthony McRoberts (Cahokia HS) have cleared 6-8 this season and are the top seeds in the High Jump. It is a good field with four other athletes, led by Peter Andreano (Minooka HS) and Aaron Smith (O’Fallon HS), having cleared 6-6 this season. Ryan Ashenbremer (Normal West HS) is the big favorite in the Pole Vault after clearing 16-5 in the indoor season.

The weight events become more interesting this weekend after the performances by Edwardsville sophomore AJ Epenesa at Thursday afternoon at the Tiger F/S Invitational. He threw a state leading 180-3 in the Discus making him the big favorite in that event. The Shot Put will be a tougher field with Danial Akins (Cahokia HS), Ricky Nelson (West HS, Belleville), and Desmond Chappel (Edwardsville HS) along with Epenesa battling for the top spot.

Relays

Teams travel from the Chicago area to this meet because of the lightning fast times in this meet’s relay races. When the best race the best, things like this happen. The 400 Meter Relay should see a winning time in the 41’s. The race should be lights out with Edwardsville, Plainfield North, Cahokia, Minooka, and Belleville West as some of the top teams in the final section. Plainfield North has the top seed in the 800 Meter Relay. The same teams in the 400 along with Collinsville and Homewood-Flossmoor will be in contention.

Cahokia has the top seed in the 3200 Meter Relay. They will be challenged by Highland, O’Fallon, and Plainfield North in that event. The Comanches will also be the favorite in the 600 Meter Relay at the end of the meet with hopes of getting close or under 3:20. St. Louis University, Minooka, and Homewood-Flossmoor look to be Cahokia’s chief competition.

Sprints / Hurdles

William Session (East HS, Belleville) and Korrion Session (Cahokia HS) will renew their brotherly rivalry in the 110 Meter High Hurdles. William ran 14.21 to win the O’Fallon Relays last Friday. He will be looking for a faster time in this race. Travis Anderson (Edwardsville HS) and Jake Porter (Lockport Township HS) should be the chief competition in this race. Isaiah Michl (Edwardsville HS) started off his season two weeks ago running 37.13 (US #5) to win on his home track at the Southwestern Illinois Relays. William Session and Travis Anderson could push Michl to under 37 seconds in this meet.

The sprint races should be outstanding. Andre McGill (Madison HS) and Adam Nelson (Triad HS, Troy) will be among the favorites in the 100 Meter Dash. Tyler Higgins (Highland HS) is the hot up and comer. The sophomore ran 11.01 to defeat Nelson last week at the O’Fallon Relays. Do not forget DeShon Buchanan (Belleville West HS), Kevion Akins (Cahokia HS) and DeVaughn Hrbowski (Plainfield North HS) in this race. Buchanan defeated Nelson indoors at the Edwardsville Invitational and could be a threat in this race. McGill will be challenged by Akins in the 200 Meter Dash. You could expect them to dip under 22 seconds in this race. Marquis Murray (Cahokia HS) and Demontez McCray (O’Fallon HS) will also challenge for the win.

Do not be surprised if we see a winning time in the low 49’s in the 400 Meter Dash. Demontez McCray will be one of the favorites. Tyler Higgins finished second in the 2A Illinois Top Times 400 Meter Dash and could be pushing for the win. Tremain Streator (Collinsville HS), Dajour Forrest (Normal West HS), Emanuel Spearman (Homewood-Flossmoor HS), and Tyran Lyons (Cahokia HS) will also be looking for times near or under 50 seconds in this race.

Distances

Brydon Groves-Scott (Edwardsville HS) has a personal best of 9:32 in the 3200 Meter Run and will be the favorite in that event on Saturday. Soren Knudsen (Minooka HS) and Jack Sullivan (University HS, St. Louis) will be the top challengers to Groves-Scott in this race.

Wes Schoenthal (Edwardsville HS) will be going after the 800 / 1600 double win in this meet. Schoenthal will be challenged by Dustan Davidson (University HS, St. Louis). The Missouri junior ran 1:54.84 at the Festival of Miles last June and 1:56 indoors this season. We could see a time of 1:55 in this race.

Will O’Keefe (Granite City HS) raced Dorrian Gordon (O’Fallon HS) in the middle of March at the Edwardsville Invitational running 4:26 for the win. Gordon has bounced back running a state leading 4:22.6 early in this outdoor season. With good conditions, we could see a time close to 4:20 in this race. Wes Schoenthal, Jack Sebok (Plainfield North HS), and Lance Mueller (Waterloo HS) could be towards the front as well.