Indiana Runner

Stories Entering the 2010 Tournament (Boys)

By:  Stephen Bain (& Coach Nolting on the throwing events)

Stories entering the tournament season on the Boy’s side of Track and Field.  These predictions are posted before the sectional meets, and therefore before it is revealed who is running where.  Enjoy the predictions and write ups, just to get you excited for the rest of the tournament series.  I will attempt to update these after every round.

4x800

5 teams have already gone 7:55 or faster, with a ton knocking at the sub 8 door.  This has a fast exciting state meet written all over it.  Not only that, but most of these teams have a big anchor leg.  Pendleton Heights has long time 800 meter specialist Nathan Hendershot, Lawrence Central has a new emerging star in Connor Claflin, and Fort Wayne Snider has found their own Mitch Dutton.  A lot of things will be determined based on where teams choose to put their pieces.  If Carmel puts all their eggs in this basket, they have a great shot at it.  However, many of their athletes may have individual events to focus on instead.  This will take them from champions, to medalist.

I would say the favorite has to be Lawrence Central entering the post-season.  They are going to be running for team points, and they ran the 7:53.30 (#2 in the state) without freshman standout Matt Dorsey.  However, I would not count out Snider.

*Note:  I have changed the teams in this event at least 8 times before posting

Prediction:

100

This has been an exciting event for me to follow this year (which is rare, as a distance guy).  Leo Cordova of Richmond was the top returner entering the season, along with Darnell Harris (Pike), Jarvis McMillian (transferred to Hobart), and Jordan Gater (East Noble).  McMillian is the only one of these people to break the 10.8 mark up to this point in the season, but it will be interesting to see the number of events he does this year.  Instead, Quinton Jones (Harding) was marked as a mid-season favorite, until he was taken down by Fort Wayne Snider’s Kendal Frederick.  It cannot be forgotten that Columbus North has the fastest mark on the board with Thomas Brueggemann at 10.64, although it was hand time and converted.

In an event that has so many factors that can change the end result in the blink of an eye, intimidation and mind games seem to always play a part.  Having the mentality of a winner helps go a long way.  With that, I am going to pick Frederick as the winner, assuming he continues to beat Quinton Jones, and he will not have any worries entering the state series.  Meanwhile, I feel that the Indianapolis area sprinters may go back and forth throughout the tournament more so.

Prediction:

1. Kendal Frederick (FW Snider)

2. Quinton Jones (Harding)

3. Jerry Wilson (Ben Davis)

4. John Broaden (North Central)

5. Jarvis McMillian (Hobart)

6. Nick Stoner (Center Grove)

7. Thomas Brueggemann (Columbus North)

8. Leo Cordova (Richmond)

9. Khran Shank (North Central)

110H

This is another event that often has trouble written all over it for athletes new to the Bloomington experience.  Beyond that, a newly redone stadium could cause more problems.  Often times, hurdlers steps become mis-timed in this event causing the highly feared, and yet anticipated, fall.  Shane Mikesky (Zionsville) had a rough break last year the state meet, as the 300 hurdles were set up incorrectly causing him to have to re-run the race.  This undoubtedly impaired his performance throughout the rest of the meet.  I expect him to arrive with a vengeance in his eyes.

Prediction:

1.  Shane Mikesky (Zionsville)

2. Jeremiah Wright (Hamilton Southeastern)

3. Glenn Powell (Lawrence Central)

4. Robert Rose (Ben Davis)

5. Max Tuttle (Bloomington North)

6. Marcus Safer (Lawrence North)

7. Jarrod Buchanon (South Bend Clay)

8. Caleb Galoozis (Bloomington South)

9. Ray Skamay (Lowell)

1600

An event where it is not known who is running what, a lot of things will become revealed after the first day of the tournament.  Chris Walden (Carmel) put down early season times that put him out front of the competition.  However, the Miracle Mile always creates a lot of discussion on who is really in the race.  Drew Gambill (Shakamak) could make a run, if he chooses to run the 1600, with a blistering kick.  However, I feel that Tyler Byrne (North Harrison) may be the guy to come and get a title, after a great cross country season. 

Prediction:

1. Tyler Byrne (North Harrison)

2. Chris Walden (Carmel)

3. Dan Porter (Carmel)

4. Jason Crist (Franklin Central)

5. Nolan Fife (Seymour)

6. Hale O’Herren (Cathedral)

7. Josh Graham (Huntington North)

8. Alejandro Arroyo (Culver Academies)

9. Jace Lowry (Martinsville)

4x100

Another event that is fun to watch.  There are a few teams at the top of the list, that will make it interesting to see who can get the baton around the track without a slip up.  Expect this to be one of the best events of the night, as 4 teams will likely break away to make a run at the title.  However, Lawrence Central has consistently been the team taking care of the baton, and will want to capture this title en route to attempting to capture a team title.

Prediction:

1. Lawrence Central

2. Warren Central

3. Ben Davis

4. Pike

5. Richmond

6. North Central

7. FW Northrop

8. Franklin Central

9. Center Grove

400

This is a wide open race entering the tournament, as many athletes have not shown off their top gears yet.  Expect 3-4 contenders to come out over the next two rounds before toeing the track at Bloomington.  A big issue with this event is a lot of “big” guys may not enter the event as they focus on other events.  Max Tuttle (Bloomington North) will likely focus on his hurdle  races instead, while McMillian (Hobart) may focus on other events, or be too gassed by the time this event comes if he chooses to play Superman again.

Prediction:

1. Erin Herd (FW Northrop)

2. Pat Feeney (New Palestine)

3. Shauntis Lewis (FW Snider)

4. Keenan Johnson (Princeton)

5. Curtis Ivy (Plymouth)

6. Austen Barnes (Homestead)

7. Jeron Brown  (Lawrence Central)

8. Dashawn Parnell (South Bend Washington)

9. Kyle Shwartz (Center Grove)

300h

Getting into the fast heat will prove to be important in this event to win, but may not be ideal if just looking to medal.  A few names pop out to me when looking at this line up.  Jarrod Buchanon (South Bend Clay) seems like he has been around this sport for a whole decade now, and will be looking to claim a title.  Max Tuttle and Shane Mikesky will be making their own charges, as they have both been previously mentioned in this write up.  However, Logan Hoffman (FW Concordia) goes into the tournament being the only athlete to break the 38 second barrier, which has to put him as the favorite as of now.

Prediction:

1.  Logan Hoffman (FW Concordia)

2. Max Tuttle (Bloomington North)

3. Jarrod Buchanon (South Bend Clay)

4. Shane Mikesky (Zionsville)

5. Arq’eil Shaw (Warren Central)

6. Robert Rose (Ben Davis)

7. Nathan Mueller (East Noble)

8. Jeremiah Wright (Hamilton Southeastern)

9. DeQuan Ruth (Ben Davis)

800

Has there ever been a true clear cut favorite entering the 800, that has played out?  This year will be no different, although there are many front runners.  This is another event that will be interesting to see who chooses to run in it.  Nathan Hendershot (Pendleton Heights) seems to be in the mix ever year, but has yet to claim a title.  You can count on him to be in this race.  Austin Mudd (Center Grove) shocked the state with a huge run, and puts himself at the top of the leaderboard.  Mitch Dutton (FW Snider) is a new comer to the scene that has put his relay team on the map, and I am unsure if Connor Claflin (Lawrence Central) has lost this year.  Will Drew Gambill (Shakamak) be entering this race fresh, or at all?  I obviously think he may be coming in with fresh legs to this race.

Prediction:

1. Drew Gambill (Shakamak)

2. Connor Claflin (Lawrence Central)

3. Mitch Dutton (FW Snider)

4. Nathan Hendershet (Pendleton  Heights)

5. Austin Mudd (Center Grove)

6. Will Sievern (Evansville Memorial)

7. Dan Porter (Carmel)

8. Josh Roche (Lawrence North)

9. Phil Schroeder (FW Dwenger)

200

This event can be interesting for a sprinter doing heavy duty work at the state meet.  Many sprinters entering this race would have completed the 100 and 200 trials, then the 100 finals, then the 4x100 relay, and now the actual final (assuming the day is going well).  I feel this is when some veteran knowledge can come into play when athletes learn how to run trials, and how to stay mentally ready throughout an entire track meet, without being distracted by the atmosphere around them.

Leo Cordova (Richmond) runs one of the best curves in the state, and this is his event.  However, it will be interesting to see how many athletes come out after this, as Quinntyn Qualls (Pike), Kendal Frederick (FW Snider) and John Broaden (North Central) surround him on the leaderboard.  Quinntyn has shown to be one of the most versatile sprinters in the state, splitting 47.5 on a 4x4, and running a top 100 time as well.  However, he has placed some focus on the open 200 to take a run at getting a state title as a sophomore.

Prediction:

1.  Leo Cordova (Richmond)

2. Quinntyn Qualls (Pike)

3. Nick Stoner (Center Grove)

4. Kendal Frederick (FW Snider)

5. Thomas Brueggemann (Columbus North)

6. Tyrennzie Burgess (Lawrence Central)

7. John Broaden (North Central)

8. Jerry Wilson (Ben Davis)

9. Anthony Kimmons (Indianapolis Arsenal Tech)

3200

The defending state champion, Futsum Zeinasellassie (North Central) will not be the favorite entering the state meet in this event.  He has been kicked down twice, by Franklin Central’s Jason Crist, and Terre Haute North’s John Mascari.  However, Futsum still may be the most talented athlete on the track, and will be in the mix with all eyes on him from his competitors.  I am going to guess that he will have a 4x8 under his legs, but that’s it.  This could of course play a part in how things unfold.

Expect a fast time either way, as Futsum will have to push the pace in order to hold off the kickers.  The first mile should be around 4:35 in order to avoid that from happening.  If it goes out that fast, it will quickly spread the field, and give him a better shot.  However, some athletes can hang with him at this pace, including Tyler Byrne (North Harrison), and Connor Martin (Westfield).

Prediction:

1. Futsum Zeinasellassie (North Central)

2. Connor Martin (Westfield)

3. John Mascari (Terre Haute North)

4. Scott Vicenzi (Brownsburg)

5. James Martin (FW Carroll)

6. David Osborn (Chesterton)

7. Tom Ohlman (Carmel)

8. Tyler Byrne (North Harrison)

9. Gabe Ocasio (Columbus North)

4x400

This is THE event of the track meet, no matter the outcome.  However, this year it may have part in determining the team championship.  Ben Davis is the front runner, being the only sub 3:20 team as of now, but many teams are on their heels and will be looking to get after them.  Center Grove has ran them down before on the anchor, and Pike’s Qualls can also do so if he is close enough when receiving the baton.  Snider will be in the mix with some big legs as well.

Prediction:

1.  Ben Davis

2. Pike

3. Center Grove

4. Fort Wayne Snider

5. Chesterton

6. Lawrence Central

7. Zionsville

8. Fort Wayne Northrop

9. Bloomington North

High Jump

Two 7’1” jumpers in the state means this is something that will be worth watching for enjoyment near the end of the competition.  Jonathan Christensen (Southmont) and Derrick Hill (Anderson Highland) will likely be the last two men standing in the competition and will try to push each other to new heights.  Christensen seems to be hitting his stride as of late, but Hill can also compete on the big stage.

Prediction:

1.  Jonathan Christensen (Southmont)

2. Derrick Hill (Anderson Highland)

3. DeSean Prentice (Penn)

4. Taylor Caldwell (Harrison)

5. Ryan Helfert (Boonville)

6. Lawrence Cotton (Anderson Highland)

7. Matt Gerbick (Andrean)

8. Todd Nibbs (Brownsburg)

9. Austin Schultheis (Northeast Dubois)

Long Jump

On the home stretch you will be able to enjoy some true athletes showing off their abilities.  Lawrence North has produced many great long jumpers in recent years, and this year is no different with Brandon Muncie being near the top.  However, this event is often a bad day for many athletes as they can’t hit the board on the faster runway.  Look for the experienced, and then well-coached athletes to make the proper adjustments and prosper.

Prediction:

1.  Brandon Muncie (Lawrence North)

2. John Alsup (Kokomo)

3. Kody Galloway (Chesterton)

4. Dylan Anderson (Bloomington North)

5. Josiah Lemons (Richmond)

6. Eric Robinson (Warren Central)

7. Ray Beverly (Pike)

8. Demarien Smith (Fort Wayne Wayne)

9. Michael Perkins (Valparaiso)

Pole Vault

In recent years, we have been very spoiled to enjoy some great vaulters.  While this field is still very strong, it has many different names than we are use to.  Drew Volz (Bloomington South) and Michael Wanhainen (Castle) entered the season as the two favorites, and could be the last two vaulting in Bloomington.  However, this is going to be a senior loaded field, just like last year, and it will be about the athletes executing what they do in practice, to capture a title.

Prediction:

1.  Michael Wanhainen (Castle)

2. Drew Volz (Bloomington South)

3. Owen Wagoner (FW Carroll)

4. Chase Payne (Homestead)

5. Kevin Jackson (Eastern)

6. Byron Ferrell (Merrillville)

7. Phillip O’Brien (Homestead)

8. David Meza (Homestead) --- 3 participant standard

9. David Schipper (FW Dwenger)

Now for the throws, I give Coach Nolting shares some of his expertise in the throwing arena…

Men’s Shot Put (The Big 3 separate themselves from the field)

The “Big 3” have stood alone in recent weeks. Gabe Hull (Jr. Bloomington South) and Kris Harley (Jr. Warren Central) have surpassed the 60 foot mark and with Jeremiah Zollman (Sr. BNL) very close with a respectable 59’10.5, they have separated themselves from the rest of the field. The 4th best throw in the state is nearly 2 feet off Zollman’s 59’10.5. We could very well see some big throws out of these individuals in the post season.
I have always been a believer that championships favor consistency. I have seen Hull throw 5 times this year and each occasion he has hit the 58 plus mark. The same can be said for Harley. They are both well coached and have exceptional explosion and finish. 

Predictions 
1. Gabe Hull – Bloomington South
2. Kris Harley – Warren Central
3. Jeremiah Zollman – BNL
4. Anthony Bradley – North Central
5. Leneil Hines – Plymouth
6. David Baker – Brownstown
7. Chris Fields – Evansville Harrison
8. David Raffin – Chesterton
9. Dominick Dean – Westfield

Men’s Discus (Not the runaway event one might think)
To the average fan, discus would seem to be a runaway show this year. With Gabe Hull (Jr. Bloomington South) at 188’5 and the next best throw of the season 8 feet shorter, it would seem that he is the hands down favorite. However, as the past has shown us, anything can happen in the finals. There are several other very qualified throwers that could upset Hull. Future Indiana State thrower, Justin Applegate (Sr. Martinsville) has all the tools to make it happen. He has been over 175 four times this year. Geoff Getts (Sr. Garrett) is also a returning medalist and has the capabilities to produce big throws. Lastly, don’t count out Langston Newton (Soph. Carmel) he has consistently put up some big distances this year as well. 
IU has provides an interesting environment for discus and shot. I have seen some throwers fold under the pressure of throwing in front of the number of spectators. The other interesting issue is the monstrous cage. It can be visually deceiving as well as a mental distraction. The fence, used for safety purposes to protect runners on the track, extends near the 90 foot mark and seems to be an issue for some participants both visually and physically. Numerous throwers have ended their days in the cage at IU. Look for the local throwers Applegate and Hull to do well on May 5th. 

Predictions
1. Justin Applegate – Martinsville
2. Gabe Hull - Bloomington South
3. Geoff Getts – Garrett
4. Langston Newton – Carmel
5. Elias Micozzi – South Bend Riley
6. Jordan Beaver – Huntington North
7. Caleb Reiff – Zionsville
8. Dyrek Chowning - Warren Central
9. Ryan Frick – Lake Central

Now a look at the team race.

Based on these predictions the top 3 teams are Lawrence Central (46), FW Snider (44), and Ben Davis (38).  Outside of that sits North Central, Carmel, Bloomington South, Warren Central, Center Grove, Pike, and Lawrence North who could all very well move up, as they should have many weapons in the state meet.  The best thing about this meet is that there is no clear cut favorite entering, although Lawrence Central and Snider have an edge on the rest entering the season.  A lot can happen if people are eliminated in early rounds, false starts, bad starts, scratches, and just other teams who may not be in the “team race” that come and take away points.