By Michael Newman

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Congratulations to Zachery Bradford, a senior from Bloomington High School in Bloomington, as the 2018 ILXCTF Illinois Track & Field Boys Athlete of the Year. This is the second year in a row that Bradford has achieved this honor.

Zachery was untouchable in the Pole Vault in his final prep season. When most of his fellow athletes in the event had run out of attempts, he was just entering the event. Bradford went undefeated against Illinois athletes clearing 17-feet or better a record 13-times. He broke his own state meet record clearing 17-6 to win the 3A State title for the third straight year. Bradford was the indoor national champion clearing an Illinois All-Time indoor best of 18-0.5 to win the title at the New Balance Indoor Nationals. He qualified for the IAAF U-20 World Championships by clearing an All-Time Illinois best of 18-2.5 to win the US Junior National Championships. Bradford cleared the same height to finish second and earn a silver medal at Worlds on July 14. He leaves Bloomington and heads to the University of Kansas setting a standard for Illinois athletes that might be tough to beat. He also earned all-state honors this spring helping his team to finish fifth in the 1600 Meter Relay at the 3A State meet.

Other athletes that we considered included:

John Meyer of Lockport Township High School. Just like Bradford, Meyer set a standard in the Shot Put for future Illinois athletes that will be tough to overtake. He set an all-time Illinois best of 70-6.5 at the Southwest Suburban Conference Championships. Meyer also set the IHSA State Meet Record throwing 68-8 in the preliminaries. He went past 67-feet in meets a record 11-times. Meyer also finished third at the US Junior Championships throwing a 6kg shot 66-1.

Marcellus Moore of Plainfield North High School. Only a sophomore, Moore set a new IHSA State Meet Record and Illinois All-Time best running 10.31 to win the 3A State title. Moore also won the 200 Meter Dash and helped Plainfield North to win the 400 and 800 Meter Relay. The week before at the Plainfield South Sectional, Moore ran the second fastest Illinois time ever for 200-meters (20.88).

Dylan Jacobs of Sandburg High School. Jacobs helped Sandburg win the 3200 Meter Relay at the IHSA State Meet and then came from behind to win the 1600 Meter Run.

Danny Kilrea of Lyons Township High School. Kilrea came from behind to win the 3A state championship in the 3200 Meter Run. Kilrea also had one of the ten fastest times national at 5000-meters.

State Meet photo by Laura Duffy - 2018.