2020 ILXCTF.com Illinois Track & Field Previews - 2A Boys Field Events

By Michael Newman

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The 2A classification in these six disciplines could be the toughest of all three classifications this season. Four state champions are back to defend their titles. It is a good bet that they succeed.

Hendershot looks for three-peat and repeat

The top weight event athlete in the state is Hunter Hendershot of Mahomet-Seymour. The senior will look for his third win in the Shot Put and look for his second win in the Discus. He made his step up to the national level by just missing All-American honors placing seventh at the New Balance Outdoor National Championships. His seasonal best of 62-1.25 that happened at state is the 11th best returning mark nationally.

Athan Huelskamp of St. Viator will be Hendershot’s chief competition in both events. Huelskamp stepped up to the state elite level by finishing second in the Shot Put but finishing over three feet behind Hendershot. Three other athletes that finished in the top nine are back led by Matt Wilson of Mascoutah.

It could be closer in the Discus. The top three athletes from state are back led by Hendershot and Huelskamp. Hendershot threw 182-4 to win the event with Huelskamp just five feet behind the Mahomet senior. Josh Schmid of Marion finished third 13 feet behind Huelskamp. I would not count him out this spring. Three other all-state athletes also are back led by Rochester’s Clay Alewelt.

What’s next for Heffren?

Taylor Heffren of Eureka was not on anyone’s radar when he started his freshman season last March. He finished 10th at the Illinois Top Times Championships. He only had a 6-2 personal best heading outdoors. That trend changed outdoors. He cleared 6-5 at a meet in April at Elmwood. In his sectional meet, he cleared 6-6.

The freshman was on fire at the state meet when cleared 6-9 to claim a state championship. He finished second three weeks later in the Emerging Elites Division at the New Balance Outdoor Championships.

He has time to do some great things over the next three seasons. He enters the 2020 season as the top returning sophomore nationally.

The sophomore will be the huge favorite in this event. Three other all-state jumpers are back led by sixth-place finisher CJ Shoaf of Mahomet-Seymour.

Ross and the Triple Jump repeat

The Triple Jump in this classification is extremely tough this season. The top six finishers from last year’s state meet are back. Khalil Ross of Springfield Lanphier heads that class. After a second-place finish early in the outdoor season at the Capital City Classic, Ross went undefeated for the rest of the year which included his state championship jump of 46-9.5.

The Illinois State University signee could have a big senior season. Getting the state record could be on his mind. Getting another state championship will be his priority.

Jayden McCulskie-Green of Sandwich finished second last year and should be one of Ross’ top competition. He jumped 46-8 during last season.

Other Field Notes

Five all-state athletes are back in the Long Jump headed by third-place finisher Logan Rubin of Salem. David Emuze of Springfield Southeast, who finished fourth in the state meet, returns with the top mark in the event (23-1) that happened in April. His jump at state was a foot shorter at 22-0.75.

The Pole Vault is wide-open with the top four finishers in last year’s state meet having graduated. Alan Lauterbach of Rochester is the top returning placer as he cleared 14-6 to finish fifth. Kyle Mulheen of Peoria Notre Dame tied for seventh at state. He does have the top returning clearance of 15-1.

Top Returning Class 2A Field Events Athletes

Long Jump

Triple Jump

High Jump

Pole Vault

Shot Put

Discus