BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
Mad dash: Statewide one of the most interesting events will be the 400 where Rice Lake’s Ken Bednarek, the defending Division 2 champion, and Ashwaubenon’s Jose Guzman, last year’s Division 1 champ, lead a hoard of returning talent. Eight of the top 10 are back in Division 1 and six of the top 10 return in Division 2.
Extending the streak: The last five 800-meter winners in Division 1 have come from the area. A number of top performers in that event return, including Oak Creek’s Michael Sippy, the top returner from the state meet, plus a handful of athletes who finished first or second in their conference. This should be another good year for the area in the event. Sky high: It takes a daring sort to be a pole vaulter and there are a number of quality ones in the area. Jared Jones of Kettle Moraine, state medalist Jack Johnson of Hartford and Menomonee Falls’ Cameron Jemison, who scored at state, are the top returners in Division 1.
ATHLETES TO WATCH
Drew Bosley, soph., Homestead: In his first state meet, he almost anchored the Highlanders to a second-place finish in the Division 1 3,200-meter relay. Later he took fifth in the 3,200.
Armani Carmickle, sr., Kenosha Indian Trail: He started his season with a second-place finish in the long jump at the Performance Running Outfitters Invitational March 18 at UW-Parkside. He is a returning state qualifier in that event, but his specialty is the triple jump where his second-place finish in Division 1 makes him the state’s top returner.
David Dunlap, sr., Nicolet: The defending Division 1 champion in the 200 also came within a couple of steps of winning the 100. He’ll also lead a sprint corps that could be dangerous in the relays.
Zach Dybul, sr., Mukwonago: The three-time state qualifier in the high jump cleared 6 feet, 9 inches to win the title at the Nelson/Daniel Large School Invitational at UW-Whitewater March 18. He tied for second at state last season (6-6) and tied for third (6-4) as a sophomore. Dwayne Ford, sr., Racine Case: A two-time state qualifier in the 100, Ford broke through to finish third in Division 1 in 11.11 after failing to reach the final in 2015. He is off to a good start this season thanks to victories in the 55 (6.68) and 200 (23.12) in at the Performance Running Outfitters Invitational March 18. Brian Jacques, sr., Oconomowoc: Jacques started the school year with a third-place showing at the Division 1 state cross country meet. He finished ninth in the 3,200 last year. Aaron Johnson, sr., Milwaukee Riverside: The reigning City Conference champion went on to win a regional title, take second at the sectional and seventh at state in 49.96. He is the No. 5 returner in Division 1, which has the making to be a deep group of runners in the event. Jared Jones, sr., Kettle Moraine: The state-runner up and top returner in the Division 1 pole vault has already cleared 14 feet this season. He went 15-0 at state last year. Kelshawn Johnson, sr., West Allis Central: The Bulldogs standout is the only returning competitor from the area who reached the finals of the 110 high hurdles in Division 1. He finished seventh in 14.99, but his prelim time (14.86) was his best of the season. Michael Oechsner, sr., Catholic Memorial: The all-state defensive back is also a top-notch 400 runner. He was sixth last season at state in Division 2. Shon Pratcher Jr., sr., Germantown: The North Shore champion won the Division 1 title with his best jump of the season (23-13⁄4). That was the secondbest mark in the state for the season. Ben Psicihulis, sr., Kettle Moraine: The defending Classic 8 400 champion is also the No. 2 returner in the state in Division 1 thanks to his third-place finish in a season-best time of 48.36. Austin Rendon, sr., Waukesha South: The Classic 8 defending champion had five straight wins in the 800 before he took seventh at state in 1:56.48. He ran his best time (1:54.59) at the sectional. Cole Sandvold, sr., Arrowhead: The two-time state qualifier in the 1,600 hopes to build off a strong cross-country season to win his first medal in the event. Michael Sippy, sr., Oak Creek: He took fifth at state last season and is among the handful of runners capable of bringing home a big prize this year. Tavian Stewart, jr., Milwaukee King: The defending City champion will be chasing Pratcher in the long jump. Stewart took fourth in Division 1 with a mark of 22-4 last season. David Young, jr., Pewaukee: Young has worked his way up the ranks. He helped the Pirates finish second in the 1,600 relay as a freshman and qualified in the 200 and 400 last season, taking ninth in the 400.
EARLY SEASON EVENTS TO WATCH
Milwaukee City: at South, 10 a.m. Saturday. Greater Metro: at West Allis Central, 4 p.m. Tuesday. North Shore: at Homestead, 4 p.m. April 6. Wisconsin Little Ten: at Oconomowoc, 4 p.m. April 6. Woodland: at UW-Parkside, 2:45 p.m. April 7. Classic 8: at UW-Parkside, 9 a.m. April 8. WTFA state indoor: 9:30 a.m. April 8, UW-Whitewater.