Class 3A state champion Edwardsville headlines 50th annual O’Fallon Relays
Always one of the most prestigious and competitive early season track meets in southern Illinois, the O’Fallon Relays will also be a golden event on Friday at O’Fallon High School.
Defending Class 3A state champion Edwardsville along with another 12 of the top boys track and field programs in the area will be on hand for the 50th running of the O’Fallon Relays which begin with the field events at 4 p.m.
Edwardsville, led by one of the top three sport athletes in the state in junior A.J. Epenesa and solid athletes in several other individual events and relays, will be challenged by Belleville East, Belleville West and 2015 champion and host O’Fallon in the large school division. Separated by less than 15 minutes, Mississippi Valley Conference powers Triad, led by standout sprinter Adam Nelson and Highland, led by defending Class 2A 400-meter state champion Tyler Higgins, will be among the teams to beat in the six-team small school event.
“The good thing is that we’ll have the the top large school athletes and top small school athletes running against each other. Then we’ll separate the points into the large and small schools for the team standings,” O’Fallon coach and meet director Ron Koch said. “We’ve got some of the top athletes in the state who will be here in Epenesa, Nelson and Higgins along with William Session from Belleville East, who won a state title in the 110 hurdles last year.
“Belleville East also has an outstanding triple jumper in Amani Franklin, Granite City has the O’Keefe brothers, Collinsville has a top athlete in the high jump in Bailey Crone and Belleville West has an elite sprinter in DeShon Buchanan. It should be a great night of track and field.”
Other festivities planned
Koch has also invited back several former O’Fallon High School coaches and athletes who will be recognized and will take part of the awards presentations. Among those on hand will be Bill Matzker, LP Wills, current O’Fallon High School principal Rich Bickel, O’Fallon football coach Brandon Joggerst, Dennis Grimmer, Pat Herrington, Bob Bellina, Bob Nesbit, former Panthers state champion Matt Hardin and Dan Howe.
Former coach Steve Dirnbeck will be on hand as the honorary starter.
“My desire was to bring back as many former coaches and people who have been a part of this track program over the years. They have all played a big part here as well,” Koch said. “We’re going to have them present the medals and have them recognized that way.”
Koch also is welcoming all former O’Fallon High School track and field alumni. Former Panthers athletes wearing their medals from past O’Fallon Relays will be admitted free. Koch also said that a group picture with former athletes and coaches is also planned.
A 50th anniversary party will be held at the O”Fallon Knights of Columbus Hall following the meet.
Rounding out the field will be Rockwood Summit from St. Louis County along with Mascoutah, Freeburg, Mount Vernon and Salem.
General admission tickets for the event are $5 for adults and $3 for students.
This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 1:51 PM with the headline "Class 3A state champion Edwardsville headlines 50th annual O’Fallon Relays."