Josh Methner greets a bevy of reporters after winning his first 3200m state title in 2019
The Arlington Heights (Hersey) senior superstar busted on the scene as a freshman with lofty expectations in which he was able to look up to. Methner won his first harrier title as a junior and repeated in all-time record fashion last fall- taking down the legendary Craig Virgin's magical 13:50.6 three-mile mark. Methner also captured the Footlocker National Cross Country crown last December, completing a great season.
On the track, Methner won the 3200m title as a junior and was looking to repeat as well as drop some unforgettable fire. In his only 2020 race, Methner produced a state-leading 9:08.18 back on February 29. Unfortunately, there wasn't a full state to demonstrate the full potential of what could have been. Methner appeared a little surprised by winning the award. "I'll say that this award is kind of weird to get
after only having three races," he said. "I know there are some very hard-working guys who
challenged me for this award and none of us got to race each other. Needless to
say, I'm grateful that Gatorade still honored spring athletes who didn't get to
finish off their school year and I am honored to get the track and field award
for the first time."
Official press release:
The 5-foot-8, 130-pound senior clocked a time of 9:08.18 in the 3200-meter run this past winter, which ranked as the
nation's No. 15 performance among prep competitors during the 2020 indoor season. The state's reigning Gatorade
Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year, Methner won a national title at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships
in December and took second at the Nike Cross Nationals Final. He also won an outdoor track championship in the
3200 at the 2019 Class 3A state meet.
Methner has volunteered locally on behalf of his church's youth group. "Josh is an outstanding, once-in-a-career kind
of kid to coach, but he's an even better person and teammate," said Hersey distance coach Kevin Young. "His progress
through his high school career looked easy, but that's because of his daily commitment to the craft and his team. He
always did the little things to ensure that he got every last bit out of his experience in high school."
Methner has maintained a weighted 3.89 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to run on
scholarship at the University of Notre Dame.
Methner joins recent Gatorade Illinois Boys Track & Field Athletes of the Year Marcellus Moore (2018-19, Plainfield
North High School), Marcellus Moore (2017-18, Plainfield North High School), Cameron Ruiz (2016-17, Lakes
Community High School), Sean Torpy (2015-16, Carl Sandburg High School), Ja'Mari Ward (2014-15, Cahokia High
School), and Ja'Mari Ward (2013-14, Cahokia High School) among the state's list of former award winners
