By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

Here is an event-by-event breakdown of what to look for in these boys track events Friday and Saturday at the 98th CIF State Championships:

100-meter dash

Favorite: TJ Brock, Chaminade. In addition to trying to defend his title, Brock also has his sights set on the state finals record of 10.30 by Southwest’s Riley Washington from 1992.

Other contenders: Antonio Mitchell, Vista Murrieta; Cole Dubots, Vista Murrieta; Charles Williams, Bullard. The performances of Mitchell and Dubots will be instrumental in Vista Murrieta’s pursuit of back-to-back state team titles. Williams swept Central Section Masters championships in the 100 and 200 and is looking to step up on a bigger stage.

Sleeper: Isaiah Diego-Williams, Serra. Was within one tenth of Brock at the Southern Section Masters Meet and will look to challenge for a podium finish.

200 meters

Favorite: Michael Norman, Vista Murrieta. After lowering his own state record to 20.23 running into a headwind at the Southern Section Masters Meet, he could have the national high record 20.13 in his sights in pursuit of defending his title.

Other contenders: Isaiah Diego-Williams, Serra; Charles Williams, Bullard; Nick Moore, Oaks Christian. Norman hasn’t been challenged in this event all season, but all three individuals have the potential to run under 21 seconds and make the state podium.

Sleeper: Tayvian Cunningham, Will C. Wood. Looking to build momentum following an impressive performance at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Meet and not only make the final, but improve on his personal best 21.38.

400 meters

Favorite: Michael Norman, Vista Murrieta. Ever since his 45.19 at last year’s state final, Norman has been in a class by himself and is motivated to challenge the state record of 45.09 by Hawthorne’s Henry Thomas in 1985.

Other contenders: Myles Ellis, Antelope. The only athlete other than Norman to run under 47 seconds this season with his 46.78 at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters, will look to improve on that mark in the final.

Sleeper: Marcel Espinoza, Santa Monica. Following a runner-up finish to Norman at the Southern Section Masters Meet, has legitimate aspirations to make the state podium.

800 meters

Favorite: Connor Dunne, San Clemente. The last state champion to run under 1:50 was San Jacinto’s Immanuel Hutchinson in 2011 and Dunne is looking to become the 35^th athlete in state history to achieve the feat.

Other contenders: Isaac Cortes, Great Oak; Anthony Chaidez, Notre Dame; Nelson Quintana, Great Oak. All the seniors have run under 1:52 this season and have the closing speed necessary to challenge for the title. Cortes will attempt to double, along with the 1600.

Sleeper: Benjamin Micallef, Bellarmine College Prep. The junior produced an impressive 1:52.29 to win the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters and has continued to rise to the challenge all season.

1600 meters

Favorite: Isaac Cortes, Great Oak. From the Millrose Games mile to the California Winter Outdoor Championships 600 to several relays at the Arcadia Invitational and Mt. SAC Relays, Cortes has demonstrated exceptional closing speed. His 4:04.01 at the Southern Section Masters Meet was another example he’ll be tough to beat.

Other contenders: Eduardo “Lalo” Herrera; Tyler Janes, Martin Luther King; Spencer Dodds, Great Oak; Jake Ogden, Dana Hills. All veterans of big invitational fields, including the APU/Arroyo Meet of Champions mile, which compared to the Southern Section Masters Meet in terms of depth. All have the potential to win a tactical race.

Sleeper: Luis Grijalva, Armijo. Ran a personal-best 4:08.31 at the Sacramento Meet of Champions and has been waiting for an opportunity to challenge the state’s elite after winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters.

3200 meters

Favorite: Eduardo “Lalo” Herrera, Madera South. The local star is hoping to save his best race for last at Buchanan’s Veterans Memorial Stadium. Herrera is the state leader at 3000 meters following his 8:15.01 and is motivated to follow Caleb Webb’s 8:47.30 effort last year with another performance under 8:50.

Other contenders: Cooper Teare, St. Joseph Notre Dame; Callum Bolger, San Luis Obispo; Jack Van Scoter, Flintridge Prep. The only athletes in the state faster than Herrera, they all have the potential to run under 8:50. Van Scoter was the fastest California athlete at the Arcadia Invitational, Teare won the Mt. SAC Relays and Bolger won the Southern Section Masters Meet.

Sleeper: Spencer Dodds, Great Oak. After an exceptional cross country season and several record-setting relay performances, the senior is motivated to achieve his greatest individual accomplishment.

110-meter hurdles

Favorite: Joseph Anderson, Upland. Last year’s state runner-up has healed in time from a hamstring injury to once again be in position to challenge for the title. His wind-aided 13.67 at the Southern Section Division 1 final was an indication he is ready to race at a championship level.

Other contenders: Koty Burton, La Quinta. The most consistent hurdler in the state, he has split the past two matchups with Anderson and is ready for the winner-take-all final.

Sleeper: Deion Lightfoot-Shelton, Kimball. The junior became only the third hurdler to run under 14 seconds this season with his 13.87 performance at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters and could be a factor with the championship at stake.

300-meter hurdles

Favorite: Koty Burton, La Quinta. The only hurdler in the state to run under 37 seconds, he delivered at the Mt. SAC Relays, Southern Section Division 1 finals and Masters Meet and will look to do so again.

Other contenders: Jonathan Harvey, De La Salle; MacLean Conner, Pleasant Grove; Paramveer Chohan, Buchanan. In one of the deepest fields of any event, all the section champions have the potential to run under 37 seconds and compete for the title.

Sleeper: Cameron Samuel, Rancho Verde. After running 37.07 at the Mt. SAC Relays and 37.10 at the Southern Section Masters, the junior has the confidence he can challenge Burton for the title.

4 x 100 relay

Favorite: Vista Murrieta. After not being able to successfully get the baton around the track in last year’s final, the Broncos have been on a mission to get another opportunity, looking to improve on their 40.63 from the Arcadia Invitational.

Other contenders: Notre Dame, Martin Luther King, Bellarmine College Prep. With defending state champion Chaminade not qualifying for the state meet, these programs are looking for an opening by not only advancing to the final, but challenging Vista Murrieta.

Sleeper: Rancho Verde. If Isaiah Cunningham is healthy, not only could the Mustangs make the final, but provide a legitimate test for Vista Murrieta.

4 x 400 relay

Favorite: Vista Murrieta. With the state team championship likely at stake, expect the best version this season of the Broncos, relying heavily on Michael Norman to secure the title.

Other contenders: Notre Dame, Cosumnes Oaks, Vanden. All three teams have run under 3:17, with Cosumnes Oaks and Vanden delivering strong performances at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters. Notre Dame has continued to push Vista Murrieta and is looking to build on its 3:16.01 from the Southern Section Masters Meet.

Sleeper: Rancho Verde. Still the state leader from the Mt. SAC Relays at 3:14.02, with a healthy lineup, don’t be surprised if the Mustangs emerge victorious in the final.