By Sean Duncan

The Class of 2011 isn?t the most athletic class Illinois has seen in recent years. But there certainly are several high-level athletes, led by New Trier outfielder Charlie Tilson. A look at the top 10 athletes in Illinois? 2011 class:

1.)  Charlie Tilson, New Trier HS, OF
As the No. 2-ranked player in the state and the best overall athlete, Tilson is projected to be a top-round draft pick come June. At the Area Code Games in August, the 6-foot, 175-pound Tilson scored the fourth-highest SPARQ test against all the top players in the country, and ran a 6.56 60. While his incredible athleticism has ascended his name toward the top of draft-eligible outfielder lists, Tilson?s quick left-handed bat is something special as well. As a sophomore, he helped New Trier to the Class 4A state championship by hitting .409 with 26 stolen bases. Last spring, he batted .449 with 11 doubles, 2 triples and 27 stolen bases. Committed to the University of Illinois.

2.)  Michael Martin, Stevenson HS, OF
Few players in the state enjoyed a more beneficial summer than Martin, as he showed time and again that he?s more than just a top-level athlete. His athleticism, however, is what makes him special. At the Stevenson Showcase, he ran an event-best 6.52, and the right-handed hitter routinely beat out grounders to the second baseman during the regular season. He was clocked at 85 mph from the outfield, plus he can play either middle infield postion. At the plate, he has extraordinarily quick hands. Committed to Harvard

3.) Dontrell Rush, Harlan HS, OF/RHP
Rush is the epitome of a quick-twitch athlete. Everything he does is fast. He possesses a lightning-quick arm on the mound, where his fastball?s velocity has climbed as high as 92 mph. His arm strength also plays in the outfield, along with his 6.7 60 speed and overall athleticism. Committed to John A. Logan JC.

4.)  Chris Godinez, Lake Forest HS, MIF
No middle infielder in the state enjoyed a more beneficial summer than Godinez, who proved to be one of the class?s most impressive quick-twitch athletes. A 6.7 runner, Godinez possesses extremely quick hands at the plate, and showcased surprising power over the summer. Godinez is also extremely quick in the field and can play either middle infield spot. As a junior, he swiped 16 bases and drove in 15 as the team?s leadoff hitter. Committed to Bradley University.

5.)  Caleb Howell, Jacksonville HS, OF
The left-handed hitting Howell , who ran a 6.65 60, already holds the school?s stolen base record after swiping 21 last season. As a junior, he batted .484 with 35 runs, 29 RBI, 7 doubles, 5 triples and 3 home runs. Howell also plays a top-level outfield and is a standout football player as well. Committed to Eastern Illinois University.

6.) Cody Livesay, Anna-Jonesboro HS, OF
Livesay announced his blazing speed at the Plainfield Showcase, when he ran an event-best 6.4 60. Livesay uses his athleticism to cover a lot of ground in centerfield,  and he showed solid arm strength as well. As a junior, the left-handed hitting Livesay batted .498 with 14 triples, 22 RBI and 1 home run. He also swiped 28 bases in 32 attempts for the Wildcats. Committed to Parkland College.

7.)  Jake Bergren, St. Charles North HS, OF
A two-sport standout, Bergren is an athletic left-handed hitting outfielder who is also the quarterback on the football team. A 6.7 runner, he emerged last spring as a prospect to pay close attention to as the North Stars? starting centerfielder and leadoff man. Committed to Minnesota.

8.)  Jeremy Rhoades, Wheaton-Warrenville South HS, RHP/C/OF
At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Rhoades is a physical top-level athlete who is one of the state?s most versatile performers. Although he is a 6.8 runner, Rhoades? future is likely on the mound, where he has shown an 85-87 mph fastball and a tight two-plane slider. Uncommitted.

9.)  Brandon Ley, Quincy Notre Dame HS, SS/RHP
Ley is one of the best-kept secrets in the state. With little fanfare, the two-way standout has produced big numbers. Ley also possesses all the athletic tools for continued success: He?s a 6.7 runner; he has been clocked at 86 mph across the infield and has been up to 88 mph on the mound. Committed to Quincy College.

10.)  Bob Colantuono, Thornton Fractional South HS, OF
The solidly built 5-foot-10, 170-pound outfielder proved to be one of the premier athletes in the state when he ran a 6.58 60 at the PBR Unsigned Senior Showcase in October. Colantuono showed he can do more than just run, displaying a solid arm from the outfield that registered at 85 mph. Uncommitted.

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