Friday, August 23, 2013

XC Talks: Tunkhannock

I now have created a facebook page called: PADontPlay
Here is the Link: https://www.facebook.com/padontplay

Once I figure out how Twitter works I'll make one of those as well (sorry guys, I don't have a smart phone!). But I'll be tweeting and posting updates, ect on Facebook. The contests for prizes will be going through Facebook as well, so that's how I'll be able to send the prizes out. The contest's will be posted here and on Facebook, but the responses will only count on Facebook, unless you post your name.




XC Talks: Tunkhannock
I may be up a bit too much on this AA team, but they’ve got their top 4 guys returning along with Jacob Toczko (So) who took major strides this past track season. I feel as though these guys are the class of the AA field. 1-4 last season they had a 30 second pack and Toczko should be right in the middle of that this season, if not leading it.

2012 State Finish: 4th (AA)

Key Returners
Jack Tidball (Jr) – 4:36.03 – 1600, 9:45.30 – 3200 1st on the team (17:17 @ States)
Ben Siegel (Sr) – 2nd on the team (17:25 @ States)
Carson Ayers (Sr) – 4:37.40 – 1600 4th on the team (17:47 @ States)
Jacob Toczko (So) – 4:51.34 – 1600 (although he must have run faster), 9:50.27 – 3200

Season Preview:
The Lock Haven recruit Alex Nole stole the show this past spring for Tunkhannock running 1:54, but what many people don’t realize is that he was only their 5th man at the state meet during XC and just one of two seniors on the top 7. Despite Alex’s mid-distance success it seems as though the Tunkhannock squad is mostly distance runners, many of which only run XC. 

In a team returning 5 of 7 and a 1-30 second spread 1-4 there is no true front runner who has emerged yet. Jack Tidball (Jr) lead the group last season at states and made some solid improvements during the track season adding a 4:36 1600 and 9:45 3200 to his PR’s. As a rising junior he has a lot of upside, especially for a breakout season.  

Carson Ayers (Sr)took major strides towards his new leadership role during the track season as he stayed in contact with Tidball running 4:37 for 1600. He looks to take this into the XC season and close the gap on the pack as he was 30 seconds behind Tidball at the state meet last season. If he can close the gap with XC specialist John Loomis (Sr) they could protentially set up an incredible 20 second spread, putting this team in prime position for the AA title.

Jacob Toczko (So) is one of the guys to watch this season. He isn’t like Brophy with a 9:32 3200 as a Fr, but I doubt he was running much before his freshman year. I think he takes a big leap this XC season. At a minimum I see him running right in the thick of things with this tight Tunkhannock pack. There is even potential enough for him to become a front runner for this team, pushing the whole pack up with him. This dangerous upside potential with Toczko is what puts Tunkhannock top of their class in AA.

What to Watch For:
A tight pack. This will be the key to Tunkhannock’s success in 2013. Toczko could be a huge breakout star for them, as running 9:50 for a freshman is quite exceptional. If they can keep it within 30 seconds 1-5 or 2-5 with a front runner breaking out, then they have a chance to score under 70 points at this year’s AA state meet. I’m excited to see how they fair in the combined results.

That's all for now Folks!

--ForrestCRN

7 comments:

  1. Question: did you ever send out anything about senior journals?

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  2. Another question (different guy): Are you planning on doing video interviews with anyone?

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  3. Just to give something to chew on...

    Toczko's has a 9:50 two mile as a freshman. Comparing him to the seniors now when THEY were freshmen Toczko's two mile would've been right with guys like Caleb Wakeley, George Kelly, and Reiny Barchet. Guys like these went to on to do some great things the next year. Wakeley later ran a 9:32 and Barchet ran 9:28 at districts (not quite too sure what happened to Kelly but things happen). *Stats thanks to PenntrackXC

    The talent for Toczko is clearly there and he has the potential to get better. If he harnesses and develops himself he could develop into one of the better AA guys in the state this year.

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  4. Just asked about 6 to 7 guys if they wanted to do Journals and I think I'll be doing video interviews as the year goes on and just asking around. I thought they went well last season and now that I've done a couple I feel as though they will go better this next season.

    I've got a DTWest XC talk coming up within the hour.

    If you guys have suggestions on how I can improve them please let me know :)

    As for 3200 marks for FR my Coach always said sub 10 was a big #. Mac Emery did it, as did Ross Wilson, and Chris Campbell, ect for CRN. Always something to look for.

    --ForrestCRN

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  5. Tunkhannock might not even win District 2. Dallas returns all of there top 7 and beat Tunkhannock twice last year. They also have a front runner in DeLuca. Watch out for this team.

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  6. Yeah I think Dallas will take the D2 spot this year. They've got a good group of seniors lead by Deluca who should be making his own try for individual AA champ this year.

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  7. D2 has three of the best AA teams in the state. D2 championships will be a big race. Going into last year's mud fest no one would have picked Tunkhannock to make it to States. They not only go but finish 4th. Whoever goes from D2 has a shot at the State title. I would go with Tunkhannock and Dallas as the teams that make it out. Should hold as long as it doesn't rain the week of Districts....Dallas melts in the rain.

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