Hello to all! Just got back from the District 1 Meet at Lehigh and goodness gracious it was a fantastic day! Sunny and about 55 degrees with some wind, but for the most part it was pretty good. The ground was dry and fast, nicest I've ever seen before at Lehigh and I've been to that course 15 times now.
Before I get into this just wanted to say it was great meeting some of you in person, coaches and runners alike. I had some really nice conversations with a lot of guys and got a few interviews in. Sadly my camera went wacky right before my interview with Paul Power of Spring-Ford who had a fantastic race.
There was no mile or two mile clock this season at Lehigh which is a real shame and threw a lot of kids off, but lets get started!
The Boys 'A' race lived up to the hype as expected and it came down to NHS beating out Jenkintown on a 6th man tie! Really fantastic racing from both squads. They had 3 different sprint outs to the finish, Jenkintown won two of those three, but it wasn't enough. Sadly only NHS will be moving onto the state meet after a valiant effort by the Jenkintown squad.
Wagner of Jenkintown got the victory and looked pretty comfortable all the way through. He was 5:05 at the mile. Behind him were NHS's 1-2 punch in 5:20 at the mile and then most of the runners between 5:30 and 5:40.
Big step up senior year race by Jack Roth of Devon Prep to qualify for the state meet, along with two sophomores Stemler and Grunden.
The Boys AA race was just as intense up front as the A race!
At the mile mark between 5:10 and 5:12 there was a pack of 8 runners including 4 HGP and 3 Potts runners. Not too far behind them was a group 9 -18 at 5:20 that had another 3 HGP and 3 Potts runners.
By the two mile things started to string out a bit as Pottsgrove started catching HGP boys.
10:35 - Connell and Kardish of HGP
10:40 - Toth and Lopez of Pottsgrove
10:48 - Cook of Pottsgrove
11:00 - Gargus and Wurtz of Pottsgrove with Dineen of HPG
11:05 Prior, Lennen of HPG
Pottsgrove ran a really solid second half of the race, taking advantage of a few HPG runners going out a bit too hard. Jacob Keiper of Upper Perk did his best of break up the HGP and Pottsgrove party up front, placing 6th overall. Congrats to both teams on a great fight aw well.
Official Score Pottsgrove - 29 HGP - 35
Boys AAA
Just an absolute incredible race all around. 32 Boys broke 16 minutes which is unreal to see. The fast pace all the way through helped some guys, but hurt others as 16:15 was the last qualifying spot.
The lead back went through the Mile marker at 4:54 with the massive body of runners coming through between 4:58 and 5:05 which is typical of the AAA race. A lot of top guys got stuck at the start. The Kazanjian Brothers along with Wilson and Russell were back in 50th for the first 600m.
Russell and Wilson had broken away from the field by 2600m and were really pushing it at two miles. By 3200 Russell was barely breathing heavily and slowly pulled away from Wilson. He had about a 8 to 10 second lead with 200m left and really kicked it in, in an attempt to break 15 minutes, which he succeeded in doing. It was an unreal performance by Russell.
Just a few other thoughts (I have practice in 10 minutes):
1. West Chester Henderson: I had the honor of meeting the man behind the Magic Coach Kelly which was a lot of fun. This team packed it up really nicely at the beginning and had the top 7 all break 16. Russell and Barchet were in the front pack at the mile while the rest of the group went through in 5 flat.
2. Conestoga: I had a great interview with Andrew Marston which will be up later, but they packed it in and some guy had step up races. They had a 32 second spread 1-5. This team will do major damage at the state meet.
3. Jake Brophy is a total stud. The kid had the grin of a kid on Christmas morning during the last 50m as he floated to a 4th place finish in 15:24.
5. Penncrest: They stepped it up big time today as some other teams faltered and they made it in for the first time since 1987.
Interviews with Casey Comber, The Kazanjian's, Ross Wilson, and Andrew Marston will be up either tonight or tomorrow. If anyone would like to do a video interview either this weekend/week or next weekend after states e-mail me at fk246898@muhlenberg.edu or send me a Facebook message to the padontplay page or my personal account Forrest Bender-Kentwell. Sorry that my camera died or I would have gotten a few more.
After Practice today I'll do a whole write up on District 1 and 12, so stay tuned!
--ForrestCRN
Henderson packed in all 7 at sub 16? Wow, now I'm impressed.
ReplyDeleteI don't really think it's that impressive... they probably could have done it last year if they had run their whole varsity. However, Tony breaking 15 was pretty sweet though.
DeleteI heard they were the first team to do that in the history of the district 1 race?
DeleteWitnessing Russell break 15 was so awesome. He's a stand-up guy. Respect.
ReplyDeleteThe start of the jv race was insane though. the anouncer said "quiet on the start the race will begin in 2 minutes" then, 30 seconds later, the gun went off. It was chaotic as usual in the jv race from then on. It appeared that henderson won the jv race too with an individual winning in 16:32. all in all the jv races should stay in the district meets.
ReplyDeleteDistrict 1 is trying to get rid of the JV race. If they do, some teams from the area (Hend. and DTW) will put on an open JV race the next day for everyone.
DeleteAnyone at Lehigh today could see what a great atmosphere it is to have the entire teams there, boys/girls, varsity/jv. It's the pinnacle of a season that starts with running in 90 degree July heat just to get ready to train harder in August. It's equal cheering and encouragement for the top varsity runner to the last one on jv. It's sincere appreciation for those who worked hard and reached a pr, no matter what the time. It's one of the most positive activities there is. Why would anyone want to get rid of that?
DeleteSadly, because it's not about any of that. It's about money and resources. I'm not sure of Lehigh's exact reasoning, but that's what a lot of this stuff is about. Which is a shame.
DeleteYeah I was stretching when I heard the gun go off in the jv race. Totally out of nowhere. No "ready" or anything just the gun. Anyway, there are kids running in the 16's in the jv race, it would be a crime not to let them run. Maybe they should let everyone's top 7 jv runners go? Just a thought.
DeleteI think we should do a charity race-"New Camera for Forrest" 5k.
ReplyDeleteBig win by Henderson, I don't know what Forrest could come up with now to not call them the #1 team. Resident Henderson fan RJJL (ie Coach Kelly) picked four out of the five qualifying teams correctly.
ReplyDeleteNo way, Coach Kelly would have picked DTW to make it.
DeleteRJJL's predictions on the last post are kind freaky right on, except for North Penn. RTJ's post from the D1 preview was real close too, he got 4 out of 5, but didn't have the top three right. So maybe RJJL is Coach Kelly and RTJ is Coach Kennedy from O'Hara.
DeleteI am 100% Coach Kennedy from O'Hara. Only a coach would say what I did about Kevin James last year... right?
Delete-RTJ
It would appear they finally learned and back the boys off a bit at Districts to rest for states. Imagine if they'd done that the last two years, instead of trying to impress with shut outs at Delco's and PCL's?
DeleteI think WCH has done enough to validate a #1 ranking now. Having less than a 60 second spread, when your top guy is sub-15 is incredible.
Delete-GBC
Yes yes RTJ is O'Hara's coach. This all sounds normal to me and not ridiculous whatsoever.
DeleteIf you look at RJJL in the mirror it looks like Kelly, without the Y.
DeleteSort of.
Im happy to see RTJ eat his words.... again..... just like he did last year....... 5peat for Henderson, all 7 runners under 16 minutes, Russell under 15 minutes, and an average of 15:34-15:35 or so for the scoring varsity i believe.
ReplyDeleteEat my words? Haha you anonymous people are funny. I've stated that I wouldn't be surprised if Henderson's whole varsity was under 16... you can go and find that.
DeleteLast year I said WCE would make States (they did) and O'Hara would win (tied... tie breaker went to 6th man, came to inches).
This year I said DTW would make it, they didn't make it, but were off by 20 points when their #1 or #2 Mucha (ran faster at chesmonts) didn't have a good race. If he didn't have a bad day, they would be at States, but he didn't so there's that.
None of my predictions are absurd, but this made me laugh so maybe I'll start throwing some absurd predictions into the equation? Mouth Lebo for State Champion!!
Fun fact: Courtney Smith could have been on Pennsbury (#4) and Penncrest's (#5) varsity squad that made States. She would have been their #5 "guy."
Other fun fact: Marissa Sheva ran 18:27 with mono. She would have been on over 15 varsity guys teams still.
-RTJ
*Mount
Delete-RTJ
The top 3 or 4 jv guys would have been varsity on any team in the district other than Henderson today.
DeleteHenderson's depth, year-in, year-out, just show what great coaching they have. They are not a large school-I think they qualify as AA, don't they? So it's not like the pool of talent is that deep. I wish I went to Henderson...can't believe I just said that but I am staying anonymous for my own safety.
DeleteCourtney Smith is all that. On both the boys & girls side< PA XC has some real inspiring runners-although I am not ready to call Sheva inspiring. Running with mono is just stupid. She runs the risk of falling and blowing out her spleen not to mention how she could have just put herself in a position of having a major set-back with her health. Sounds like her ego trumps common sense there.
And RTJ, you da man! Can't wait to hear what you have for States.
They're a small school but they recruit, are sought out, either way, they have a big reach.
DeleteHenderson is a public school. They do not and can not recruit, I know for a fact that the top 7 guys on their varsity have lived within the schools boundaries for years. Same for the rest of the team.
DeleteI also know Coach Kelly is happy to have guys come and train with his team as has been noted on this blog before.
It's just a good program with a very good and dedicated coach.
At least 5 of the varsity that ran yesterday all went to middle school together. Russell moved the summer before his freshman year to the area because of a parents job transfer-I heard he was looking to play football at WCH.
DeleteHere we go again with the recruiting controversy, it happens every year. I’m sure WCH both “recruits” and are “sought out” – from within the school and their feeder middle school. The coach is the phys ed teacher, so probably every kid who goes through that school is on his stopwatch at some point each year and if talent is spotted, why not recruit it. Not to mention they’ve got a well known program so guys who are done with soccer or lacrosse might realize, or have it suggested, that they could have some XC talent so give it a try.
DeleteSchools with good programs like WCH, CRN, OH, NA that are year in and year out top teams probably don’t just sit there and see what they’ve got on day one in August. They encourage the good freshmen they might otherwise lose to tennis, soccer, lacrosse, crew or golf to give XC a chance. The seek out those cut from other sports. Imagine how many top athletes at schools never realize they have running talent. Didn’t Courtney Smith just start running like three years ago? There’s probably a bunch of stories like hers. And their programs are tough but they get results so there are few drop outs. Why walk away if you’re improving and having success/fun. If the coaches from WCH, CRN, OH or NA transferred to any public school in PA I’d bet they’d have a contender within three years and it’s based on their own dedication and motivation, it’s contagious and there are plenty of kids who would thrive off of it everywhere.
-RJJL
Not Tony's best picture up there on Penn Track.
DeleteTony looks awesome! Whoever was posting about running with mono, you are right. People treat it like it's a cold or something. It's not, trust me I know. If someone competed with an active case, I can only assume they either a.)don't really have it, or b)are at the end of the 6 week recovery period or c)conned their MD into giving a soft ok with warnings. Glad things worked out for her but it is not the wisest choice. When I had it my Coach, Doctor and Parents all shut me down...that was hard to deal with but I realize it was the really for the best.
DeleteGiving praise to someone who ran with mono is sending the wrong message. There are risks and it should not be seen as heroic, otherwise it encourages others to do the same-which is wrong.
DeleteRacing with diarrhea should be discouraged too as it impacts others.
DeleteI never said running with mono was exactly smart, I just said she did. Bad, bad move on her part in my opinion, especially since she's only a junior. Still impressive that she can still run with it though. She may have "walking mono" meaning she shows no symptoms, or very little, and can go about her life without feeling it really. I hope she takes a nice break after States.
DeleteI agree with RJJL, WCH recruits very heavily within the school/middle school due to their coach being their PE teacher. There have been many cases of runners getting recruited from PE. Nicole Lord from Penncrest (went on to PSU) comes to mind first for being recruited from PE class. Courtney Smith was a soccer/lax player before she started runner XC (sophomore year). Her freshman year she just ran a season of indoor to stay in shape. Since she was so fast at other sports she decided to do XC... and placed 4th at States.
O'Hara may be a different story. They have a much larger recruiting pool than public schools. I don't know much on the subject, I just know I was asked to come there to play football for them with a few other teammates one time after a game in 8th grade. I don't know the rules and stuff for that so I'll just end that there.
-RTJ
Is RJJL actually Coach Kelly?
ReplyDeleteNo, I spoke with Coach Kelly today, he is not RJJL. He does not post on the blog.
Delete--ForrestCRN
And no attacks on RTJ please! He's a very nice, respectable man. And if you think someone's picks aren't correct, try and have the respect to post your own name and predictions.
Solid, but that course does run 40/45 seconds faster than the Hershey course. Compare to District 2 where ElkLake runs 15-20 seconds tougher than Hershey and Deluca is right in there with Russell. The boys of Tunk and Scranton Prep set up better than HGP or Pottsgrove
ReplyDeleteNobody is right in there with Russell
DeleteYeah after seeing his performance today, can say with near certainty that no one will beat Russell at states.
DeleteI'd have to agree. Last year he was 34 seconds slower at districts, if history repeats itself he will be around 15:33 ... breaking the state course record yet again. The two closest people that I thought would be closest have gotten hurt (Ethan Martin/Brent Kennedy). Ross Wilson is good on hills and let's not forget that Lehigh is indeed a milers course. I do however think Russell is in a league of his own as of now. Him, Wilson, Abert, Martin, and James will battle it out up front.
DeleteI've also just noticed that O'Hara has to run on Belmont Plateau two times in a row before the State meet. Definitely a reason they shouldn't race hard in both of those races and then try and come back for the State meet.
-RTJ
Russell was :35 slower at Hershey than he ran at Lehigh in 2012. Barchet :57 slower; Ross Wilson :44 slower; Rimkis :40 ...and those numbers hold throughout the District. Just saying hr's in the 15:40 ballpark at Hershey and there are others capable of hitting that
DeleteRussell's time should be the course record because it's fact the course was short pre-2009.
Delete"Right in there with Russell" is the goofiest thing I've seen on this blog or Etrain's blog…and last year I read every comment of every "O'Hara vs. Henderson" debate
DeleteBesides the Henderson kid, would any of those JV kids under 17 change how their team did at districts?
ReplyDeleteNP had a jv runner at approximately 16:45. If he had run the same time for their varsity squad, the team would have qualified for states.
DeleteDTW had a sophomore run 16:49
DeleteNo comments on Conestoga, Pennsbury, or Penncrest?
ReplyDeletePenncrest really came up clutch
DeleteForrest do you have race video?
ReplyDeleteALRIGHT I GOT MY STATES PREDICTIONS LET'S GET A THREAD FORREST IT'S GAME TIME KIDS
ReplyDeleteForrest, can you post the videos when you have a chance? I'd like to see Russell's kick.
ReplyDeleteAlso, does anyone have the JV results? If they're not all in one place, girls along with boys please.
-RTJ
Russell had Wilson by about 4 seconds at the two mile and maybe 6 seconds coming down out of the cornfield with 500 to go, so that must have been a pretty good kick to get under 15:00.
DeleteCoach Kelly will be compiling the jv results and posting them. Russell looked like he could run another 5k when he finished, dude's a machine.
DeleteWhat's this rumor of someone saying they're running their first mile at states in 4:35?
ReplyDeleteI hear talk of Colin wanting to do it. I'd love to watch that mess unfold if he does.
DeleteThe guy from the Chesmonts start video is going to bandit it!
DeleteThat would be a disaster for Colin and anyone choosing to follow him.
DeleteAbert or Martin?
DeleteAbert
DeleteColin Abert is a machine and I think can run very fast if he plays it smart. Going out that fast is NOT playing it smart. I believe he is strong enough this year to go out like he did last year (4:42) and hold on to a top 3 place. I think Russell, the Martin twins, James, and Wilson would respect his talent enough to go out with him, or at least not let him pull away too much. No one is foolish enough to let Abert get out of their site.
ReplyDeleteI'm with JG on this one, let's start State predictions! I will also be doing girls because I can... and this may be the first year 2 females break 18 flat on the State's course.
-RTJ
*sight
Delete-RTJ
Its such a rookie move to try to lead all of a states race. I don't see him placing in the top 5 if he is the one to lead the first mile.
DeleteEvery year someone with talent but inexperience will take it out too fast.
DeleteSome things that I took away from the District 1 meet...
ReplyDelete1. Henderson is the real deal. NA was originally my favorite a week ago and I still think they at least have A SHOT at pulling off the win. However, if I was betting in Vegas I wouldn't go against Henderson.
2. North Penn had two guys under 16, a 16:24, and a 16:45 and they still only get 9th. Plus they're 5th guy wasn't that far back at 17 flat AND they had a JV runner run 16:45 (would've gotten them in had he run varsity). So much talent on this North Penn squad and they were still pretty far back. It's a shame because this is a team that I feel could've done pretty well at states.
3. After the entire year of being written off and ignored GV had a pretty strong showing. All 7 guys under 17. Although they didn't make states make note that they were the second best ches-mont team beating out Dwest and WCE. GV came up big for post season. Just seemed to be a little too late.
4. How about Bensalem. They weren't even considered as a state team! Francis had most of the spot light for his team but I highly doubt anyone suspected them to grab 6th. Props to them.
5. Penncrest was clutch. No other way to put it. Everyone knew about the Kaz. bros and a solid 3rd guy but after that there wasn't a lot of thought about the team. They were pretty much ignored after their 2nd place finish at Abington and they came up big today. Good luck to them. They were underrated.
6. Conestoga RAN LIKE CHAMPS. That was a scary good performance that was overshadowed by Henderson. They went 16:21, 16:13, 16:11, 15:56 and 15:50. Plus they're 6th and 7th were 16:41 and 16:47 respectively. Don't be surprised to see them 4th at states.
-RunFaster
Full list on entries into states are up on the piaa page.
ReplyDeleteWilson of CRN is not listed. Only has 6 runners from CRN. Anyone see other omissions?
Take out Henderson's top three finishers, 1 6 and 11, and put will swart in the varsity, and Henderson still beats Conestoga to 140 to 144... Wow..
ReplyDeleteReplace Stratman, Waltz and Moy with Courtney Smith and they still make states.
DeleteWe might as well just call this the henderson cross country team blog if that's all your going ti talk about. Stoga ran out of their minds, Penncrest came up with a clutch race, and even in the independent states you had malvern winning and scoring just 29 points without their 8th grade stud josh hoey
ReplyDeleteHenderson looked great on Friday, they ran out of their minds and came up clutch scoring just 58 points without their junior stud Will Swart.
DeleteYeah i heard about that from the first 60 comments on this post
DeleteI think Knapp is their junior stud, no offense to Swart. And I think a healthy Gordon Barchet is stud #2 and then Swart.
DeleteThen go and make you're own blog and ban talking about Henderson if you don't want to hear about them. No one cares about what you want to hear. Conestoga isn't a tenth as good as Henderson so why should they be talked about over them? Honestly? Henderson is THE team of PA, no one from out of the state knows who NA are or Conestoga, they know O'Hara from last year. That's just a simple fact
ReplyDelete