Guys are trying to run a quick 3k in the first meet of the season. Brian Arita will be running it out of Division 1 and Chris Cummings will be running it out of Division 2. If you're from the east side of the state looking to join them in an attempt to break 9 and would like to make yourself known that'd be great! I'm hoping to see guys like Brophy, James (or other O'Hara runner), getting ready to roll. I will be attending both meets and I'm going to call in advance and see if I could possibly pace. I highly, highly doubt they'd let me, but I thought I'd give it a shot :)
And now onto the DMR Preview!
West Chester
Henderson – Last year these guys ran the 4x8, but I wouldn’t be surprised
if they opted to run the DMR this season. Moy would be a great anchor to have
on the double, while Stratman and Collins could run the 1200 and 800 leg’s
quite well. They don’t have a very strong 400 guy to my knowledge since Hall
graduated. When Russell runs the anchor at nationals these guys are going to be
ridiculous. I do really want to see what Moy can do on that 1200 leg however.
Council Rock North
– This team has pretty good potential. Griswold is bound to have a breakout
season in the mile indoors and I bet he breaks 4:30 and would be a nice leg for
them to have. Simmons ran a 1:56 split for this squad in that epic battle at
States against La Salle last year and has run sub 4:30 for a full Mile. He’ll
be a nice anchor for them at the state meet. Wilson has been working on his
speed as well and could come off the 3k to run a leg for this squad (Gil did it
a few years ago I believe) and I have no doubt Wilson could pull off the double
to run 4:25ish which is all the team would need to medal high. They also have a
stud 400 runner in Dean Dupree who ran 51.0 last outdoor season in the 400m.
Holy Ghost Prep –
These guys always put together a nice DMR and should do it again this season.
Kardish is a solid anchor to have and Connell should be another nice leg after
a breakout XC season. They return Brandon Davis (51.67) as another nice piece.
Also Joseph Iwasyk ran 2:02.84 last season as just a freshman last year! This
team has 10:40 potential for sure.
Penn Charter –
Ben Szuhaj would have to opt out of the 3k for them to place well, but I like
the other pieces they have. This team might end up running the 4x8 as they
return the following 800 guys (Hoyt- 1:57.96, Williams – 1:58.67, Brown – 2:02.15,
Sullivan 2:02.88), but I think they set up better for the DMR. Szuhaj can
anchor them ~4:25, Williams is also a 4:31 miler and has good foot speed which
would make him a really solid 1200 guy in my mind. Hoyt has a nice 800 PR along
with a 51.1 400 PR. These guys could put together a sub 10:40 squad and compete
for a high medal spot.
Lower Dauphin –
When you’ve got two guys who run 4:16 and 4:21 for 1600, you’ve got a good DMR.
That’s what LD is returning from last season. If Groh can get healthy, him
doubling back from the Mile to run the 1200 could work very well as Nissley
anchors. Now of course Nissley might very well opt to run the 3k instead. Sean
Weidner ran 4:30 last outdoor season as well and must be able to run ~2:02 for
the 800 leg. They’ll need 400 man Matt Canis (54.76 as just a freshman last
year) to have a nice race as well, but the key is they’ll have possibly the
best 12/16 combo in the state. All in all these guys could go sub 10:30. I’d
love to see them run it fresh at nationals and try to get into Penn Relays.
Kiski Area – I feel
like these guys always bring a DMR to the state meet indoors. Kennedy doesn’t
seem to race indoors, but if he does they’d have a really fantastic team with
him and Patrick Miller teaming up on the 12/16 legs.
West Chester East
– I think there is no question Cummings will be tearing it up in the 3k this
indoor season, but this squad without him as the potential to break that 10:50
barrier. Diestelow is a 4:28 guy and should be around 4:30 this indoor season.
Dages had a really nice XC season and that should lend him to being a solid
1200 leg (3:20). Sean Dougherty is a 2:02.6 guy and Jacob Wolfe (53.09) isn’t a
bad 400 leg either. They’ll need a good race to put it all together, but they
should be able to qualify.
Conestoga - After a massive XC season I can’t want to see
these guys hit the track. The PR’s may not be there, but if you place second in
District 1 in XC, you can put together a good DMR. Gunnar Sjoreen ran 4:27 last
outdoor season and even though Marston and Cooper, and Twombly only have 4:41 as
a 1600 PR, they should go crazy hammering it out on the track. I have to
imagine these guys can put together a sub 10:40 team. They also have a 52 leg
in Damir Jackson. Marston wasn’t on the 3k list and that’s my mistake, he could
very well run sub 8:50 and chose that race at states, despite his ‘PR’ of 10:00
for 3200.
State College – I
know this team believes that they’re a 4x8 squad, but I really hope they run a
fast DMR at some point, because I believe they have Penn Relays potential. They’re
big team runners in general and Cather on that anchor I believe could be low
4:20. Golembeski just had really solid XC season and I think he could be a
perfect 1200 leg runner like Joey Waddington was for CBS (4:21/1:56.9 guy ran
3:05 way before he ran those PR’s). They got a slew of other 800m guys like
Adams who can break 2 indoors and Mason Post (50.68) as a fantastic 400 leg.
Bensalem –
Bensalem is much like SC in that they’re a 4x8 team who could run a sick DMR.
Francis is a awesome anchor to have and he’d run down so many people on the
final leg and guys like Davis, Ramierez, and Mays should all be able to run
~3:18 for that 1200 leg. They also have the top 400 guy in the field, Kerron Holley
(49.15). So even if they’re a bit behind after 1200, he’ll get them back into
the race.
Red Land – These guys
rarely run indoor meets, but after a nice XC season I believe they could run a
good DMR. Lauer had a heartbreaking season ending injury right before the
post-season began, and I’m hoping he comes into the track season hungry. He ran
4:21.66 last outdoor season for 1600m (he should probably also be on the Mile
Preview list), which Seiger ran 4:46 as a freshman! After his big XC season
Seiger could be a great anchor or 1200 leg for the team as well. They would
need someone like Hunter Stuyvestant to step it up for that 800 leg, but they
got a solid 400m runner in John Ford (52.49). It’s a long shot for them to race
the even, but don’t be surprised if they break 10:50 should they choose to
race.
Look for a Nike Nationals Preview coming out tonight (possibly in Video format!)
Also check out Flotrack's individual Preview (they marked Tony Russell as a dark horse and I'm glad he's getting some credit through the national stage finally)
--ForrestCRN
No malvern?? Ferriola went 1:55 outdoors last year and im sure hoey could go sub 4:25. Maybe mcdevitt on the 1200 leg and im sure they can find a 400 guy
ReplyDeleteThompson for WCH's 400 leg. I'm pretty sure they have a few sub 55 guys at least.
ReplyDeleteWhat about O Hara? Are they running the 4x800 for certain?
ReplyDeleteDrew Wilkinson from RL ran 2:03 last year in the 800 for outdoors so he could be a 1:58-59 guy if RL decides to have a competitive team.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Carlisle?
ReplyDeleteJames will be running NXN...
ReplyDeleteAnd what is the probability Red Land has a team and Carlisle doesn't? It seems odd Red Land gets to be mentioned and Carlisle is not.
Just me
Everyone on this blog knows that your from Carlisle. Don't complain when your team doesn't get mentioned.
DeleteIn Sean's defense, I think we all know that Carlisle could put a top ten team in the state on the track. The only question is whether they will or not. Given that he has already said that Carlisle will be running at least some meets this winter, I think he has every right to ask why they weren't mentioned in the preview. Also, as far as his being from Carlisle goes, I don't think he has a history of making homer picks or asking for an unnecessary amount of attention for his team. The only "homer" pick I've ever seen was picking Brehm to win the 800 at states, which, as it turned out, was a pretty good pick.
Delete-GBC
Other teams you left off...
ReplyDeleteNA- They have the pieces and could be really sold if they want. Becich is an excellent quick leg in the 12/8 bad McGoey could probably lay down a solid mile and someone pick up the other leg.
Altoona-Stroh and Foust along with company could be interesting. Solid legs and they have a pretty decent history.
GV- 3 solid legs. Could be interchangeable in whatever leg. They're experienced and have a history of good DMR's. They have potential
Twin Valley (dark horse)- Digiacomo (solid name btw) really stepped up during cross along with the Geary twins. Them along with possibly Coakley and Lizins. They have a lot options and ways to go. Don't be surprised to see their name come postseason.
Any predictions for Nationals tomorrow? After all it is still XC season and two PA teams are there.
ReplyDeleteThree PA teams
DeleteMy bad, Sorry Pennsbury!
DeleteMonsignor Bonner will have a pretty decent Dmr this year and likely will run around what they ran last year if not faster. Their 6th place finish at states last year had Will McDermott anchoring who just finished the 3k. They have decent legs in Joe Sullivan (1:56, 4:27), Ryan Rastatter (2:02, 4:31), Sean Sullivan (2:10, 4:41), and Juwan Parker (52 for the 400).
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree. This team could very well break 10:35.
DeleteSullivan- 3:08.5
Parker- 51.5, 4:00.0
Sullivan- 2:05.0, 6:05.0
Rastatter- 4:29.5, 10:34.5
DMR previews are cool, but a profile (or at least a mention) of the recent cuts to the Robert Morris XC/Track and Temple track programs should make an appearance on this blog. Obviously Forrest has a large audience amongst high school runners, and I'm sure they'd like to know about the opportunities for future competition being taken away in their own state. Even a link to online petitions to save their programs would be a worthwhile investment of a post.
ReplyDeleteOhara is going to have a sick dmr
ReplyDeleteyou're obviously from o'hara and i'm willing to bet you aren't on this "sick" dmr
DeleteActually not from Ohara so nice try
Deleteclassic ohara tho
DeleteFrom PennTrack “Dallas senior Regan Rome makes a return trip to San Diego, accompanied by Northeast champion Tessa Barrett of Abington Heights…” No offense but shouldn’t that read in reverse? Barrett is far and away the best in PA. Why does Regan Rome get an inordinate amount of press on PennTrack.? More than Barrett, Smith, Schwartz and any of the guys. She would probably would be the 3rd or 4th on both Unionville and Pennsbury. I’m not knocking Regan, she’s a great runner and she can’t control what Penntrack prints. But why the unfair press? Did one of the Penntrack writers go to Dallas? It’s creepy.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed in the past they definitely have their favorites. It's weird and obvious and just not good journalism.
DeleteThey gave no respect for Barrett, she was an unknown on Penntrack.
DeleteNo mention of Ross Wilson either
DeleteShe definitely wouldn't the 3 or 4 on either Unionville or Pennsbury. She would be the 2 on either team.
Deleteyeah, Penn track must have their reasons
DeleteIt’s tough to try to predict nationals since other than Henderson and CBA, I don’t know too much about the other teams. However, since CBA has the milesplit #1 ranking, they’re the benchmark. They’re darn good, but not unbeatable. There’s several teams looking for the championship and capable. Henderson is definitely among them. Even if CBA is totally on their game it can be done with a huge day.
ReplyDeleteRussell needs to do his thing, Barchet absolutely needs to do what he did there last year, Knapp must remain the solid #3 he’s been all year. And then 2 of those next 4 have to find at least 20 second drops. Moy seemed to go after it at Regionals but paid for it on the 2nd half. However I think Nationals is run on a horse track and is pretty much flat and this should benefit him. Stratman Waltz and/or Collins are all capable of a big day. Having the top 5 at or near PR pace is a lot to ask, but this is nationals so it’s certainly possible. I thought they’d be a little closer to CBA right now but they’re not too far back to rule them out. A top 5 is more realistic but can I predict them to win? Why not, they’re the PA team!
I’m going a little RTJ here and will throw out a comment on the girls side. Unionville probably has the best chance for a PA victory. With everyone on and if Fisher continues to get stronger, they’ve got a great shot at victory. Pennsbury is no slouch either and could be among the top 5.
Here’s hoping for a big day for PA!
- RJJL
WCH was at a disadvantage due to jet lag.
DeleteGutsy race by Russell, the others didn't really show up.
DeleteNo excuses - CBA had the same jet lag. WCH changed their entire season to make a run for a national title - it didn't pay off.
DeleteDidn't pay off? An all expenses paid trip to Oregon with Nike treating the high schoolers like freaking rock stars...that right there is the payoff. They are State Champions and as was argued here last year, that's important and impressive.
DeleteHave any of you guys tried RON JERMEY"S SIX SNEAKY TRICKS. Can you tell me if it works?
DeleteBut will the 2013 WCH team be remembered as State Champions or as the team that didn't get it done at Nationals..again?
DeleteEither one is better than whatever team you were ever on.
DeleteEven if they did all "show up" it looks like the best they could have gotten was 9th.
ReplyDeleteCBA took 2nd and had their top 5 in before WCH #2 and their entire varsity in before WCH’s #3. CBA isn’t that much better than WCH. They could have been top 5 with a better showing.
DeleteWhat about La Salle for the DMR? After all, Bilotta ran a 4:26 mile last outdoor, Patrick Grant has gone 4:31 in the mile, so he could clearly go 3:15 or faster. And La Salle will easily be able to find someone who can go 2:02/2:03 for the 800 and someone else who can run a 52/53 400. That right there gives them about a 10:35-10:40. Running under 10:40 gets you a medal basically every year and in some cases can even be top 4 or 5.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Their ability to reload is impressive. If they really want it I think they'll be able to scavenge one together.
DeleteLaSalle returns their 400 leg from the Penn COA, it says he split 50 point on the penn website
DeleteI forgot about him, with a 50-51 split for the 400 that puts them closer to 10:35, helping La Salle even more
DeleteI know this a DMR post, but if this is about the 4x800.
ReplyDeleteAvon Grove hit the SQS Friday at the first Franklin and Marshall meet, no spikes. Really impressive to make it on first try so early in the season. Watch out for them; hopefully they can hold it for 3 months though
This is a joke, right?
Delete8:16 indoors, in early December, with no other team pushing the race is no joke. Nice early season surprise out of Avon Grove.
Delete- RJJL
An 8:16 4x800 equates to about a 10:55-11:05 DMR depending on what their splits were for the relay, so that is a good sign.
DeleteLets just hand them their watches now. Amazing performance by Avon Grove!
Delete