Well needless to say I’m extremely impressed by Will
Cather’s 50.9 400m time! That is incredibly fast for a sprinter let alone an XC
state Medalist! Cather has ridiculous range and reminds me quite a bit like
Wade Endress in that manner. He doubled back in 9:23 which isn’t too bad
either. He went sub 9 in the 3k last season and I have no question he could do
that again.
State College also dominated the 800m with Kyle Adams
winning in 1:59.4! He won by 6 seconds and really pushed himself. He wasn’t their top XC guy, but clearly the
speed is still there from last season.
The Mile was won by Matt Beyerle, also of State College in
4:39, which is a pretty solid mark early for this guy. He’ll be one of many
fighting for those final spots in the 4x8 behind Cather and Adams.
In the 3k we saw Brad Foust doubling back (from the 4x8)
with Cather winning in a 9:20 effort. Not super impressed by the mark, but they
went out in 4:55 and just chilled it out after they released SQS wasn’t really
possible at that point. Both guys have big futures in the distance events and I
hope to see them in the Mile next meet. Golembeski and Milligan looked strong
as well running 9:33 and 9:34. Milligan is only a sophomore, so I’m very
excited about his future. I’d love to see Golembeski in the Mile or 800 *but
really he should run the 1200!
In the 4x8 Altoona battled with the 5-8 guys of State
College to run 8:21 and 8:22! State College could easily send 2 4x8 teams to
states if that were possible this season. They’re at the beginnings of
reminding me of Abington from a few years ago when they put two teams on the
track sub 8. They’ve got a while, but the extraordinary depth this early is
impressive.
DVGTCA Indoor Meet #2
In the open 800 Maddie Villalba of CB West ran a very strong
solo time of 2:17.83 to easily grab an SQS, beating Jada Wilson of Upper Merion
(2:23.59) quite handily, but Wilson also got herself the SQS. This is the top time in the state by .02 seconds!
Kaelyn Heineke of CR North won the Mile over a strong field
in 5:15.86, beating out Amy Kelly of O’Hara (5:18), and Marissa Sheva of Pennridge (5:20) all of which got the SQS.
Olivia Sargent (Pennsbury – 5:24) just missed it placing 4th. I’m a
bit surprised to see Sheva running so early in the season after contracting
Mono during the end of XC, but it’s good
to see her back and running strong again. She should drop a lot of time as the
season goes on, but Heineke seems to be a big threat and now as Q’s in both the
800 and Mile. She’ll be one to watch.
The DMR was blazing with Pennsbury running a very quick
12:42, easily dipping under the SQS early in the season. They helped bring
along CB East, North Penn, and DTown East all to the SQS as well! It’s really
fantastic to see so many teams running sub 13 this early in the season. CB
South was just .9 seconds off of the time as well. Hopefully we’ll see some of
these squads out in the Armory later in the year for some even faster times
before states!
TFCAofGP Meet #2 – Division 1
It was nice going to see the Division one side of the Meet,
and I’m sorry I couldn’t stay for the second one, but we saw some good races.
3 of the state’s best 800m runners banged it out with Jeff
Wiseman of CR South coming out on top running 1:57.09 for the win! John Lewis
of Chltenham was second in 1:57.19 and Kyle Francis was 3rd in
2:00.90 (just missing the SQS). Behind them was Rob Simmons of CR North hitting
2:01.71. I was really stoked about this race with Wiseman and Lewis battling up
front the whole time. I was surprised that Francis held back as much as he did,
as he even split the race, while the top two went out in 58. Really even al the
way around for everyone and just shows how good this year will be in that
event. I’m starting to think Francis will move up to the Mile this season however.
Nothing too special in the Mile or 3k, but Andrew Hanna of
CR South won in 4:37 which is pretty solid for the sophomore who lead wire to
wire. In the 3k, Matt Aham benefited off a quick pace from Brian Arita (2:23 first
800, 3:00 first 1k) winning in 9:23. Steve Hanna of CR South also ran very
strong, planning a nice kick the last 800m from 5th place to finish
second in 9:24. Arita paid for his early leading running 9:30.
Upper Darby seems to be back again this year in the 4x8,
running a solid 8:26 for the win, which starts their season off nicely. I was
impressed by CR South who went 8:29.99 without Wiseman or either Hanna who will
be solid legs. With no trials I don’t see why they won’t qualify and run that
relay at states. They could be a dark horse for sub 8:10, especially since
Wiseman could double back for an easy 1:55 leg. Another quick note is Casey
Comber (HH) split ~2:05.8 for the 4x8. He was in the lead off leg in the slow
heat and had a huge lead by the end. It’s good to see him getting in some speed
for the 3k.
In the DMR Pennridge won in 11:02 over North Penn (11:04)
which are very solid races this early in the season. Joe Logue split 3:14 for
1200 which is pretty solid this time of year and he looked very smooth doing
it. Dave Garton of Perk Valley and Ryan Tung of NP were behind him splitting
~3:21. I didn’t expect Tung to have that type of speed this early and with
Grace as the anchor this team should easily be able to qualify later in the
season.
TFCAofGP Meet #2 Division 2
TFCAofGP Meet #2 Division 2
I’ll start off with the most impressive result, Chris
Cummings dropping a solo 8:50 for the 3k! I’m not sure if he took a break after
XC (I doubt it), so he won’t be back in this shape until later January, but
that’s a great mark this early. Glad to see him pushing it. I think he’ll be
sub 8:40 by the end of the season. Kris Lizins from TV came in 2nd
in 9:24 which impressed me from the young gun.
Jonathan Perlman won the Mile in a fairly solo effort of
4:38, but I expected a bit more after his stellar XC season. It does get him
into MoC’s which is good.
XC stud Chris Kazanjian is back and running the 800 again,
placing 4th in 2:06.4, I really hope he runs the 3k at some point
this season, but we’ll see. Dan Ferrailolo is a 1:55 guy who opened in 2:04.7,
but if Malvern Prep wants to run some fast relays he’ll be a key for them, so
that time will need to drop.
Radnor took the win in a fast battle in the DMR winning in
11:02 over challengers Malvern Prep (11:03) and Penn Charter (11:06). I’d love
to know the legs and splits for all of these teams if anyone has them! All 3
teams have SQS potential for sure if they’re running low 11’s this early.
Bishop Loughlin Games
On the girls side Crosby Spiess of GV ran 1:38.38 to place 7th
in the 600m dash. That transfers to about a 2:17 low, while Lawren Wright of
Pennwood ran 1:38.91 to place 9th overall. It is a banked track so
the times will be a bit faster, but they’re solid times this early as the two
girls went head to head in heat #2.
The rest of the GV girls didn’t have as good of a day with
Elise Claffey running 5:25, just missing the SQS, and Anna Willig running 12:20
for 2-Miles.
Christian Kardish (HGP) really impressed me running 4:29 in
the Mile to open up his season. It’s been a rough for seasons for Kardish, but
maybe this will be the start of a big campaign from the recent Harvard commit.
Behind him were O’Connell and Sauer of Pennsbury running 4:32.34 and 4:33.79 a
piece for 16th and 17th. I really like that they’re
running fast this early, and will need to carry the Pennsbury distance squad
since Webb is injured. They’ll have a strong DMR is my bet with Charles
Snorweah running 34.88 to die to 5th in the 300m dash which is incredibly
fast.
In the 2 Mile Andrew Marston had a tough time translating
his recent XC success to the track running 10:03 which was good for 14th
of 18. I’m not sure if he went out too hard and felt it pace later one, because
Kyle Levermore won in 9:15 (he’s an 8:55 guy). That does translate into a PR for him however so I'm not worried at all. I think he'll be able to drop under 9 minutes for 3k by the end of the season. Remember it's a full 2 miles or 3218m. Sam Ritz however ran fairly well as he's back in his element running 9:44.76 to take 9th place. He didn't have a strong XC season, but it seems as though he is much better on the track and it's showing already.
Splits are always encouraged as well! :)
Chris Cummings going 8:50 on his own in the 3000, that’s pretty darn impressive for mid December.
ReplyDelete- RJJL
Remember when he ran impressive times early in XC season and everyone thought he was going to be top 5? If he keeps racing fast times like this through January and early February I feel as though we're going to see a repeat of his xc season. Him being too burnt out to run to his full potential come states.
DeleteHe's such a great talent too. Hope for his sake he can maintain but I have to agree that he tends to do too much too early, fizzling out when it really matters. I don't know what his college plans are but he'd really benefit from some fresh coaching. My guess is he pushes himself too hard and nobody steps in with a different, more practical(i.e., successful)plan.
DeleteCummings ran the 8:50 off of xc fitness and is now taking time off before resuming training
DeleteI think ppl should probably back off a bit on this Cummings bashing thing ... If I remember correctly he closed out his xc season with a 12th at states a great run at regionals and a 15:30! Was he really running times early in the season that indicated he was so much better than those great achievements that his end of the season was disappointing?
DeleteC'mon ppl
Kind of...you would have thought he would be top 5 at the beginning and then he finished outside of the top 10. He didn't burn out hard but he still burned out a little.
DeleteLook at the results from pre states vs states ... A lot of guys ran slower at states including basically everybody from north allegheny so I guess they burned out pretty hard? Cummings didn't get beat by anybody at states that he beat at pre states did he?
DeleteI'd agree his best race may not have been states , maybe he coulda been up ahead of marston on a good day but the other guys were just better honestly in my opinion and at regionals and districts he ran better ... Those races are on either end of that state race ... I'm sorry I don't buy that he burned out ... I just buy that people had a bit too high of expectations
Anyway I guess this conversation is kinda silly seeing as we have confirmed he ran this mark off xc fitness and now his times will naturally be slower for a long while as he gets back into shape
Splits for SC 4x800 (Runners in order) - Eric Heatwole 2:02, Anthony Degleris 2:06, Kevin Drago 2:05, Kyle Sutherland 2:09.
ReplyDeleteIf those are truly sc 5-8 guys, they've got to be favorites for a 4x8 title.
DeleteMalvern legs
ReplyDeleteWills- 3:20
King-56
Powers-2:10
Mcdevitt- 4:36
SC looks very impressive, but keep in mind that 5-8 according to last year's times doesn't necessarily mean they are still the 5-8 runners. Obviously they aren't the top 2, but some of them could be 3-4 at this point. We will see when other SC runners open up. Very impressive nevertheless for an unloaded relay to run that quickly.
ReplyDeletePretty impressive that MP ran that w/o the Hoey brothers. Mcdevitt really stepped up. I think he could run a solid lead off in a loaded relay.
I'd have to think Cummings took a break. He wasn't at nationals so for him to keep training for over a month just to qualify, then take his break, would be the most counterproductive thing I've ever seen. Unless he's not taking a break, in which case he should talk to Dustin Wilson/Chris Campell and see how that worked out for them.
Crosby Spiess is a 2:15 leg of GV's 4x800. That time let's us know she's in strong shape right now. I was thinking GV should go to the DMR this year since Strath Haven and Garnet Valley are looking scary good in the 4x800, but now I think they would benefit more in the 4x800. That and Pennsbury basically telling everyone they're going for the DMR at States and are going to kill it. 12:42 is pretty fast at this point in the season (especially on a flat track w/ no spikes) and judging by Sargent's mile, she's not in nearly the shape she will be in come Feb.
-RTJ
Happy Birthday RTJ :)
DeleteThanks man! Haha
Delete-RTJ
I think Cumings 8:50 in most impressive early in the season. also, the depth for 800 is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHe has a lot of coaches.
DeleteQuantity doesn't trump quality in this case...if he had someone like Kelly from WCH coaching him, he'd definitely be grabbing State medals.
Deletedont sleep on upper dublin
ReplyDeleteThey could easily drop 30 seconds in the DMR.
DeleteSome people thought all that HGH talk was about a very aggressive runner at the state level on the boys side.
ReplyDeleteSTOP WITH THE STEROID COMMENTS. I don't care how much someone dislikes a runner, but steroid allegations and personal attacks are really uncalled for in high school.
DeleteToo aggressive =acceptable.
Dirty (sportsmanship or physical) = not acceptable
Debating a single action as sportsmanlike = acceptable.
Drawing and publishing conclusions on someone's character = unacceptable
TAKING hgh in high school is what's really uncalled for. As far as I know, she has not denied anything yet. And who died and made you the blog police, Sean? How you interpret someone's words is your business but you don't have the right to take away someone else's right to free speech
DeleteSuggestion: start your own blog and post the rules of posting according to Sean.
I wasn't giving the rules of the blog. I was giving my moral opinions. Taking HGH is uncalled for it if it happened. I didn't exactly see anything that says she has taken HGH either.
DeleteThe comment above, I thought (my opinion), was had no basis and unfairly accused someone of taking steroids.
You are correct in stating that taking HGH is truly uncalled for. HOWEVER, accusing someone of taking HGH without evidence when they are clean is unfair to the athlete.
And if I correctly inferred who the message was implying, I don't let people make false accusations on my teammates. Just like you wouldn't take me calling your coach a crack head very well.
I want to talk about actual running, no have to defend people against false accusations. Thanks
Sean, that comment was as vague as the come. No names, no accusations, just anonymous speculation. Chill dude.
DeleteHey Sean, I think you may be a day late and a dollar short here. My guess is you INcorrectly inferred who the party in question is-but that's probably a good thing. Either way, I read the posts from the source reporting the hgh abuse and much as I wanted to write him/her off as a disgruntled kook, there was just too much credibility and too much of it was making sense. I kind of wish someone would either take it to the next level so it can be addressed and/or cleared up. Because until that happens I know of more than a few folks who have zero respect for that runner and will likely react negatively at a race where the runner appears. Just sayin'.
DeleteWhy wouldn't they want to clear their good name if this isn't true?
DeleteAll of you are assuming that a lot of people read this blog. Truth is right now the blog only gets ~400-600 views a day and I could say many of them are repeat views meaning ~100 to 200 daily viewers. Most of them are guy high school runners, not females (I would have to imagine 85%), meaning I HIGHLY doubt anyone knows this person personally saw it. Plus the accusations were by an anonymous person with no evidence to back them up. They are baseless claims. No reason for this person to respond. That is it.
DeleteI'm tired of this talk, so anymore of it will be deleted.
--ForrestCRN
1 question Forrest-did you ever take that person up on their offer to speak off the blog?
DeleteNope. I will not get dragged into a possible lawsuit. If they truly have such information. And I mean medical records, reports, recorded discussions on such use with the runner, father, ect (clear evidence), they need to take it to a source who can do something with it. I do not have the authority to make judgements based on evidence (if there is any) so I do not need to see it, unless it comes up in a legal court or published by an organization with credibility such as Footlocker or the PIAA. Such claims are far larger than the blog and should not have been brought here in the first place, which is why I will not entertain such accusations.
Delete--ForrestCRN
jeff wiseman is a scumbag. he elbowed john lewis at the finish to win. overall just a rude kid with horrible attitude.
ReplyDeleteWhoever you are, I bet you're saying that because you're butthurt about losing to him.
DeleteI'm going to keep this comment, although I strongly disagree with it. Jeff Wiseman is a stand-up young man who I've gotten to know quite well the past few years. He didn't elbow Lewis at the end of the race (I was right at the finish line). He won the race fair and square, no foul play at all. He is always talking to his competition and is really enthusiastic about the sport. I've never seen him be negative at all, even after a bad race.
DeleteThat's his style of running-he puts it all out there, every time. I remember at the Distance Festival his aggression on the course backfired and he went down, taking a few guys with him. Brehm goes after it hard too and gets some of the same criticism. What should they do? Politely allow their opponents the space they desire? You can't tell a thoroughbred not to go all out.
DeleteI go all out and have never knocked down an opponent. That's a poor excuse for being a jackbutt.
DeleteJeff Wiseman is probably the friendliest competitor I have met. I don't know what his deal was with XC, but he is still a standup guy and not a "scumbag." I was also near the finish and while they might've bumped there were no elbows. Stop being sore.
Deleteits probably wiseman's dad defending him. thinks the world revolves around his son.
DeleteIt was nice to see Wiseman and Lewis battling to the end in a meet so early in the year. Both qualified for meet of champs and states. Chances are they'll be going head to head often individually and in relays. - JEB
Delete1:57 is a great time so early in the season. At this meet, Magaha went 1:54 last year and Willig went 1:55 at the first meet, so they're in the ballpark. I want to see Logue run a fast 800. The 800/3k will be the best events at the meet this year, in my opinion.
DeleteI'm actually impressed that Francis ran a 2 flat. I thought he'd run a 2:02-ish. Good for him. Even with that time, I don't think he runs the 800 at States though. He runs and gets top 5 in the mile.
-RTJ
By last year I meant two years ago, sorry.
Delete-RTJ
Who's in contention for the open 8 title at this point?
DeleteZach Brehm will win the mile in 3:40, afterwards chug a bottle of scotch to re-hydrate and then win the 800 in 1:45. But that's just my prediction.
DeleteReally dude? Why don't you tell us how you really feel?
DeleteWiseman is a very good, extremely competitive, driven athlete.
That's all we need to know-keep the personal attacks to yourself...unless he starts deliberately taking guys out or uses PED's.
Caldwell, Wiseman, Francis in the 800...in that order. Guess we'll have to wait & see if Moy runs the open 8, but I doubt it.
DeleteBen Ziegler of Freedom ran a 9:19 (solo effort) at the Armory Youth Holiday Classic. Expect him to drop his time and qualify for indoor States.
ReplyDeleteMark Will-Weber