Hey guys, I thought I would have wifi access on my travels for the past 4 days, but I sadly did not and wasn’t able to check my computer at all. I will be editing the comments in a little bit, and I’m very sorry that they got out of hand. I will be back at school in 3 days and starting today I will be putting out 1 to 2 blog posts everyday while catching up with all of the action. Once again I apologize for my absence in recent weeks due to family and travel activities that I have been partaking in during this break.
All of that being said, LETS GET STARTED!
I’m sure training has been tough for a lot of guys with this
poor, and very cold weather, especially for PA. Up in CT it was under 20
degrees while I was there only to arrive back in PA for -1 degree wind chill
temperatures. I’m sure tredmills are getting used more so than usually (I know
mine is!).
Despite all of this we have continued to see some really
strong times.
Starting with the Marine Corps Holiday Classic back in 12/28
that I didn’t cover, the Strath Haven girls team dominated the relay scene
running 4:03 for the 4x8 and also winning the 4x8 in 9:31.94 which bested their
own PA #1 of 9:39 that came earlier this month. This team is built for relays
and they’ve been putting great relays together for a few years now. North Penn
came in 5th with a 10:05 effort, which isn’t bad, but does miss the
SQS. They seem stronger in the DMR at this point. They ran their ‘B’ team which
placed 5th in the DMR as well running 12:57.
On the boys side North Penn threw down a huge relay time of
8:09.91 to place second to CBA’s 8:08 and I’m pretty hype about this time. This
is the first big relay time we have seen this year and it shows that they’re
ready to roll. This team has a chip on their shoulder after missing states out
of District 1 and is now looking for redemption. I’ve really liked what they’ve
put out on the track so far this season. Behind them Strath Haven placed 4th
overall running 8:16.78 which really impressed me. That gets them the SQS and
they are a dark horse team to watch out for. This is a young squad that is
rebuilding.
In the open 800 Graham Allen of SCHA got really competitive
in a fast race placing 6th, but he grabbed himself an SQS in
1:58.79! He ran 2:03 earlier this season at Lehigh, but clearly works well
mixing it up in fast races. I’m interested to see if he’s more of a strength or
speed 800 guy.
Moving on to this weekend we saw Strath Haven’s girls
dominate in the relays once again taking a new PA lead and a US#2 time in the
DMR running 12:32.71!!! Allie Wilson showed that she can move up in distance
running a solid anchor or 5:16 unchallenged. Pennsbury made a statement earlier
in the season with a 12:42, but SH has reacted claiming that relays are their
territory. Miller ran a really nice 1200 leg as well in 3:45. Wilson is the
only girl on the relay who I could see doubling which makes them, in my
opinion, a lock for a relay gold in either the 4x8 or DMR. Behind them O’Hara
ran a PA #3 time of 12:51 behind what must have been a strong anchor leg from
Kelly. This is on Haverford’s track as well which is must slower than the mondo
at Lehigh making these times that much more impressive.
The open events slowed down a bit this week as no SQS’s were
hit.
On the boys side I was sad to see the Tri-State Meet #1
cancelled. The guys out west rarely have chances to race (3) and now there are
only two meets left for them to Q or qualify for the MoC’s. Hopefully another
facility is made out there for races or a college opens up their facility in
the coming years to help out the competition.
At the TFCA of GP Meet #3 we saw some very strong times to
start off the New Years.
Division I
Jeff Wiseman continues to show off his speed running 50.73
in the 400m days for a 2.5 second win which is fantastic to see this early. He
will be scary in the open 800 and it seems as though he’ll be doubling back for
some relay action as well since his teammates have run strong this season.
Billy Caldwell continues his successful indoor season with
an 800m win and an SQS time of 2:00.57. I really like him in the mile down the
line and it’s good to see him working on some speed. Behind him Rock Fortna the
sophomore from CBW impressed with a 2:02.62 while Mike Boggs ran just .03
slower for CR South. They should have a very strong 4x8 team this year with the
Hanna brothers and Wiseman on the anchor leg.
Kyle Francis moves to his strong distance, winning the mile
in 4:30.06 for an SQS. Casey Comber works on his speed running a 4:32 which I
am very happy to see this early. It’s just behind what Sam Webb ran last year.
Brown of RC and Grant of LaSalle also got the MoC mark and are guys to look for
later in the season.
Now to the 3k, where we saw my most impressive win of the
day from Brendan Bilotta running 8:58.65 for the win! Wow he didn’t have a ton
of competition, as Andrew Hanna (so –CRS) finished second in 9:08. I wasn’t
sure where Bilotta would take his talents this season and how successful he
would be after losing so many senior role models, but boy is this a strong time
on Haverford’s track. I’m really hyped up for him and the potential he has this
season in the 3k. He worked on his speed doing sub 2 outdoors last year and I
think that will help translate well to him having a nice kick.
The Brophy’s got together for CBE as they grabbed a win and
an SQS of 8:18 for the 4x8. I think they’ve got a bit better potential in the
DMR, but it’s nice to them running solid relays this early in the season.
Also a little note that Perk Valley broke the Frosh 4x8
record running 8:55. Not too shabby for some young guys who have a leader (an
anchor) in Dave Garton for future varsity races.
Division II
James Hare who is a solid miler won the 800 in 2:05.72,
nothing impressive, but it probably went out really slow, so it’s a race to
take as he easily got the win. Hopefully we’ll see him be competitive in a Mile
in the near future.
Speaking of the Mile Graham Allen of SCHA continued his very
impressive season running 4:36 for a win beating out Willig by 3 seconds. According
to Penn Track this is a PR for Allen who seems to be having a breakout season
on the track. I think the 800 will be more of his bread and butter and it would
be great to see him in an open 400m.
Perlman (LM) won the 3k in 9:23 over Morro’s (O’Hara) 9:31. I
am expecting to see more from Perlman later this indoor season after a big
breakout XC year for the junior. He’s got a ton of potential and I think it’s
just about finding the right race for him at this point.
Malvern Prep won the DMR in a Meet Record of 10:57. I’d love
to know splits/positions for this team along with WCE who ran a solid 11:00 for
second place while HGP took 3rd in 11:06. I really wish the DMR SQS
was a bit slower, but it’s nice to see some teams popping ~11 flat in early January.
I think MP has some fantastic pieces and Hoey is an animal of an anchor leg for
that squad. WCE impressed me as well and I have no doubt they can go under the
SQS without Cummings. He’ll be running the open 3k and I doubt the double will
happen from him, so they’ll need to continue
working for that time.
--ForrestCRN
wce finished2nd in the dmr without Diestelow. I think he ran in the 4x8
ReplyDeletethat's Diestelow's younger brother who ran the 4x800
DeleteSplits from meets?
ReplyDeleteWCE DMR was:
S. Dages 3:28
D. Bond 54
S. Dougherty 2:04
C. Cummings 4:32
Total: 11:00 (all the splits had some change that adds it up)
Also, I don't know about Josh, but Jaxson Hoey did not anchor for Malvern, their anchor had lighter hair than Jaxson so it wasn't him.
- Cummings, WC East
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteGotta believe WCE can go 20 seconds faster in about a month. Where's Deastalow, doesn't he play another sport or something?
DeleteMalvern splits
DeleteStec- 3:22
Bruer- 54.7
Ferriollo- 2:07
Mcdevitt- 4:32
Wow really nice comeback race from McDevitt! And that's a great split from Cummings as well, thanks for posting it up.
DeleteFerriollo is having a rough season, but I'm hoping he breaks through soon. He's got a while so no need to worry. Really solid split from Stec as well.
Diestelow is recovering from mono
DeleteForrest, man up and get off that treadmill! Only the races are "indoor".
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBoys:
ReplyDeleteWhat makes Strath Haven's DMR that much more impressive is that the 1200 and Mile legs basically soloed it. The girls run their DMR in a dumb order for a dumb reason, "so the first leg feels included," straight from the PTFCA's mouth. Given competition I'd bet both could drop a decent amount of time. What makes it even more impressive is that they didn't even run it hot, they ran it 50% hot. Anyway, Allie Wilson started running the mile last season, nothing really new there, but she will probably run the open 800, Kristin Miller will as well. Miller is a 2:12 800 runner, just as fast as Wilson and she's a solid 1200 runner. She's the one that anchored the 4x800 two years ago at States when Haven/DTE/Henderson were all within half a second of each other. They lost by .01, but Miller had a blazing fast split and maybe the fastest last 50m I've ever seen in an 800m. As for relays, I think they can win the DMR, but not the 4x800. They have a solid relay in Miller, J.Kenney, A. Kennedy, and Wilson. The way they run their 4x800 they won't be able to compete with teams. They go weakest to hottest and Miller/Wilson are excellent athletes, but I can't see them chasing down teams that anchor their top runner and lead off their number 2. The lead will be too large and they won't be able to catch back up, unlike a DMR. The only teams in the State that I think could potentially take them in a DMR are NP, GV (garnet valley, but I highly doubt they'll go for it), CBE, or PB. PB will run the DMR and once Maddie Sauer is back, they will be dangerous, but either way, I can't see SH losing since PB will be doubling as well. I'd have to imagine the only team that won't double is NP and maybe CBE (if Tate Dawson doesn't unleash a killer 3k).
Boys:
Charles S on Pennsbury unleashed a MONSTER 400. Brady Gehret, Matt Gilmore, and Malik Jones type monster 400. Jones would have been State champ in the 400 if he didn't get hurt indoors, like Gilmore and Gehret. Keep your eyes on the junior.
I said it a few weeks ago that I thought Wiseman would win States in the 800 and I'm feeling pretty confident about that. His 1:58 on a flat track and 50 point on a flat track is looking pretty good.
MP ran a 10:57... without the Hoey brothers? They have so much room to drop with Jaxson on the mile and Mcdevitt on the 1200. Maybe Jason on the 800? We will see, but they can drop 15 seconds easily.
Same with WCE, put Diestelow on lead off and give them a banked track and I think WCE makes States. Sadly, I believe Cummings will go 3k and Diestelow will go mile so I don't believe they'll run it stacked.
PC and PB had speedy 4x4's. I expected PB to have one, but PC was a total surprise! Hopefully one of those legs can be turned into an 800 leg to make their 4x800 legit. They are truly a relay first team so unless C.Kazanjian runs a very fast 3k I think they go relay.
-RTJ
What would you do if you were MP or WCE? Run the DMR at states and probably not medal. Or have Hoey or Cummings run individual and medal? (Teammates still get to run DMR at states, just not competitively)
DeleteDiestelow got hurt at xc states he's out til spring
DeleteWhen I said "Sadly," I just meant we won't see them race hot. If an individual has a shot at a State medal, by all means, let him run. Now, if the relay could go top 3 and the individual may go 6-8/not even medal, that's when you gotta step in and suggest he run the relay.
DeletePersonally, I'd do this:
Let C.Kazanjian run the open 3k and Matt run the DMR/4x800.
MP: Let Jaxson Hoey run the mile and double back for the DMR 1200 or Mile, depending on how he was feeling.
WCE: Now hearing that Diestelow is out, let Cummings run the 3k no matter how well he does.
-RTJ
Diestelow is not hurt, that is a complete lie
DeleteApparently he had mono and was out November and December, today was his first race back. Regardless I dont know if WCE has what it takes to qualify a DMR. Cummings will definitely go 3k
DeleteOther results from the Hispanic Games!
ReplyDeleteIn the invitational 400m dash we saw two killer times from Snorweah running 48.85 that got a victory in his heat, but placed him 4th overall. Absolutely fantastic this early from the junior. . . he looks to be the next big time PA sprinter. John Lewis followed him placing 4th in his heat and 6th overall in 49.16, which is also incredible. Lewis also ran two fast legs on Cheltenham’s 4x2 that broke 1:30 twice. He has so much speed and I really hope we see it translate better to the 800.
In the open 400m Tyrell Maddox ran a nice 52.20 that compliments his 2:02 quite nicely. I think he’ll get that SQS in due time.
Moving to longer distances Chris Kazanjian ran a really nice 9:35.91 to place second overall in the two mile run. That’s a really great result for him and I’m so glad he’s moving up in distance. I think he can be a real threat in the 3k. Since it’s a full two miles his time gets translated to 8:53.22 (based on the ustfccca standards). Obviously the banked track helps him as well, but he has the clear ability to put in work on that 3k.
Behind him Andrew Marston ran a solid time as well of 9:48.57 which translates to 9:04.92 for 3k. He dropped 12 seconds from his last two mile which is huge. I really like him to continually drop big time throughout the season. Matt Kazanjian didn’t have a great day, but I think he’s focusing more for that 4x8/DMR and I think he’ll have a successful season.
Hanna Brosky of Emmaus also stood out in the results running 2:20.27, which gets her the SQS time.
--ForrestCRN
Full results of the Hispanic Games
Deletehttp://www.armorytrack.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45586&do=news&news_id=201654
According to ptfca the current conversion is 35 seconds for 32 and 38 for 2 miles .... Doesn't make logical sense but it's what they use
Deleteyeah it's quite off in my opinion, but Kazanjian gets the SQS time none the less which is really good
DeleteAre you going to do a mid season prediction video? I recall Etrain doing something similar to that last year and I was just wondering if you would do it to.
ReplyDeleteI'll starting working with video once I get to school (2 days).
DeleteMalvern was NOWHERE NEAR the meet record in the dmr.
ReplyDeleteHere are the full results of the Hispanic Games:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.armorytrack.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=45586&do=news&news_id=201654
Thanks. I remember seeing Marissa Sheva and Christian Kardish's names on a start list for the Mile Invitational. They dropped out?
DeleteKardish anchored HGP dmr at haverford
Delete4 PA SQS in the 800? (2 from PB, 2 from PC)
DeleteTate Dawson of CBE impressed me as she won the Frosh/Soph Mile by 10 seconds in a 5:24 clocking! With some more competition I think she can go under 5:20 in a DVGTCA meet.
DeleteWithout Sam Webb I wasn’t sure how the Pennsbury team would fair, but Alek Sauer and Liam O’Connell have been tearing up the track so far this season. They continued to roll this weekend placing 4th and 8th respectively in the 800m with Sauer blazing a 1:57.17 and O’Connell hitting 1:59.00. If Webb can get healthy towards the end out indoors this team could have a very scary DMR come Penn Relays. Sauer is a sub 16 5k guy and with this speed I’d love to see him run a 1200. Plus they have an unreal 400 leg in Snorweah.
Evan Emanuel of Penncrest and Soham Kamat also ran very strong races of 1:59.69 and 2:00.07 respectively. This team show have a strong 4x8 lead and anchored by these two along with the Kazanjian twins.
Overall, a really great weekend from PA! (I'm working on Part 2 right now, just finished May, but I'm going for a run. It should be up around 6:00 PM)
Wow so the one time Upper Dublin wins the DMR you fail to mention them.
ReplyDelete