Millrose High School field!

Hey guys, it's RTJ here. Forrest has a lot on his plate right now and has asked me to fill in for a little while. He will be back as soon as he can. I remember what the pledging process was like and I sincerely hope the odds are ever in your favor, Forrest. The best six weeks you'll NEVER want to do again. With that being said, let's get to the stuff you guys wanna hear about: Track.

The Millrose field was finally announced and it is looking impressive to say the least. I cannot remember the last time PA has had this many athletes attending the games in such a variety of events. Let's start with the glamour event: The mile.

No PA boys have qualified or been invited to the mile, but not to worry because there are still four invitations left. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Zach Brehm, Sam Ritz, or Tony Russell among the invite list in a few weeks. Sadly, Russell has allegedly stated that he will not be running in the games and will run in the New Balance Grand Prix instead, leaving Ritz and Brehm to represent the guys out there. I think Russell will change his mind if he gets the auto bid since they are a week apart. With the current field, Luke Gavigan is the leader with a 4:15 to his name, but don't count out Sean Kelly who has the fastest 1600 and 800 in 4:09 and 1:52, respectively. He lost to Gavigan at the Millrose Games Trials, but that race will be a whole month before the Millrose Games. As of now, Sean Kelly is the most dangerous guy in the field.

The 4x800 gets interesting with State College, O'Hara, and Penncrest getting invitations! I am very excited to see a fully fresh State College and O'Hara race, it will definitely be a great race. With Cather and Adams fresh I can see this squad going sub 7:53, which is a huge accomplishment for any team during indoors. O'Hara will hold their own as well with a fresh Belfatto. With James and Smart getting some speed under their belts from last week's 4x800, this team is also a sub 7:55 squad. Last, but certainly not least, Penncrest. This school is known for their middle distance relay success. Their coaches know how to produce great 400-800 runners and I think it will show with them running very close to 8:00. With their 8:03 last week, going way under their seed time, they should have the confidence to run with the big guns and get pulled slightly under 8:00.

We even had a few sprinters make the cut with Christian Brissett in the 55m, Cheltenham and Del Valley Charter qualifying for the 4x200 with Pennsbury and North Penn being the first two alternates!

To accompany the boys we have  Kennedy Weisner, Marissa Sheva, Mady Clahane, and Tessa Barrett all qualifying for the mile in the same race, wow. Great Valley and CB South qualified for the 4x800. Chanel Brissett and Desia Pressley qualifying for the 55, and Cheltenham qualifying for the 4x200, with Overbrook an alternate. Last, but not least, Kennedy Shank qualifying for the Pole Vault.

All-in-all, PA should be very proud of their accomplishment. Qualifying 16 individuals and relays, with 3 alternates potentially making it. More could be added to the count since the mile has 8 more people to invite still; four girls and four boys. Like I said, I'd expect Brehm, Ritz, or Russell to receive an invite. I'd also expect Brianna Schwartz and potentially Greta Linsley to get an invite.

For some quick Alumni action going on: Indoor State Champ, Haneef Hardy, ran a 48.7 and 2:00.55. XC State medalist Alex Izewski ran a 15:19.09. Ben Ravetz, Will Kellar, Dan Savage, Jeff Seelaus, James Zingarini, and Pete Sisson ran 8:21, 8:29, 8:47, 8:52.28, 8:52.54, and 8:55, respectively. Ned Willig ran 2:22 in the 1k. Last, but not least, Nate McClafferty and Alec Kunzwiler ran 4:09 and 4:13 in the mile. Good to see our stars from the past still doing well in college.

-RTJ