Week results! 1/7-10

Weekend Results 1/7-10

Hey guys, it’s been more hectic here at pre-season than I had anticipated, but I’m working on the other posts! I’ve also got some insider information from some of the meets that haven’t been posted on Penntrack just yet so I’ll start with those juicy details!

Haverford Holiday Invitational

There are only a few teams who race here every year, but the competition is aways fierce. This season Francis won the Mile in 4:25 over Bilotta (4:26)! That’s a fast result for this time in the season, last year that’s what James Zingarini ran (Coyle was 4:22) and he placed 4^th at states.  I think Francis is moving up from the 800 to the Mile distance and I’m really excited about that since he’s got such a strong kick. Bilotta on the other hand has really blossomed on the track, which I didn’t see coming after XC. This quick Mile shows he’s got some speed with his 3k strength and is really making a name for himself in medal contention. 

The open 800 was won by an unexpected name in Ross Wilson who opened up his track season after a couple weeks off from Nationals with a 2:02. It’s a rust buster of a race, but I’m glad to see him picking up some speed that he’ll definitely need in the 3k come late season. 

And speaking of the 3k, Kardish moved up in distance to run a solo’d 9:08! I’m pretty excited about this as Kardish is clearly getting back into his track shape of old! He’s a really strong Miler and this solo 3k result is a staple race for him.

State College HS Invitational #2

The official results are not up for this meet so I might have to expand the post a bit, but here’s what I got so far: Altoona’s 4x8 blasted an 8:05 4x8 to take the state lead in a solo effort by the squad! These guys are really strong right now and should be in contention come states for the victory. Their coach knows how to get relays ready to roll, especially indoors. I’d like to see them try the DMR, but running 8:05 this early is very impressive. 

Altoona’s district 6 rivals, State College, wouldn’t be shown up however as they packed the open 800! Will Cather took the race out in 54 and finished in 1:56, which is a new state lead, as he solo’d the race up front. Behind him his teammates: Golembeski (2:01), Mason Post (2:02), Milligan (2:02), and Heatwole (2:03) all rolled some fast times! I’m extraordinarily impressed by this quad right now. Remember that Kyle Adams ran 1:59 solo earlier this season so put him in with Golembeski and Post with Cather anchoring and they’ve got a sub 8 quad on their hands pretty easily. It was Mason Post’s first 800m race as he moved up from the 400m (he’s a 50. Guy) and he ran 2:02. I think it will only get better for the senior since he’s 6’3 and from my time watching the sport tall, strong 400m runners moving up to the 800 usually find success. I think he’ll be breaking 2 in the open 800 by the end of the season. Golembeski is also a strong runner with lots of potential and Milligan is only a sophomore! So watch out!

Now here are some results we can actually see!

Glen Mills Invitational

The Glen Mills track is always slow, but I was glad to see Upper Darby hit the SQS in the 4x800m with a time of 8:19.99. They surprised last season in a hunt for a medal, and this season I believe they’ll be in the hunt once again. 

The Mile wasn’t too special, but it’s good to see a young sophomore, Rock Fortna for CB West winning some races even if it’s in 4:42. They’ve got a great coaching staff and he’ll be one to watch in the future. LeConey and Piscitelli from NP came in 2^nd and 3^rd, but they’re more 4/8 guys as they split 2:04.2 and 2:02.5 on the 4x8 at the Marine Corps Holiday Classic when their relay hit 8:09. Moving up in distance is always good. 

Francis won the open 800m in 2:04.09 over Grace who ran 2:05.89. I’d have to imagine the race went out really slow since Tung ran 2:07.40 and Sigh (Upper Darby) went 2:06. This was a pretty stacked field as the Kazanjian’s placed 9/10 running 2:08.98 and 2:08.20 while Casey Comber showed some speed placing 8^th. It’s rough running on GM’s track and I’m not going to poor over these times, but it’s nice to see many runners’ injecting speed. Francis just ran 4:25 so he’s in great shape, while Grace and Tung split 2:00.7 and 2:02.4 at the MCHC on that same 4x8. They’re ready as well and I think could have a very strong DMR with Tung on the 1200 and Grace as an anchor. Also Tyler Johnston is back and racing as he placed 6^th overall. He was a 2 flat guy last season and seems to be coming off injury (just speculation though). If he could get back into that type of shape he’ll be another great leg for this team.

Girls Delco Championships

Allie Wilson and Kristen Miller of Strath Haven dominated on the track as Wilson put up a PA#1 in the Mile running 5:13.27, while Miller ran a PA#3 in the open 800 in 2:18.36! These two girls are really strong and it seems as though they might run DMR as a relay. They also doubled back in a MR of 4:05 in the 4x4 which increased their state lead. I wouldn’t be surprised if they just ran open races and came back in the 4x4 at the state meet however. 

Behind Wilson Amy Kelly increased her standings running a PA #3 of 5:16.60 which improves her indoor time by a few seconds. She’s put herself in some top notch races and done quite well this season and is in clear medal contention at this point. O’Hara and Haven also had teammates battling in the 3k where Grace Mancini (O’Hara) got the best of Claire Wolters (SH), but they just missed the SQS time as they clocked 10:48.69 and 10:51.15. I’m not sure if this meet gets them qualified for the MoC’s, but I’d love to see these two girls get another shot.

I will post another result page tomorrow evening after all the races have concluding. And I will do my best to get the Part 3 Post out today, it's halfway done! (2 of 4 Months)

--ForrestCRN