Weekend Results 2/8

I am going to attempt to get back on track these next few weeks. I will be at the Lehigh Meet next weekend to do analysis and video coverage, so I hope to see all of you there. Sorry for the late weekend results, but my goal this week is to post every day so let’s begin!

New Balance Grand Prix

There were so many fantastic results this weekend, but Tony Russell’s victory in 4:11.56 was in my opinion the most impressive result of the weekend. In an interview afterwards he said: “I really didn’t think of it that much when he passed me, I have a history of giving up right when I get passed back in junior year. I am really trying to break that and I believe I have.” Frankly I’m really happy he’s acknowledged this and so far it’s made him much better of a racer this season. Going out in 2:07 and coming back in 2:04 is so impressive. He’s clearly the top Miler in PA and I believe he’s taken the next step and could be one of the top Milers in the nation. After that race I’m thinking he could double the Mile and 3k for a double gold victory at states. If he did that the DMR for Henderson would still be solid after they ran a 10:27.53 without him this past weekend. They went 10:15 last weekend with him and a 12 second spread is quite a bit, but they’ll be one of the top DMR’s in the state if they can be running low 10:20.

New Balance Amory Invitational

                The success for PA continued at the Armory this weekend with a slew of top tier results. Joe Logue placed 5^th in the 1k with a time of 2:28.66. I’m surprised he wasn’t a bit more competitive for the win which was 2:26.94. Logue does his moments at longer distances like his 3:57 1500 outdoors last season, but they’re quite rare. His time still transfers into a 1:54 so we know last weekend wasn’t a fluke against Cather. It seems as though Logue often doesn’t race to win and waits too long to kick. He’s got amazing finishing speed and if he races like he did against Cather he’ll have a really great chance to win the state meet. Cather however will be looking for some redemption and he’ll also have to deal with Jeff Wiseman who just ran 1:20.67 giving him a 1:52.85 equivalent. I’m about equally impressed with both Logue and Wiseman’s performances because I see the 600m as Wiseman’s ideal distance while the 1k is a bit out Logue’s range. By states I think both guys will be in low 1:52 shape.

                In the boys 4x800 PA continued to come up big with O’Hara placing second in 7:50.98. This is the effort that I was expecting a few weeks ago. I’m glad they’re really rolling now a couple weeks before the state meet. The battle between them and State College should be epic. I still think they would have a stronger DMR than 4x8, but for point purposes at the state meet the 4x8 seems like the better option. Penncrest also ran very well as they dropped some more time running 7:57.86 which was good enough for 6^th place. I’m still unsure of their legs so we’ll find out if Chris Kazanjian will be running the open 3k or just the 4x8. Either way this squad will be totally fresh at states making them very dangerous since most relay teams have one or two studs that will be coming off the double. This team is very consistent and the times are evenly distributed. If someone can have a really big day they could easily grab as high as top 3 at states, although beating O’Hara and State College will be tough.

TFCA of GP Meet #8

The boys in Division I did not want to be showed up by all the strong performances by PA guys outside of the state as we saw strong results across the board.

In the 400 Eli Mercado of Boyertown ran a strong 52.41; I like this result since his speed has clearly increased over the course of the season and I see him as a real threat to medal at this point. Also of note Tyler Johnston of NP is making a comeback off injury and just ran 53.14, he was a key relay runner for them last season splitting sub 2 and he could be an importance piece on whichever relay they choose.

Andrew Stewart of Upper Dublin has a big race grabbing the SQS and a win in the 800m with a 2:00.41. He’s been very quiet all season in terms of open events (running mostly relay legs) and it’s good to see him really breakout here. I bet UD goes for the DMR at MoC’s to try and get the SQS. Stewart would be a strong 1200 leg for him.

In the Mile, Andrew Hanna bounced back winning over XC studs Dan Shalala and Alexander Balla with a time of 4:35.46 (1.5 second victory). Many of the CR South guys did not race well the last few weeks and it is good to see that they’re starting to peak again and rounding into better shape. One surprise was Joe LeConey running 4:49 in the Mile. He’s split quite well for North Penn this season, especially in the early going, but he is beginning to fall off the train.

The 3k got me really excited because I’ve been waiting for Comber to break the 9 flat mark after his strong 9:02 effort earlier this season. 8:56 is really solid and I have no doubt that he’ll be in contention for the podium at states. HH has a new distance coach in Mike Mahoney who is bringing some CR North workouts over there and I’ve heard Comber is eating them up. Speaking of CR North, Brian Arita really impressed me this weekend running a strong 9:09.24 which is a big PR for him. Other solid results was a 9:21 for Dave Garton as he’s coming back from injury as well running a longer event is always tough, I’m hoping he’ll be ready to roll in the open 8. Jeff Kirshenbaum also pretty impressive as a sophomore running 9:21, he’s a guy to watch in the future.

Saint Joseph Prep threw together an 8:15.21 to get the SQS! Who are the runners on this relay, because I’ve got no idea, either way congrats to them! They could be the big underdog for states like Upper Darby was last season. I’m hoping they race hot again at MoC’s before states so we can get another preview of this squad.

The DMR was HOT this weekend with 9 teams breaking 11. From what I’ve heard Jake Brophy lead off for CB East in 3:13 which is fantastic for the sophomore, but even stronger was Billy Caldwell who blew everyone’s doors off in the last 400m of the 1200 leg, splitting 3:09!! Around the 3:17 mark was Tung of NP, Simmons of CR North (coming off sickness) and a LaSalle runner who I believe was Grant, which would be a great time for the sophomore. Bilotta and Grace battled it out on the Mile leg with Grace taking over in the last 400m grabbing the victory for NP in a strong 10:38.11 to LaSalle’s 10:39.57. CR North went under the SQS again in 10:47 despite a 2:12 800m leg, but Wilson was able to split 4:23 and get them back into the race. DTE was 4^th in 10:51.95, Bensalem was 10:52, CB West was 10:54 (I’d love to know Fonta’s split), Upper Darby showed longer distance chops in 10:58, Roman Catholic was solid in 10:59 as was CB East.

Pretty great to see so many squads trying out the Distance Medley before states, and I think there is a lot to learn from this. North Penn always goes 4x8, so despite this big win I have no doubt we’ll see them in the 4x8 at states. LaSalle will definitely go DMR which means we’ll see Brendan Bilotta in the Mile and then doubling back for the Mile leg. I wanted to see him try out the open 3k again, but I doubt he’ll run it at states. CR North seems set on the DMR but they need to work on getting a stronger 800 leg. DT East is better in the 4x8 for sure, but I’m still impressed with the 10:51 none the less, that being said it’s 4x8 at states for them no question. Bensalem has an interesting qualm, but I think they’ll be better in the DMR than the 4x8 for the same reasons as I stated last weekend, Francis is a strong Miler and can do more damage on the anchor for a full Mile than 800m. Upper Darby is a lock to run the 4x8, but I’d like to see CB West try again at MoC’s got get the DMR SQS. Every year they seem to throw some relay together and get it qualified and I have no doubt they can do it again this season. Roman Catholic is getting really close, but Brown would need a big leg for them to get the SQS.

Division II wouldn't be shown up as they threw down some solid results to finish off the weekend.

Dan Ferraiolo of Malvern Prep continued his late season success running 2:00.26 over a pretty strong field that saw 5 guys sub 2:02. Under 2:01 as well was Tyrell Maddox of Del Val who just missed the SQS by .05 seconds. He’s having a nice breakout season and I’m really rooting for him to get into the state meet. Behind him was Sam Ritz who ran 2:01.29. He’s a big strength runner and I think he’s going to have a successful meet at nationals. This is a big training blog for him and I like that result. Julian Degroot-Lutzner ran solid with 2:01.36; I’m surprised Masterman hasn’t ran a fast relay yet, but hopefully we’ll see one soon leg by this junior who is running strong. Tre Williams of Penn Charter also ran well in 2:01.52 and will be a key piece for any relay that they decide to put together.

Malvern Prep continued the winning with Colin Wills over Chris Kienzle 4:37.04 to 4:39.30. It must have been a slower race, because Wills 3:14 split for them in the DMR means he’s got to have the Mile SQS in him (4:32). Either way MP only needs him in the 1200m and he’ll be great for them at states. Also to note Ben Szuhaj is getting back in shape after injury running 4:49.

Big race in the 3k with Jonathan Perlman of Lower Merion peaking at the perfect time once again winning in a time of 8:58.18. He ran really well at districts in XC but hasn’t done anything big this season until now. Lower Merion coaches know that they’re doing and I bet he breaks 8:50 at states. Helping push Perlman under 9 was Scott Mason of Penn Charter who missed the SQS mark by .01!! He’ll be running fresh on a relay most likely, but it’s a shame he didn’t grab the standard. If he does choose to run the 3k I wouldn’t doubt that they’d let him in. 

Radnor barely grabbed the state standard in the 4x8 running 8:22.01 over Wissahickon and Masterman who were 8:28 and 8:31 respectively. Give Masterman a 2:01 leg and I have no doubt they can get the standard. Not sure who Wissahickon’s legs are, but if they run hot at MoC’s the SQS is within range.

Upper Merion beat out Bonner in the DMR 10:55 to 10:57. Both have strong Milers in Cooper and Sullivan. Bonner seems to like the DM and I wouldn’t be surprise to see both squads run this hot again at MoC’s and race them fresh at states to try and grab a medal.

Training must be tough on the West side of the state, because I know it’s tough over here on the East side and we don’t get it nearly as bad weather wise, but Patrick Miller of Kiski ran 2:03.96 at the Youngstown Meet this weekend which is pretty solid. I think we’ll see strong things from him in the Mile come outdoors.

Jeff Van Kooten snuck into the state meet winning the Mile in 4:32.08. I’m not sure how the track is, but times are usually pretty slow from what I’ve seen. I’m glad we’ll get to see him race at states, especially after not seeing him race since his big break out at states.

Ethan Linderman dropped a huge PR in the 3200m run in 9:54. He’s a junior who hasn’t even broken 10 outdoors and could be on his way to a very nice season outdoors.

  

Again, I'm really sorry for the lack of posting and I promise that I'm back for real.

--ForrestCRN