Hey guys. Are there any topics you would like to talk on? I have a few ideas, but I'd like to hear your opinions on it. It can vary anywhere from specific athletes and teams or as broad as an event in general. I was thinking on a few things like:
The 800
The 4x800
Brehm
Russell
Francis
O'Hara's future
Henderson's future
State College 4x800 likelihood
I want to talk on the Penn Relays, but until the invitations are all given out, I want to hold off on that for a little it. Let me know on any other topics you guys have in mind.
-RTJ
Henderson tri-meet today..
ReplyDeletelink...?
DeleteBrehm, Francis, 4x800, 800, and state college's 4x800 can all be morphed into one post
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean each a new post, I just meant topics to cover, sorry for the confusion.
DeleteUpper Darby Tri Meet
ReplyDeleteO'Hara's future is bright. They have the great feeder system of the Philadelphia Area CYO. They get well developed kids who are into the sport. They'll be good for years to come. Getting a Nick Smart type to change schools occasionally doesn't hurt either. There are enough bad programs with good runners in that area that that will continue to happen and may even increase in the near future.
ReplyDeleteHenderson on the other hand. Not so bright future. It will be a major upset if they even make it to States next year. They have no studs in their freshmen or sophomore class. They've always had a go to star or two(Gottesfeld-Williams, Ferry-Aldrich, Kellar and now this group). They could be like the great Coatesville team and fall off a cliff, never to be heard from again.
True what you say about O'Hara. Never underestimate a good program that has the advantage of recruiting. They are widely known as "the runners school" within the Catholic league and their reach extends beyond that as well, as in the case of Nick Smart.
DeleteHenderson could indeed be entering a down time,but I think coaching there is so strong, I would not expect them to be down for too long. Coach Kelly(shout-out to RJJL) has a way of developing average runners into competitors. I wouldn't count them out just yet.
IF, as the poster above says, it will be a major upset if Henderson makes it to states next year - who are the 4 teams you suggest they have to "upset" in District 1? I think their 8 and 9 runner placed 1st and 3rd in the JV race but on any other team in District 1, and the state for that matter, they would have been varsity runners. 4 and 5 guy on most teams - 3 and 4 man on many others. Agree, that Henderson is being decimated with graduation this year but that's what was said about O'Hara when they graduated Savage, Pitone, and C. Pastore.
DeleteDWest will be the class of D1 next year, and the year after that. - JEB
DeleteIf you think it will be an upset for Henderson to even make states, then you might be in for a surprise. Or at least I think so. They return three good runners and have a great coach. I'm sure they'll find two more somehow.
DeletePlus they're exceptional at recruiting, many of their guys come from other places.
DeleteRussell is the only guy on the team who isn't from the area.
DeleteThey didn't exactly recruit Russell. His Mom got a job teaching at WCU so they moved to WC. He moved after 8th grade. Plus, what would they offer a "recruit"? There are no scholarships available like at the private/catholic schools.
DeleteHenderson does not and can not recruit. They are a public school, with pretty clear-cut boundaries. While not from Henderson, I have met Russell's parents, who are pretty friendly and open people. I think when they moved to west Chester from state College is was because of Mr. Russells job at West Chester University. If I recall correctly, Tony was not necessarily considering cross country-maybe he had his sights on football? Whatever, this recruiting thing is laughable. They are a very small school with a very good program that attracts kids who maybe would not otherwise consider running. And with their excellent coaching, it's the perfect storm. If I could have, I would have sent my son to Henderson to run.
DeleteThat was a lot of luck to land a job at the exact right time and place. If they had settled just a couple of miles in either direction and he's at East, or Rustin which isn't exactly known as distance powerhouse. It really worked out for him.
DeleteNext years D1 state XC teams are Conestoga, CRN, Pennsbury, DWest and whoever steps it up.
DeleteWe all need some luck. It must have been something when he showed up at the first practice freshman year and introduced himself.
DeleteNot really. He was as much of a dork as the rest of the freshmen. Truth.
DeleteThere's always some weird stuff going on around the top teams, like Smart to Ohara, Hough to WCH, Steiner to NA, ......
DeleteAlthough public schools do have distinct boundaries, there are ways to get around that, attendance exceptions ect. I don't think Tony lives within the Henderson boundaries....but can we really blame him for going to Henderson if he had the choice? Look how that decision has played out for him.
DeleteIf he went to WCE then O'Hara would have won in 2012 and WCE would have been 2nd. If he went to Rustin he would have given up running and played lacrosse or something.else.
DeleteBall is life
DeleteWhere the heck does this information come from? Tony lives in the Henderson boundaries.
DeleteYes, but what strings were pulled.
DeleteStrings? You guys need to lay off the conspiracy theory shows. Henderson is a public school. Because of a job transfer, his family moved from State College to West Chester. Oh and the house they lived in happened to be in the WCH boundary. He was not an elite runner at that point and he was not on anyone's radar. Why would he be? He was a kid who had some speed and knew he was probably too small for football. The rest is history.
DeleteAnd for whoever was asking about Haugh, it's pretty much the same deal, except his parents moved at the beginning of his sophomore year. And oh yeah, he no longer runs, but he still attends Henderson. He rows.
Get over it.
Here's what really happened. I, Tony Russell, am a psychic. I peered deep into the future after I my blessed mother birthed me and put multiple events into place that would lead my mother to have to change jobs and move to west chester.. where I would then become a meager state champion at various events. Then go back home for college at Penn State University and then go pro, and use my newfound power and fame to take over the planet earth along side with Alberto Salazar....
DeleteThe only string pulled was the one leading to the tampon in your pussy.
DeleteThat dumb rumor was floated around a couple of years ago, that the parents were given jobs to get their son to the school, maybe it was when the other kid transferred. Either way, this isn't Texas high school football, nobody is being lured to another school.
DeleteWhatever happened to Malik Jones, the kid that went from Bonner to Roman to Ridley?
DeleteHe raced this weekend. 22.5 i believe
DeleteRidley doesn't have an indoor team. should've stayed at Bonner
DeleteI saw tony russell with the devil
DeleteInteresting topic: how hard and how many events should one run in a dual meet?
ReplyDeleteAs few as possible, and as few hard as possible lol, especially distances
Delete^this.
DeleteIt depends on how your coach trains you. Ask him/her not us. There are multiple answers to this question is all about what your coach has you do the other 6 days of the week.
DeleteThe wind today at council rock.... Crazy
ReplyDeleteIt depended on the race and moments. Like there were heats of events where people would be flying the whole way. Then the next heat the wind brought the runners to a standstill
DeleteAs the season has started, the best 3200 guys that have run it from district one and will probably run it go as follows (given the weather at each race)
ReplyDeleteWilson
Marston
Comber
C. Kaz
Arita
M. Kaz
Webb went 2:03/2:04 at Kiwanis looking tired and just not himself. Then going out hard in the 1500 and falling back. He's definitely not himself. The wind was crazy though. The 3k guys could've been 10 seconds faster no doubt. Wilson and James are at a crazy level of fitness. Smart showing some range. Groh and wiseman ran terrific solo 800s. Hoey and sauer had a nice battle. McGoey looked strong as well. Hopefully the conditions are better next weekend for the invitationals
Saw Dietzelow from wce run 9:47 by himself at D-west Invite. He's healthy again. maybe he's focusing on the 3200 now that Cummings is out.
DeleteEast always peaks early. What's wrong with Cummings?
DeleteEast doesn't always peak early and especially not Diestelow. I believe they put that myth to rest last year when they made states when everyone said they wouldn't. Cummings also ran solid throughout cross country season. Indoor he fell off, but that was because of his racing style; go out extremely hard and maybe he'll hold it, maybe he won't. I do admire him doing it at the State level in a way; go hard or go home.
Delete-RTJ
Cummings is out with a stress fracture through the end of April.
DeleteRTJ, Cummings had a terrible states. Seems he the WCE team literally limps into States every season. They tend to peak way too early. I think the kid is a great runner with great potential but I don't know how this keeps happening to him(them).
DeleteThey've got a huge chip on their shoulder, Henderson is only 2 miles away.
DeleteRTJ, that is wrong. Cummings ran 15:30 at the Abington invitational, and months later on a flatter, more competitive course at districts, dropped no time and ran 15:30 once again.
ReplyDeleteHe went sub 9:00 in the 3000 in December and never scared it again.
DeleteHave you guys ever seen Cummings race? He isn't a typical racer. He goes out hard, very hard. That 2:11 first 800 at States was due to Cummings hammering the pace. Sometimes he's feeling up to it and can keep that pace, sometimes (most of the time) he can't. Sadly at States he just couldn't. He went sub 9 at Yale so I don't know where your argument is coming from. He only ran it 3 times only not going sub 9 at States. I also never said Cummings did well at States (track) I said I like that he went all in. I don't think he should have, but I like that he has that mentality. Once he learns how to race more effectively, probably in college, he will be very dangerous.
DeleteThere have been many debates on the legitimacy on the Abington course as well as the Bulldog course. Both were said to be courses not to judge fitness levels on. He stayed around 15:30, but didn't burn out during XC by any means, unless you consider 12th place at States and 16th at regionals burning out. If that's the case then I think every runner in the States, from 13th place at States on, should strive to burn out.
The stress fracture part doesn't surprise me. I've heard that Cummings takes his training runs extremely hard (or at least he used to) and that much pound is definitely going to end up with a stress fracture. If he swims and bikes a lot he may be able to make it to districts in the 3200. Can't imagine must past that with the level of competition though.
-RTJ
RTJ is correct, going out hard has worked for him in the past, it just didn't work at states, but he was clearly going all or nothing. I do think the heavy mileage rumors if true, is a huge mistake, it's an injury waiting to happen for a high school runner. East seems to have like 3 or 4 coaches/parents/special trainers in the infield which means runners probably get a lot of conflicting instruction which probably doesn't help. I'd be shocked if he makes Districts if he's sidelined now with a stress fracture and quite frankly, there's no point in coming back. He's had a solid high school career, no need to rush back, get healthy for college.
DeleteAbington and Bulldog are a joke, no way they're accurate, just look at past results and what happens after that.
A little enlightenment- Cummings tried to run indoor states knowing that the ankle was hurt. He went out at his pace for the first 800 and backed down because of the pain. He's been in an ankle boot since then.
DeleteIf going out in 2:11 is his pace he needs better coaching.
DeleteWishing him a speedy recovery. He's such a Talent - don't know what his college plans are but he'll do exceptionally well in the right enviroment.
DeleteTony Russell ran a 9:08 2 mile with a stress fracture, no excuses.
Deletecummings and dietzelow are totally different runners. Cummings is a high mileage distance guy, dietzelow is quicker on the shorter stuff. If Cummings ran 15:30 early and 15:30 late, doesn't that just means he's consistent? It's not like he got slower. He got hurt in indoor.
ReplyDeleteBut the courses were very different. The second course was flat-his time should have been much better if he were like nearly every other kid out there. The WCE guys seem to peak about the first or second race of the season. Not ripping their coaches but isn't it obvious?
DeleteWarrior Invitational this Friday. It's always one of the better early invites.
ReplyDeleteMid Penn Conference; Who are the best runners? Who's going to win the conference?
ReplyDeleteEither State College or Carlisle will win the team title
DeleteSo many good distance runners in this conference. Mid-distance is really lacked here, however.
DeleteDo you have a brain? No Mid-Distance?? College has 3 at 50 point in the 400, and Carlisle has a few as well. CD East has an exceptional 4 guy as well.
DeleteI think he meant there isn't a lot of them. It's carlisle with Brehm and Carroll and SC with Cather and party, then CD east with a good 4x400.
DeleteState College 4x8 and 4x4!
ReplyDeleteCarlisle and Brehm. Nuff said.
ReplyDelete