Thursday, May 8, 2014

Conference Weekend! Thursday Results

Nice double from the freshman Seth Slavin of Pleasant Valley who ran 4:41 and 10:12 (solo’d the 3200 as he won by 24 seconds). He broke 10 indoors for 2 Miles and I think he’ll drop a fast time at districts.

Ches-Mont Championships
Tony Russell drops down to the 800m and dominates Billy Caldwell winning in a new conference record (if was Willig’s!) of 1:54.22. Caldwell was 1:55.70. This is a long time coming for Russell and the time itself is not that shocking, but how he won and who he beat is quite impressive. He may just have a shot at the double if he has this much speed. Seamus Collins is looking really solid running 1:57.06 for 3rd. This is the best I’ve seen him race in a while and I have no doubt he’ll be in the mix during districts over 3200m. Avon Grove had 3 very nice pieces in Josh Smith (1:58.31), Joe Wheeler (1:58.51), and Matt Jacobs (2:01.80). They also had a 51 400m runner. They may be able to break 8, but District One is so deep and strong this year they’ll have trouble making finals.

Eric Diestelow wins the 1600 in 4:24, which is 6 seconds ahead of second place Matt Willig. Diestelow is a great sleeper pick in the 1600 to make states. He has really turned the corner this outdoor season.
Ryan Barton, D-Town West Freshman, placed second in 9:57.07 over 3200m. That’s a big time race from the young kid who outkicked Chris Kienzle.

D-Town East looked good winning the 4x8 in 8:00.73 over Avon Grove who clocked 8:00.93. I wish we could see more from East before districts, but I am quite impressed by Avon Grove. I think they’ll make finals at districts.

WPIAL AAA South Section
James Smith picks the 800 over the 1600m and shows why with a huge 1:53.89! This is a very surprising move from Smith who had a much better chance to medal highly in the 1600m. But he is one of the most longer distance oriented 800m guys. I think he could run 1:52 mid at states. Behind him was Billy Dougherty of Mt Lebo who hit 1:58.69.

Todd Gunzenhauser (4:29.98) beats out teammate Ian Baun (4:31.90) for the 1600m title.

WPIAL AAA Central Section
Freshman Eric Kennedy starts his WPIAL outdoor career with a victory in a kickers race over the 1600m distance where he clocked 4:33.32. He’s got the legacy and clearly the potential is there.
His brother, Brent, won the 3200 in a comfortable 9:51.

WPIAL AAA North Section
Elias Graca has turned the next page for Fox Chapel. He’s been running sub 2 for a while now, but he wins the section in 1:56.21 over Brett Foster. If Ethan Martin hadn’t been injured, that would have been a very solid DMR squad. Foster chooses the 800m, which I find interesting. I think he’ll be better when the race goes out hard at districts. Michael Becich places 3rd in 2:01.05. He hasn’t raced much this outdoor season, and after this I’d have to speculate that he was injured.

In the 1600 we see Jeff Van Kooten unleashing bombs now that the post-season has started. Much like in XC Van Kooten throws himself into the medal conversation right at the end of the year. He solo’s a 4:18.55! Nathan Sloan (4:27.41) and Mike Kolor (4:28.14) have run similar times this season, but they clearly just let him go.

The 3200m gets tactical as Colin Martin takes the win in 9:36. Behind him were 7 runners at 9:40 lead by Luke Regan. Quiggle, Wakely, Mcgoey, Wharrey, and Louco all choose the 3200m for districts.

Colonial/Lehigh League
Sophomore Joe Espinol had a great triple; he placed 2nd to Kyle Gonoude in both the 16 and 32, but won the 800 – 9:57.12, 4:34.54, and 1:59.73).

Central League
Kerkula follows up a great Delco performance with a big league win in 1:55.81. Emmanuel and Kamat (1:55.93 and 1:57.37) looked strong for Penncrest, but they’ll need to have big splits for their 4x8 to make it into states. Fowler moves down to the 800 and runs a shocking 1:58.08! I did not see him having the speed to break 2. Also of note Strath Haven now has two sub 2 guys out of nowhere. Holm ran 2:02, but he won the 1600.

Holm’s 4:20.50 gets him the win over a very quick 1600m field. Sjoreen, (4:21.66) Marston (4:22.60), and Perlman (4:23.16) were the close group. Sjoreen should be strong in the 16 at districts, and I love the lower distance work for the XC boys in Marston and Perlman. Chris Kazanjian drops a 4:24.72 to beat out Watson (4:24.79) and Hare (4:24.87).

Perlman double backed to run 9:44, which beats SH’s Butera (9:47.50) who has been running a lot f longer distances.

SCIAL Schuylkill League

Humza Hnesh wins an exciting 800m race over Ben Hinkel winning 1:58.73 to 1:58.76! Look for them to do well out in District 11 AA. 

That's all for Now Folks!

--ForrestCRN

28 comments:

  1. The 800 at Centrals was out in 54 high

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  2. Caldwell got the baton in the 4x8 in 4th place and at least 50 meters down and ran a 1:52/53 to pass avongrove in the final 50. then just ran a stupid race in the open 800 trying to kick from 500 and died the last 100. Then he came back and ran 49.6 split in there 4x4

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  3. Collins running well isn't new, he's pr'd at every event over the last 3 weeks, 1600 from 4:24 to 4:18, 3200 from 9:26 to 9:16, 800 from 159 high to 1:57 flat. That's strong improvement, a state medal contender in 1600 or 3200.

    On any other team those kind of times would be getting some serious attention. As it stands it sounds like he'll be lucky to get an individual event at Districts due to team entry limits.

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    1. With Russell in the 3200 he's probably out, regulated to the 4x800 and a bronze medal.

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  4. What about Jimmy Cook the winner of the 3200? How do you mention second and third place and not the winner?

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    1. If he's not a freshman or on O'Hara or Henderson he's not getting any press around here.

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    2. Cook ran a 9:53, which is objectively a very solid time, but didn't get him into D1 (I think he ran sub 10 two other times), and even if it had, it wouldn't have put him on the map in terms of potential qualifiers.

      The guy above me has it right. Basically, to get a mention on the blog, you need to either (a) drop a really fast time (think around 1:57, 4:25, 9:30s), (b) run a really nice double/triple, or (c) be a freshman and run decently fast.

      As a final side note, though, Cook appears to be a junior. Based on the Ches-Mont results, Rustin should be decent in XC next year. Not up there with the other two WC schools or challenging for State qualifying, but definitely above average.

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  5. Conestoga is looking good.

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    1. They are looking good for xc nxt yr as well

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  6. More results just came in

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  7. Anyone see the Penn Track comment "Remember the ONLY objective of your district meet is to move on to Ship for the state champs"

    Under that mantra a 9:48 D1 3200 qualifier probably shouldn't even bother getting up Saturday morning since it's likely going to take 9:30 again to move on and that's too much of a drop to expect.

    I know of several athletes in D1 proud to have qualified for districts, knowing the competition is so fierce it's long shot that they'll move on, but a great chance to PR and run against the best. For sophs and junior, a chance to gain experience in the big races.

    If ever there was proof that those guys over there at PT don't get it, that title says it all.

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    1. They took that post down. But it couldn't have been because it was mentioned here, since they've already posted here that they don't read this blog or even know it exists.

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  8. WPIAL Team Championship 1600 was quick. Matt McGoey won in 4:25, Ian Baun goes 4:27, Todd Gunzenhauser 4:28.

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  9. Deluca soloing 4:20 and 9:03 at District 2 AAA meet. ....wtf?

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    1. Incredible. Hopefully he goes 3200 only at states.

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    2. That time, run alone, should be making some coaches think hard. Deluca is smart enough to run the 3200 only. If anyone goes 1600/3200, they're worn from Friday 1600 prelims and Deluca takes the gold in the 32. Then the 1600 is up for grabs too since those on the double will be tired and broken after losing the 32.

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    3. Amazing times but Deluca didn't solo the 1600, Matt Kravitz was 2nd in a 4:23.

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  10. May 12th 2014. It was a Monday. In some countries it will always be remembered as just a Monday. In this District, State and Country it will not be just a Monday. On May 12th 2014 Dominic Deluca changed the world. Changing from a mediocre runner to a runner unparalleled in speed and looks. Watching him run is like watching a deer prance in a field. His form is that of a cheetah combined with the determination of a bull. Running a solo 9:03 would be impressive alone, but if you told me it was done after a 4:20 I would scoff and take it as a petty joke. Watching from the stands I couldn’t help but slide my hands down my pants and give myself the intimate feelings he deserves. I currently am tearing up writing this post. Rumor has it that after being sucked off behind the bleachers by a untainted virgin he ran a mile repeat workout. I beg of Forrest and Etrain not to write of his performance as no words, not even my own, can facilitate the sheer monstrosity of that race. Deluca, man or beast? Mortal or demigod? Virgin or Black? As he takes his talents to Cornell we hope he will change the program and bring it light. Ride on Dominic, with Pa at your back you will never falter.
    -Don

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    1. I wish I could harness the animalistic and sexual feelings of Dominic

      -Zack Brehm

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    2. Penn Track has always hyped up the Dallas team, though usually the girls. Nice to see Deluca get a headline as that was a tremendous performance.

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  11. I'm not sure if Deluca made it worse for himself in the 3200 or better. Running such an unnecessarily fast 3200, and PRing, will make his next 3200 extremely hard to PR again, which would be needed to take down Russell. On the other hand, he may have scared Russell away from running the 3200. I'm assuming Russell had the 3200/1600 double or 4x800/1600 double and Deluca's time could have made it easier to choose the latter since making him work that hard in the 3200 would certainly make the 1600 double extremely difficult, especially against the likes of Molino and such. Now, a gold in the 4x800 is definitely a possibility. Their legs now are 1:54, 1:54, 1:55 (Moy PR), and 1:57. That's a 7:40 and none of those are split times, all open. They could be a scary team to face if Russell does choose this.

    Other things to think about: What is O'Hara doing, what is Henderson doing, will Brehm come into form late season like last year, and what will the studs of 4x800's do- Caldwell, Logue, Wiseman, and Cather? Cather, Logue, and Caldwell also have 4x4's to think about.

    My speculation:

    4x800/800 studs- Cather, Logue, Francis, Wiseman, and Caldwell all run the 4x800 at districts and double back to make states in the 800. All of them then see how the times are looking to decide futher. Caldwell drops it and just runs 800/4x4 at States, Francis/Cather/Logue all run the 4x800 anchor at States and run as hard as they need to. If they can rise places they do it, if not they simply maintain. My guess is Logue and Cather will go at it for the potential win along with Henderson.

    O'Hara- Two theories: James, Smart, and Belfatto all run the 1600 and place top 6 or they all run the 4x800, then double back and James/Belfatto do the 1600 and Smart does the 800.

    Henderson- This really depends on if they are going for team or individual glory and since it's henderson, team goals are usually the one. I say they go hot for the 4x800 with (Moy, Russell, Stratman, Thompson). Russell then doubles back for the 1600. Barchet goes 3200 and Collins goes 1600 with Russell (maybe 3200...).

    I've been pushing for Brehm all season and I can't stop now. I think he lights up districts with times similar to last year's and then does the 800/1600 double at States, winning neither, but placing in both.

    -RTJ

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    1. Is Molino even running AAA? Its cool that these non AAA guys want to race up with the big dogs but chances are they'll see themselves at a loss of a state gold medal, but i guess it doesn't really mean much unless its an AAA state gold

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    2. Molino is the second best 1600 guy in the State and could win States in the 1600 no matter what division, except AAA against Russell. If Russell doesn't run it, Molino wins.

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  12. Well James won the 3200 today and Belfatto is listed in the 1600 and smart is in the 800 tomorrow and James is in the 4x8 without smart or Belfatto so my guess would be smart and Belfatto are going just individual and James will run the 4x8 trials to see if they can make the finals and if they do he'll double back after the 3200 at states

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    1. They race too hard too much, states ain't looking good.

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  13. Check out Chester County Middle School Championship results on milesplit. I think Pierce Middle School feeds into Henderson so it looks like it's out with the old and in with the new for them; a 2:11 800 / 4:41 1600 middle school champion moving onto WCH....

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  14. I think wce has an 8th grader who ran varsity in XC for them last year too.

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