Help Wanted

Hello,

I've come to the realization that I am simply too busy to continue to write for the blog on a regular basis. If anyone is interested and would like to write for the blog let me know at: cnc96@comcast.net

-Cummings

Outdoor 800m Preview

There’s certainly a solid group of guys to watch in the 800 heading into the outdoor season. The headliners will be John Lewis and Elias Graca who have both gone 1:50 at this point, and you have to figure could be poised to break into the 1:40’s range. With Graca that could happen as soon as Sunday morning at the Indoor National meet.

Behind them is AA star Domenic Peretta, who, with a 1:52 and 4:19, will be the man many in AA are chasing. Alek Sauer put down a 1:52 up at Penn State while grabbing a medal and he’s a guy who has a chance mix it up with Lewis and Graca come May. Zach Brehm has a 1:53 to his name, but I’m expecting him to focus more on the mile (he’s the favorite at 4:11) so look for his name in a few races but I wouldn’t expect him in the 8 come districts.

Matt Wisner and Khai Samuels grabbed #5 and #6 at Penn State in 1:54, so they’ll be looking to continue that momentum into the outdoor season. Brook Wilson and Dylan Eddinger rounded out the Indoor medalists at 1:55. The group of 1:56 guys who are looking to make an impact include Andrew Stewart, Connor Holm and Brad Foust.

For some sleeper pick youngsters look to sophomore Nick Wagner (1:55) and freshman Kamil Jihad (1:57). Jihad was able to run 1:57 for 10^th at indoor states as a freshman, so who knows how much more he can drop as he develops over the outdoor season.

And if you’re wondering about who else will finish out the top 3 in AA, watch Mark Arzie and Andrew Koryak. Both are 1:57 guys and Andrew Koryak came in 12^th at Indoor States. Behind them is miler Nathan Morgan who has run a 1:59, but he’s also done a 4:21 so he should be focusing more on the mile this spring.

-Cummings

Hello Again

Hey everybody,

I don't know what Forrest is up to, but hopefully he gets back to blogging soon.

Also apologies, I haven't been able to keep up with the blog or PA running much in the last few months, things have been busy. But it's a new season, and I'm gonna try to get back at writing for the blog.

This week is a busy one for me, and to be honest I haven't looked at many results from indoor, so this weekend I'll spend some time doing some research and catching up and hopefully have a full post out by early next week.

In the mean time, hit up the comments section and let me know what you think about Indoor States this past weekend and outdoor coming up. For starters:

- Sam Ritz lit up the mile with a blazing 4:09, and also took a bronze in the 800 with a quick 1:51. What does he have in store for the outdoor season?

-Who's your early pick to win the outdoor 800? Indoor champion John Lewis? Elias Graca who was runner up by less than half a second? Sam Ritz? Or does another guy step in and take the title?

-Cross country powerhouses Jake Brophy, Paul Power and Colin Abert struggled a little bit at Penn State. Are they primed to return to dominating races again?

-The 3000m saw three guys go under 8:40, which converts to sub-9:15. What's the fastest time someone hits in the 32 this outdoor? Will anyone break 9:00?


-Cummings

4x8 Madness @ Armoury

PA now has 3 teams under the 8 minute mark for the 4x800! Pennsbury followed up their 7:57 with a blazing 7:52.46 to take 5^th place overall. According to Milesplit's twitter account, Pennsbury's splits were 2:00.67, 1:57.61 (Webb), 2:01.74, and 1:52.61 (Sauer)... Unreal. Sauer just PR'd or got very close to his PR of 1:52.9 from outdoor states, indoors, at the end of January. After a tough XC season Sauer is out to prove himself and he is bringing his team with him. Pennsbury's 4x800 is clearly the top in the state as Penncrest finished 7^th overall with the time of 7:56.90. Pennsbury has 4 seconds on them, which to me means they could get away with doubling Sauer back from the 800 and Webb back from the 3k and still compete for the win. I think Penncrest’s names are mixed up. It says that Hanna led off in 1:58.3, but that was most likely Kamat with Hanna running 2:02.24 on the 3^rd leg, which is an improvement for both runners. Emanuel was also probably switched with J. Teal, who still ran 1:58.71 and was the big split of the day for this group who really needed a sub 2 runner on the relay. This is a fantastic group that has been steadily improving for the past year and a half. I don’t see them slowing down anytime soon.

Arguably the biggest surprise of the day, however, came from LaSalle, who place 8^th overall in 7:58.64! Grant had the biggest leg for the team as he anchored in 1:57.69. That’s a big drop for him, but it’s been a long time coming after his breakout races as a freshman. Grant has had potential and it’s really starting to come together for him and the rest of this team. The training atmosphere with so many runners around the same level must be fantastic. It’s no wonder they’re improving so quickly. 

That's all for now Folks!

 --ForrestCRN

P.S. Don't forget to check out the conversation between Etrain and I about the Mile and who might be running it and why. It's a new series we're starting up; we hope you all enjoy it. 

Beginning of Weekend Results

 Check out Etrain's website to see a new conversation about the Mile between the two of us. It will be a new series that we're starting.

13th Ed Poreda Invitational

Etrain just made a recent post about how Pennsbury should consider the DMR more… well they just ran 10:32.15 to win the DMR by 10 seconds over CB East. I think that this team will run the 4x8 at states despite this fantastic time, which will allow Webb to run the 3k/4x8 and Sauer to run two 800’s, which he can clearly do very well based on outdoors last season. Matt Mulvaney is developing into a strong 800m leg for them and I think this squad is going to be very dangerous in that event. With this being said, I think they’ll run the DMR at Penn Relays and drop like a 10:15ish type time. That’s my bold prediction of the day.

The rest of the race was very interesting. CB East decided to race the DMR and a 10:42 is a time that will get them into the top 12 as a team qualifier at the state meet. It seems as though this could be a better event for them than the 4x8. Brophy would probably be forced into the Mile/DMR double instead of potentially going for the 3k/4x8 double. 

CB West also killed it with a 10:45! This team I think will clearly run the DMR at the state meet and they will do it fresh. If they break 10:40 at the state meet I think that it would be a very solid performance for this squad. Fortna is developing into a strong track running and I think he’ll breakout in the Mile outdoors. Behind them was CR South who ran 10:46.55. I think they’ll end up racing the 4x8 at states, but I do like them in this race. Hanna and MaGuire are built for longer distances, but again CR South is the type of team likes to run 4x800.

Council Rock North had a tough day with Ben Heintz running 3:21/22 when a few weekends ago he split 3:18. He’ll need to be running 3:17ish if this team is going to compete at states.  Griswold hit 2:06.8, but on the good side they had a freshman split 52 mid. Arita went out in 2:12 for the first 800 and his final split was 4:27. I think he’s in 4:25ish shape, but it’s tough to split well when he’s that far behind the other teams. He was able to catch Holy Ghost who ended up finishing in 10:49.29. CRN has 10:40 low potential at states, but they’re going to need to step it up over the next few weeks or Arita might run the 3k and ditch the team.

As I said, HGP ran 10:49 and I could see them running a fresh DMR at states. Donahue and Dineen have developed into strong runners this indoor season and this is another team with 10:40 potential.

I’d love to know what the splits were on Pennsbury’s SMR team, but I really wish we had an SMR at the state meet indoors. Maybe instead of the 4x4 or the 4x8? I think the event is a lot of fun and isn’t run enough. Pennsbury has a team built for it with a strong 4x2, a 48 open 400m runner in Snorweah and a 1:52.9 split from Alek Sauer. It’s no wonder they won in 3:35, which was 6 seconds faster than GTF who raced Nick Dahl and Grayson Hepp. CB East also put together a solid team in 3:43.61 for 5^th place. It’s great to see Boucher and Brophy doubling this early and the two of them, in my opinion, will be studs at the state meet. 

Sam Webb doubled as well and won with a very solid 4:26.92. Webb is a total beast right now this indoor season and I can’t wait to see what he decides to choose at the state meet. Often times I talk about runners who never won a state title with guys like Kevin James, but Webb is the real deal and often gets dismissed as one of the top runners PA has seen in the past few years. Andrew Hanna had a tough time doubling as he ran 4:38.49 for 3^rd place as he beats out a few CB runners in Goetz, Sands, Mass, and Iatarola who ran between 4:39-4:47.

Pennsbury also put together a B 4x800m team that ran 8:22.10, which is really impressive.

 That's all for Now Folks!

--ForrestCRN

Some Questions

Storms continue to brew in the Northeast as Etrain and I seem to have gone in slight hibernation... We're currently working on some fun projects that will be going up on his page. It will be worth the wait :)

All of that being said, I wanted to pose a few questions to all of you:

What will John Lewis choice to race? And how fast will he run in these races? (Don't forget relays!)

How many teams will follow Pennsbury in breaking 8 minutes in the 4x800 this season? And how fast could they go at states? Will they double anyone, if so who and in what event(s)?

Saint Joe's Prep just dropped a 10:29 in the DMR... 10:...29... wow. John Daly apparently split a 4:17. That's unreal. Will this continue? Could they break 10:20? This team seems to be legit, and I'm excited about it.

Any questions for me? I'll be writing responses over the next few days.

--ForrestCRN

Weekend 1/24/15 Meet Result Analysis

I highly apologize for not posting this past week. I had an extremely busy week, and that won’t happen again. Kevin James’ 8:40 3k was the most impressive race of the weekend in my opinion, but it’s too late for a recap, so lets move on to today, where we’ve getting live results in from Kevin Dare!

Mile: I’m furious I didn’t put up predictions for this race, because I wanted to call so much of this race. McDevitt was a shoe-in win for me. He ran 4:23 last weekend after running the mile leg of the DMR the night before. On fresh legs McDevitt kicks home very strong on this field for a win in 4:23.62. I bet he’s in ~4:20/21 shape right now. Kyle Shinn had a solid, but not spectacular XC season, but he’s really turned up his came on the track. He out kicks Brad Foust to take 2^nd place in 4:25.39 to Foust’s 4:25.48. Wyomissing might have a really good DMR in store for us this season. It’s good to see Foust running well indoors. I bet we see Altoona take a top 2 spot in the 4x8 later today.

Another prediction that I wanted to make was Murray beating out Marston as he does with a 4:26.04 and 4:26.15. I really have no idea what ‘Stoga is planning for the state meet, but I’m banking on the DMR right now. Although Murray and Marston are both steadily improving I don’t see either medaling in the Mile, but their combined efforts could place them under 10:30.

Alex Milligan opened this season very strong, but as State College usually does in the middle of the season they seem to plateau. This 4:27.85 doesn’t worry me at all. I have a feeling he’ll be a 4:22 guy by the state meet with a real shot at a medal. I’m excited to see how he doubles back. Liam Galligan ran 4:32. The sophomore might have gone a bit over his head at the beginning, but it’s great to see hi mixing it up in these races. 

3000m: Pennsbury disappeared from the Kevin Dare Invitational, but I do hope that there team is healthy. The snow might have forced them and other teams to cancel. Because of that the 3k turned from potentially the top race of the day to not much at all. Casey Comber won in 9:02.75 and doesn’t even grab the SGS during his first open race of the season. Jerrod Sunderland of Altoona ran very well as he takes 2^nd in 9:07.64! I wouldn’t have seen that coming and this Altoona team might be able to drop a solid DMR if he and Foust team up on two nice legs. Matthew Beyerle also dropped his PR quite a bit with a 9:14 for 5^th place. Zach Seiger has a tough race running 9:16.68 for 7^th place. How about Tucker Desko of Pennridge coming out of nowhere and running 9:16 for 3k! He’s just a junior. I’m interested to see what he can do for this team. We saw solid raes from DiGiacomo and Kirshenbaum who both hit 9:18.

4x800: Well Alex Milligan must have doubled back with something pretty strong as State College takes the win in 8:05.64! I believe that’s a PA #1 time right now. Milligan, Degleris, and Feffer are all returners and Milligan has really made quite a jump this season. I think we can expect to see the same from Feffer next season. I bet Milligan makes the same double at the state meet. If so this relay will be fresh and pretty dangerous. 

Pennridge placed second in 8:07.19. Dan Williams must have had a solid anchor split and hopefully Masgai is still in about 2 flat shape. I think this team will challenge the 8 flat mark at the state meet and I bet they keep everyone fresh. Williams went from a breakout middle relay man last season and now he’s their anchor. It’ll be interesting to see if he can handle the pressure as the season progresses. Behind them was the most even squad in the state – Strath Haven. Basically everyone on this team runs 2:02, which makes perfect sense for their 8:08.05 time. Hopefully each guy can take off a second or so to put them under 8:05 by season’s end. It’s tough to compete with such an even marked line-up, but I think they sneak into the state meet and their competition at practice will be helpful to a quick development. 

Altoona put together a decent 4x8 in 8:11.25. I really wish they would run a fast DMR this year, since I think it’s a much better even for them. TV had a rough day running 8:20 flat, while keeping everyone fresh. Sometimes things don’t come together, and it’s a shame, since this is one of the best shots for a fast time that this team will get to qualify this season. Stoga was doubling people back and they raced 8:29, so they’ll have to work on that double for Marston and Murray.

New Balance Invitational

DMR – Penncrest comes out the best PA team in 5^th place with a 10:48.36. These guys are made for the 4x8, so I’m pretty impressed with this result. It’s nice to see them mixing it up in the relays. I think they’re one of the top PA 4x8’s in the state. Avon Grove had a decent race with a 10:54.20. It can be tough to pull a great DMR together, but this team has more time to qualify. I’m thinking they’ll drop a 10:45ish around or at the meet of champions. Radnor had an off day with an 11:15.86 8^th place finish. I’m not sure what we’ll see from this team, but it seems as though they’d have a better shot at making the 4x8 top 12 than the DMR.

Mile – It was a tough outing for PA all around. Kevin James has an uncharacteristic bad race with a 4:26.01 10^th place finish. If I had to guess, I would say his back flared up again. That being said I hope James is alright, and I’m not too worried. He’s a total stud and his 8:40 shows just how strong he is right now. Khai Samuel’s also had a tough outing for Pleasant Valley with a 4:31.77. It’s not a bad time, but I bet he wanted to break 4:30 at least. Ryan Paradise was a bit over his head and got dropped by the field and finished in 4:45.96. These D11 guys haven’t raced as much and sometimes these guys have a lot of rust to bust. I have no doubt Paradise is in good shape right now.

2 Mile – Undercover Ryan Rastatter of Archbishop Prep almost snuck past me, but his 9:51.96 is a strong time for this early in the season as he places 10^th overall. There were a lot of big names in this race and he navigated himself very well. It could be a sign of big things to come.

That's all for now Folks!

 --ForrestCRN