Relay Race

There is plenty to talk about on the relay scene this time of year and of course the DMR vs. 4x8 conversations are in full swing. Looking down the list there is plenty of potential for the greatest DMR race in state history when the team's roll into Penn State but obviously teams will opt for what they see as their best chance to grab state hardware and bring maximum point opportunities to their team in the team title race.

In my own opinion, relay success and relay choices come down to a number of factors. Obviously, teams have certain leanings about which event they would rather run come state time. Historically some teams opt for one race over the other. Often times the relays are also a matter of what your team is built for, i.e. what strengths you have, what doubling your other runners will have to do etc.

So in order to try and clear up the very blurry picture of the 4x8 vs. DMR debate, let's take a look at what teams have the most individual qualifiers in the 400-3k.

Strath Haven (4)- Daniel 400m, Smith 400m, Huemmler 800m+Mile, Seelaus Mile
Pennwood (3)- Futch 400m, Stiles 400m, Hunter 400m
Hatboro (2)- Hibbs Mile+3k, Hackett 400m
Penncrest (2)- Emmanuel 800m, Miller 800m
LaSalle (2)- Coyle 800m+Mile, Stone 800m+Mile
Henderson (2)- Russell Mile, Chaborek Mile
CR North (2)- Zingarini Mile, Felt 800m+Mile
HGPrep (2)- Horgan Mile+800m, Israel Mile
GFS (2)- Wistar Mile, Aziz 3k
Great Valley (2)- Willig Mile+800+3k, Wolffe 800
DT West (2)- Jenkins 800m, Leidel Mile
Spring Ford (2)- O'Such Mile+800, Magolon Mile
North Penn (2)- Trimble 800, MacCauley Mile
Pennridge (2)- Logue 800m, Kohler 800m
Penn Hills (2)- Baily 800m, Squirees 800m

Now this is a lot of information to throw out there and some of it is fairly irrelevant. So let me give you my opinion of what this means. First off throw Pennwood out the picture, they aren't running any distance relays any time soon. Then you look at the teams and where their guys have qualified. Teams like Penn Hills, Pennridge, and Penncrest are all sure fire 4x8 teams. They don't have the distance power it will take to seriously compete at the top level with these DMR squads.

Team's like Spring Ford, GFS, West Chester Henderson, CR North, and Hatboro Horsham virtually have to go DMR. They lack the depth and fire power to blast a 4x8 well under 8 minutes.

That leaves only a few question mark teams: North Penn, HG Prep, DT West, Great Valley, LaSalle and Strath Haven.

Haven, in my opinion, is much better suited for the DMR on paper. Their two key legs are both more of milers than 800 runners, and their 400 leg is one of the best in the state in the open 4 this year. However, they have a serious shot at the team title so they will be doubling Huemmler and Seelaus and Daniel I'd imagine. That may make the 4x8 too enticing to pass up. Especially with a 4x2 and 4x4 that are in top 5 shape to worry about. Strath Haven has yet to run a DMR in the years since the event was added in 2007. Therefore my prediction is a 4x8 for Haven.

Now DT West I see as running the 4x8. They still haven't hit the DMR time yet and it doesn't look like they are gearing up to do it anytime soon. They have a very solid 4x8 and it should be a less deep field so I expect them to opt for the 4x8.

Great Valley has shown all the signs over the last year or so of going for a big DMR at states this season and taking gold. I think they will almost definitely opt for the DMR under those circumstances, especially with Ned as a great anchor. BUT in my opinion they have a better shot of winning gold in the 4x8. If Ned can pull out a 1:51 anchor they just need to average 2 flat from the rest of their guys to run about 7:51. If Ned only runs the mile, 1:51 may be too slow of an estimate for the state record holder. Fresh, he would have a shot at 1:49 in a split for sure, especially chasing down the teams out front like Penncrest. Ultimately, I don't see Great Valley pulling the trigger and making the switch, and I think they will choose the DMR.

North Penn has always been a 4x8 school, but I think this is finally the year they make the switch over to the DMR. I heard rumors early in the season North Penn wanted to send a completely fresh squad onto the track for the DMR at indoor states and I don't believe that goal has changed. I think that if they stick to this plan they will win states in the DMR indoors. Plus they are just much better suited for a fast DMR rather than 4x8. So I think North Penn will run the DMR at states.

HG Prep ran fast in the DMR early in the season, but has tailed off a bit since then. I think they stick to the DMR and hope to regain their former success, even if Horgan opts to run the open mile or the 8 (or I guess even both) he will probably just be the 1200 leg or maybe even the 800 leg on their relay in the DMR. I don't see this relay having the raw speed to break 8, but they have the talent to break 10:30. The only question mark is the fact that they have never ran the DMR before at indoor states. I still think DMR for Holy Ghost.

Which leaves only LaSalle left as a question mark, and perhaps the biggest question mark of all. Honestly, LaSalle is easily best suited for the DMR and with 4 fresh legs I think they could scare the meet record and state record. However, Stone and Coyle are each legitimate top 3-5 place winners in the open 8 and mile respectively and that potential may win out over the relay title (both guys are Juniors so they will have next year to think about here as well). I see these guys getting a chance to run open (maybe both the mile, but hopefully we can see Stone against the field in the 800) and then doubling back into the 4x8 rather than the DMR. The 4x8 is the easier field comparatively and these guys still have a great shot at state gold (I'm not too sold on Penncrest right now, which may be a huge mistake) and they would also get to run individual events. Ultimately, I can see this one going either way, but I'll say 4x8 for LaSalle for another year in a row.