Weekend Action: Last Time It's Not States!

So this is a very exciting time for me as track addict because both the PTFCA state meet and the Centennial conference meet are both on the verge of posting performance lists for their respective meets. That's usually the most exciting time for me, seeing what everyone chose to run in, and predicting where they will all finish. The sleepers, the favorites, the upsets, you get to call them ahead of time and either look a genius or fail horribly (most of the time it's the second one but who cares).

But those lists aren't up quite yet, so it's time to talk about the results that will inch us closer to that result.

We start off at the Meet of Champions race at Lehigh where the day started with a statement race by Ned Willig in the 1200, running 3:01. Blazing fast for the lehigh track and shows Millrose was a fluke. Great Valley ran 10:26 in a non optimum order. It will be interesting to see if they try and keep this order come states. Against a LaSalle team with Coyle on the anchor, I'm not sure if you want Willig/Wolffe having to be chased down by that guy. Strath Haven (with I'm assuming their A team if not close to it) kind of got handled at this race (North Penn beat them to before the DQ). After this I can't imagine Haven running the DMR at the state championship. They were double their big guns and come back in the 4x8. No other schools hit the time, and based on some of the other stuff that went down this weekend I think only the runners who hit the time will get in.

The mile was kind of a let down, nice race for Kardish but I think a lot of people were hoping to see a lot more guys under the SQS. Hibbs gets another solid win in the mile, but obviously I think the 3k is in his immeadiate future. Probably then doubling back to anchor his DMR.

The 800 was pretty sick. Horgan dropped a very fast time with Rivera and Dickson also having huge season bests. Those guys were both high on my pre season list, then dropped off my lists, and now are back on high. They are peaking at the right time. THe race was incredibly deep, 6 guys under 2, 10 guys under the SQS. Paul Robeson has 2 very nice 800 pieces so maybe a sleeper pick later on in the 4x8.

Worth noting, nice upset win by Stiles over Hardy, nice runs by Futch in the hurdles and the 200, and of course a great relay in the 4x4.

In the 3k it was a big day for Billotta and Brett Kelly, both of whom may go on to run this race at the state championships. Tough misses for a few other guys, Israel was kind of disappointing, but he should still be a good leg for the DMR later. Will be interesting to see how HGPrep decides to double their legs. Also interested to see what Kelly decides to do as he has run the 3k the last two weekends so obviously he feels there is some potential there. However, it is tough to run the 3 three weekends in a row and have success. Oh yeah Dustin Wilson won. Nothing too surprising there, nothing super fast. We will see what happens at states.

DeBarbarie, my heart goes out to you man, two very, very close misses in the 3k. He's in for the mile which is nice, and I do think if he enters the 3k he will be the last guy in.

Lastly (sorry Wissahickon's 4x4, you guys ran great but I don't have time for a paragraph about it) have to talk about the 4x8. LaSalle ran very fast, there should be a bit more of a story there perhaps, but in my eyes I was distracted by the huge race by Pennridge. This team (assuming they keep 4 fresh legs) has to be in state title discusion. Within two seconds of a team that set a meet of champs record in the 4x8 with 4 fresh legs on both ends. I think Logue and Kohler (who I hope will both bail on the 8 to run the relay) are underrated 4x8 guys and Pennridge has a chance to surprise, especially if doubling plays a factor on other teams and the DMR continues to be the hot event. LaSalle of course ran very fast and it is a meet record, but it's nothing outrageous given their legs on paper. Obviously, if they choose to run a fresh relay they are the favorites for gold. If they double in the individuals we will have a very interesting weekend.

Lastly, I'll discuss the action over at the TSTCA championships.

First off great sign in the mile for a couple big time guys in Moran and Smathers as they take down Jaskowak who had been simply on fire this year with a big mile win. I'm really surprised Jaskowak never seriously considered the 3k, I think it would have been a better event for him. He's definitely a name to watch at states in the mile, but the fact of the matter is I don't know if he has the speed to hang with some of these guys in a kickers race. I said it this time last year and it didn't quite work out, but Moran is rounding into shape and has to be the big sleeper in this years race. He has an outside shot at the win if Ned doesn't have his day. Tonzo nice race as well, a fresh NA DMR would just add to the fun, because they can go fast.

How about the Penn Hills boys? Baily upset by his teammate Squirees as now both have run very solid times. Kind of reminds me of Anderson and Rumble (who went on to take 2-4 at states that year I believe). It's a shame we won't see their 4x8 in action fresh because they would have a shot at the win in my eyes. Both these guys are serious podium contenders in the open 8 however.

Ethan Martin runs a nice 3k, Wakeley a miss again. It's a shame for him because I thought he would do it. Martin has an outisde chance at getting in to the state meet if enough guys don't enter. Coyle and Willig are the only guys I can say with confidence will not enter, so it is pretty up in the air right now.

And how about those DMRs? Nice runs by Altoona and Trinity to punch their ticket to states in the DMR. Kiski is the next team in if the PTFCA decides to add a squad. Altoona now has to be talked about in the DMR title contender conversation at the very least. Trinity will be looking to mix it up for a medal.

Just one comment about the DMR. Potentially a really amazing race. This isn't what I think will happen, but it's possible:

Great Valley with Willig on the anchor after just the mile
Fresh Altoona
Fresh LaSalle
Fresh North Allegheny
Fresh North Penn
Fresh Henderson
Holy Ghost with only Horgan doubling
Fresh GFS
Fresh CR North

It would be quite the race. Kiski, Hatboro, Trinity, and DT West would all be compelling story lines as well. Of course if Strath Haven was in this group it would be pretty awesome, but like I said above I can see no situation where they run the DMR at this point in the contest.

Perfomance lists out soon. Yay.