NBIN

Boys 800m: Sunday 9:50 AM

This should be one of the best races of the weekend. PA's own Ned Willig and rival Zavon Watkins will toe the line at the armory together for a chance to push each other near a record once again. I said this earlier in the year and I stand by it, Ned has a chance to become just the second runner in high school history to break 1:50 in the 800 indoors. These two guys are fantastic runners with great kicks and were an early break away from all time marks in the 1k. But don't forget about off distance specialist Strymar Livingston who boasts the 500 and 600 national records from this season. He moves up to the 800 with the potential to drop a very nice 8 in this kind of field. If he doesn't have the strength to hang on (which is unlikely since he has run 1:51.90), he should at least keept this thing fast and on record pace. Ben Malone is also a factor in this race, as he dropped a legal very fast 1k in that race at the armory. He set the Junior class record when he crossed the line. PA's own Haneef Hardy is US #8 with his state championship time. He has run a couple very nice races at the armory this season and has a chance to drop a nice PR and mix it up for an all american spot. Alan Eke and Jared Mason are also under 1:54 on the season.

I'll be a homer and pick Willig to outkick Watkins in a revenge match for Millrose. Both are in the 1:50 low range. Strymar for 3rd in about 1:51 flat.

Worth noting on the girls side: Ajee Wilson, Mary Cain, Emma Keenan

Boys 1 Mile: Sunday 11:00 AM

Ed Cheserek will look to win what will be is 4th race of the weekend after the 2 mile, DMR, and SMR. He will be making a serious push for the 2 mile national record so it is tough to expect too much out of the youngster (he has less than 2 hours between races). Lukas did take down the victory, but is Cheserek, a year younger (kind of) expereinced and a good enough racer to beat Lukas's achievements. To challenge Cheserek is a field that includes US #3 Jacob Burcham who boasts a 4:07 season best and Brandon Kidder a 4:09 miler this year. Brad Nye from Utah is a fast 800m runner moving up to the mile for nationals, he has to be a sleeper pick this season. Ben Malone, who recently ran 4:11 for 1600m, is also entered in this race, although he may opt for the 800m instead. With his kick, if the race is tactical he should be in the mix. Plenty of other names will mix it up with PRs in the 4:14-4:17 range including PA's own Jack Huemmler who should benefit from a more evenly paced race at Nats. We will see how the 4xMile goes beforehand, but Huemmler defintiely has potential for a PR at this meet.

Ultimately I have Cheserek being outkicked at the finish, Burcham is my guy right now, but if Malone runs fresh I think he will surprise for the win. Brad Nye rounds out my top 3, Kidder with potential to be in there as well. Burcham in about 4:08, Chserek 4:09 and Nye 4:09 as well.

Girls Mile Entries Worth Noting: Angel Piccirillo, Maria Seykora, Brianna Nerud, the Meier's, Kelsey Margee

Boys 2 Mile: Sunday 9:15 AM

The Ed Cheserek show will be in its climax as he tries to chase down the national record. To be honest, he will have a tough time, most likely doing a lot of work outfront. He is obviously super fit after his Mile and 5k which were both faster than Lukas ever ran, but will the tired legs of Cheserek be able to maintain 65s and go after Lindgren's record? I think he will just miss like Lukas a year ago. Sabastian Hanson from New York can boast a 9:06 3200m PR and will be one of the favorites for second in this race. Kris Moran, a new york rival, has a 9:08 3200m PR which helped him at the NY state meet. Another New Yorker Eric Holt has a 9:11 3200m PR. Thomas Awad also boasts a sub 9:15 3200m PR this season. PA's own Dustin Wilson may not have the SB that these other runners do, but he has been known to run fast as this meet before, including a sub 9:20 performance for an all american spot in a dominate slow heat performance a year ago.

Girl's Side: PA's own Bungo, Sargent, and Darlington