NBNI Results

So last night I watched Tim Schoch from Haverford qualify for the finals in the 800, Ben Scheetz shockingly miss both, Chris Derrick, my boy, run hard and ultimately get blasted at the finish, and Jeremy Rae take down a competitive DMR with Bayer and Batty trying to chase.

But of course the focus of this blog is not on whether or not Donn Cabral made All-American status, it is on the PA high schoolers.

First of major props to a 10 second smashing of the state record in the DMR as Maria Seykora anchors in 4:51. Very impressive work by Notre Dame. Strath Haven not too bad of a time as well (they were also under the old state record).

But to the boys.

First off major props to the AA state champion Brendan Shearn. I think that his state performance might have been a little underwhelming, only an 8:50 and 4th place finish, which was obviously a great effort, but most were hoping for more. Well Shearn delivered much more this time around starting off the day with a great 2 mile with Hibbs, running 9:27.81 which converts to 8:45 for 3k, which is more of a time I thought he was capable of, but not particularly surprising.

But wait there's more!

On the double that night Shearn hopped in a very competitve 5k with tired legs and little expectations and hung tough to a fast close by the leaders. When the dust cleared Shearn 15:06 indoor 5k. Very impressive time indoors on the double, in the league of what Dustin Wilson ran last year OUTDOORs and FRESH. This kid's future looks strong in XC. Hopefully over the course of a track season his speed will start to catch up to his strength.

How about the resurgence of Alex Moran? The big win at TSTCA's, minor set back at states with a bit of a mistimed move perhaps, and now a 4:17 meet record at the emerging elite mile at nationals. Converts to in the 4:15ish range for 1600m and he won by over a second. Coming into outdoors with momentum, Moran has to be a name kept in mind with the likes of Willig and Magaha. He was only a step or so behind Willig last year, just didn't have his best day at states (Baldwin Invite was his highlight). Big win for Moran.

And I suppose you have to mention Dustin Wilson under the 15 minute mark and locking up an all american spot. Pretty sick race, got dropped when they started to kick, but impressive performance nonetheless. Just because we (and Wilson most likely) expected him to be at the this fitness level, doesn't make it any less impressive. It's still one of the best 5ks indoors or outdoors that a PA runner can boast on the track. And Wilson has probably been doing much more mileage than speed so outdoors should be interesting. The kid is a tank and he always runs hard and runs smart.

Also worth noting, solid 1:56 high performance from Logue, thought maybe he could have gone faster, but still a nice PR and some confidence for the young anchor of Pa's best 4x8 (right now). And real nice relay leg by Ryan Horgan on that SMR. He ran down a bunch of teams and almost took the win before tying up at the end from a very fast first 400 or so. I don't know the exact split but it was a great leg for his team.

And shoot almost forgot, nice 5k for Aaron Wilkinson in 15:24! Hope this can translate into a 9:20ish 3200 outdoors, which may mix it up for a top 5 finish at states.

PA starting off the weekend very nicely! Keep it up kids.