Weekend Action

So I know this is late and that I haven't been posting much lately, but work has been piling up a bit so I have to stay on top of it. But enough about that let's get to business.

We will start with the big association meet. Nice runs out front for the Wissahickon boys. If they had Hairston back their 4x4 could have most likely taken down gold. I wonder if Stiles is also missing from Pennwood? I don't think I saw him in any of the open events.

Magaha is back ladies and gents after a dominating 1:51 performance over quite the impressive field. For Drew it's an overall PR at 800m (because as stated we think the indoor 1:51.0 split is a little outrageous) and he proves he is in top shape going into the Penn Relays mile. Technically speaking Drew has underwhelmed at 1500 and 1600 this year. Nothing outside the 4:20s indoors and a mere 4:19ish equivalent outdoors, maybe more 4:18ish, but all the same nothing near 1:51 level. So I still have doubts about him winning at Penn against studs like Ben Malone, but he should be in at least 4:15y shape at this point. Another big race for Kohler and an open PR. Pennridge now has two guys who realistically can split in the 1:53s at Penn. Their other two legs were in the 1:58-1:57 range indoors from what I could see in splits, so they should have the potential to run under 7:40 by the end of the year. I haven't seen much from the other two legs so far outdoors, however, so I will reserve judgment on any bold predictions just yet. Coyle is clearly just more of a miler. Great 800m performance but nothing jaw dropping. Huemmler on the double off a 4:13 so he gets a pass for "only" 1:56 here. Brooks a nice PR as well, a little disappointed with Wolffe and Broadwater here because I know they can go faster.

A little slow of a mile for Kelly, solid race for Wilson, but nothing surprising considering his ability level at 3200m. Stone had a nice race as well and would be a very dangerous 1200m leg at Penn if LaSalle goes that route. MaGee had a solid performance as well in this race at arguably an off distance for him, so the relay sets up very nicely right now.

The hurdle races were sick, but for the sake of time I'll pass on these, but make sure you note those results.

Sick DMRs. Haven running very solid with a 3:09-3:10 lead off from Seelaus and 4:13 anchor from Huemmler. Very impressive legs for those guys, although the middle legs weren't outstanding. Its a shame that they won't race this event at Penn with Huemmler entered in the mile. Unless something dramatic happens like Andrews did a little ways back. North Penn also ran great and finally started to live up to the hype after a quiet indoors and a huge upset win at XC states after a relatively disappointing season in my opinion. I'd be interested to know their splits, but they could be very dangerous in the DMR at Penn for sure. O'Hara not bad either flying under the radar with a 10:22. Also would like to know splits here, but clearly O'Hara should be fun to watch at Penn as well. I honestly don't even know who would be on that relay besides I assume Savage on the anchor.

At Pan Ram there were some nice results including great 4x8 splits by Kunzweiler and Mountain who both ran around 1:55. State College mixed it up well with these squads as well and may be a sleeper going forward. Good to see Strynkowski back racing, solid 1600 for him in his first race back. Then in the 3200, a nice double for Mountain but some great breakout performances from Jordan Crawford and Nathan Repetz from Cedar Cliff who came out of essentially no where to run 9:32 and 9:41, both very solid times. These guys will be interesting to watch as we continue on this season.

Solid 1:56 for Joe O'Such with quality wins over indoor state medalist Dan Alexander and Tom Damiani who was 1:55 last year. SpringFord has a few nice pieces for a 4x800m come district season. They were a great team last year and they returned a few key pieces so they are someone to be on the look out for as we continue on.

AA state medalist Josef DiPie ... I can't spell it, had a nice double gold at the Warrior Invite with a 4:23 and 9:41. He will be a factor for the top spots in AA it seems. Also never heard of Ryan Thompson before but he hammered down a 1:57 solo so that's a great start for him.

At Bensaelm there were some solid performances by some up and coming youngsters. Jeff Wiseman beat Brad Rivera (who ran 1:53 last year) in the final meters before Rivera was dq'd. Time wasn't that fast, but the win is impressive. Wiseman has had a string of nice races as of late and is likely gaining confidence. Harriman busted out a 4:18 to make him a favorite to go to states out of D1 in the 16 and to mix it up with the guys not named Willig and Magaha. He showed great finishing speed in the race closing very fast over the final 400. Zingarini posted a nice time as well. He could be under 4:19 by Districts and thus should have a shot at punching a ticket to states and outside chance at medaling. This field looks pretty good early on. CRN's teammate Emery hammered a 9:26 3200m for one of the PA leading times which is very impressive, especially considering unlike the other leaders, he did a lot of work himself. He will be dangerous in a wide open 3200m field at states.

Trama, one of those guys who wants to mix it up in the 32, took a small step back losing in the 3200 this week. Hopefully his recent breakout was not a fluke race and he should get back on track now that he had a bit of a wake up call.

Dan Jaskowak continues to bolster his reputation as top state runner, showing great range down at 800m, covering the two lap race in 1:57 to win handily. This was (I am guessing) after another 1600m victory running 4:22 to beat out Ethan Martin who ran a nice time as well in 4:23. For Martin it was his second nice performance of the day, coupled with a solid 9:39 performance in the 32. The youngster Wakeley also ran solid with a 9:42. I'm still hoping for a bit more from him in the near future, but signs are there that he could break out. As for Moran, it was nice bounce back win at 3200m over Kuchta who won the last time they faced off. Moran may be thinking 3200 instead of 1600 come state time which may make his road to state gold a lot easier. He would have one of the best kicks and wouldn't have to go through Drew Magaha and Willig (who is almost definitely hurt right now, I just don't know exactly what or how bad).

Kiski clocked a solid 4x8 running 8 flat. Not sure if that will get them into Penn, but they are at least in the talks for a team to mix it up for a medal outdoors. They have Kennedy leading the way after his big 9:31 3200m finish over Logan Steiner who ran solid in 9:35, but is looking much less sharp this year than last. Even indoors was relatively quiet besides a very nice states race in the mile. But in XC he turned it on at the right time, and here he looks poised to do the same or he will not be a top runner in the 32 and may not even make the medal stand. I think it is much more likely the first. Will Baily killed the 800m and he and Tonzo should be in for a good race at WPIALs. 1:55 for Baily.

Perhaps flying completely under the radar was Ryan Smather's 4:17 and 1:57 double. Two PRs or close to it in the 800 anyway, for Smathers in this race. Its a big win for Smathers who struggled in cross after being the top AA returner. Smathers looks poised to grab gold in the 1600m for AA and may run in the 4:15s or lower by seasons end. I hope he goes to Baldwin and mixes it up there with those other guys out west and runs fast. Worth noting is the fact that Smathers ran his 4:17 winning by 14 seconds.

This weekend was big for PA as a lot of guys had big step up performances. Good work gents.