Race by Race Analysis: 1600m and 800m

AA 1600m
Smathers. I mean there isn't much more to say than that. The kid took over the pace, hammered the whole way and ran a brilliant time. I thought Jewett would challenge a little more honestly, but the weather did not cooperate for these guys to run really fast. Smathers just looked great throughout, so smooth. Its a shame he didn't get to race Coyle and Huemmler, I'm not sure he could have hung on to a kick by Coyle (or even Huemmler), but he certainly would have helped push everyone involved to a faster time, especially Huemmler who had to do a lot of work out front just like Smathers, running similar paces. Great race by Dalton Zebrak who I didn't think was a 4:18 guy. If he is a Junior (which I honestly don't know if he is or not) it just adds to the AA depth. Shearn made a lot of big moves in the 32 and he won so he had to be pretty satisfied. Combined with the heat, you can't expect much in the 16. Williams and Josef had great doubles considering they ran PRs or near PRs in the 32 and came back in that heat to medal and run close to their PRs again.

AAA 1600m
In AAA obviously there is the Magaha story and of course the story I posted about with Huemmler and Coyle, but once again have to give props to Moran for running tough. I bet Moran continues on to Nationals and hopefully he can run down around 4:12. Those 3 were the race for first, but behind them was an exciting race for the medals. Jaskowak obviously had his hands full doubling from the 32, but Kennedy and Rotz ran great doubles off the 4x8 in the morning, I was very impressed by that, especially considering Kennedy is just a sophomore. He is very clutch and will be dangerous in XC this coming fall (did it again folks). Chris Trimble continues to run impressive 1600m races. Thought for sure the kid was an 800m runner who would thrive in North Penn's system, but who would have guessed that he, not Jack Macauley, would be the guy with a 4th place state medal outdoors. Totally deserves it, fantastic series of races down the stretch. Zingarini from North has been solid all season as well. He doesn't have quite the leg speed the others do, so maybe the 32 is in his future with guys like Wilson and Emery to train with. They have a nice little group of 3 very strong XC guys. The only thing I will say about Drew is it was unreal that he could run 1:48 and 4:08 this season considering all the training he missed. A true testament to his talent and hard work and determination. That being said, he probably should have ran just the 800m and not the 1600m. I think that would have suited him better (and I'm not trying to sound like an I told you so guy here so sorry if that is how it came across). I'm hoping for something impressive at nationals.

AA 800m
Westwood is a straight killer. Limited training, no problem, he unleashed a furious last 400m and broke away from the field. I'm not going to pretend I know a lot about the guys in this race. I know Fox ran a pretty sick double as well off the 4x8 and Jordan Jackson bounced back nicely after missing 1600m finals yesterday. Nice race by Smeltz as well, he almost had the victory. I don't know if that was a massive PR for  Dylan Friday or not, but he ran 1:57.64 and he just ran 2 flat in qualifying. Talk about raising to the occassion.

AAA 800m
I picked the wrong WPIAL guy. I thought Tonzo's solo effort last week was a sign of big thinks to come, but unfortunately it was Bailey's solo effort that I should have keyed in on. He made a great decision to drop the 1600m (I think his 1600m training was great, however, really got him that extra strength for the 8). Kunzweiler I have talked about already, great double, showed great strength for sure. After his XC race this past fall I predicted he would be a 1:53 guy in the spring. However, after indoors I had my doubts, but the kid came out firing this outdoor season and capped off his season with one of the most impressive performances of the entire meet. Andrew Stone perhaps a surprising performance. He is still a little inexperienced on this top level but he was a 1:52 guy at Henderson. Thought more was there, but he has plenty of time to improve and grab gold next spring. Drew Gerberich may be the best guy you never heard of. A solid run in a deep 800m field in hot weather. Great last two meets of the season for him. Kind of wondering where he would have been in that 1600m. I think he had 4:14 in him. I still think Yannacone's future is in the mile. He ran it last spring and had success and I think the way states shaped up he could have been 4th in that race. But hindsight is always 20-20. The young guns grabbed valuable experience this year. Garton, Brehm and Wiseman with Logue will all be scary good in the 800m next year as Juniors and Sophomores. I hope all these guys keep improving, there may be a chase to go under 1:50 when all is said and done.