Zingarini is a solid all around XC runner from Council Rock North, a potential state title contender with perhaps the best top 3 punch in the state. He had a break out year, running his best races when it mattered most at the state championships.
Unfortunately, however, this question all comes down to your interpretation of Mr. Huemmler. Jack had a breakout season of his own which included a 4:12.54 2nd place effort in the 1600m outdoors and a 4:16y indoors for 3rd. He also showed he had 1:54ish 800m ability and doubling back to make states and won the 3200m at the DELCO championships over the O'Hara boys. He clearly has incredible track talent and if the 1600m at Shippensburg played out differently and he didn't have to lead as much of the race as he did, it is possible he may be in Coyle's shoes right now showing off his state gold. Based on his track season, Huemmler is poised to compete for the individual District One title at the fast Lehigh course and battle for a XC state medal.
But unfortunately this fall will not include any 5ks raced on a track. On the trials in 2011 Huemmler did not have the same stand out success that he enjoyed on the track. Early in the season Huemmler was 2nd fiddle to Haven's Jeff Seelaus who turned a lot of heads after his first place finish at the Abington Invitational. Huemmler placed 7th in this race (ironically Zingarini placed 6th in that race, three seconds ahead of Huemmler). The tables turned starting at Paul Short and Huemmler became the leader of the Haven squad, highlighted by a 2nd place finish at DELCOs, a 3rd place finish at Centrals, and a 13th place finish at Districts. But at states, Huemmler couldn't quite master Hershey on his first trip. He finished a disappointing 94th.
At states Zingarini did his best work, finishing right next to Ross Wilson and Chris Trimble taking 36th overall. It highlighted a nice streak of races that included a 25th place finish at Districts in 16:16 and a 4th place finish in the Suburban One National race. On the track he placed 5th at the District One Championships in the 1600m and then 6th at states, running 4:18 both times. He has a resume that suggests he can be a state medalist in 2012.
These two runners are clearly tough to compare. Huemmler boasts a solid XC season that shows potential for improvement with experience and also boasts an incredible, stand out track year. Zingarini, conversely, was the epitome of balance with a very efficient, consistently improving XC season followed by a similar track season that racked him up some state hardware outdoors after a solid indoor campaign. It really all comes down to whether you want to be safe or you believe in taking chances.
I personally do believe in taking chances. I see plenty of potential with Huemmler and he boasts a 4:12 PR. Magaha proved that guys with that kind of talent can turn things around and put it together on the trials in the end. He was arguably the best runner in PA in 2011 for XC and I certainly didn't see that coming based on his past XC results.
This may apply: Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
solid stream of posts FAKE-TRAIN.
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