LaSalle boys make it through! Very exciting to see, and I'm really happy that I don't have to start up a big petition to help them get there. Billotta bounces back big for LaSalle and my hat is off to him (not literally though, I have massive bed head and I'm hiding it). A big win for Coyle and I think this makes him a contender for the state championship next weekend. I'm seeing flashes of Ryan Gil. If he runs a smart race, he could take the gold. We will see how D1 plays out this weekend before I decide to stay anything bold. Unfortunately, I won't be there to see it first hand because I ended up being slotted to tutor during race time. But it should be a very exciting race to see unfold.
O'Hara boys have some serious depth, a good sign moving forward to the state meet. I am not postive, but it seems like after James the boys were kind of chilling. I assume Savage did not want to battle it out with Coyle the week before states, but I can't be certain. Savage is someone to watch out for as well come the state meet. He has potential for states gold in the right race.
Looks like NA lost Meehan, and a senior like that is killer to lose going into the state meet. Meehan was their #1 guy at the Foundation meet earlier this year. I have to imagine this makes it hard for NA to get on the medal stand at states, because I can't see them getting past Henderson or O'Hara. I stand by my prediction, however, that at Regionals NA will be PA's top team after their 3rd place finish at states. If that happens, they should get through to the NXN finals. That spread is dirty right now which is a great sign, I just worry about their youth at the state meet.
Fox Chapel delivered and Mt. Lebanon got in by the skin of their teeth. Hampton gave it a good run and I feel bad for those guys because they left it all out there on the course. Major props to them for almost pulling a dramatic upset. As for Lebo, I know they will be better at states next weekend. Lebo has struggled at the WPIAL meet a couple times in a row now, but they are still a strong team and I do believe they will bounce back. Fox Chapel though ran great, the Martins really exceeded my expectations. Two great races to lead the team out front. Kennedy is the real deal right now. He is definitely a top 3 guy at AAA in my mind, and could very easily be the state champ. It is a bit of a wide open year right now in all the divisions. Makes my job pretty tough next week.
one Hampton boy passed out at the line before he finished. would've been the difference of them going to states.
ReplyDeleteHampton boy finished, but went from 21st to 35th in the last 400 meters. Currently still in Children's hospital.
DeleteDistrict One was really fast today. Max Norris was leading with Conner Quinn at the first mile, I believe they went out in 4:46 (I was at the 1400, so i might be a bit off). Henderson packed it up around 20th in the first mile, and Russell and Barchett started moving around 2k to catch the top pack. It'll be really tough for them to do this at states with such a hilly 2nd mile, so it'll be interesting to see if they go out with the top group at states.
ReplyDeleteGreat job to DTW today taking 5th place and getting a ticket to states along with WCH (67), CRN (133), WCE (196), and GV (218).
Shout out to my friends Chris (9) and Matt(32) Kazanjian who both stepped it up today. And also to Dylan Butera for making states from Strath Haven. Good luck next week boys
Henderson looked really strong, I think they can give O'Hara a run for there money at the state meet if they run as well as they did today.
--ForrestCRN
Tony Russell - 15:11
DeleteThe course/race was real fast today. Near perfect conditions, no mud, lot's of PR's.
DeleteThere were actually a few muddy patches and the rest was pretty soft but other than that it was a great day to race. Where were Haugh, Stratman, and Knapp for Henderson today? i don't think all three could be hurt in one week.
DeleteThey've been sitting people every race periodically. Trust me, they aren't hurt. That's what people say every time they sit people.
DeleteHenderson rested half their varsity team. Their 4th, 5th and 7th men did not race. 3 JV runners replaced them. Jv runners ran 16 flat, 16:14 and 16:30. Russell wins in 15:09, Barchet 3rd 15:20. Both said in an interview they were taking it easy.
ReplyDeleteCollins has consitantly been Hendersons 4, so not sure what you mean by them not running those guys. They were resting people at Ches-Monts.
DeleteAnd maybe they said they took it easy in the first mile since they were about 10 seconds back, but they didn't take the race as a whole easy.
That's a Henderson kid up there who said Russell and barchet took it easy
DeleteIt's kind of obvious since they have the easy win for chesmonts and districts that they will rest up for states
DeleteHenderson's 5-7 runners today were jv guys I heard. Resting some of Varsity for states? Depth like that lets them do that.
DeleteBoys and girls I will no longer believe a word you post if you do not add some sort of credible identity to it. I mean only about 5 people on this entire blog have distinguished themselves as not anonymous, and even then anyone can just take their names on add it to their post. The only person I can trust on here is etrain, and I'm still not sure how I feel about that guy.
DeleteThank you for your time, I'll be signing off in the only way that makes sense to me.
- Not etrain
In the interview, Russell and Barchet said they were going into the race taking it easy, but after feeling great on the first 2 miles they decided to kick it in. The runners Henderson sat are Eric Stratman who's been varsity all year, Then Sam Haugh, then Alex Knapp. The 5 through 7 were replaced with the 8-10. Who did a very goo job themselves. Let's just talk about how well some of these runners did instead of arguing over Henderson's varsity. Great job to the Juniors who took the top 3 in the race, It was killer.
DeleteHenderson destroyed the field. They seem to be alternating resting Rimkis/Collins, and then Haugh/Stratman/Knapp. Their 7th man today was 16:31 and 53rd place.
DeleteThis is a team that has come together nicely just in time for States. O'hara should be concerned. They've been the clear #1 all year but as of now these two are probably at least even. I hesitate to say it since O'hara has run well all year, but WCH may have the edge with Russell and Barchet out front and the depth 3-7. However, I'll leave that to Etrain to sort out.
It should be a very exciting race at States!
-RJJL
think about next year? some sub 15 times possibly?
Deletepossibly? It would be expected of him. But just to break down districts even further. Henderson still would have won without reiny and Russell running in it. So that means they'd win if they sat their 1,2,5,6, and 7 varsity guys. Damn
DeleteTough thing about going sub 15 is that you've got to have a sacrifice. Dawson was the sacrifice when they had 3 guys sub 15. today Quinn and Norris were the sacrifices by taking out the pace really hard. They'd need someone to take it out in 4:40 to get that.
DeleteI think it's possible for all 3 of those guys, but they'd need a leader.
--ForrestCRN
Also if they sat Russell and Reiny didn't run they would have scored 156. CRN had 133... so they would not have won.
DeleteThe Junior class is absolutely ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteOk, not to stir up too much trouble, but back at the start of the season there was talk on this blog that Henderson’s JV could make states. So….. assuming Haugh, Stratman and Knapp are healthy and for arguments sake, say they ran in a pack and came in 10 seconds behind todays 5th man, sophomore G Barchet (they’ve actually been ahead of him all year)…conservatively, WCH’s 6-10 score 219 points and makes States! That doesn’t even include Chaborek. I don’t know how their JV actually faired today but it is fair to say the WCH JV had a great shot at a State qualifying score anyway.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible that 4 teams out of the Chesmont League made it to States
ReplyDeleteChesmonts took 11 out of the top 25 too.
DeleteThat's insane.
DeleteThe 11 out of 25 includes runners from Henderson, WCE, etc. Chesmonts took 4 out of the 25 individuals going to states.
DeleteStill a great year for Chesmonts.
Just to clarify on the post above me, isn't it the top 30 individuals go to states for Boys AAA? Not the top 25? Obviously there is the filter of runners on teams who go to states but im saying assuming that wasn't the case wouldn't those who made it be the top 30? Sorry is that was poorly worded
DeleteIt is the top 25 that are not on a qualifying team. If you look on runhigh.com, the qualifiers are listed in red. Last one in was Dan Foster.
DeleteAh ok gotchua. Wasn't it originally top 30 before the new classifications?
DeleteThats awesome for Lasalle, I hope they do well at states. Its a shame that their third man from Catholics can't run though.
ReplyDeleteDowningtown West... I doubted you. I was wrong. Congratulations on making States!
ReplyDeleteHenderson was scary good. If Haugh, Stratman, and Knapp ran they may have had every runner under 16, that's ridiculous. They were all ahead of G. Barchet and he ran 16:08. I may have to reconsider O'Hara winning States easily. The way it's looking now, Henderson's depth may win this if one of O'Hara's guys have an off day. This is getting exciting.
-RTJ
I hope Henderson decides to go to regionals and maybe nationals. I'd like to see how they do.
DeleteTRUST me when i say times WILL not be run at states the course and hills we eat people up
ReplyDeleteIt's a given that the times will not be matched at Hershey and you're right, the hills will eat a lot of people up. No PR's expected at States. Add at least 45 seconds to today's D1 times.
DeleteI'm not crazy about that course, it's got two or three too many hills. However, I will say on the plus side that the course itself is a variable that keeps States interesting and very unpredictable.
-RJJL
Not 45 seconds. I ran D1 districts and states last year and only added about 30 seconds. My bet is that the field is deeper this year and at least 10 guys break the winning time from last year.
DeleteSome guys add 30 seconds, some guys more than one minute. 45 seconds is probably a good average
DeleteI know going in Marrington (CRN coach since 1996 and assistant since 1984) says about 40 to 45 seconds more from Lehigh to Hershey. Obviously some people go over and under that number. For example, I blew up and ran 1:15 slower than the week before, and my teamate Keller ran well and was 25 seconds slower than Lehigh.
Delete--ForrestCRN
30 seconds? You're telling me that Russell breaks the course record by 6 seconds? I am skeptical.
ReplyDeleteThe competition is so close this year the race will be extremely tactical and not insanely fast.
DeleteIt's going to be really muddy
DeleteTony Russell runs a 14:45 next year-just a pick. How would you guys rank the districts in terms of competitiveness.District 1 is obviously #1 but what about the rest? Any shockers/surprises yesterday?
ReplyDeleteChest-Mont Runner
Where are the JV times?
ReplyDeleteI second that question.
DeleteHurricane Sandy is gonna leave the State course sooooooo muddy. Hershey is always one of the worst areas for flooding when PA receives big storms. I would add additional time to PR's for the conditions.
ReplyDeleteHenderson wasn’t just resting guys at Chesmonts/Districts. They were probably giving other talented runners a chance to run varsity and contribute in a big meet. G Barchet, Waltz and Moy would each make varsity on any other team in the State. G Barchet and Waltz would have qualified individually yesterday in a deep district 1 field, and yet there’s a pretty good chance they won’t get to run States.
ReplyDeleteFiguring Russell, R Barchet and Rimkis, are a lock for varsity at States, how do you decide who the next four are with Collins, Haugh, Knapp, Stratman, G Barchet, Waltz, Chaborek and Moy? Those eight guys would be a great team on their own.
By alternating varsity they're all contributing in wins and by keeping everyone rested. It's just incredible that a few runners that good will have to sit out States.
Another amazing but sad thing is that there is only one senior on the varsity team. So only one spot will open up for next years season. They will be returning a bunch of runners who would be considered great individuals next year all on one team, it's kind of sad that some of those kids don't have a chance of being varsity next year though.
DeleteOne another topic, was anyone at the D10 race today? Did Pondel and Jaskowak run and finish together? I was surprised to see that they had the same exact time, but it seems to be extremely fast based on past years results.
ReplyDelete--ForrestCRN
I just spent a little time on Penntrack and came across a few things.
ReplyDeleteIn the interview, Russell/Barchet basically said that they were taking it easy and once they got into the lead started to push it a bit. That's crazy. Russell said that he thought he could run a 15:20 if he gave 100%... but ran 9 seconds faster not going all out. That kind of tells you how fit he is right now. In that same interview, he also stated that he would not make a bold move at States because he'd rather the team win than himself. That's very noble of him... but that's also a reason why I don't think he will win. He's more fit than he knows, so if he doesn't do the bold move, it'll be hard to hold off the competition.
Now on to LaSalle and O'Hara. Great bounce back for Tom Coyle! Great for him. He ran faster than he did at districts last year and only a few seconds off from what he ran at catholic league champs last year. LaSalle is legit for doing that feat without Greco... or at all. As for O'Hara, I don't believe that any of them went all out (With the exception of maybe James, but I'm not even sure with him). I believe that was an easy ticket to States and a chance for them to get a fast run in before the big day.
23 people went under 16:00 for district 1 championships. 23! Since the course was fixed three years ago, no one has done that. Even on the old course the most amount of people that went under 16 on a team was 3. On a related note: Henderson had 4... and with 3 varsity runners out. They could have had more. D1's field at States will be very talented.
The State course will be very muddy, so the times will NOT reflect the talent in the field... thanks Sandy. Honestly, this benefits the runners that would have gotten 26-50 the most in my opinion. If they can hold themselves together, they may end up with a medal that they would not have gotten otherwise. At first, I would have said Russell, Jaskowak, and Kennedy in that order. Now with this weather, I think it may go something like Jaskowak, Harriman, and Quinn. It will be a very interesting State championship.
P.S- I didn't mean to take anything away from Tom Coyle for winning, he did amazing and will rock States next week.
P.P.S- I think the most interesting part of districts was Pennsbury vs Unionville. That was a crazy race and will be a crazy race come States. It's the battle of going out hard vs finishing hard
P.P.P.S- Stay safe in the hurricane peeps.
-RTJ
Jaskowak is AA, also Quinn and especially Harriman did not look good at D1.
DeleteThanks for pointing that out, I forgot that Jaskowak changed.
DeleteQuinn and Harriman looked pretty good to me at D1. Both set PRs (Quinn got his course PR and Harriman got his overall PR) and placed in the top 10. You have to remember that Lehigh is a course built for milers, which is why Magaha dominated last year and then didn't repeat at States by beating the people he beat the week before. Quinn and Harriman both are looking like they are in top form and only lost to solid milers, like Russell, Wilson, Norris, Macauley (you can argue for 2 mile for him as well, but at the TFCAoGP meet at Coatesville I watched him and Jack drop fast miles, so I'm calling him a miler). Barchet is the only one of the bunch I wouldn't call a miler, but he's proved himself to be a top XC guy. Come States, with the conditions poor, I think they'll capitalize on it
-RTJ
Idk if I can call Ross Wilson in a miler either, he is not that much of a speed guy and is going to be very dangerous come states
DeleteAt this point you can't even call Russell a pure miler because from his performances he is one of, if not the best hill runner in the state this season. Only Shearn matched him at Belmont, and Russell ran the fastest time a runner from PA ever has at the meet in Manhattan. Placing fourth against guys who are in the top 10 and 20 in the nation. And Just because Magaha under performed doesn't mean every other person who's good at the mile will. I understand you're not saying that it's a definite, but it's a faulty causation.
DeleteRussell is definitely not a miler. He's only run 58 and 1:59 high. Not really miler speed.
DeleteWell, that's because he's only ever run a 400 once in a dual meet along with an 800 once besides random 4x800's. But a 4:18 as a sophomore is definitely a Miler's speed. But I agree he isn't only a "miler" Why isn't Brent Kennedy a miler? he beat Russell at states in the event.
DeleteBeing a "miler" doesn't mean too much at high school. all of these guys have range, and running 1500 to 5k isn't that big of a jump, especially in college athletics. The key thing to look at is speed. Magaha and Willig are more speed guys which helped them run fast at Lehigh. I'm sure Russell has run faster than 58 in the 400. But he has run some fast miles. Wilson, is not at all a speed guy, his fastest time in the 400 is 63 lol. Hasn't broken 2:10 in an 800. So you're clearly confused. Harriman always has a nice kick, but even he is more of a "2 miler". Only big speed guy from D1 this year was Huemmler and he didn't run due to illness.
Delete--ForrestCRN
The D1 JV results are finally up on Runhigh.com
ReplyDeletewell etrain, you should have plenty of time to talk states with sandy probably canceling your classes. I expect big things.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not my classes have actually not been cancelled! probably the only school in the state of PA that this is true for. But by tomorrow morning hopefully that will change
Deletewell that's a buzz kill, don't forget your umbrella!
DeleteThis was my bad guys, sorry. I mixed up Wilson with Zingrini haha. Wilson isn't more of a miler, but I think I made my point: Lehigh is definitely a milers course.
ReplyDeleteRussell was a 4:18 sophomore, how does that not make him more of a miler at this point? His 3200 was something like 9:30. his mile was better than Willig and almost as good as Magaha their sophomore years. I'm pretty sure he doesn't even train for the 3200 in track, he only ran it once last year at the Henderson invite (when many people run the 3200). Back to my point, Quinn and Harriman are doing fine in my book.
-RTJ