Congrats to everyone who represented PA well at Nationals these past two weekends! There were some really impressive performances.
I'm swamped with work here at school with finals week and what not going on, but I'm done on Tuesday at around 6:30. After that I should be able to string together a boat load of winter track talk.
Stay tuned.
-train
Just my thoughts on indoor:
ReplyDelete-Did Pitone and Savage take any rest from NXN? It's been a week and they are right back at it.
-Berry/Macauley duel was awesome (Berry surprised me). Great to see that level of fitness they are in already.
-Wiseman showed he's right back where he started. He could be a threat for the state championship if he peaks at the right time. Rivera also ran a race you can't ignore. My guess is he's a sleeper later on in the season.
-The downingtown 4x8 rivalry. I hope this actually becomes a rivalry. Who's better the East or West side? Kinda reminds me of the Cumberland Valley/ Chambersburg rivalry from a year ago. Looking forward to this match up in the future.
Here's a thought about Pitone and Savage. Maybe they decided to try to reach state qualifying off the back of nationals and then take their break. This gives them the shot to still build up before indoor states. Just a thought.
DeleteI like the way you think sean
Deletecompletely agree there sean
DeleteI don't think there is an East v. West rivalry. West ran a 2:12 guy with a 2:04 guy sitting out for a week. Right there is 8 seconds and DTW lost by only a stride or 2.
DeleteI wonder if Russell is going for the double gold in indoor for the 3k and mile. I feel like his chances are better in the 3k. But who knows, it wouldn't be the first time that he beats a bunch of returners who beat him last year.
ReplyDeleteI heard Russell has been training with Chaborek and wants to try a 400/800 double at states
ReplyDeleteThat's wrong I'm sure of that
DeleteHis claim is about as far fetched as Tori Gerlach coming back onto the High School T&F scene and doing the shot put.
DeleteI dunno guys, I think Tony Russel would make a really promising shot-putter
DeleteRussell is a heck of an athlete, but I don't think he will win (or even go for) the mile/3k double (maybe one of them). He would have to beat Tom Coyle (the mile state champ and a BEAST kicker) and Sam Aziz who just beat him in a 3200 on the track... and would have to beat Aziz tired from the mile. I think if he will go open, the 3k fresh would be his best bet. Henderson could run a sick DMR. I assume LaSalle isn't running it, so Henderson would be my next in line to win.
ReplyDeleteO'Hara could be doing that or just not taking a break. Dustin Wilson didn't his senior year. He just ran very low mileage in the down time between nationals/indoors and had a very successful season.
Jack Huemmler got DQ'd from the 800, but I'm going to assume he won the race (or at least very close to first). What did he run?
The East/West rivalry is okay, but I can't imagine East keeping up with West for long. West had a 2:11 split on that team to replace Ryan Mucha. Once they get him back into the line up and come into form, East won't be able to hang.
-RTJ
-Hummeler would've had a 2:01 to win. Although it probably would've ended up as a 2:02/03 had he run the full curve. So maybe he wouldnt have won?
DeleteAnd although Mucha would replace that 2:11 leg, East also had a guy, Mike Auer, run 4:39 coming in 2nd in the 1600 race behind Francis. Im sure he would be a leg in that 4x8
never mind he wouldve won. Official first place got 2:05 so i think he probably wouldve won
DeleteA 3200 on the track titled a workout during the XC season says a lot about the competition. I expect this year to be pretty spectacular from the way he has been improving. It's just speculation though, I wouldn't call him the favorite in the mile. Definitely the 3k though.
Delete3k-DMR is a much tougher double than Mile-DMR ... Plus I'm sure Russell has Millrose on his mind and still believes he is a miler (and for all we know he is, that was his best event last year) so I am still expecting him in the mile over the 3k until he runs like 8:40 and changes his goals (which very well might happen)
DeleteHenderson has a real chance to win states as a team. Russell might not even run the in the DMR, hell, Henderson has some pretty good 800 meter returners to make a 4x800. Russell and Barchet WILL medal in the 3k if they compete, and Russell WILL medal in the open mile if he competes. Really, Russell could win the 3k, possiblyyyy win the mile(wayyy too early to make a prediction) and if he doesn't win, he'd at least get 4th at the very worst. The 4x800 could get anywhere from 2nd to 5th. Maybe 1st if LaSalle doesn't run it. Oh yeah, Chaborek has real potential to win the 800 also after splitting a 1:53 in outdoor. Barchet was only 4 seconds behind Russell at Nike NE regionals where Russell ran a 15:51 on a course harder than Hershey, so they're going to be major threats in that 3k.
DeleteI may see Barchet over Russell in the 3k, he closed the gap all year and was a better two miler in spring, not to mention he whooped Russell at Nationals. Should be an interesting race
DeleteI don't think you can compare nationals whenever the difference was that much. Something definitely happened there, you don't go from winning the NE regional to 106th just because of a "bad race"
DeleteBobby Rimkis whooped Russell at nationals, I really hope you're not say he's better than him too...
DeleteLaSalle and Henderson both have sub 10:10 DMR potential by Penn Relays.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but Mike Auer is East's 5th guy returning. He ran a 4:41 last year at the first meet so two seconds faster this year. He's also more of a miler. Tom Fitzgerald is their 4th guy and ran a slightly faster PR than Auer and is more of an 800 runner. It wouldn't have made a difference, the two would have run very similar times.
ReplyDeleteIf LaSalle goes for a DMR at indoor nats the state record should be broken.
-RTJ
Why does anyone care about a DTE vs. DTW rivalry? Didn't they both run in the 8:20s? It's early, but both have a tendency to not run well at the end of the year.
DeleteWhy wouldn't Russell double? If he's running 60 mpw and doing some good workouts, he should be in 4:14 and 8:35 shape based on his xc season(maybe faster).
Coyle should be able to run a fast mile and then double and run a fast anchor in the DMR. Same with Stone in the 800 and DMR.
That's a tough double for both of them. Campbell was 4:18 open mile and split 4:17 during his senior year. Not many guys double well from open 800 to the 1200. Last year Ryan Horgan had an unbelivable double going 1:54 open 8 into a 3:05 in the 1200, I remember Marrington being amazed, claiming it doesn't happen often. The events are fairly close.
DeleteAll that being said, I still think LaSalle does it. Stone will still run 3:05 or faster in the 1200, and Coyle can drop sub 4:15 i'm guessing.
--ForrestCRN
How can you forget Endress and Willig? Endress on the triple with double gold and Willig on the double with double gold as well.
DeleteI was trying to give example of people who went for those similar event, 800 to 1200 and mile to mile. Willig did mile to 1200. and Endress did open mile open 800 (yes that was incredible). Both of them were great, but no relevent to the LaSalle doublers. that's why I didn't bring them up.
Delete-ForrestCRN
Gotchua my bad ( and by the triple to everyone reading this, endless also did a 4x4 so I'm counting that)
Delete*endress
DeleteHenderson has won 2 of the DMRs out of the very few that have been contested at states, they run it virutally every year they qualify and are in to compete for the gold, I'd be surprised to see their best guy off the relay in favor of the mile-3k double ... the other year they won they doubled aldrich and ferry ... might be the same plan with russell and AJ
DeleteMy post was confusing. I didn't mean Russell would run the 3k/DMR. Only runner I can remember attempting that was Logan Steiner and that didn't end very well. I meant if Russell goes for the 3k, he probably wouldn't go for a DMR. But if they go all in they win if LaSalle doesn't run it. Sorry for the confusion.
Delete-RTJ
Thinking of Gil maybe? I'm pretty sure Steiner ran the mile last year and then doubled back in the DMR and then the previous year I thought Gil doubled 3k DMR and Tonzo ran the 12 and somebody not named steiner ran the 12 ... may be misremembering though
DeleteNo that's right. It was the year Wissahickon won the DMR. Mixed up my races.
Delete-RTJ
Steiner didn't run in the DMR last year because of a problem after the mile. He was icing quite a bit and didn't end up racing.
Delete--ForrestCRN
Savage hit the SQS and Huemmler went 2:01. Wiseman is looking incredible! As a junior, hitting that time is great! It's faster than most people run until States... and he did it on a flat track in flats. Keep an eye out on him.
ReplyDeleteWillig doubled 4:15/3:00 and Endress doubled 4:18/4:13 I believe, the DMR split being faster (attempting and almost running down Kellar!).
I'm not saying that LaSalle can't do the double, I'm just saying that two mile doubles is very hard to do and an 800/1200 double is also incredibly hard. Coming from a member of the GV team that won States last year... there was a reason we didn't have Ned anchor and had him run 1200 instead. That wasn't the only reason, but that was a big part of it. It's not easy to do that double. I think Coyle/Stone will go open and then come back for the 4x400 which could also get a medal... don't sleep on LaSalle 4x400.
Lastly, Shearn is my boy, so I wouldn't call him a liar. Some people take training runs harder than others and nationals is a huge meet. Nerves, bad start, going out too fast, etc. There are many things that could affect his running that made him run roughly a 5 minute pace. He still ran 15:44, which gave him 21st place... at nationals...
-RTJ
This has gotten way out of hand. I just defended my friend, Forrest said sorry he didn't mean it like that and it was over. All of this is getting out of hand and not what Etrain made the blog for (expressing opinions and getting other runners' insight). Back on topic...
ReplyDeleteO'Hara should have four runners (Pitone, Savage, James, and Belfatto) make states in the 3k. Henderson should have two (Russell and Barchet). It'll be an interesting year for the 3k with all of this XC talent.
Max Norris should make noise in the mile. He's in the best shape of his life and like stated before, he said he never really did much speed work. If he starts this indoor season he is a medal contender for sure.
A lot of top XC guys go for the mile indoors and two mile outdoors (Jaskowak, Harriman, Steiner, and Macauley to name a few) so some big names may not be in the 3k. Keep a note on that.
I can't think of any 4x800 for this year... I think this will be a down year for that event. Same with the DMR. It's early so I guess I should wait a bit before I make an accusation like that.
-RTJ
It will be interesting to see what Belfatto does this season. Last year he was more of an 800 runner, but he ran sub 9:25 in the 3200 during XC season. As for the relays LaSalle should have a strong 4x800 and a solid DMR if they run it.
Delete-JR
I keep hearing about these great milers and 3k guys, who are the names to watch in the 800?
DeleteHenderson will have more than 2 3k guys
DeleteDefinently excited about Max Norris. In his interview after FL he talks about going for the 3200 or 5k at nationals, maybe he'll run the mile as a tune up? Or go for th 3k at states. 4:19.00 as a sophomore is awesome, so he can be a threat in a lot of events. I like the point about milers at indoor going for 3200 outdoor RTJ, never thought of that.
DeleteAlso, I doubt Henderson will have a lot of 3k guys. Kevin Kelly seems to like going for the relay, and they're usually great to run. Who knows, maybe Russell will want to run in it for his teamates. Dustin Wilson did it his junior year (gave up open events), and that relay didn't have any other good members that Russell will have. Not sure if Barchet will be in that relay, he ran a great 3200 during XC, but I personally don't know his mile/800 speed. Maybe he'll go Mile indoor like a Macauley.
Belfatto, in my opinion, potential is more intereting than even Russell. Russell was 4:18 as a sophomore, so we know he's great on the track. Belfatto was a 1:57 split outdoor (really good for a SO), but not too much else to show to his name. That 3200 was incredible, if he runs the 3k he could be a real threat to unleash a great kick.
--ForrestCRN
CV returns 3/4 state gold 4x8 but only running 4 meets watch out for outdoor might repeat
ReplyDeleteNames to watch in the 800:
ReplyDeleteAlec Kunzweiler (sr)- He ran a 1:51 split at outdoor states and then doubled back and placed second in the 800
Joey Logue (jr)- He split 1:51 at states and at the distance festival went 1:51 open. Has 49 400 speed. Probably the best kick in the field.
Andrew Stone (sr)- Placed 4th last year at indoor states and third at outdoor states. Went 1:52 numerous times outdoors. Has 49 400 speed, sub 4:20 mile speed, and a dangerous kick.
Brad Rivera (sr)- Went 1:53 open as a sophomore and split 1:53s multiple time as a junior. He's generally a sleep until late in the season, but he started off hot this year. Maybe he's determined to go out his senior year with a bang.
Jeffery Wiseman (jr)- Placed 7th at outdoor states last year in 1:54. He started this year off at 1:58, on an indoor track, in flats, so he's looking great this year.
Steve Yannacone (sr)- District 1 800 champion last year. Has run 4:19 and 1:54 multiple times last year. Also has a 50.1 open 400, which shows his foot speed. He had a great XC season and is looking good going into indoor. Whether he goes for the mile or 800 this year is a mystery. My guess is whatever looks less stacked he goes for.
Other key runners to keep an eye on:
Zach Brehm (so)- A freshman that ran 1:55. Look great during XC and placed 36th at states so I expect big things from him.
AJ Chaborek (sr)- Split 1:53 numerous times and has run 1:54 open. Injured during XC so I'm not sure of his status, but I believe he will run solid times this season.
Billy Wolffe (sr)- Split 1:55 a few times last year and has run 1:57 open.
Side note having nothing to do with the 800:
Now thinking on it, LaSalle can actually run a DMR, just in a different order.
Coyle can lead off and Stone can anchor. Their times will probably be fairly identical and this way both of them can run easier doubles. I am throwing LaSalle back into the works for a DMR. Not the record, but I think they can win it.
-RTJ
Awesome post!
DeleteJust thought I'd throw in
Dan Alexnander-- He had a good XC season (won D1 AA and finished 20th at states). He ran 1:56.27 indoors last year at states to finish 6th place. Not the best outdoor season, but he could be a factor for the lower medals.
Defiantly seems like a year for a few sub 1:53's indoors, maybe they'll go for Endress record of 1:51.73. Seems possible for this group. (or the year after with Logue, Wisemen, and Brehm), but I get ahead of myself
--ForrestCRN
Don't you think Kevin Kelly will give Russell his chance to shine? The kid has huge potential to win 2 individual events, so why would he tie him down with a relay? They have other guys who could replace him and the relay will still do well (whether they do the DMR or 4x8 which Russell isn't even on). We aren't talking about a team that only has 4 or 5 good guys on it, Henderson is filled to the brim with talent.
ReplyDeleteJunior year is arguably, not even arguably, Junior year IS the most important year when it comes to track and XC because that's when colleges choose who they are going to pursue. I don't understand why people are still doubting him like they did the entire XC season. He showed that he was the strongest runner in the state at the end of the season but I didn't see anyone rank him past 5th. I still think he's been thrown under the bus a bit because he's a Junior. I can't see any other reason why and no one has given me a good reason for it.
Now, there is also Reiny Barchet. Who has also proven himself to be a threat for the 3k, his only races where he really shined were at Nike Regionals and at Nike nationals. Even though he only had 2 races that met his potential, he's still a huge threat. But, the only thing holding me off from choosing him over Russell is that the 3k is shorter than the 5k. And Russell has shown to be much better than Barchet at the lower distances.
^ That was to RTJ because I want his opinion, you usually give really good points man.
DeleteNoteable names to watch for the 800:
Delete5. Dan Alexander- experienced as well as consistent. He will be a big sleeper
4. Wiseman- 1:58 already? Impressive. With the success he had outdoors its hard to imagine he won't capitalize on that this season
3. Coyle- If it wasnt for his performance at the Distance Festival I don't know if he would be on this list (close if he wasnt). With a 1:51 it's tough to beat. It also helps to be a mile state champ as well. But I think he focuses on the mile/ dmr which is why he's number 3.
2. Stone- 1:52 (multiple times). As well as a sub 4:20 mile. With Coyle to push him he is in contention for greatness.
1.Louge- Not only has he had state championship experience. Not only has he run 4:21. Not only has he run 1:51 multiple times. Not only has he had sub 50 speed. But he has beat out big names like Coyle, Stone, Ritz, etc. He is the favorite. In my mind he is. Only a lack of experience will hold him back.
Sorry, but I'm going to take this opportunity to brag because I really don't get it very often. I've had Henderson/Russell on this blog from the beginning, before Briarwood. I picked them both to win districts and States - I knew they had that extra inch needed!
DeleteSeriously though, Russell's 15:41 at Belmont should have opened some eyes for those who follow the sport, that time proved he was very much for real, and it was only mid-September.
For indoor, quite frankly I think whichever event he decides to focus on he's a serious threat to win States, if not the favorite. Mile or 3K, it doesn't matter, Coach Kelly has a program for it and Russell has the talent/drive and a slew of talented teammates to push him.
My opinion is he focuses on the mile because 1) I think he'll be very good, much lower then his 4:18, 2) I think he likes it, and 3) the DMR needs him at the lower distance. I could see Russell in the 3/4 leg and Barchet in the mile for the DMR. (or vice versa)
Henderson vs. LaSalle in the DMR has the potential to be outstanding, sub 10:10 each at the Penn Relays, maybe better.
As far as doubling goes, I think he is glad to run whatever is best for the team. He doesn't need prove anything to college coaches, the can see whats there. It'd be a long shot for WCH to win States indoor unless they've developed some sprinters and field events. But if they have the chance, maybe he doubles in individual events. Otherwise, I think he's in whatever combination WCH can put together to have national class results, be it individual or relay.
-RJJL
I'm not doubting Russell, but you're saying that he's just going to come in and win States over Tom Coyle, the reigning state champ and Jack Huemmler who placed second. These athletes ran 4:11 and 4:12, respectively. He has increased his endurance and XC skills tremendously, but that doesn't always turn into track speed, especially mile speed. An example would be Brad Miles. An excellent XC runner, Etrain even said one of the most dominant he's ever seen in PA in a post a while back. His best mile was a 4:18. XC doesn't always make mile speed. Coyle ran 4:16 last year at indoor states, which is two seconds faster than Russell's outdoor PR. His outdoor PR is about seven seconds faster.
DeleteNow, 3k wise, I believe Russell can win. I believe him or Aziz will win it if they go for it (I gave Aziz the edge because of the 3k ran earlier this season and because he placed 3rd last year in a sub 8:50 effort).
Lastly, I read somewhere that Russell isn't on the Henderson 'A' 4x800. I'm pretty sure he is. I'm pretty sure it's Russell (1:59), Barchet/Hall/Moy (2:00), Chaborek (1:53 split/1:54 open). Some combination of four between the five of these athletes. Idk who this Robert Miller is, but I don't believe he is on Henderson's team. Probably a penntrack error.
-RTJ
Think anyone will break 4:11 indoors?
DeleteRTJ, I think he’s a threat to win the mile, but I’m not saying he will. I know what Coyle/Huemmler did last year and I’m certainly not discounting them. But we all know that there’s no guarantee they’ll improve or even match last year. The Magaha/Willig duals never happened and neither matched the mile times they ran as juniors.
DeleteObviously it depends on the individual, but most high school runners have their big drop in times between Soph and Jr years. Russell had big drops in XC this fall and that improvement should carry over to track. He went 4:18 as a soph, I believe Coyle/Huemmler were mid to low 4:20’s as sophs. A 5-8 second PR improvement for Russell is not unimaginable.
Look at what he did at XC Districts, a ”milers” course. It’s not just that he won in 15:11 but how he won it. He and Barchet stayed off the lead until the two mile, then he beat the leaders by about 10 seconds over the last mile with a time of probably 4:45 or so, not pushed, very similar to Magaha last year. Now I’m not saying he’s a Magaha class miler but the indicators are there that he can hang with Coyle/Huemmler this year if he focuses on the mile. The only thing we haven't seen is a low 800 or 400 so I don't know if he has the speed to be a 4:12ish miler, but I suspect he does/or will.
And he's with the right program, there's plenty of great runners right on his heals at his school, they should keep each other grounded/humble even as they get press from guys like me. The WCH tradition is there too, they've had some good runners and he'll need some big drops just to threaten their school records. So I think he’ll be there but what do I know, there’s a lot of guys with good mile potential, Wilson, McCauley, Kennedy, Yannocone etc. Who knows, maybe he decides he wants to run the 60 hurdles instead.
-RJJL
Robert miller is a henderson runner, he runs 1:57. He led off their 4x800 at outdoor. 4x8 should be chaborek, hall, miller and moy. Considering barchet and russell will be running other events.
ReplyDelete