We saw in XC this year that the Chestmont League is a very powerful league. They had 4 teams qualify for states out of the toughest district in the state and all of those teams proved themselves very well at states including state champs West Chester Henderson. For that reason I was interested to see how things unfolded at this meet.
The Henderson guys are just starting to creep back into shape. A nice mark for Russell for sure, but obviously after his XC season I'm not all too impressed with a 4:24. That's the burden of being really good (see Magaha, Drew). That being said, it is a very solid win and I believe it is PA #1 if you convert the 1600s at Haverford to miles.
Right behind Russell is where the story begins to develop. Ken Leidal is really looking strong. After his 1:56 last year outdoors he has kept on rolling. He really impressed me in XC proving he could handle the Hershey hills better than I expected and he followed up that XC season with a great opener in 4:26 on a flat track. This sets DTWest up really nicely for a DMR in my mind. Leidal can double mile DMR 1200 leg, Steadman runs the anchor (he won the 3k) and than perhaps Ryan Markle in the 800m leg. He really surprised with that mile. 4:35 is pretty solid for early January. He should hit a mark around sub 4:30 by seasons end. This team could even have a nice 4xmile at nats if they choose to go for it. The 4x8 seems like a lot of underdistance for these guys, but if Mucha makes some drop over the course of the next couple weeks their 4x8 could also be pretty impressive. Don't sleep on DTWest like I did this past XC season.
Henderson looks deep as always. Barchet ran a very nice mile for a guy who should have his best day in the 3k when that time comes. Then their DMR ran very nice to win with 4 different guys and 57 400m leg. Clearly this team is a distance power house. Also a team that would excel at a 4xmile.
Great Valley just had some poor luck getting unpushed in the 4x8. This team will be interesting to watch. They have potential for some solid relays, I just haven't decided which realy (4x8 or DMR) best suits their talents. Probably DMR, but the 4x8 could be interesting to watch. Once again a team that has a great 4xmile on paper.
The GFS boys were somewhat underwhelming in their first performance behind Aziz and Wistar, but those two guys should not be underestimated going forward. I'd be very surprised if they are not under 9 minutes in the 3k by the middle of February.
West Chester East is another team that would really benefit from a 4xmile at states. Trey Crump had a great race to run that 4:36 and is yet another piece to throw together with Diestelow and Cummings and try to find enough speed to grab a spot in the DMR. It may just be best to split these guys up and go for individual qualifying spots at this point unless some guys really develop as potential 2 flat 800m guys. To run a solid DMR you need 3 guys around that mark in the 800m, the 12, 8 and 4 really require speed and you can't underestimate speed over the course of mile.
All these teams are very good. Should be fun to watch.
The race at haverford was a mile. I don't know why it's listed as a 1600 on penn track. I was there
ReplyDeleteThe Coyle-Russell matchup should be a great one at States. Coyle's speed vs. Russell's strength. Could be epic.
ReplyDeleteHummler?
DeleteHuemmler will win either indoor states or outdoor states
ReplyDeleteReally? Huemmler has a shot at beating anybody in the state in the mile, it just comes down to who stays healthy and has a better day.
DeleteHe had an incredible Jr year. His triple victory at Delco's is the stuff of legend. Hanging with Magaha for 3 laps at Districts was gutsy as was setting the pace at states.
DeleteIt'll be real tough to repeat that this year. I don't think I'd pick him to win indoor or outdoor states, but it's still early.
I don't think hummler will win a state title
ReplyDeleteSaw him run at Burndette. He looked very comfortable running his 4:26
DeleteThat doesn't mean he can win the state title I just don't see it right now
ReplyDeleteYeah, Jack is a great runner and should not be underestimated. He ran his 4:26 at Burdette with him setting the first three laps and Macauley setting the next three. Macauley's pace was too slow and Huemmler took off. He could have gone faster. Any runner that runs a 4:12 should never be overlooked. Just because he didn't have as impressive cross country seasons as the other two doesn't mean his track successful won't be as great. Injuries on the other hand does matter. I'm with the poster above, "it just comes down to who stays healthy and has a better day."
ReplyDeleteComparing Russell to Magaha is unfair, Etrain, haha. 48, 1:48, and 4:07 speed to 55, 1:59, and 4:18 speed. Track terms they aren't in the same league. XC terms... Russell wins easily. They both are insanely talented nonetheless.
-RTJ
All I'm saying is the power of expectation ... After watching Russell run XC this past season, I expect him to be able to run sub 4:20 indoors without a doubt at some point this season ... one of the only guys in the state i can say that for .... similarly when magaha runs like 4:12 no one is phased because he has run 4:07 before
DeleteHuemmler is a DELCO bull so anything is possible.
ReplyDeleteWho was the last DELCO runner to win a distance State Championship(800 and up, 4 x 8, DMR or XC)?
ReplyDeleteeven though O'hara didn't officially win, they tied XC states 2 years in a row and 5th at nationals this past year. they're DELCO and it can't be overlooked
DeleteO'Hara had a great year, but they got 2nd two years in a row which is a great accomplishment, but they did not win.
DeleteThose two teams will be remembered for a lot, but State champs isn't one of them.
DeleteGirls or boys? I was a DELCO runner for two years and then I moved to Great Valley and we won States in the DMR if that counts. If that doesn't then
ReplyDeleteGirls- Strath Haven 4x800 indoors (2011 & 2012), Notre Dame DMR indoors (2012), and Conestoga won indoor states three years in a row and outdoor states two years in a row (2008-2010). For XC Hannah Grossman would have won XC states, but she tripped with 50 meters to go and McGovern got the victory.
Boys- I can't of off the top of my head. Some notable dates for DELCO though...
2012- Penncrest 2nd in the 4x8 indoor and 5th outdoor. Jack Huemmler 2nd in the mile outdoor and 3rd in the mile indoors.
2009- Furcht 2nd in the 3k, 3k, and 3200 (indoor, penn relays, and outdoor)
2004- O'hara ran the faster DMR the state has seen indoors. Not a state record since it wasn't introduced until like 06, but it's the 7th fastest DMR all-time.
-RTJ
Damn, DELCO gets unlucky
DeleteI totally agree about splitting up WC East's DMR. Diestelow was running low 4:30's last month in the mile against soft competition and he's been running around 3:15 on the 1,200 leg of the DMR. He might surprise some people in the open mile if given a shot. Remember, he's only a Sophomore and didn't run outdoor last year, I'd say a 4:27 or so isn't out of reach for him indoors. Cummings ran 9:01 in the 3,000. He's too good of a runner not to find 1 second for the state standard.
ReplyDelete