In about 2 weeks this meet will be happening at PW High School. It is the first real chance we will have to see a lot of the state's best open up their season. Last year it had some nice highlights worth noting and some fast times. Any idea who is planning on coming this year?
Based on last year's entries ...
In the 800m, both Jeff Wiseman and Lucas Elek open their season at the wet and cold PW meet with solid marks at 2:00, Elek beating out Wiseman for 2nd and 3rd behind Joe O'Such from Spring Ford. Jimmy Boyle from O'Hara was in the race last year as well, running 2:02. Based on which teams have come to this meet in the past we could see any of the following in the race:
Christian Sanders, Upper Merion
Jeffery Wiseman, CR South
Jon Lewis, Cheltenham
Lucas Elek, Haverford School
Danny Ferraiaolo, Malvern Prep
Adam Musetti, Spring Ford
Billy Wolffe, Great Valley
Jim Belfatto, Cardinal O'Hara
Nathan Willis, Friend's Central
In the 1600m, the returning champ Jim Belfatto of O'Hara is coming off a fantastic indoor season that included a low 1:56 high 1:55 split at nationals and a 4:20ish mile split the next day. He was through it about 1:23 or so on that 800m which must have made his legs heavy for the next day. If he runs an individual event he can really have a break through. In the 1600m this year we will likely see some of the WC East boys including Trey Crump, Eric Diestelow and Chris Cummings. The oldest two ran the race a year ago, but they have really had a breakthrough XC and indoors which should lead to much faster marks this year. Again based on past entries this is the kind of field we could see:
Kevin James, O'Hara
Lyle Wistar, GFS
Sami Aziz, GFS
Christian Kardish, HGP
Ernie Pitone, O'Hara
Dan Savage, O'Hara
Pat Hopkins, Methacton
Curtis Watro, Methacton
Jim Belfatto, O'Hara
Eric Diestelow, West Chester East
Chris Cummings, West Chester East
Trey Crump, West Chester East
Conner Quinn, Hatboro Horsham
The main event a year ago at this meet was the 3200m which featured two of the biggest surprises of the year in Francis Ferruzzi (1st) and Zach Trama (3rd) who split eventual state champ Sam Hibbs in an epic race to the finish. Ferruzzi's winning mark of 9:28.70 was followed by 9 other guys under 10 minutes for 3200m including a slew of returners. Ferruzzi has been struggling with injuries ever since, but he should be returning to this meet with goals of repeating as champion. He will likely be chased by the other top returners: Ernie Pitone, Dan Savage, Kevin James, Chris Pastore and Conner Quinn (the only guy not sporting an O'Hara jersey). I wouldn't be surprised if Belfatto jumped up to defend his school 3200m record which may be in jeopardy of going down if this race is fast. Here's what we might get to see:
Francis Ferruzzi, Upper Dublin
Kevin James, O'Hara
Dan Savage, O'Hara
Chris Pastore, O'Hara
Ernie Pitone, O'Hara
Jim Belfatto, O'Hara
Conner Quinn, Hatboro Horsham
Matt Willig, Great Valley
Thomas Doran, Great Valley
Garrett Zatlin, Great Valley
Sami Aziz, GFS
Lyle Wistar, GFS
Chris Cummings, WCE
Eric Diestelow, WCE
Pat Hopkins, Methacton
The relays should feature some solid teams as well.
GFS and HGPrep put together some solid teams last year to try and lock up spots for Penn. With so many teams on the bubble that may be the case again this year. Don't be surprised to Germantown Academy make some noise at this meet either. They have some up and coming talent in the distance events.
If you know your team is coming to this meet, let us know and give us some insight into what we can look forward to.
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