Weekend Recap

Needless to say I have been behind on my blogging. I just finished a big research paper this past week and I'm still trying to get a lot done with school coming to a close fast and college being classic college. But I've got a bit of a break in my day now so hopefully I can drop in some quick knowledge and then I gotta go get in a run.

First off a quick shout out to Rico Galassi who had the PA #1 for a couple minutes in the 1600 with a 4:21 and also dropped a solid 9:44 both races very uncontested. Galassi should be in the mix again for a state title at either distance, although both races feature some tough competition out front with the likes of Shearn, Smathers and Jewett as names worth noting off the top of my head. I would love to see Galassi get in some competitive 32s with the states best before the state meet and drop some nice times. If this guy was in D1 AAA I gotta imagine he would be a 9:10 guy this year.

Speaking of that whole D1 AAA scene, things got sick this weekend with some fast times all around. Ben Ritz proved he is the real deal with a blazing 4:12.53 win over Huemmler who ran 4:12.88. For Ritz it is an overall PR, for Huemmler it is just off his, but the fastest mark he has ever hit in April. Ritz is really rolling, I wish we could have seen him at indoor states racing those guys. The Ritz win is big, he has got to be in the lead in the conversation for best miler in the state now, but Huemmler added a nice "don't forget about me" kinda race when he beat out likely the second best miler right now in the PIAA in Tony Russell who dropped his open PR substantially down to 4:14. Max Norris ran a PR of 4:17 and although I thought he maybe could have been faster, it is still a very solid time for this early. He and Russell should make for an exciting finish on race day in the 3200m at states. Norris's pair of kicks at the end of indoors make me feel there is more in the tank here in this 16. Sophomore Sam Ritz added a 4:18 to the group. Sick mark for the youngster, an up and coming stud in the business.

Behind these big names we saw a huge breakout race from Kevin Moy. Arugably the most impressive performance of the day, he dropped a 4:22. He beat out some really quality names like Macauley (4:24), Leidal (4:24), Caldwell (4:25), Garton (4:26), Barchet (4:28), Diestelow (4:28) and Aziz (4:29). Leidal's time is encouraging, it is good to see him getting healthy. Good range for Caldwell and Garton, those guys are 800m guys at heart. I'd like to see Diestelow try his hand in the 3200m. Either that or see what his speed is like in 800m. Ultimately 22 guys broke 4:30. Dang.

The 3200m results weren't half bad either. Sami Aziz had a nice redemption run in the 32 winning in a 9:24.87. Aziz is a 32 guy first and foremost it appears and so it will be interesting to see if he and Ritz and Russell all hop in a fresh 32 together at the Henderson Invite. It's a shame the non PIAA guys will not get a shot at a state title this year and get a shot at running in the blazing fast 3200m race that is anticipated for outdoor states. Tony had a solid double back in 9:32 on tired legs but he really pulled along Eric Stratman to a huge day. 9:33 for him which is a very solid mark for this early. With Stratman running this quick at this point in the season, he has to be considering mid 9:20s and a shot to go to states. Just another solid performance to add to the list of guys trying to get to states in the 3200m out of D1.

On the same night in Abington, some more great performances were unfolding. Pennwood took the top two spots in the 800m as Christian Hunter continues to roll with a 1:57 mark. His teammate Aiyebo ran a PR of 1:58 right behind him. I'm not sure if they have 4 legs, but those are two nice pieces for a 4x8. Both guys beat out O'Hara stud Kevin James who ran 1:59 (likely on the double from the 4x8). In the 1600m, James Zingarini got the win in 4:22 over Hatboro's Conner Quinn. Hard to say exactly how the race placed out, but Quinn, in 4:23, finished right behind Zingarini, a big accomplishment for Quinn, a guy whose speed I have questioned on multiple occassions. He seems to have made a big push on improving it and that should help his 3200m time improve significantly. He may be a surprise at Penn.

The 32 getting cancelled at this meet was a bummer. Really would have liked to see this race play out.

At CB West relays, we saw our first glimpse in a while at the Pennsbury boys. They did not disappoint as the crew showed they were ready to shine at Penn after posting an 18:06 4x16 that flat out dominated the field, winning by over a minute. They added a 10:38 win in the DMR, winning by 20 seconds. Sam Webb wasn't listed on the DMR although he might have run it.

There were a bunch of other relays worth noting including a very fast 4x8 that was won by LaSalle in 7:53 over Pennridge who surprised with a 7:56 mark. The relay likely won't be stacked at Districts because of Logue's individual prowess, but still a very nice mark. CB East added an 8:02 right behind and CB South ran a season best of 8:05. Both teams are looking consistent and are clearly improving week to week. CB East has a knack for putting together a relay team that will get to the district finals, now they just need to breakthrough and make it to states. CB South of course is known for their ability to put together 800m guys as well. Wouldn't be surprised at all if this team dropped a bunch more time by season's end.

Out in District 3 Shawn Wolfe continues to cruise. He appearently ran a 1:54.4 last weekend (link to results would be appreciated) and now drops a completely solo 1:55. Would have loved to have seen him in the top race with those AAA guys. Wolfe also led his team to a very solid 4x8 mark for AA in 8:13.

The AAA races were certainly fun to watch at this meet. Not completely positive on the order for this meet but I'm assuming 32-16-8 so somebody correct me if that's wrong.

The 3200m was a big win for Vinny Todaro who I am very excited to see back in the results. His 9:27 was a solid PR I believe. He has 4:16 speed from a year ago and using that speed and his new found confidence from XC in the longer distances should lead to a solid 32 mark this year. But again that field is very strong, it will be a tough battle to win. Dominic Deluca of Dallas ran a solid 9:36 for second. Liam Corcoran was in the mix as well with his 9:40 mark. He was sub 9:30 a year ago so watch out, he has the potential to drop time. I still haven't given up on Aaron Gebhardt, he ran in the 9:30s the week before this relatively solo, so an off day this weekend, but a good learning experience for the young soph.

Speaking of sophs, did anyone notice that Zach Brehm is running like a man? I've seen some solid marks from him throughout the season, but now things are really starting to look up. I'm sure it's hard to be satisfied with a couple narrow defeats but Brehm doubled 4:21.82 and 1:54.64 for a couple PRs and 2nd places behind Alec Kunzweiler. Brehm is just a sophomore but is showing great strength to double back in 1:54. It was also quite the windy day I've been told (which makes sense considering where I was on Saturday was quite windy as well) which means there is even more potential for improvement. Brehm has the potential to be a 1:51-52 guy this year which would be amazing for a soph. It would put him on Mallon and Magaha level.

But the guy who took down both golds shouldn't be overlooked. Alec Kunzweiler is beginning to roll. It's his second straight 1:54 mark and his first big 1600m win of the season as he took down Brehm and team Coburn (4:22) for the win in 4:21.03. Kunzweiler has looked quite strong this year and is looking like a true contender to double 4x8 and 8 and take both golds. The 8 field is very strong, but Kunzweiler has to be among the favorites right now. If Penn Relays goes well for CV, Kunzweiler may leave with a 1:52-1:51 type split.

Nice double by Will Cather in 4:25-1:55. That State College team is looking very solid with 1:55, 1:57 and 1:59 marks coming in the race. SC looks like a 7:45ish team by season's end and I believe they return a decent percentage of the relay as well. Jeff Groh managed a 4:23 in the 1600m but likely just didn't have the kick to run away with it at the end. In a faster race, Groh could probably hit 4:17, but windy conditions limited his ability to get a fast time. The 32 is likely he and Nissley's sweet spot. Same can likely be said for Colin Abert who thrives off a fast pace, he ran 4:30 at the meet. Nissley ran 4:28.

Red Lion got a solid win in 8:06, but watch out for Williamsport who ran 8:07. Williamsport has been consistently running solid 4x8 times and could be dangerous in the long run as a 7:55ish type team. Red Lion should benefit from a very fast 4x8 at the district championships. They will almost certainly be under 8 minutes by season's end.