Quick Recap

I'm pumped to have a big state preview as we get closer to game day but for now I'm just going to give a little recap of my thoughts on all the district action.

District 1
The 4x8 was very entertaining. Major props to North Penn who dropped a sub 8 relay without Macauley and I think Johnston was also in a boot. This school just knows how to churn out relays and they did it without their best guys this weekend. That's impressive. Bensalem dominated and they look great. Besides Bensalem and maybe Pennsbury (even though Webb had an amazing double this weekend I still worry about how effective he will be at states trying that), I'm not too sold on any of these 4x8s grabbing medals at states. Cheltenham would be the only team that I could see sneaking in their with a good day.

In the 1600m, we are seeing the beginnings of something big with Kevin Moy. He ran 4:16.0 for 4th in a very talented field and has made strong improvements from week to week for some time now. His kick is very dangerous and he could definitely surprise some people next week. Huemmler and Russell looked very comfortable, both guys have room to drop. Great race by Harriman on the double. He was having a bit of a rough patch for a few weeks but he come big when it counted in both the 4x8 where he had a very solid lead off split and now the 16. Curtis Watro is also running very well, dropping a 4:17 PR is huge.

Tom Seykora is AA sleeper in the 16 he looked very in control.

In the 800m Rivera kept it fast, but Wiseman was just too strong and he looks very good so far. He has no relay duties either which is huge. Logue needs to be more agressive if he is going to finish high at states. He kinda waited a bit too long it seemed, but he may have been saving until next week. There is potential here given his kick. Cox-Finn runs 1:55! Sick sign for the Bensalem 4x8. Nice to see Yannacone back in the mix. I was wrong about his strength at this point and I am very happy to be wrong. Props to the other Upper Merion man, Austin Cooper who had an impressive weekend but unfortunately will not move on to states.

In the 3200m, I think Norris and maybe Barchet were holding back for next weekend, but they both looked at least a little uncomfortable. But hey, if you running low 9:20s pace you are going to be uncomfortable. Wilson continues to go strong, but this marks his 4th straight hard effort over 3200m, can he hold on for one more race? He shows no signs of slowing down right now. Adam Bodine had a huge day, but he has been an under the radar talent all year. He had this in him for some time. Nice races by Chris Berry and Chris Coates. My heart goes out for all those guys who hit the time but didn't get in.  I obviously have a close attachment to that with Francis falling victim.

District 2
Rico Galassi ran surprisingly hard in that 32, but so did Shearn so I guess it's no big deal. I hope he throws his hat in the 16 as well, the kid is a real talent. District 2 has a lot of solid AA guys so keep an eye on all of them next week. In AAA, Alex Nole looks great, he should be able to drop into the 1:53s at states. Fetterman ran a great race to get in over 3200m, major props to him for a big PR.

District 3
Link to Results: http://piaadistrict3.org/2012-2013-district-3-mt-bank-track-field-championship-results/
How about Zach Brehm this weekend? He really worked hard for his squad this weekend running a sick 9:18, running hard on a 7:52, apparently running a 4:13ish before the DQ and then dropping a 1:55. Wow. Hope he isn't too tired to perform well at states next year, he's just a sophomore.

Vinny Todaro looks fantastic. He won the 32 relatively easily, but really showed off his stuff running 4:13 in the 1600m. Todaro looks great and next weekend should be someone to watch.

Props to District 3 who looked like a real powerhouse district this year. 9 guys hit the SQS in the 16 not including Brehm who was DQd. Groh ran very nice on the double as did Nissley. Good weekend for Nissley. The 4x8 featured 7 teams at 8 flat or faster. D3 can do damage in the 4x8.

Nice PRs for guys like Calvin-Conrad Kline (9:26), Aaron Lauer (4:21), and Harrison Schettler (4:15). Gotta like what Schettler has been doing. Alec Kunzweiler's 1:51 is killer. The kid is an easy favorite in the 800m and in a fresh 800m at season's end in good conditions the guy could be under 1:50.

In AA, Anville Celona looks sick. Killer 4x8 and big time anchor in Wolfe (1:54.39). Plus they had a sub 49 man in the open 400.

District 4
Curt Jewett had a nice very nice double gold in the 8 and 16. Curious to see if he will try the double at states. Might be fun to watch. Bobby Hill ran 4:27 and was 5th at the meet. That's some depth for D4 AA. They had 7 guys in the 16 under the SQS.

Watch out for Herb Steeley. He has been running solid all year and dropped into the 1:56s for the first time when he dominated the field at districts in AAA.

Sam Williams wasn't blessed with the opportunity to coast in the 32 this weekend as Griffin Molino continues to run like a stud. Wow a nice 9:26 for him. Williams, of course, was money himself running 9:24, he can roll. But this 32 took a bit out of him, he ran 4:28 for 6th in the 16 final. We will see if he tries both at states, he was a medalist in both a year ago.

Aaron Valoroso and Bobby Hill both sleeper picks to drop time at states.

How about the 4x8s? South Williamsport with Griffin Molino surprises with a 7:58 and Northeast Bradford runs 8:08, they can drop time. It will be interesting to see how the 32-4x8 double factors in to these teams championship hopes. Williamsport Area in AAA has been my sleeper pick all year. They dropped a solo 7:55 in the relay this weekend which is very exciting for them. Should be a dangerous team with competition.

District 6
The State College boys looked great in the relay, that's where they have to focus up this year because they can do some damage. Surprise 1:55 from Sean Gipson of Bellefonte for a big win. Jon Colwell looks good, we will see if he has the raw speed to compete at 1600m at states. He had a pair of nice wins. Altoona 7:54? Wow, didn't know they had that in them! Fantastic run for those boys who are suddenly in contention for a state medal.

District 7
Props to Ethan Martin for making me look good as he took down double gold and beat out his big rival Brent Kennedy. Colin Martin continues to improve after dropping time in the 16. I'd like to see them all focus up on the 32 for states as a trio and drop the 16, but if Ethan wants to try it I won't knock him. I was pleasantly surprised to see NA win that 4x8. Didn't see that coming, but they ran fantastic to grab the W. I still think there is a lot of potential for Kiski. Great job by Nate Sloan in that 1600m to break 4:20. Chris Culley should be dangerous on fresh legs, he ran 1:56 on the double. The D7 800m guys are starting to come into their own. Smith looks real good and props to JG for calling Smail's big day.

District 8
DiSilvio is the only distance man to watch out of this group. 3200m is probs his best bet at competing with the state's best.

District 9
Watch out for Barrett Kemp in the 3200m at states. He could really surprise. Aziz Yousif is no slouch either.

District 10
Interesting to see Jaskowak drop the 3200m. It's not a bad move all things considered, so I'm excited to see if he can return to 4:17/1:55 form with ideal competition at states. Good to see Pondel back, but still a lot of question marks about what kind of shape he is in.

Smathers rolled this weekend. He looks the sharpest he has looked in some time and he will have his hands full with Curt Jewett. If Jewett does not run the 4x8, Smathers and Jewett may push each other to something very impressive. I can't wait because both of these guys are not afraid of a fast pace.

District 11
Shearn and Galassi soloed under 9:20! That race is going to epic.

District 11 doesn't have many sleepers in my mind, but Parkland's 4x8 could be a deep sleeper and Colin Abert may surprise and sneak into the 1600m finals after his 4:21. Those would be the guys I'd keep tabs on for next weekend.

District 12
O'Hara is putting their chips in the 4x8. I like it. They could be the surprise team in the mix out front with Bensalem and CValley. James continues to roll, but McDermott also continues to look great. He ran 9:22ish and 4:20 this weekend and has to be feeling confident in his abilities. He is a legit medal threat and heck Kevin James is a threat to take down the state title.

As I mentioned earlier in a comment, thrilled to see Magee and Sullivan qualify in that open 8. Great exclamation point to their season, they have been great relay guys this year.

Stone and Coyle could just kind of coast this weekend. Both have to be in the state title talks but neither guy really has a crazy impressive mark to boast this season, but both guys show up in the championship season. Will the rest help or hurt come states? We will find out!