Why NY would STILL beat PA in an All-Star Distance Duel Meet

By Alex Fox

​Prior to the outdoor season, Jarrett and I both wrote pieces about a hypothetical showdown between the best distance runners from our home states. NY and PA are two of the best states in terms of distance runners, and these posts give us a great chance to show off. Prior to outdoor, both Jarrett and I came to the conclusion that New York would take home a victory, although the margin was much larger in my piece. Jarrett hinted that PA runners would get considerably faster, and that at season’s end, the story might have a different ending. Low and behold, many of the distance runners in Pennsylvania threw down some impressive times. Despite this improvement, I still have my boys from New York taking home the win in this would be battle. 

 

​For those of you who missed the first posts of have forgotten the rules (cough cough Jarrett), here is a quick reminder: this meet would feature the 400m, 800m, Mile, Two Mile, 4x400m Relay, and 4x800m Relay. Each state would send five competitors for each event, but an individual can only run one event. Top three finishers in each event score, with 1st place scoring 5 points, 2nd place scoring 3 points, and 3rd place taking 1 point. The state with highest point total at meet’s end wins. Here’s how I think this would play out:

 

400m 

 

​Sorry PA, we still got this one. To be fair, New York boasts three of the top 400 runners in the country. Rai Benjamin, Richard Rose, and Izaiah Brown are all dominant, and I still consider it a great tragedy that the three of them didn’t square off more often. That said, if one John Lewis was running here, he may be able to squeak out a point, but this seems like a waste, as Lewis is better suited for the 800, where is almost guaranteed a win. The only real question here would be who takes second behind Benjamin: Rose or Brown?

 

Top 3

1) Benjamin-45.9

2) Brown-46.5

3) Rose-47.0

 

Team Scores: NY-9 PA-0

 

800m 

 

​The first time I wrote this, I picked James Asselmeyer to beat John Lewis. This in hindsight, was a dreadful mistake. There is only one man who could conceivably beat Lewis, and his name is Donavan Brazier. After Lewis blew away the field at New Balance Outdoor Nationals, there is very little question of his ability to win this race. PA’s talent in the 800 goes beyond Lewis; with names like Alek Sauer, Domenic Perretta, Elias Graca, and Dylan Eddinger, it is conceivable that Pennsylvania could sweep the 800. New York does boast some talent, with Asselmeyer, who’s split 1:49 several times, and state champKyle Barber, who had an incredible outdoor season. 

 

Top 3

1) Lewis-1:48.8

2) Perretta-1:50.4 

3) Asselmeyer-:1:50.6

 

Team Scores: NY-10 PA-8

 

Mile

 

​The first time around, both Jarrett and I picked James Burke to win this race. Needless to say, we won’t be repeating that pick, as Burke had an absolutely dismal outdoor season. Even without Burke, New York posts some fierce milers: Conor Lundy won the 1600 at states in 4:07, and took home two second place finishes at NBON in the DMR and 5k. Luke Gavigan split a 4:05 very early in the season, Jeremy Spiezio and Marco Pompilj are both immensely talented, and then of course there’s Mikey Brannigan. Instead of using Brannigan in the Two Mile, I’d stick him in here and let some of the others do work. Brannigan took third in the Dream Mile, running 4:03, and I think he gives NY the best chance of victory in this event. That is because PA is also home to many capable milers, namely Sam Ritz, who ran a 3:47 1500m early in the season. In addition to Ritz, Jaxson Hoey, Jeff Van Kooten, and Sam Webb would be plenty capable about mixing it up with the NY big boys. 

 

Top 3

1) Brannigan-4:06.2

2) Ritz-4:07.6

3) Hoey-4:09.8

 

Team Scores: NY-15 PA-12

 

 

Two Mile

 

​I was very strategic about putting which athlete in what event to ensure victory. Instead of leaving Lundy (8:55) and Spiezio (8:46) in the Mile, where they could lose to Ritz and Hoey, I put them here to win those extra points. Throw those two in with junior Aidan Tooker (8:51) and we look to be in the clear with this event. Well, not so fast…PA managed to churn out a pant load of sub 9 two-milers this season who would have something to say about NY sweeping this event. Zach Brehm, Colin Abert, Kevin James, and Paul Power all went under the milestone at PA’s state meet, and most recently at NBON, Nick Dahl also managed the time. Would this be enough to take down the big boys from that crazy Loucks Games 3200?

 

Top 3

1) Spiezio-8:48.9

2) Lundy-8:52.2

3) Tooker-8:53.0

 

Team Scores: NY-24 PA-12

4x400m Relay

 

​As good as New York individuals have been, the relay teams in PA are certainly up to the task of matching. This race would be all Cheltenham. With John Lewis and the rest of that squad, no one from NY or PA is touching them. Boys and Girls from NY (3:15) might be able to challenge on their  best day, but I find that to be very unlikely. After those two, the battle for third would be intense. Upper Darby and Pleasentville would certainly be in the mix, meanwhile Newburgh and Huntington also have a knack for showing up in big races.

 

Top 3

1) Cheltenham-3:14.5

2) Boys and Girls- 3:15.8

3) Central Dauphin East-3:17.0

 

Team Scores: NY 27 PA 18

 

4x800m Relay

 

​The final event of the day, and it would be for all the marbles. If PA sweeps this event, the score would be tied, and Jarrett and I would mud wrestle to determine the champion, and with teams like Pennsbury, Pennridge, and State College, a sweep isn’t out of the question. Luckily, NY has a couple of teams that could mix it up in there; Shenendehowa and Arlington both ran 7:40 at states, and there was potential for both teams to run a little faster. This would be a thrilling race to watch with everything at stake.

 

Top 3

1) Pennsbury-7:38.9

2) Pennridge-7:39.6

3) Arlington-7:40.1

 

Final Team Socres: NY 28 PA 26

 

This time around, the meet is significantly closer, and could honestly go either way. The real winner of this meet would be us, the fans, as two of the best states squaring off would be incredible for everyone!