PIAA Preview

By Jarrett Felix

It’s outdoor season, which means we are back to splitting up by class (sad face). But I will embrace that feeling with a few AA and AAA rankings heading into the outdoor season. And remember, if you don’t like this system, there is something we can do about it. I believe there will be Meet of Champion heats at Henderson once again this June. The same meet that brought together Lewis, Peretta and Ritz for one heck of a race at 800m. But enough about that, let’s hit up these rankings.

AA 800m

1.      Domenic Peretta, Beaver Falls – The two time defending champion in this event is fresh off his first indoor season ever and it went quite well. Like 1:50.58 well. His abilities and achievements will be discussed plenty on here so no need to go further in this post.

2.      David Fletcher, Mt Caramel – I’ve been repping this guy throughout the indoor season. I really believe in him as a racer and he’s already been in two state finals at 800m. He too is coming off his first real indoor season and it went quite well.

3.      Kamil Jihad, Neumann Goretti – The former Chester standout is now in AA after switching over to Neumann Goretti in District 12. Jihad ran 1:55 as a frosh last year and excelled at both 400m and 800m indoors (but couldn’t pick just one and that’s likely why he wasn’t a state medalist). I’m betting he picks the 8 outdoors and shows off his talent. He’s still just a sophomore.

4.      Aaron Morris, Springfield – The 1:56 man from 2015 had a solid indoor season after a solid XC season. He came from seemingly nowhere to run 1:56 last year so he’s well ahead of that pace. Has experience and comes from a solid program with multiple state medals and even a state champ.

5.      Ryan Thrush, Brookville – Super talented guy from district 9 who blasted a very quick 400 indoors. This came after he ran the 1600 sub 4:30 at states in 2015. He’s got some serious range and is a rare talent. I think the key might just be focusing up on event and really chasing it. The 800 could be his best bet he could contend for a state medal in the 4 or the 16 as well.

6.      Cooper Leslie, Camp Hill – His best event is the 16 (and he’s really good at that). He ran the 16-32 last year, but I think he switches to the easier 16-8 double this time around. Could come away with two state medals doing that double, it’s proven very doable for a variety of AA guys in the past. He showed some serious potential at 800 towards the end of indoors and I think that momentum carries through to the big track.

7.      Jarrett Boyd, Freeport – Really talented guy in both XC and track. Has a great name. Ran around 2 flat indoors and is still young and learning. Major upside here I think.

8.      Dan Kuhn, Harbor Creek – A state finalist last year from a good program with lots of young talent. Honestly don’t know much about him, but his resume is excellent. So I’ll hitch myself to the bandwagon.

AAA 800m

1.      Tucker Desko, Pennridge – Perhaps a surprising pick, but the 1:53.38 man showed me a ton of flash during the indoor season. The dude has absurd range up to the low 9:30s on the track last year and the low 8:50s indoors this year. But he’s really found a nice groove in the 800 (I thought the mile would be his best event, but I think I’m wrong) and honestly the 8 is pretty wide open with Peretta moving to AA and Kolor and Hoey both looking like probable milers.

2.      Matt Wisner, Carlisle – Wisner was the runner up indoors and top AAA guy. He’s the top returner from last year. He has the fastest PR in AAA. He comes from a program that has won three state titles on the distance side in the last three years (all Brehm). He’s got a killer kick as well. As long as he puts his nose in it through 600, he will be tough to beat.

3.      Mike Kolor, Seneca Valley – Could see him going 16 or 8 this outdoors, but would love to see him give Hoey a battle in the 16. I also like Kolor’s doubling chops. He could be a medal contender even on the double (although there is not a lot of time between events come outdoors and the prelims don’t help matters).

4.      Jaxson Hoey, DT West – He will definitely run the 1600 as the defending indoor and outdoor champ and his unmatched resume in that distance. However, DT West is looking for yet another state title come outdoors and that could mean a double up on the 16 and 8 for Hoey. He’s talented enough to leave the meet with a couple medals. Of course that assumes the guy is healthy. That’s still TBD at this point.

5.      Nick Wagner, Penn Trafford – Although he finished “just” 8^th in the state finals at 800m, he ran a 1:55.1 earlier in the year. And he ran 1:53 last year as a sophomore. He’s a super talented dude with excellent 400 meter wheels and the WPIAL guys usually see a decent uptick when they get off the weird Edinboro track.

6.      Sean Sullivan, Bonner – Poised racer. Could end up in the 1600, but I’d like to see him back in this event where he made the final last spring. He ran 1:55 last outdoors and grabbed a medal indoors in the mile as well to help pad his stats. Strong enough to handle the prelim-final set up outdoors.

7.      Sean McGinnis, Phoenixville – A real wildcard for this outdoors season. Didn’t do indoors, but had a big XC season following his breakout track campaign in 2015. He ran 1:55 and held his own in a loaded District One last year. Now he is a year older, wiser and more polished.

8.      Isaiah Bailey, Penn Hills – Could have picked a number of dudes for this spot, but opted for the up and coming 800 guy from a very 800 program out west. He’s making the sophomore-junior jump and that last name, Bailey, is associated with two of the WPIALs all time greats in Wil and Brandon. Not trying to put pressure of course.

Honorable Mention: Brett Wolfinger, Jesse Cruise, Sean Conway, Peter Cooke, Jack Armand

AA 1600m

1.      Domenic Peretta, Beaver Falls – You know how I said he has won the last two 800 titles and has run 1:50? He’s also won the last two 1600 titles and run 4:10. So, I think it’s fair to slot him at #1.

2.      Cooper Leslie, Camp Hill – I think people have really been impressed with this guy in 2015-2016. Had a great spring last year, became a leader on a team that won XC states (and had a monster season) and then ran killer indoor times at both 800 and 1600.

3.      Tristan Forsythe, Winchester Thurston – A big, big talent in a strong, up and coming program. He ran 4:27 last year as a frosh but wasn’t quite ready for the state prelim-final landscape. Now he’s got an indoor state medal, a more defined kick, better XC strength and that all important experience. Plus a 4:23 full mile.

4.      Jack DiCintio, Wyomissing – Another super talent who can break two minutes or break 9:30. He had a huge mile back in December at Burdette that showed his potential in this event. He chose the 3200 last year so he may not go this route, but if he does he should be a contender, much like teammate Kyle Shinn in 2015.

5.      Ben Bumgarner, Waynesburg Central – He’s come on quite strong in 2015-2016, with a top 10 XC finish and a great track season. Could be another 3200 guy rather than 1600 (or both), but the 32 seems a bit deeper overall so his medal odds may be better in this one. Ran multiple times under 4:30 indoors and could be down around 4:20 or under in the always competitive WPIAL.

6.      Hunter Crawley, South Williamsport – Crawley has a pair of XC state medals, but hasn’t established himself on the track quite the same way. Hopefully, he learned a little something from his 1600 run at last year’s meet and his time with stud Griffin Molino, who medaled in both the 32 and the 16 last year.

7.      Joe Previdi, Masterman – Another guy with sick range and some talented/accomplished former teammates. Could do anything from 800 to 3200, but I’m hoping he goes in this event as it seems the most open for a breakthrough medalist.

8.      Matt Murray, Dunmore – Very accomplished XC runner who has been a solid contender at 1600 the past few years. Talent and experience can go a long way in the PA landscape for any event.

AAA 1600m

1.      Jaxson Hoey, DT West – As mentioned, he’s the reigning indoor and outdoor champ with multiple runs of 4:11 or faster to his name. He didn’t even get fully healthy til May or June last year honestly. That being said, he may not be fully healthy right now, so who knows.

2.      Josh Hoey, DT West – The middle Hoey brother may be a surprise at the 2 spot, but I really like what I’ve seen from Josh. He’s such a strong racer for just a sophomore. And he takes it to another level when he gets the chance to race his brother. He beat Brophy at 800 during indoors and ran a 51 second on the 4x4 leg. But he also was 3^rd in the state for XC. I think a big PR at this distance is coming and maybe, just maybe, Josh wins the state title over his brother this outdoor season.

3.      Mike Kolor, Seneca Valley – Kolor really developed his speed during the indoor season with some big 800 meter PRs, but I still think his best event is the 16. He’s run 4:10 for 1600 on conversion which is so fast it’s hard to imagine he is #3, but he’s up against a pair of great runners. That being said, he could easily end up the state champ. JVK came within a fraction of a second of winning last year.

4.      Alex Milligan, State College – Milligan is really underrated individually. He’s been somewhat hidden on the relay (which he’s crushed this season, adding a blazing 1:52 leg last time out), but last year he ran 1:53-4:17 double and finished 5^th in the mile. SC will need the team points. And this dude has been clutch since day one.

5.      Matt Kravitz, North Pocono – Coming back to the track after a huge XC campaign. Ran 4:17 and contended well in the mile in 2015. I think he’s much stronger than he was last year and will be very dangerous if he can hang around the fast pace the top 3 will set.

6.      Rock Fortna, CB West – He’s run 4:17 and split 1:54, but he will likely be tied up in 4x8 duties. He can run both, but that’s a tricky double. The guy deserves some respect for his talent and if for some reason they scratch the relay, he will really excel at this distance.

7.      Liam Galligan, Springfield D – Absolutely monster indoor season. Proved himself as a legit contender on the track and really wow-ed me on a couple occasions. He beat Josh Hoey, Wills, Hockenbury and Leslie in the same race at the Ocean Breeze track. That’s a killer lineup.

8.      Joe Espinal, Wilson (11) – Lots of guys could have got this spot, but the 4:19-1:55 man got the nod. He’s learned a lot from his last two early exits at states so hopefully this year, he will have a plan and come to play at Ship. The dude is super talented and District 11 has really been on the rise the past couple years.

Honorable Mention: Noah Falasco, Brody Beiler, Jacob Stupak, Eric Kennedy, Liam Conway

AA 3200m

1.      Dominic Hockenbury, Lake Lehman – Two time defending champ. Has finished in the top 2 at every state championship he competed in since he started his sophomore year at Lake Lehman. Dude’s a beast.

2.      Griffin Mackey, Sewickley – Mackey ran 9:20 last year for 3200 and won the XC state title this past fall in A. He had a rare off day at states last outdoors, but he was a relatively inexperienced sophomore at that time. Now he’s a junior with a state gold in his pocket.

3.      Will Kachman, Bedford – Kachman has followed Hock to a pair of silvers in the 3200 and has two top 5 finishes in XC as well. Ran sub 9:20 for 3200 last year which is no joke.

4.      Will Loevner, Winchester Thurston – A second straight impressive indoor season for Loevner who ran his fastest ever 3200 during the winter. He’s already got two medals in this event outdoors so it will surprise no one if he’s a contender this year. Littman, Hay and Forsythe would be a pretty darn good training group as well.

5.      Noah Curtin, Mercyhurst Prep – Not sure what we will see out of this guy, but the Curtin’s have proven to be some of the clutchest guys around. Noah had a solid indoor season as a junior, but his most notable achievement to date is likely his silver medal from XC last year. I liked his 3k marks indoors and I think he makes a big jump outdoors, perhaps peaking at states once again.

6.      Bryce Descavish, Central Cambria – Bryce has had a pair of clutch performances at his last two state meets, including a 6^th place finish in XC and a low 9:20s top 5 run last outdoors. He didn’t have a big indoor season, but the sparing moments we saw him, he was doing more winning. Central Cambria is a great program (particularly on the girls side) and Bryce is a strong talent who seems to have figured out what it takes to be successful under the bright lights. Six seems too low for him, even in this stacked group.

7.      Zach Skolnekovich, Quaker Valley – An absolute monster in XC, Skolnekovich still hasn’t had his big breakthrough on the track. But I can’t imagine it isn’t coming soon. Zach is still just a junior and has already run low 9:40s for 3200. He just needs to take a small leap to move up towards the front pack of contenders in the AA 32. After finishing 2^nd at states and cracking 16 minutes as a junior, I like his chances.

8.      Will Greene, Delone Catholic – Had one of the sneaky best XC seasons this past year, running right with Cooper Leslie throughout the fall. Greene isn’t proven in the fast stuff quite the same way as Cooper, but he’s a proven competitor and gutsy runner. He could use that attitude to mix it up with the big names this spring.

AAA 3200m

1.      Jake Brophy, CB East – The two time XC state champ has looked a bit more vulnerable on the track in the past two years (relatively speaking of course). He’s still an 8:57-4:15 guy with a blazing fast kick and a trophy case filled with state medals. So it’s clear he gets the #1 spot, but I still think the right runner may be able to beat a Brophy who has his focus split between individuals and relays. It’s also possible we see an event switch. The 32-4x8 double is pretty tricky, especially if the relay is relying on Jake for a huge leg. The kid clearly isn’t as concerned with his “legacy” as me and some others are so don’t even rule out a fresh run in the relay if he deems it worthwhile. He has three individual golds already. Now he wants to add one with the team.

2.      Nate Henderson, JP McCaskey – Henderson gave Jake a real run for his money indoors and ran a blazing fast 9:08 as a sophomore. He isn’t afraid to push the middle section of the race and he dropped a massive PR indoors at 3k (after a massive 3200 PR last outdoors) so the kid knows how to peak in a big spot. He needs to round his finish a little bit better and hold on the last lap or so, but it’s not crazy to think he could beat Jake outdoors with some extra training. How many sophomores have run sub 9:10? I’d wager the list is very, very short. Maybe just Henderson, Nick Dahl and perhaps Craig Miller? Any way you spin it, it’s rare, distinguished company.

3.      Nick Wolk, Peters Township – One of XC’s greatest breakout stars continued to roll indoors. He continued to win everything out West and grabbed his first track medal, finishing 5^th. He ran three straight 3ks to close out his winter and I think that left him a little tired at PSU. I predict the WPIAL takes a huge step forward this outdoor season between Conboy, the NA guys and Todd Gunzenhauser and that allows a few big drops in time to come through the pipeline. Recent history says Wolk will be at the front of that field.

4.      Jeff Kirshenbaum, Methacton – Kirsh finished 4^th indoors in the 3k and added a 9:19 full two mile during the winter. That kind of time is no joke (especially when you consider his margin of victory) and the 9:16ish that it converts to would easily put him in medal contention without dropping any more time. If he can cut off 5-10 seconds, he will be running in the lead pack at states.

5.      Marc Migliozzi, North Allegheny – Migz ran a huge PR this indoor season at TSTCAs. It came after a huge breakthrough in XC. Can he keep the breakthroughs coming? The Tigers know how to coach them up and Marc is currently their most consistent performer. That makes him a contender in a relatively wide open 32 field.

6.      Todd Gunzenhauser, Mount Lebanon – TGunz was pretty quiet this indoors relative to last year, but don’t forget about the 9:16 guy. He had his best XC season of his career, grabbing his first fall medal and now is looking for his first spring time hardware. I could see him finishing this season in the 9:0x range if things break right.

7.      Connor McMenamin, Souderton – It’s a pretty wide open race for the last few spots on this list (as you can see from my honorable mention list), but McMenamin gets the nod here because of his excellent finish to his indoor season. He ran in the low 4:20s twice and earned his first state medal as well. I’m predicting a move back to the 32 (where he ran 9:20s as a soph and qualified for states in D1) and the extra speed could be a nice bonus when he hits the track.

8.      Joe Maguire, CR South – Maguire very quietly clocked one of the best times of the year at New Balance Nationals, running sub 9:30 for a full two miles. He was secretly one of the best in the state at 3k and likely would have been in the hunt for an individual medal if he hadn’t sacrificed the event to stay fresh for the DMR (which got a well-deserved medal thanks in part to his anchor carry).

Honorable Mention: Zach Seiger, Rob Morro, Rob Moser, Casey Conboy, Kevin Lapsansky, Henry Sappey, Kyler Shea, Rusty Kujdych, Seth Slavin, Zach Lefever …. Too many guys, I’ll just stop