Weekend Recap ... Right Before Another Weekend Recap

By etrain11

Stan Morgan

Now I’ve never coached at Duke or Carlisle (or anywhere), but I’d imagine watching sophomore Sam Affolder roll to some of PA’s best ever performances could be something like the feeling of watching Okafor, Winslow and Jones lead the Blue Devils to a National Championship. You only get one year, but man what a year it could be …

After anchoring the Carlisle DMR to a runner-up finish at Penn Relays, Sam came back to run 4:08-1:54 for 2^nd and 1^st place medals. He was barely outdueled by another national class runner in Dalton Hengst, who followed his Penn Relays victory with a 4:08.0 to Sam’s 4:08.6. For Sam, this narrowly misses his converted mile time from indoor Nats as a PB, but I don’t think he has much to complain about as he jumps into rare company on the PA outdoor all-time list (I think this time puts him in the top 12). The 1:54.32 that he doubled back to was also a PR (open at least) and throws him up there with the top dudes in the state in that event. It’s still up in the air what he plans to do at states, but he clearly has the chops to double well.

After a breakout 1200 result at the Penn Relays, Isaac Kole continues to set the temperature of the track above 100 degrees Celsius (which is the least cool way anyone has ever implied someone was burning up the track). Kole ran 1:55.24 to finish 2^nd behind Sam. Kole’s last three big performances are now a 4:18 win at Shippensburg, a 3:04 1^st place hand off in the 1200 at Penn Relays, and a 1:55 800 for three big PRs. Even without Noah Affolder, Carlisle is probably the favorites right now for the outdoor 4x8 title (if it makes sense for them to chase it). Another key member of the squad, Jack Wisner, ran a 4:26 in the 1600 for a strong showing himself.

Some other quick hits from this meet. Jesse Cruise runs 4:17, which is the second year in a row he’s dropped to that number. Seems to really be finding a comfort zone in the 1600 and could be a state medal winner this Memorial Day weekend. Cumberland Valley’s squad is really coming together as a 4x8 sleeper. Yahya Soliman just ran 1:56.19, Caleb Shultz ran 2 flat, Josh Higgins ran 4:24 and Andrew Brown ran 4:27. CV was a finalist at states a year ago and returns most if not all of that squad. Kyler Shea has been one of the best racers over 3200 this spring. I think he could pop a fast time (maybe in the mid 9:20s) when he gets the right race. Trinity is a force in the 4x8. They are a small school so they don’t get enough recognition, but they are as a consistent of a medal contender in AA as any of the best AAA schools. 8:12 for a tight battle with Carlisle and room to grow.

DELCO

It’s funny how often runners use off races as motivation for the next one. James Abrahams of Haverford was 6^th in the 3200 on Thursday in 9:50 and, while that’s a great performance for most of us average runners, Abrahams was probably hoping to be a bit closer to the front given his Central League XC championship and his indoor mile medal. So on Day 2, Abrahams led his Haverford squad to a 4x8 victory in 8:06 before winning the open 8 against a great field in 1:55.99. Peter Cooke of Radnor was the silver medal winner on both occasions. Abraham’s sophomore teammate Erik McCallion was also under two minutes, running 1:58 and finishing just ahead of Penn Wood’s Dennis Manyeah. I think a 4x8-8 double could be in store for Abrahams at districts as Haverford has some nice pieces to make a push in the relay.

Another double gold winner at this meet was Ryan James of O’Hara. James won the 3200 title in a blazing fast 9:20.80 and then added the 1600 in 4:23. RJ has somehow slipped down my radar for 3200 state title contenders lately, perhaps because of his team’s focus on the DMR, but this 9:20 reminds me just how talented of a distance prospect this guy is.

Episcopal man. This school isn’t exactly a powerhouse in the Independent League, but man they ran awesome at this meet. I feel like I’ve said this about 1,000 times, but I’m sad we won’t see these independent league dudes at states. Hopefully everyone just treats the PA Distance Fest as a chance to show their stuff. Looking down results, Episcopal had 2-5 in the 16, 5-8 in 800, 2-10 in the 32. Junior Elias Lindgren leaves the meet as the top returner in two events. The E has been phenomenal in relays this year as well. Shout out to this squad.

Neshaminy

You won’t believe this, but the list of 4x8 contenders in D1 got longer this weekend. As Christian Craig showed off 1:56 speed for WT in the individual 8 alongside Matt Kraus, it wasn’t super surprising to see William Tennent drop an 8:03 for the win over Neshaminy (8:08), HG Prep (8:13) and Bensalem (8:15). Seems like every team in District One can run sub 8:10 right now. It’s absolutely wild. William Tennent has a couple game changers in their line up and, after being district finalists a year ago if memory serves, they have the tools to make a run at states.

Shaner Invite

Here’s my hot take of the day: don’t hand Seneca the 4x8 state title yet. Wyomissing made my jaw drop with a quick 7:54.51 meet record in the 3200 relay, likely getting big production out of the talented junior, Joe Cullen. Although Wyomissing keeps losing pieces, they keep coming back just as strong as ever. Graduating Andrew Miller, Kyle Shinn and Jack DiCintio in 3 straight seasons hasn’t stopped this squad from dropping their most impressive performance to date. They were 1^st at states in ’15 and 2^nd last year. Now they are within spitting distance of Seneca in a less competitive field. For added fun they ran a 3:22 meet record in the 4x4. Watch out.

Also: Jake Underwood drops a 9:33 for the win while Governor Mifflin soph Alexander Ermold runs 9:40. Really nice performances out of that crew. Wyomissing also had a pair of sub 10 guys (both returning for next XC season by the way).

West Central Coaches

Although Nick Feffer turned heads at the Penn Relays, his State College teammates were the stars at WCCs in AAA. Owen Wing won the 1600 with a time of 4:23 while Joey Feffer ran a 1:58 for the gold in that event. SC also took gold in the 4x4 relay.

Indiana Area proved they belong in the increasingly long 4x8 list I made yesterday of WPIAL stand outs. Their 4x8 ran 8:05.48 for a runaway victory in the 3200 relay. They have talented XC runner Samuel Lenze with another 1:59-2:00 punch in the open 800.

Chase Macknair is a name to know. The sophomore from D6 ran 4:25 and 9:40 to defeat medal caliber athletes. He and Seth Phillips make for an exciting young core.

How far can frosh Garrett Baublitz go in AA? He had yet another impressive weekend, running 4:29 for the win and adding a 2 flat. He’s young and inexperienced, but he’s very talented and ready to contend for a medal at states.

Zach Wortman was one of top sleeper prospects during XC. After a brief respite from mention in an etrain post, Wortman jumps back into the spotlight thanks to a 9:36.14 in the 3200, the fastest time of the night at WCC.

Miscellaneous

No this isn’t that District 5 meet that you skipped over in your quick review of the Penntrack results. This is just where I go into speed round mode and try and hit some of the remaining action I haven’t covered from what was a busy (fast) weekend.

Austin Howell of Pennridge, a talented 400 guy who has shown flashes of longer potential on the 4x8, runs 1:56.21 to win an open 8 that included Bryan Keller (1:56.22) and Matt Eissler (1:56.51) who are both very well established 800 stand outs. Watch for Howell to potentially make noise as he continues to gain confidence and health. Any chance Pennridge has two more pieces to put together yet another top tier 4x8?

Matt Scarpill is rolling right now. How about 4:21 and 1:56 for a guy who was an indoor state medalist at the 3k? Lots of ability, lots of range. But what does he focus his talents on come districts?

No, I’m not sure why Rusty Kujdych didn’t race at Penn Relays, but we know it’s not a health issue. Kid looked mighty healthy as he soloed a 9:16.20 victory in the 3200 to win by some 34 seconds. Juniors have really gotten good at the 3200, but it’s still TBD on if they can win the state title in the most grueling event. At the AAA level, only Ethan Martin has pulled it off as of late.

Matt Pulieo from Meadville, you’ve earned a shout out. Kid ran 4:35 and 10:12 in a meet where second place was 5:10 and 11:59.

Shout out to Abington Heights for their world record DMR of 8:13.68.

I didn’t see Ryan Thrush anywhere in results this weekend, so I am forced to assume he is stretching his range into the throws and jumps. Excited to see you in the pole vault at states.