Henderson and Baldwin Recaps

Baldwin Invitational

I had my doubts about Forsythe’s readiness for this outdoor season, but as usual Tristan blew my expectations away. The senior from Winchester Thurston rolled against a strong field in the invite mile and stopped the clock at 4:16.24. That was about 4 seconds better than anybody else, including some names I really thought could give him push like Jonah Powell (second in 4:20.14) and Seth Ketler (4^th at 4:22.87). Tristan’s established himself as a big favorite to defend his outdoor title and we could see one of the fastest AA finals since 2009 (4:10.17 by Sam Havko) considering how good his competition may end up being.

By the way, Forsythe’s teammate Gordon Pollock had himself a day as well. He dropped a 4:23.03 to take 5^th in a field filled with large school guys. He looks poised for more than just sneaking onto the medal stand by the time he gets to Shippensburg.

For the record, Patrick Anderson of Lebo probably could have contended for a top 5 spot in the invite mile. He won the 1600 with a time of 4:26.58 and was also listed as a part of Lebo’s winning 4x8 squad (8:04 for an easy victory). This sophomore is really strong (as I’ve mentioned before) and I’m all in on Lebo’s 4x8. Want to see them drop a big time with some competition that, even at indoor states in the slow heat, they haven’t quite had.

In the 800, Zach Ehling of North Allegheny put his name on the growing list of WPIAL title contenders. The Tiger ran 1:57.12 to outlast Grove City’s Jonah Powell for the gold. Ehling qualified for states two years ago at 800 with a 1:56 and was a part of a loaded NA 4x8 relay. Now Zach is finding that same form and seems like a dangerous wild card in a wide open race. His teammate Luke Turkovich also delivered a strong performance in 7^th.

Butler’s Doug Kostelonsky dropped an impressive 1:58.21 for 3^rd. On paper, you have Doug, Noah, Tim Porter (2:02 at this meet), Brett Brady (consistent 4:20s miler), Aden Dressler (4:30) and Skyler Vavro (4:32) for the Butler team. They could get to states without Beveridge and Brady if things go well. Then, if they’d like to get really aggressive, this team could put together a dangerous 4x8. I doubt we see it, but it could make for a fun match up with Seneca Valley and Mount Lebanon (among others).

Speaking of Butler, Noah Beveridge stormed to a big win at 3200 with a 9:09 time. That was 15 seconds ahead of his next closest competitor, Dan Mcgoey, who had impressive PR of his own at 9:24 (remember, he’s just a sophomore). I think Beveridge was looking for something a little closer to 9 minutes, but he’s miles ahead of where he was this time last year with this kind of time (and he’s just ahead of Rusty’s mark at Henderson). That 4:12 is really impressive, but it’s hard to read too much into this latest performance beyond the obvious – Noah is one of the best two long distance guys in the PIAA, but is he #1 or #2?

North East’s Josh Lewis had himself a day. The junior has been making noise at the shorter 1600, but this was his first prime time showing at 3200 and it did not disappoint. Lewis ran 9:26 to take 3^rd place overall in a deep field. Don’t look now, but Lewis is right in the mix for the top spot in AA for the 3200. Brendan Miller has got to be the favorite, but Lewis could be right with him on the right day. That’s pretty crazy to type out, but this guy has been money since XC.

That AA 3200 scene is super crowded. In this race alone, we saw Lewis and Winchester Thurston’s Scott Routledge and Patrick Malone all under 10 minutes. Routledge dropped a 9:44 which is excellent. That kind of time is usually medal worthy in AA. This year, Routledge has to deal with a ton of talent fighting for that spot. The race should feature Miller, Lewis, Serfass, Stanley, Healey (sleeper for the win), Hoffman, and more. Loyalsock and Winchester Thurston have a pack, Wyomissing will likely throw at least one guy in the mix (Driben plus maybe Kuhn) and that doesn’t even count the 2-3 guys I’m either forgetting or that will breakout in the next couple weeks and suddenly become contenders (or any of the milers like Baublitz and Forsythe). It’s going to be wild.

Henderson Invitational

In the 1600, Conestoga Valley’s Nathan Grucelski continues to excel. He was the second place finisher and tops from PA with a mark of 4:20.54. One of the District 3 guys in that 4:20ish range is going to breakout into a star, I’m just not sure who it is that will dip down under 4:17. Gruscelski has been a great candidate to date with strong range and 3200 strength.

LaSalle just continues to have an army. Without Addison. They still took 4-6-7 in the fast heat at 4:23, 4:25 and 4:26 (plus Ghantous ran 4:28 the heat before). It will be interesting to see how many guys they can push through to the state championships as individuals between the 8, 16 and 32. They’ve also got a lot to figure out as it relates to the 4x8. Twomey doubled back in 2:00.93 and Zilligen ran 2:01.54 as the pair took 1-2 in their heats. You figure on fresher legs in a different heat they could potentially be sub 2 minute pieces to pair with Boyle and Costonis. The could get to 7:55 without Addison.

The same sort of thing can be said for DT West who, after adding Kaiser to the state discussion last week, got a big day from Isaac Valderrabano who ran 4:24.82 for 5^th in the fast heat. They also got a 4:27 from Joe Chamoun. I suppose it’s a good problem to have a long list of dudes that are state contenders, but assuming that 3 per event rule is still in play, they will have some choices to make in their own right.

The most interesting heat in this event may have actually be Heat 3 of the 4. That’s where Josh Lewin nearly stole the individual title. The West Chester East sophomore clocked a 4:21.80 to pull away for the win. This was an excellent display by Lewin who I think has real upside in the 3200 later this year. I didn’t know he had quite this level of speed to work with. Linus Blatz of Owen J Roberts also continues to surprise as he doubled down on his 3200 breakthrough with a 4:24 for 1600.

The 800s were fast from the very first heat, but ultimately Section 5 brought out the fireworks. While Josh Hoey was continuing to rewrite the history books with a 1:48.63 in the elite section, his younger brother Jonah popped off a strong personal best to win the high school division. Jonah ran 1:53.89 to assert himself as a state title contender. It’s crazy that Hoey, who finished just outside the medals indoors, has put himself in the conversation for gold as just a sophomore. Arguably his primary contender? Another sophomore from Ephrata. Wild.

He knocked off Pennsbury’s Aidan Sauer, an indoor state medalist, who ran an awesome time in his own right of 1:54.28. Sauer was one of two Pennsbury guys to turn heads as teammate Jed Scratchard produced a 1:54.98 for 4^th. With Sauer, Scratchard and Linares all excelling, Pennsbury is just one piece away from contending for the state title. Andrew Keen has been improving as a potential #4 so he and Thomas Mink will be names to watch down the stretch. A 2 flat type split will make them contenders for gold if Sauer and Scratchard continue to excel like they have been thus far.

Connor Shields was sitting on a big 800 performance, but man he flew to that 1:55.03. The Warwick standout is going to be very interesting to follow in championship season. He’s excelled from this event up through 3200 (although nothing has been quite as impressive as that 1:55). Maybe he tries the 800 where is main competition is Shue, but I still see him in the 1600. I think he could have a huge stretch run like Jesse Cruise and get down to a 4:15 kind of mark if things go perfectly in that event.

OJR’s Kyle Malmstrom also had a big breakthrough in the open 800. He clocked a 1:57.13 for second in his section. It feels like there should be some Blatz-Malmstrom-Conway combination that could run something fast, but that’s probably better suited for a DMR (which won’t be run in a meaningful way until nationals). Still, their 4x8 is looming. Conway’s schedule still seems at least a little up in the air as well.

The signature event of Henderson’s distance night is the 3200 so it’s probably no surprise that the state’s best long distance guy took home the gold. Rusty Kujdych rolled to a 9:10 victory over a competitive field that included some guys with strong closing speed in Liam Conway, Evan Addison and Spencer Smucker. Smucker was fastest of that group with a 9:18.45 with Addison just behind in a PR of 9:18.95. I’m impressed with the strength shown from this group who is typically more speed oriented, but Smucker I think is the biggest storyline here. This was an excellent race for him and I’d say his best result of the spring to date. The 3200 looks like an event that he has real potential to excel in long term. I’m excited to see if he can find a way to close the gap on Rusty and Noah over the home stretch.

Tyler Rollins had a strong race with a time of 9:22. He was third at indoor states and figures to factor into the medal equation outdoors. His teammate Payton Sewall was also under 9:40 in 10^th. Ryan Campbell returned to action with a strong 9:37 performance. After being out of action for a while, it’s great to see this senior getting back out there. I thought this time and place was really excellent. Lastly, keep an eye on Cole Walker of Unionville. As a freshman last year, he broke 9:30. He wasn’t even among the deep field of sophomores in the top 50-75 at XC states, but he could end up being the best of all of them one day. He’s got the talent and he proved his potential with a 9:36 for 8^th in this race. Hoping for a Lewin-Walker rematch of young stars in the coming weeks.

Is this the best sophomore class that PA has ever had? I’d be curious to hear thoughts. Maybe I’ll even do an analysis at some point …