District 3 had some really nice stories a year ago. Vinny Todaro was one of the coolest stories last year as he emerged as a suprise AA XC state champion and a 4:13/9:15 type of guy on the track. You also had the CV boys with Alec Kunzweiler and Alex Coburn both among the best in the state at 800m. Kunzweiler won districts in 1:51 and the CV relay was second at states in the 4x8. Zach Brehm of Carlisle ended up being state champion at 800m in a surprise upset. There was also a nice run by Red Lion in the 4x8 at states to grab a top 5 spot.
District 3 is usually good for a lot of these nice stories every year and 2013 is setting up to be a similar story. The 4x8 loses a bit of pop outfront with CV graduating their big dogs from the district championship squad a year ago. That opens the door for a new team to emerge and the early front runners are the Carlisle boys. Zach Brehm is the big dog on the relay, a state champ with proven 1:54 speed, but guys like Jon Carroll have shown signs early this year that he may be on the verge of some break out performances. Carlisle ran 7:52 a year ago for second at districts. But the 4x8 at District 3 tends to be deep. Last year 7 teams hit the SQS including 6 that ran under 8 minutes. Central Dauphin was one of those teams and they have come out of the gates strong this season. Mitch Coakley has been their early season star at 1 mile. Cedar Crest (8:04 last year, state champs in 2010) and Twin Valley (8:06 a year ago) have had nice starts to this year as well. Hershey consistently fields a strong team with a couple relays making the finals over the past few years. Lower Dauphin has potential to really emerge as a sleeper fresh off their district championship in XC. Jeff Groh, Cole Nissley and Sean Weidner are all impressive milers from indoors. Groh opened up in 1:56 low this year already. And heck, you can never count out CV.
The mile graduates the top two finishers from a year ago, but does have sub 4:10 miler Zach Brehm as a major returner. Brehm, who quadrupled last year at districts as a sophomore, may try the mile again this year. But he will have his hands full at the his event. Jeff Groh is in fantastic form after he domianted his indoor states mile heat and ran the aforementioned 1:56. His teammate Cole Nissley ran 4:21 a year ago and may mix it up for a spot at states. Sean Weidner and Mitch Coakley have already been mentioned as strong milers after break out indoor campaigns. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Pat Reilly under 4:20 this outdoors. He is a 2 mile guy at heart, but his mile chops should still be enough for him to compete on the double should he choose that route. Plus there are a slew of up and comers who may prove themselves at the mile this year including Ethan Gatchell, Ben Wilson, Jacob Connors, Aaron Gebhardt, Zach Seiger and Brian Delaney.
At 800m, Brehm is again among the favorites (can he possibly win all 4 events at districts this year? It would be fun to see it try and happen). The question in this event is if anyone can match his ability. The next best returner from Districts is Ryan Wolf of Mechanicsburg at 1:58.09 from Districts. Then comes Jon Carroll (1:58.69) who may be a factor. He has the right training partner to drop some serious time. Austin Stetler from Pann Manor may be a factor as well. He opened up nicely already this season and was sub 2 a year ago. Plus, let's face it, you never know who Cedar Crest and Cumberland Valley will pop out every year. And oh yeah, is Jeff Groh going to try the 800m? He went for the 32 and 16 a year ago (and did a very nice job on that double) but maybe in a weaker year for the 8 at Districts he will try the 16-8 double? Or the more bold 4x8, 8, 32 type triple. Or maybe even a Brehm esque quadruple! I guess we have to stay tuned.
The 3200m at District 3 is what I am looking forward to the most. I'm not sure if we will see Brehm toe the line like he did a year ago, but he was clearly in sick overall shape a year ago (9:18.45 in the 32 right on Todaro's butt and apparently saving something for later that weekend? Which event could Brehm not have won at states a year ago ...). If he jumps in this 32 and can hang on to the early pace, his kick will make him lethal. But Jeff Groh has proven in recent weeks he has the strength and the new found speed to hang with Brehm. Groh has always been super talented ever since he won XC districts as just a sophomore on the difficult Hershey course. He is really putting it together this year so far on the track. He ran 9:23 for third last year and, if he decides he really wants to go after the 32, he can be under 9:20 and in the medal talks at states. The question right now is, where does he want to put his focus? He and Brehm both have this question on their mind right now.
But while Brehm and Groh try and figure out their niche, District 3 will have some bonafide studs preparing all year long for Gold. Patrick Reilly, the district champ in XC, is coming off a very nice indoor season at 3k. Reilly is a sub 9:20 guy in the right race and is the early favorite for state gold at 32 in my opinion. And all Cole Nissley does is show up in the big races. He was clutch at XC states this past year and I think he will get himself back to the state meet at 3200 this year. His PR is around 9:22 and he is another sub 9:20 guy waiting to happen. He wants another shot at Reilly who had his number indoors and Nissley has a great training partner to help him develop closing speed in Groh.
Then there is my boy Aaron Gebhardt. He was a state medalist in XC and was strong last year on the track but unfortunately didn't get to go to states in the 32. I bet he remembers that well. I am a big Gebhardt fan and his best event is clearly the 32 which means he will be able to hang tough in a fast race with confidence after his great fall. Don't count out the Hershey boys like Demko or Will Sponaugle, who is making the sophomore to junior jump right now. Strong sophomore's in XC Zach Seiger and Brian Delaney may find their niche here at 32 as well.
And how could I not talk about Aaron Lauer from Red Land. He ran 4:21 last year to get himself to states in the 16, but I'd like to see him go after the 32 a bit more this year. I think he can qualify for states in both, but is a very intriguing sleeper if he goes after the 32.
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