So clearly I am lagging way behind on getting up the info for why all these guys are awesome and I think there isn't a point in hiding this list when who knows how fast I will be able to get everything up for it. So here we go. The top 50 list with 25 honorable mentions, officially. If you have any questions about why or how or PRs or achievements I'd be happy to elaborate.
Remember it's all subjective stuff here! There is no right or wrong answer!
Top 50 All-Time Rankings
- Craig Miller, Maheim Township 2006
- Chris Spooner, Lewisburg Area 2004
- Tom Mallon, Central Bucks South 2010
- Paul Springer, Unionville High School 2007
- Tony Russell, West Chester Henderson 2014
- Drew Magaha, Upper Moreland 2012
- Ian Fitzgerald, North Hills 2004
- Kyle Francis, Bensalem 2014
- Max Kaulbach, GFS 2008
- Wade Endress, Altoona 2011
- Ross Wilson, Council Rock North 2014
- Vince McNally, Conestoga Valley 2008
- Jason Weller, Boyertown 2007
- Ned Willig, Great Valley 2012
- Mark Dennin, Boyertown 2008
- Hong Cho, Wissahickon 2011
- Colin Martin, Fox Chapel 2014
- Sam Havko, Fairview 2009
- Dustin Wilson, Chesnut Hill Academy 2012
- Ryan Gil, North Allegheny 2011
- Max Norris, Harriton 2013
- Luke Lefebure, West Chester Henderson 2011
- Jake Walker, Elwood City 2006
- Jeff Wiseman, CR South 2014
- Brad Miller, Manheim Township 2006
- Tom Coyle, LaSalle 2013
- Michael Palmisano, Upper Dublin 2009
- Nick Crits, Wissahickon 2008
- Connor Manley, CB West 2011
- Jamar Jones, E&S 2007
- Brendan Shearn, North Schuylkill 2013
- Bobby Micikas, Crestwood 2009
- Alec Kunzweiler, Cumberland Valley 2013
- Steve Hallinan, O’Hara 2004
- Joey Logue, Pennridge 2014
- Dan Lowry, LaSalle 2008
- Jeff Weiss, McGuffey 2005
- Radford Gunzenhauser, Mount Lebanon 2010
- Brad Miles, North Penn 2010
- Jimmy Tarsnane, Perkiomen Valley 2009
- Ken King, Connellsville Area 2005
- Reiny Barchet, West Chester Henderson 2014
- Zack Montijo, North Penn 2008
- Thomas Kehl, Father Judge 2010
- Ian Gottesfield, Henderson 2004
- Dominic Deluca, Dallas 2014
- Joe Beveridge, Bishop McDevitt 2009
- Kyle Dawson, Coatesville 2007
- Chris Aldrich, Henderson 2008
- Will Kellar, West Chester Henderson 2010
- David Mock, Westmont Hills 2004
- Kyle Moran, Abington 2011
- Ben Furcht, Lower Merion 2009
- Rico Galassi, Holy Cross 2013
- Jack Huemmler, Strath Haven 2013
- Ryan Smathers, North East 2013
- Aaron Kauffman, Red Land 2006
- Sam Hibbs, Hatboro Horsham 2012
- Mike Booth, West Mifflin 2004
- Vinny Todaro, Big Spring 2013
- Ben Ritz, Germantown Academy 2013
- Glenn Burkhardt, Unionville 2011
- Andrew Rotz, Central Dauphin 2007
- TJ Hobart, Baldwin 2009
- Zach Hebda, North Hills 2011
- Andrew Stone, LaSalle 2013
- Wil Bailey, Penn Hills 2012
- Tommy Gruschow, Trinity 2011
- Matt Fischer, Unionville 2010
- Nate McClafferty, Conrad Weiser 2011
- Andrew Lobb, West Chester East 2007
- Josh Izewski, CB East 2008
- Keith Capecci, CRN 2006
- Greg Williams, Henderson 2004
- Sam Luff, Emmaus 2005
Barchet and DeLuca so low in the ranks is disappointing. Both have 1600 times of sub 4:20 and have both went 9:03 and DeLuca went 8:22 i believe in the 3k at Penn. Both better than Shearn and he is all the way up in the 30's. Just food for thought
ReplyDeletebarchet sub 4:10
DeleteShearn a pair of individual state titles, a near all American finish and top 5 finish at regionals, 3 2nd place finishes at states a 9:04 of his own in a race he won and an overall ability to be a star at the aa level for a decent span of years and I really think he is part of the reason aa got a lot of the respect it did and he inspired the best in his competitors ... That's my reasoning but you can make great arguments for everybody I suppose
DeleteAs for Barchet and Deluca they are both fantastic but here is what I will say
DeleteDeluca just one state title against a somewhat weak aa field but he dominated that level this year in xc, great time at penn, really fast 32 pr and some big wins during the season
However he didn't finish super high at footlocker regionals and couldn't get a state title on the track ... Again splitting hairs a bit but that's my argument
Barchet is very tricky. I believe he has no top 5 finishes as an individual in xc or track at states indoors or out. That's very tough to overcome
However he was the #2 guy on a great team, an all American in cross, 6th at states in cross, 2nd at districts in xc and had a fantastic outdoor season this year time wise running 4:10 and 9:03 equivalent or something like that ...
He has two state titles as a team including a great upset, but he got left off a penn relays squad that won and a dmr state team that won that really would have helped his resume overall
Ultimately his individual state performances were not enough for me to elevate him into that top 35 or so although his times are very very good
Again just splitting hairs here, all these guys are great that's why we r talking about them!
Barchet 5th at xc this year
DeleteAh yes you are correct for some reason I thought he was 6th my mistake
DeleteBar bet did not finish 2nd at districts... In xc
Deletehe got 3rd
Deletesorry meant to say 2nd at regionals in xc when Russell and him took 1-2
DeleteBarchet probably doesn't even belong on the list. He has some great track times but many WCH runners do considering they run races with rabbits. (like Warrior, Nike and Hays meets). His XC has some nice highlights no victories. Don't get me wrong, he's a great runner, but I'd still place champions like Will Kellar, Jack Huemmler, Glen Burkhardt before him, even Conner Quinn who didn't make the list.
DeleteHe would have won a very prestigious NXR Northeast meet if he didnt have to deal with Russell
Delete^What kind of argument is that? Could have, would have...if...hey, I'm sure we all "could" have won something if it weren't for Russell, Mallon, Miller, fill-in-the-blank, et al.
DeleteI'd argue if it was not for his teammate Russell, he would not have placed so well in that race.
DeleteNo Chris Campbell?
ReplyDeleteThis was tough, if it's a top 100 he is definitely on ... He has 1 district title and no state titles plus he didn't have an opportunity to star on a really or top 5 team at states ... His best pr on the track is 4:14 which is great but not quite as flashy as some others on this list
DeleteWhat he does have going for him is a footlocker finalist appearance some solid xc wins and some strong 1600 performances as well as a key leg on a dmr indoors that came close to getting a state title
But overall not enough state title fire power, fast Prs and range to get onto the list ... He is a really really good runner but all these guys are I guess
You can make an argument for him no doubt but I left him just off this list
Surprised that Galassi is so far behind Shearn, he ran train on him his senior year.
ReplyDeleteSee my argument for shearn above ... Galassi was fantastic but he has a slower pr at 32 than shearn, never broke 15 in the 5k like shearn did, and didn't make footlocker nats or any all Americans in track like shearn did
DeleteGalassi was awesome and probably had a better overall senior year than shearn but in terms of numbers, overall performance and a look at the career on the whole I thought highly of shearns marks ... Galassi might be a tad low but he unfortunately didn't see the competition needed to get he flashy times ... Not his fault just the nature of the aa scene in most cases unfortunately
I think Greg Kareis deserved at least an honorable mention. He had P.R.'s of 4:12, and 9:15 on the track. State meet credentials include a 4th place finish in the 3200 in 2007 ahead of a couple studs in Kyle Dawson and Mark Dennin, a 3rd place finish in the 1600 in '08 ahead of some guy named Vince McNally, and a 7th place finish in xc in 2007.
ReplyDelete-GBC
Greg Karies is another guy who was very very close to being on this list, probably is in the top 80
DeleteProblem was he had no state titles and no top 5 finishes at xc with just one state medal ... His third place finish at states in the 16 is probably his signature moment and it's just not quite as much of a signature moment as others have
U could definitely argue for him over Williams or luff and put him up in hobarts league but at a certain point I end up splitting hairs and having to make a choice
Honestly part of it was trying to represent a diverse group of ages that hurt him
1:55, 4:12, 9:15 is absurd to be left off the list I will admit it but I think our state is that good
Yup, definitely see where you're coming from there. I just thought I'd throw his name out there since he's one that slips through the cracks pretty easily.
DeleteOverall, though, it's a really solid list. There's no way I would have had the dedication or knowledge to put something that comprehensive together, so thank you. I've enjoyed looking over it and reading your write-ups.
-GBC
Ethan Martin?
ReplyDeleteEthan was a great runner and if he was healthy this year he would have made the list I'm sure based on his performances but unfortunately he was injured and didn't have a chance to drop his Prs and compete at the top level for another year
DeleteHe and Brent Kennedy are two guys that were really hard to leave off the list
It would be cool to see the class everyone was in, that way you could compare the talent in each class
ReplyDeleteGreat list. I would definitely put Weller in the top 10-probably at 7-He ran sub 14:55 at Districts and then beat ET # 4 at states in xc and track. Ran a crazy triple indoors-4:14ish, won the 3k and then ran on the DMR. Also, ran 4:12 outdoors. A total stud. Also, Gottesfeld was an xc stud-4th as a soph, then 1st and 2nd and a FL finalist. Never great in track, but probably Henderson's 2nd best all-time xc runner.
ReplyDeleteAnd Kehl over Dawson and Kellar?-Dawson set up Districts and States his senior year and led a great team. He was also a 3 time medalist in xc. Kellar beat Kehl at States and was a 3 time medalist in xc(17, 2, 6).
Just nitpicking-again, great job.
Great points, Kehl may be a tad over rated there as he never became an xc force and has 0 state titles ... He did have a 4:09c an alleged 1:50 split at 800m and a couple heart breaking runner up finishes and I mean heart breaking man
ReplyDeleteAs for Weller he was absurdly clutch, he won millrose in the mile too, he was one of the closest guys in recent years pulling off the absurd 32-16 double
He was a sub 9/footlocker finalist apparence away from making a big time jump on my list for sure, he was a fun runner for the bears
Awesome researh. Of note, I would place Brad Miles perhaps a little higher for his body of work in CC (he didn’t run much 1600/3200 in track). Credentials: Soph: 10th XC state, 6th Nike Eastern regional (would have qualified for Nike Finals if individuals accepted), Jr: 7th XC State, 6th Nike Regional, 54th Nike Finals, 1600 state finalist outdoor. SR: Absolutely monster XC season and was unbeaten in PA- lost only to Rosa/Vitek. State XC champ and former recorder holder (time only bettered by Russell by 2 secs), NE Footlocker Regional Champ and Footlocker finalist (21st), 3200 state qualifier outdoor. Course record holder I believe in Carlisle, Salsesium and 3rd PA all time at the fame Manhattan invitational.
ReplyDeleteDont forgot, his team won two state championships as well.
DeleteThis was a very difficult list to make since XC and track are such different sports, but I think it's well done. Sad to see someone as dominant as Brad Miles way back, but he was primarily an XC star.
ReplyDeleteTom Kehl was sad to see so low as well. He was outkicked indoor/outdoor and robbed of two state championships. Unfortunate since he was so good and allegedly split a 1:50 in the crazy Upper Dublin, North Penn, Father Judge 4x800 race.
Speaking of robbed of championship, the king himself, Ben Furcht not even top 50. Indoor states/outdoor states and the penn relays. That has to hurt.
Question: Why Craig Miller? Why not Tom Mallon? Just curious. Mallon has a very impressive resume... 5 individual state golds (4 800's and a Mile), 2 national medals indoor (800), all time state record in the 800 and 4x800 (had both 800 state records for a bit). 2 state golds in the 4x800 and 3rd place at nationals. I don't think they ran the 4x800 at nike outdoor nationals, but the winners ran 7:42 and CB South ran 7:33 (i think it was a national record at the time?)
-RTJ
-RTJ
Are you serious? Craig Miller is a three time state XC champion. To threepeat in any event is a long shot but to do it in XC is insane, when all the top distance guys are in the same race. The chances of that accomplishment being tied are outrageous, but it will never be beaten. Then the guy had two 1600 state championships in what was the AAA record at the time.
DeleteAs you pointed out, XC and track are different sports, yet Miller excelled in both. Mallon was one dimensional, a great 800 guy. It's not even close.
If anything, Mallon should be down a few slots, certainly after Russell who has the XC credentials then on the track the PA Indoor mile record and some fine PR's.
I could dispute a few of Etrains rankings but he got number 1 right. Miller is far and away the #1 in the last 10 years, maybe ever.
- JEB
Look I have miller #1 but don't undersell the argument for Mallon
DeleteSure if u r talking about overall range Mallon is limited to just the #3 all time 800m and a 4:14c 1600m (note the subtle sarcasm) and certainly xc wise there isn't much there but here's the deal
Mallon was the best 800m guy of the era. He was easily the most dominant 800 guy in state history ... 3 straight 800 titles, indoor 8 state record, outdoor 8 state record, indoor state meet record, outdoor state meet record, 4x8 state record, the most sub 1:50 runs by any man in state history
And he did all that with little competition, he soloed a slew of 1:49s and adapted from a kicker to a front runner, expanded his range and beat Kehl in the mile, helped out a dmr with a big anchor leg
I don't think miller, spooner springer or Russell can say for sure they r the best guy at any event like Mallon can
I'd say the best xc guy of this era was Russell by a nose, miller was the best miler Mallon the best 800 guy and ... 2 mile is up for grabs bc the fastest guys ended up getting beat
So yeah that's the argument for Mallon ... Mallon was a beast at what he did so he gets props on the list
Miller also ran 8:22 indoors just crushing a loaded field. He was a beast. His junior year, he went out in 3:00.5 in the 1600 at States. He died a bit, but still ran 4:09. He's still running great.
DeleteMallon was a dominant guy at his event and a great closer. It's a shame he never got it together at Stanford. You could make a good argument for him as # 2. Although Spooner was a beast with great range.
4-6 are interchangeable. You could make arguments for either of them as # 4. They all have some slight flaws. Magaha was limited by illness. Weller had Springer's number on the big stage and Wilson ran the race of his life when Russell was hurting a little.
Great list.
If the top 50 list is events 800, 1600, 3200 and XC, then Miller has it all over Mallon.
DeleteThe state XC title is a greater accomplishment than a track title. Winning three of them is unreal. Gotta go with Miller.
DeleteMay i asked why wiseman and manley is so high on the list?
ReplyDeleteAs I said with Mallon above it's about doing what you do better than the other guys
DeleteWiseman ran a slew of fast 800m and had multiple district titles to go with it
Manley was anchor on an indoor state record team, ran a huge anchor leg outdoors for another title, ran on a 7:38 team ran 1:51.50 in the open on the double
Perhaps those guys are high in most peoples eyes but I respect what they were able to do at 800
Manley is probably on the high side
So what "exactly" is this list for?
ReplyDeleteJust for fun man!
ReplyDeleteWhy is hong cho rated above wilson, gil, coyle. Dont get it. He was 800 specialst. The others were versatile with titles in their resume.
ReplyDeleteSee the above
DeleteLet's not rate range so far above dominance in an event ... Cho ran 1:50 on multiple occasions, helped lead 4x4 and 4x8 times that were excellent won a state title in a stacked 800 field and ran a key 1200 leg on a dmr that won a state title
Gotta remember also that cho ran in the 47s a few times at 800m while having the range to go up in distance and beat Dustin Wilson head to head in a 1600 ... Given that his best event is the 8/4 and he still qualified for states out of district one on xc I think he did a nice job
Plus he was consistently improving every year allowing him to be at his best his senior year outdoors
As u can see from the guys u named that's not easy ...
Coyle and Gil and Wilson are all right there on his level at that stage it's interchangeable really
Before I provide feedback, which is more difficult to accomplish? Winning a xc title or track title?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, and XC title. --ForrestCRN
DeleteReece Ayers
ReplyDeleteI feel that Wisemen is pretty low on the list
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DeleteFirst of all where is Coval?
ReplyDeleteSecond of all I think Ian Gottesfeld should be rated much higher. Not only did he have faster footlocker times in the Northeast regional and Finals than Miller/Mcnally/Weller/Springer, not only did he come close to winning the northeast regional, but he had the 2003 piaa race wrapped up against Miller and screwed it up to help out his teammate, who he was trying to set up for the win.
However in track he wasn't as good.
I know this is a touchy issue and it sounds like a sore loser, but I really think Gottesfeld could have ditched Williams earlier and put Miller out of it.
I'd say it should go:
Delete1) Coval
2) Miller
3) Weller
4) Springer
5) Gottesfeld
I'd say Coval should be the undisputed number 1.
2-5 you can switch around based on arguments (times, titles, good races with screwed up finishes etc.)
Spooner put up similar times to Gottesfeld in Piaa but didn't do much at Footlocker. Mock beat Spooner, but Spooner fell. Both them I'd say are close.
ReplyDeleteGood points, Coval would be featured quite high here but it's a list starting with class of 2003 so I believe Coval is too old to be included?
ReplyDeleteI tried to factor a total package of XC combined with track, gottesfield is probably undersold though considering how strong an XC guy he was