DWest Returns, Twin Valley Rolls, Eddinger Wins Again

Division I results have been posted from today's meet (at Lehigh this weekend). Here are my thoughts on some results from the meet.

In the 400m, Abington got a victory from Jordan Neely in 52.06. This is another early season 400m victory for Abington who is looking to return to form similar to what we saw from them in 2011 when they set state records in the 4x8 and 4x4 indoors and won a national championship in the 4x8 as well. I'm not saying this years squad is that talented, but they have a strong history that I'm always on alert for. Cheltenham looks like a heavy 4x4 title favorite, but Abington is a medal threat at least at this stage.

Also worth noting Jalin Jackson of St Joe's Prep ran a solid 53.7 to qualify for MoC. That's one of the pieces of the DMR most likely for Prep who is a sleeper team for both distance relays this year.

Dylan Eddinger gets another quality 800m win, breaking 2 for the first time this year with his 1:59.78. The 800m studs have quickly emerged after Ritz, Lewis, Sauer and Samuels all dropped major times last week, but don't forget Mr Eddinger. He was a clutch lead off leg for Boyertown's upstart relay last year and already has two quality early season victories. He is a winner first and foremost (handed off at the front at states and quality wins here at Lehigh, not sure I've ever seen him get beat in the 800) and if he gets truly pushed at states we could see him drop a huge PR. I'm still waiting to see him in the mile, I think he could run a nice time there as well.

Rock Fortna had a strong showing in his first open 8 of the year, running 2:02 for second. That's a solid run and again I'd like to see how he handles a mile. McMenamin notches a 2:04 to accompany his 3k at Burdette, showing excellent range for the young sophomore. Yet again he should be able to put together a nice mile with the combination he has shown early on. I'm still figuring out McMenamin as he is a young runner just beginning to break out so I can't tell you what I think his best event will be, but when you are a good runner, you can have success anywhere and that's what Connor has shown thus far. Notable run as well for Kevin Hong from Upper Darby who ran to 4th in 2:05.

The mile was a bit of a surprise as James Abrahams won in 4:42.7 over Tucker Desko, Liam Conway, Eddie Goebel and Dustin Willing (43, 44, 45, 47). It's a nice confidence building win for Abrahams as we continue to see success from the DELCO/Central crew. Haven and Penncrest dropped big 4x8s early after under the radar XC seasons and Haverford may be next in line depending on who they build around Abrahams. Nice run for Desko of Pennridge who's brother was a state qualifier in the 1600m in 2008 (low 4:20s).

Props to Tom Fizzanon from Methacton for winning heat 1 in a strong 4:56, the only sub 5 in the heat.

The 3k was won by Sean Princivalle of LaSalle in 9:29. It appeared the race may have been tactical or the effects of inconsistent sleep and training finally hit and slowed down some times. This is still a quality win for Princivalle who was the best runner on a quality LaSalle XC team. They have a ton of weapons on their squad so we will see how the piece together some relays.

Josh Wood was second in 9:32 and his rival from CB West Declan McDonald was third in 9:35. Freshman Sean Rahill from Tennent ran a strong 9:39 for 4th.

The Neshaminy 4x4 we suspected would be released on the state made it's opening move, blasting a 3:29 flat track in flats. I think Cheltenham is the clear state title favorite, but if they are running on tired legs against a real good Neshaminy squad you never know.

Last year I kinda thought of Bensalem as a team carried to states by Kyle Francis in the 4x8. Beyond him I just didn't see a lot of depth and this season, two years removed from their state titles, I counted this program out. But now, during the first meet of 2015, Bensalem gets a quality win, running 8:18 to beat out a strong team in St Joe's Prep (8:19) as both teams add their names to the list of state qualifiers. I'm a big fan of this prep squad (as mentioned) and I think the DMR will be their thing looking ahead. However, it's always nice to have some flexibility, especially when running an SQS is no guarantee that you have a place at the starting line (they are calling them SQGs now which I really don't like, I mean c'mon SQS rolls off the tongue so nicely and spellcheck already has it in it's memory).

Not to be overlooked were the other relays involved CRSouth (8:23), Abington (8:24), CB East (8:24), and CR North (8:25). That's loaded through 6 teams. 

I've discussed my opinions on Abington a few times already, so I won't say more on that here. It's cool to see CR South, even after Wiseman graduates, staying quite relevant in the 4x8 conversation. I'm impressed their cross town rivals, CRN, was able to throw down an 8:25 as well. I know Arita has been killing it, but I'm curious what other guys are contributing. Looking forward to Forrest giving us the scoop. DMR for this team in the future? They have been dangerous in that event for 2 years in a row with potential for more in 2015.

Nice run for CB East as well, especially if they lined up with Brophy. Even if Brophy was involved, he's just getting back from some off time and a lot of mileage and distance training so his speed will make serious drops looking ahead. I think this squad could be most dangerous in the DMR, but with the 3k looming for Brophy, there are going to be some tough decisions that will have to be made in this lockerroom. But we will worry about that when we get closer.

In the DMR, DTWest finally showed signs that their A team was returning to the track, cruising to an uncontested 10:57 early season victory. This is one of the teams that will generate a ton of buzz this year, especially if/when the Hoeys get involved (no idea which 4 guys they used on this relay). I'd be curious to hear splits and names on these guys and will wait to talk too much about them now, as I'm sure they are just getting started.

Strong showing by Pennridge for 2nd. No Desko and it looked like they stacked a 4x4 and they still were second in 11:14.

Division 2 results became available at some point while I was writing this, so let's continue on to D2.

Conan Beckley-Gray won the 800m over HG Preps Patrick Dineen 2:03 to 2:04. That's a nice win for Gray, one of the key members of a strath haven team that's on the rise in the 4x8. Gray's teammate Greg Kotchick took a solid 3rd in the mile with a 4:47.

The mile was won by Abington Friends's Nicholas Sperger who beat an independent school rival Charlie Scales from the Haverford School (4:43-4:45). I didn't notice either of these guys in cross, so this is a nice run for both guys as they build towards dropping time and getting in the state conversation.

Twin Valley's Dom Digiacomo took care of business in the 3k, winning by 22 seconds and running 9:24. HG Prep captured another second behind John McLaughlin.

Radnor continues to be a 4x4 team on the rise. They ran 3:34 to narrowly beat out Wissahickon's relay (also ran 3:34). Wissahickon ran that time without the silver medalist in the 200m (a frosh) and a medalist in the 400m (Cameron). Interesting to see if either relay can stretch their guys into a 4x8.

Without a couple top tier guys, HG Prep won the 4x8 with an 8:47. Twin Valley stole the show with their DMR win. They dominated in 10:53 (winning by 17 seconds) for their second straight dominate relay win. This team is majorly on the rise and has a nice piece (Digiacomo) to push the other guys on the squad so no one gets too content with their spot. 

This 10:53 solo run is (on paper) the best DMR performance I have seen thus far state wide. Twin Valley isn't state title favorites at this point, but a top 5 finish at states is in play. The relays at this point are very up in the air and TV is one of the top relay teams early. I'll be very interested to see what happens when this team uncovers top tier competition on the right day.

Bishop Shanahan was 2nd in 11:10 and Masterman was 3rd in 11:20. Nice run for both squads, especially Shanahan. I'll be watching the individuals wearing that uniform going forward.

Let me know your thoughts and what I missed!