If You Don't Know Now You Know

Indoors is an exciting season (and we still aren't done!) but for the brief window between indoor states and my upcoming nationals preview (Monday after entries are officially closed) I figured I would explore some sleeper teams for this coming outdoor season with you kids. Also be on the lookout for some NCAA related shenanigans soon, just need to brainstorm with my cohorts. So without further ado, here are some tooth fairy quality sleepers.

1. Carlisle

Ok so in the traditional sense of the word, these guys probably aren't quite "sleepers"when they have Zach Brehm and emerging star Matt Wisner on the roster, but we didn't see any real relay running or team action this indoors from these team, but I'd imagine that's all changing soon. The DMR this team has on paper is dangerous with Brehm and Wisner combining for sick end legs and someone like DeAngelo (strong XC season, solid 800m running last year) could be more than sufficient at his leg. Once DMR season is over (i.e. Post Penn Relays) the Carlisle 4x8 will be dangerous as well. They are defending champs if memory serves and have two guys 1:54 or faster, something that I don't think any other team in the state can boast at this stage in the game. Carlisle's school record is 7:44 from the mythical 2009 4x8 race (their 7:44 got them 7th that day) so they know how to put together a relay. 

Of course Wisner and Brehm's individual medal potential keeps things interesting and a little complicated, but perhaps even more worth watching.

2. Winchester Thurston

Here's the thing, at the end of cross, WT morphed into one of the best A schools in state history. They peaked beautifully and guys came back from injury at the perfect time. Although small schools usually are quiet during indoors, WT was active, showing strong 3k performances from a variety of performers. Littman, Hay and Forsythe have shown signs of promise already at a young age. Landin Delaney was a beast last track season and is defending champ from the loaded D7 championship a year ago. And then of course is Will Loevner. Will finished in the top 5 at A states in cross with a fantastic 16:23 and followed it in cross breaking 8:50 a couple times in the 3k. He was 3rd outdoors last year in the 32 and after barely being sneaked out by 3 guys for the last medal spot, the Loev bug could be in for a big season.

3. Altoona

I touched on these guys briefly in the recaps but I will reiterate here. Altoona is a strong program that has produced a slew of strong times and performances, but somehow we haven't seen them recently in the outdoor state finals in the 4x8. With Foust coming off a breakthrough 1:56 and George coming off his own breakthrough season, this team could really make noise. Also keep on eye on Jerrod Sunderland. He's more of a distance type, but he's a gutsy racer who likely could deliver in a variety of situations.

4. Abington 

I was around for the 2008-2011 Abington stretch and it was crazy. It took them a little bit of time to really get things cooking but when they hit their stride (2010-2011) they were absurdly good at 400 and 800. This team isn't quite as good as those squads, but they are rapidly ascending. 

5. Cedar Crest

6. JP McCaskey

Cedar Crest is historically masters of the 4x8 and was one of the primary teams robbed in the joke that was 4x8 qualifying this season. They ran an awesome race with JP McCaskey at F&M and both teams look like they have major potential to drop time this spring. McCaskey had a strong XC season, bolstered by the emergence of Nate Henderson and their excellent top 4 on the trails should translate well to the oval. Cedar Crest was in the state finals a year ago and, although they lost their best leg at 1:55, they have the experience and program history to be back under 8 minutes.

7. Seneca Valley

Last year's D7 4x8 leaders grabbed state medals behind Foster's excellent running a year ago. He's moved on but Benjamin, Quiggle and Kolor are still around and just as talented as ever. Kolor is coming off a 4:19 mile in his first big time state final, holding his own nicely as a junior. Quiggle looked great at TSTCAs and Benjamin is rounding into form well too. Keep an eye on SV this outdoors.

8. Pleasant Valley

Back to back Valleys here as we look at Pleasant Valley next. Khai Samuels exploded this indoor season, throwing down the exclamation point at states in 1:54.99 for his first state medal. Add in Seth Slavin and this team has two dangerous individuals in D11. The D11 story is very up in the air with Emmaus, Whitehall and Easton all fighting to claim top spots individually and in the relays, but pleasant valley shouldn't be overlooked as a contender. Especially if their top 400m runner can jump up in distance to the 8.

9. Tunkhannock

This is quietly one of the best programs around. Tunk is led this year by Jack Tidball, who dropped down around 8:45 in the 3k at states and took home a top 5 spot. In recent years the Tigers (I think? The colors suggest Tigers and Tunkhannock Tigers sounds too good to be true) have put up Reece Ayers (3 top 10 individual finishes in AAA is absurd), a 6th place team in AAA states, a state championship in A and multiple sub 1:55 800m runners in Nole and Damiani. Tidball is looking strong for outdoors where he ran in the 9:20s a year ago. His teammate Jacob Toczko may be on the verge of a breakthrough of his own after his sneaky good 9:03 3k this indoors.

10. Hershey 

Adam Rabon was an indoor state qualifier in the mile, running around 4:31ish. Then Hershey boasts Will Sponaugle and Aiden Demko who were sub 16 during cross. Demko was an individual medalist during cross and Sponaugle was in the low 4:20s last spring individually. This trio should be fun to watch in a loaded D3. I mean seriously, I already mentioned a slew of D3 teams with upside and didn't even mention Cumberland Valley or Hempfield (had a strong indoor campaign and was D3 XC champs!). Regardless, I think the Chocolates have a good chance to hold their own.

11. South Williamsport 

Griff Molino has been absent since his XC state meet victory and near record, but hopefully this outdoors he is going to be returning to center stage. He ran 4:12 and 9:19 last year on the track, fantastic times. Molino v Perretta on the track this spring could be the race of the year. Unless of course we convince Molino, Perretta, Ritz, Brehm, James, Webb, Brophy and McDevitt to throw down against each other at meet of champs in June. Think about it guys!

Anyway, Molino is a stud and his team has been pretty solid as well. They have posted up some solid 4x8s in recent years and Molino's teammate Hunter Crawley is coming off a fantastic XC season that included a state medal. 

As T.O. Says, that's my quarterback. 

I mean get your popcorn ready. Whatever.