After all these weeks watching from afar, PA finally comes to my neck of the woods in NYC for the Indoor National Championships at the Armory. Ironically, I'll be in Pennsylvania for about 70% of the races (and stuck at work for the other 30%), so again I'll miss out, but the Armory is usually gracious enough to broadcast everything for free on their website! So assuming milesplit hasn't gotten to them yet, anybody who wants to has free seats.
PA will be well represented with many of the top runners and teams from states extending their year the extra two weeks in hopes of grabbing an All-American certificate. Here's a look at the action for the weekend.
Sunday 10:25 AM 800m
Graca, Wisner, Wilson
Matt Wisner and Brook Wilson took things hard in the slow heat at States and ran their way to huge PRs and state medals. They will look to continue the trend here in NY. Both are D3 runners are developing a nice rivalry looking ahead to outdoors. They were also among the top finishers at the PTFCA Carnival at Lehigh (1-2 but from different heats).
Elias Graca will be in the spotlight like never before has the probable favorite for a national championship despite the fact that he was runner up at states (John Lewis will participate in the SMR and the 4x4 instead). Graca's 1:50.8 was about a 2.5 second PR and over 3 seconds faster than his 2014 best (and roughly 10 seconds faster than 2013) making Graca's year already a huge success, but a feather in the cap at Nats would be a nice reward for his efforts. Despite PA's excellent 800m running in recent years (I believe PA may have the most indoor sub 1:52s and sub 1:51s of any state in the nation), we have not been able to get our hands on that national title. Mallon, Mallon, Endress, Willig, and Wiseman have all been close (and have all been among the favorites) but couldn't come away with gold. Can Graca be the one to break the trend?
And let's not forget, Graca now sits just 3 tenths of the state record and a little less than a second off #2 all time for indoors (1:49.21 is #1, 1:49.93 is #2). Lots to be excited about in this 800m.
Sunday 12:05 PM Mile
Brehm, Ritz, McDevitt
If the 800m didn't get you fired up, how about this line up? Sam Ritz is coming off an unthinkable 4:09-1:51 double at states and is poised to break his freshly minted state record in the mile for the 3rd time this season, especially if someone like Grant Fisher is pushing for a fast time early. Ritz has been aiming all year for this race and looked positively dominant at states. He may have room for another second or so in his record setting season.
Billy McDevitt ran a fantastic race at states, grabbing 4th in a loaded mile in 4:17.0, setting a strong PR. McDevitt has had a fantastic season and I'm glad to see him try to drop a few more seconds (although he will be coming off the DMR on Friday).
The shocker this week came when our own Evan Hatton posted up Zach Brehm's name in the entries for nationals. Brehm has been utterly quiet this season running in 0 meets despite the fact that Carlisle had one of their most active winters in recent memory (Wisner was out there blazing times and I believe they had a state champ jumper). Who knows where Brehm's fitness is, but at the very least you have to expect him to be a bit rusty. I'd be very pleasantly surprised to see a mark under 4:15 at this point considering his silence up to this point and his tendency to peak perfectly. If the goal is outdoor nationals (as I'd speculate it is) then this meet is just a stepping stone.
But when you have a 4:09 PR and two state titles, it's hard to count you out of anything.
Sunday 9:55 AM 2 Mile
Dahl, James
This should be a nice moment for a couple guys that sacrificed the chance to run very fast in the 3k in exchange for a quality DMR performance. Both will be in the DMR on Friday night and have a bit of rest before this event. James should be in the fast heat and, in theory, could run a time under 9:10 or maybe even faster. His mile time (4:12.5 or so) is essentially the same time he ran at Henderson last year immediately after his 9:03 3200m. Low 9 minutes gets you in the mix for All-American honors and the state record for the 2 mile is somewhere around 9:02ish by Max Kaulbach in 2008 so you have to keep an eye on that number. Remember, O'Hara ran 10 flat last year at Nationals, they have an idea of how to peak for this meet.
Dahl is still young, he's just a sophomore, but he's been really good at the 2 mile. He won the frosh 2 mile title at Nationals in a sub 9:20 mark, ran nose to nose with Sam Ritz in the 2 mile during cross and ran 8:44 this season indoors for 3k. But he's still very young. This will be another big moment for Dahl to continue to improve and gain valuable experience, but it's hard to put too much pressure on a sophomore in his second race of the weekend (although keep in mind that 8:44 was the day after a reported 4:18 split).
This should be a nice moment for a couple guys that sacrificed the chance to run very fast in the 3k in exchange for a quality DMR performance. Both will be in the DMR on Friday night and have a bit of rest before this event. James should be in the fast heat and, in theory, could run a time under 9:10 or maybe even faster. His mile time (4:12.5 or so) is essentially the same time he ran at Henderson last year immediately after his 9:03 3200m. Low 9 minutes gets you in the mix for All-American honors and the state record for the 2 mile is somewhere around 9:02ish by Max Kaulbach in 2008 so you have to keep an eye on that number. Remember, O'Hara ran 10 flat last year at Nationals, they have an idea of how to peak for this meet.
Dahl is still young, he's just a sophomore, but he's been really good at the 2 mile. He won the frosh 2 mile title at Nationals in a sub 9:20 mark, ran nose to nose with Sam Ritz in the 2 mile during cross and ran 8:44 this season indoors for 3k. But he's still very young. This will be another big moment for Dahl to continue to improve and gain valuable experience, but it's hard to put too much pressure on a sophomore in his second race of the weekend (although keep in mind that 8:44 was the day after a reported 4:18 split).
Friday 4:55 PM 5000m
Comber, Hockenbury, Gebhart
The 5k is a cool event. It gives you a chance to see guys potential in college when things get longer and more flexible. It's also my favorite event to watch and the event I wish I could be good at the most. These three guys are probably my top picks for "man, these guys would love if there was a 5k during track" along with maybe Marston because they are fast and excellent two milers, but they are just lacking that extra touch of speed.
The Comber-Max Norris comparisons can continue to roll in. Norris was narrowly denied the title in the 5000m at Nationals during his epic run in 2012 and now Comber, following a tough loss in the 3k at states, comes out motivated and hungry. He has run well in the 5k on the track before (killer time at Henderson a year ago) plus he has run well in regional/national action as recently as this cross country season. He has had a really strong indoor campaign and his strength could be on full display in this event.
I think Hock is going to run really well in this one. I've always been on the bandwagon for Dominic who has rolled through two sub 8:40 3ks and really was the driving force in the 3k at indoor states. He is a hard worker and is coming off an agonizingly close call indoors at states against McGoey. The move up in distance may benefit him the most (Comber's run under 4:20 before and Geb has run right near 4:20-4:21) and he seems poised for a nice run.
Gebhart has run 9:16 for 3200m and was the 4th finisher at the state championships in the 3k. I haven't seen enough races from Gebhart this year to really have a feel for what he can run, but he should mix it up well and run competitive in the field. He won't be afraid to run with the top runners and will look for some revenge against Hockenbury and Comber.
PA has had some very good fortune in this event over the years. Paul Springer, Max Norris and Colin Martin have all had fantastic runs in this event and guys like Brendan Shearn, Dustin Wilson and Ben Furcht have had huge days as well, in an under the radar manner. Last year Tessa Barrett won gold in the women's 5k, breaking the national record and making me feel really bad about my own 5k PR.
The 5k is a cool event. It gives you a chance to see guys potential in college when things get longer and more flexible. It's also my favorite event to watch and the event I wish I could be good at the most. These three guys are probably my top picks for "man, these guys would love if there was a 5k during track" along with maybe Marston because they are fast and excellent two milers, but they are just lacking that extra touch of speed.
The Comber-Max Norris comparisons can continue to roll in. Norris was narrowly denied the title in the 5000m at Nationals during his epic run in 2012 and now Comber, following a tough loss in the 3k at states, comes out motivated and hungry. He has run well in the 5k on the track before (killer time at Henderson a year ago) plus he has run well in regional/national action as recently as this cross country season. He has had a really strong indoor campaign and his strength could be on full display in this event.
I think Hock is going to run really well in this one. I've always been on the bandwagon for Dominic who has rolled through two sub 8:40 3ks and really was the driving force in the 3k at indoor states. He is a hard worker and is coming off an agonizingly close call indoors at states against McGoey. The move up in distance may benefit him the most (Comber's run under 4:20 before and Geb has run right near 4:20-4:21) and he seems poised for a nice run.
Gebhart has run 9:16 for 3200m and was the 4th finisher at the state championships in the 3k. I haven't seen enough races from Gebhart this year to really have a feel for what he can run, but he should mix it up well and run competitive in the field. He won't be afraid to run with the top runners and will look for some revenge against Hockenbury and Comber.
PA has had some very good fortune in this event over the years. Paul Springer, Max Norris and Colin Martin have all had fantastic runs in this event and guys like Brendan Shearn, Dustin Wilson and Ben Furcht have had huge days as well, in an under the radar manner. Last year Tessa Barrett won gold in the women's 5k, breaking the national record and making me feel really bad about my own 5k PR.
Saturday 6:35 PM 4x800m
State College
Although it's a bit of a surprise that Pennsbury chose to skip out on the National Championships, PA should still be well represented by State College. They were the top team from PA a year ago, earning all american status to go with their state gold. This time around they will be coming off a solid 7:55 showing at states that was good enough for bronze. This is a growing team that showed good toughness in their first appearance on the big stage at states. Now they go up again to a new stage at Nationals and it will say a lot about the maturity and the confidence of this team if they can cut more time off their impressive 7:55.
Although it's a bit of a surprise that Pennsbury chose to skip out on the National Championships, PA should still be well represented by State College. They were the top team from PA a year ago, earning all american status to go with their state gold. This time around they will be coming off a solid 7:55 showing at states that was good enough for bronze. This is a growing team that showed good toughness in their first appearance on the big stage at states. Now they go up again to a new stage at Nationals and it will say a lot about the maturity and the confidence of this team if they can cut more time off their impressive 7:55.
Friday 7:30 PM DMR
O'Hara, Conestoga, GFS, Malvern Prep, St. Joe's Prep
Oh man this is going to be good. PA has always found a way to put good DMRs on the track, dominating at Penn and producing a variety of All-American squads at Indoor Nationals. Cardinal O'Hara have been the kings of that recently. They won nationals a year ago in a near national record and that came a year after an All-American run in 2012. They owned the state record before they broke it this past year and they might have the most indoor all-americans of any school in the state.
But this is their first state title team in recent years and their star anchor Kevin James will be running on fresh legs this go round. But will O'Hara's front legs be able to keep him in it? James could be in for a massive anchor leg. Russell ran 4:07 last year at this meet after running close to the same time as James at states while KJ's old teammate Belfatto ran 4:11 after running 4:17ish at states. When you are out there chasing, good things can happen.
That being said, there will be four other PA teams out for some revenge on Friday night as the state is only DT West away from the top 6 and all the sub 10:30 teams lining up for this race. Stoga will be out for revenge after their silver medal, while GFS and St. Joe's Prep will look for big anchor legs from Dahl and Daly (4:15ish anchor last time out). Malvern Prep is my sleeper pick for the top PA spot. Despite doubling Wills and McDevitt at states, they still hung tough and were right there in the top group for a lot of the race. If McDevitt is feeling good, he could throw down a 4:15 or faster split and help get Malvern Prep a surprise top finish.
Oh man this is going to be good. PA has always found a way to put good DMRs on the track, dominating at Penn and producing a variety of All-American squads at Indoor Nationals. Cardinal O'Hara have been the kings of that recently. They won nationals a year ago in a near national record and that came a year after an All-American run in 2012. They owned the state record before they broke it this past year and they might have the most indoor all-americans of any school in the state.
But this is their first state title team in recent years and their star anchor Kevin James will be running on fresh legs this go round. But will O'Hara's front legs be able to keep him in it? James could be in for a massive anchor leg. Russell ran 4:07 last year at this meet after running close to the same time as James at states while KJ's old teammate Belfatto ran 4:11 after running 4:17ish at states. When you are out there chasing, good things can happen.
That being said, there will be four other PA teams out for some revenge on Friday night as the state is only DT West away from the top 6 and all the sub 10:30 teams lining up for this race. Stoga will be out for revenge after their silver medal, while GFS and St. Joe's Prep will look for big anchor legs from Dahl and Daly (4:15ish anchor last time out). Malvern Prep is my sleeper pick for the top PA spot. Despite doubling Wills and McDevitt at states, they still hung tough and were right there in the top group for a lot of the race. If McDevitt is feeling good, he could throw down a 4:15 or faster split and help get Malvern Prep a surprise top finish.
Saturday 2:05 PM SMR
Cheltenham (national record 3:24.69, meet record 3:25.88)
The record chase is on. Think of it this way, they ran 1:28 (an average of 22.0) and 3:18 (an average of 49.5) this season and they have the best anchor leg in the state in John Lewis. If Lewis can come close to that 1:50 mark he ran at states, throw on 22.5-22.5-49.5-1:50.5 and you get to 3:25.0. It's going to be tight, but it's there, especially if Brissett ends up on 400m duty and goes crazy.
Saturday 3:00 PM EE Mile
Shinn
Friday 11:10 AM EE 2 Mile
Tidball
Friday 4:00 PM EE 4x800m
Abington
Friday 1:30 PM EE SMR
Radnor
The emerging elite races are always a fun opportunity to let some runners get national level experience and recognition after impressive seasons. Shinn will look to set the tone for an outdoor state title in the AA 1600m after his indoor medal performance in a loaded mile. Jack Tidball is coming off an excellent series of 3ks and now looking to cap off the year with a strong showing in the 2 mile. Abington was one of my sleeper teams for this upcoming outdoor season so it will be fun to see them this weekend in both the 4x4 and the 4x8. Might be a preview of a compelling double this spring. As for Radnor, Holm and Kelly make for some nice back legs in a sleeper SMR team. We saw teams like HG Prep excel in this event in the past and Radnor may be next in line.
We should be hearing from our resident New Yorker Alex Fox on some updates for the New York kids at States and Nationals and, of course, a big NCAA preview is on the horizon from our crew of writers here at the train station.
Let's have some fun this weekend: it's pretty much my Christmas.
The emerging elite races are always a fun opportunity to let some runners get national level experience and recognition after impressive seasons. Shinn will look to set the tone for an outdoor state title in the AA 1600m after his indoor medal performance in a loaded mile. Jack Tidball is coming off an excellent series of 3ks and now looking to cap off the year with a strong showing in the 2 mile. Abington was one of my sleeper teams for this upcoming outdoor season so it will be fun to see them this weekend in both the 4x4 and the 4x8. Might be a preview of a compelling double this spring. As for Radnor, Holm and Kelly make for some nice back legs in a sleeper SMR team. We saw teams like HG Prep excel in this event in the past and Radnor may be next in line.
We should be hearing from our resident New Yorker Alex Fox on some updates for the New York kids at States and Nationals and, of course, a big NCAA preview is on the horizon from our crew of writers here at the train station.
Let's have some fun this weekend: it's pretty much my Christmas.
Etrain, terrific preview but no predictions? RJJL, where you at?
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