Hot Up in D6

By etrain11

The District 6 Championships has morphed into something of a glorified Altoona vs State College dual meet and with both squads once again poised for an excellent meet, it should be another intense battle. Last year SC was able to win the 4x8 even without their star anchor Will Cather and this year they have the depth to possibly do it again. SC has a variety of 2 flat types or faster led by Alex Milligan and Nick Feffer who have recently clocked 1:57 and 1:58 in the open. With Delergis, Heatwole, Wing and young Feffer there is depth here to make some substitutions. The question becomes can they still beat Altoona without their best team?

Altoona boasts a pair of studs in 1:56 man Brad Foust and 1:57 man Brett George plus Stroh and Uliano with some other nice pieces running B relays most of the year. Altoona appears to me to be a team that wants to focus on the 4x8 at states which means they likely won't be taking any chances here at districts. I'd expect a full on A squad vs A squad type match up here and hopefully Mifflin County and keep their nose in it and chase an SQS as well.

From here the races will mainly be battles between tired and doubling legs. We should see a solid Milligan v Foust rematch, hopefully resulting in a finish as exciting as what we saw in cross. Feffer and George should square off for the open 8 gold although we may see Foust and Milligan throwing their hand in the ring here as well, depending on how much their teams want them to double/triple/quadruple right before states. 

Some of the mistake intriguing drama for these events may actually come after all the results have been tabulated as we wait to see who will scratch to focus on individuals and who will opt to try the doubles at Ship.

The other drama should unfold in the 3200m where SC's Matt Beyerle goes for the title, flanked by Stroh and Sunderland from Altoona but possibly also challenged by Darien Knudsen from Mifflin who missed the XC season but has returned to the track at times, hoping to be prepared to defend his title this year. I'm not sure of his health status, but if he's in the race, he's a dangerous sleeper. 

Owen Wing, who came on strong during XC could be a sleeper pick in a variety of events, especially a 3200m that may have lots of busy legs involved. Keenan Walker from Mifflin County is also a strong pick to make noise.

Ultimately, I think SC is going to have its way at this meet and I'm predicting wins for the 4x8, Milligan and Beyerle. 800 is a real toss up depending on how George and Feffer choose to double (George has run some strong 16s this year and may try both distance events). I'm not sure anyone is going to be able to pull off the Cather like 16-8 double this year so that 8 should go to the man with freshest wheels.

Let me know what you think!