Chester County Indoor Championships

by Jarrett Felix

Entry List

Normally, there isn't much to be excited about on Tuesday nights during the indoor track season, but for our Chester County readers (and I'd imagine there are a lot of them), it's hard not to get caught up in the prideful battle on tap for Haverford College tomorrow. For the sake of this preview, here's my understanding of what the order of events will be at Gary Lutnick (distance events only) ....
- 800
- Mile
- 3k
- DMR
- 4x800m
Keep in mind those events are all scheduled like a Drizzy diss track (back to back).

Individually, we should see a variety of new debuts from some notable PA runners. Top 50 finishers from this past year's XC state championship in Carson Reuther and Andrew Maxwell will be in action, Reuther dipping his toes in the mile and Maxwell entering as the clear #1 seed in the 3,000m. Reuther leads a slew of other West Chester Henderson runners in this one including Jake Dunleavy, the 3 seed in the 800m. The District one bronze medalists have also entered a DMR and a 4x8, the later of which seems to be more of the team to watch, seeded at 8:35. And lastly, Luke Walton will take a break from coaching the Golden Stat Warriors to contest the mile for Henderson.

Although Henderson, who now races sparingly during the indoor season, is an intriguing draw for this meet, I think this will be a big night for Bishop Shanahan. The District 1 AA XC Champs (who finished 3rd at states) were largely overlooked down the stretch of the fall season while the AAA teams dominated the headlines, but now Shanahan has a chance to compete with the large schools once again and build off a strong start to the year. They raced a very small amount of their top runners at this past TFCAofGP meet in anticipation of this meet and will load up in both the 4x8 and the DMR in this one, hoping to better than 8:20 mark from Burdette. Chris Kolimago will contest the open 400m and relative unknown Bradly Ingraham is the #2 seed in the open 800m at 2:05 (despite the fact that he isn't even listed on their "A" 4x8). Their DMR, which appears to a "B" squad, features both Ettien brothers, who were each among their top runners in XC as well as Ingraham and Keegan Hughes.

Another team I'll be watching closely is Conestoga. They got a very quick opening mile out of PJ Murray and then another sick mark from Aidan Lake who broke out in a big way to clock 4:31 at the Armory himself. We haven't seen Murray since his first race and, although he isn't entered in any individual events, I'm hoping we may see him help drop a strong relay time (although they aren't entered with particularly fast seeds). There's potential here considering Lake's breakthrough and the #1 seed in the 800m, seeded at 2:03, is also from Stoga: Matt Roeder. Lake will be in the 3,000m hoping to pull the upset over Maxwell.

Even if we don't see an all out effort from Stoga in the relays, we are holding out hope for a couple other powers to put on a show. Spring Ford, the first team to miss states out of the loaded District One, has come out the gates with some fire this winter. They dropped an 11 flat DMR and have shined in some smaller meets around the philly area. They look like they will throw out the "A" team again at this meet and maybe challenge the 11 minute barrier. The only question is, which team will put together a relay that can give them the necessary push? DT East current is the next fastest seed at 11:08, but they will have a couple top names in events like the 400m and Mile.

The other team we have to keep an eye on is the defending state champions in cross country, Downingtown West. They have been out from under their usual microscope after enjoying a well-deserved break post-nationals, but now, with an 8:15 seed time in the 4x8, we might see the first flashes of their track potential. I'm not expecting to see the big names (none of their top 9 or so guys from XC were entered individually), but it wouldn't surprise if we saw a Barton/Sappey/Alsansky centered line-up in the relay. Regardless of who is on the track, they will have to shake the cobwebs off quickly or risk being beat by Shanahan, who has been fiery in the event so far this winter (and last spring when they ran 7:53).

Don't sleep on Perkiomen Valley at this meet as well. They made some nice strides towards the end of the season and have mixed it up well in both the 4x8 and the DMR thus far this winter. They have a nice scattering of individuals in the open events with potential to break into the mix in the 4x8 if things click. The name I'm watching from this team is Jeff Montgomery who had a strong XC season and will be building on that in this upcoming Mile (and maybe a relay appearance).

Speaking of the mile, I think it's the race of the night on paper. Rob Moser of West Chester East will go head to head with two time top 50 XC finisher Jack Carmody in a strong battle for the individual title. Both men should hopefully push each other under 4:40 with Jeff Montgomery of Perk Valley in the mix to challenge. The race also features Dylan McEvoy from Downingtown East and Brett Zatlin from Great Valley. Zatlin is fresh off a 2:05 win at the TFCAofGP meet and is lurking as a sleeper as a soph. As mentioned previously, Henderson's Carson Reuther is also entered in this event to help add to the depth.

It should be a fun meet, so much so that a couple etrain talent scouts might be in attendance .....

So bring the heat, boys. It's cold outside.