You Might Have Missed It, But ....

By train, e

So a lot has happened since I did my weekend recap and released my updated state performance list projections. It's kind of unfortunate actually because I feel pretty far behind the times already. My role as the people's champion is in question. I don't even know what that means, but it's how I feel.

So I'm going to try and do a super efficient recap of what you may have missed since the weekend recap. Keep your fingers crossed I don't get carried away.

Youngstown

Dom Peretta is really fast. Ran a sick 1:54.14 to win the slower section of the 800 (how'd he end up there?) and claim PA #1 honors. I He's running another 800 next weekend, so he certainly seems more focused on this event than the mile. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed he tries the mile because I think that could be an unreal race (and the 800 will be loaded either way you gotta think). But if he goes fresh 800, can you make him anything but the favorite?

Meanwhile, with competition, Mike Kolor and Nick Wagner each ran very quick 1:55s. That puts them into the fast heat at states (although Kolor was already there) and reaffirms their contender status. Wagner is one of the top returners from last year's state meet and ran 1:53 last summer as a rising junior. Kolor meanwhile will have some decisions. He ran this 1:55 on the double off a 1:54 split on the 4x8 (where Seneca Valley ran a sick 8:11 to tentatively punch their ticket to states). He's already hinted he might lean 800 over mile this year indoors and, considering the 4x8, maybe he leans towards doing the relay+the 8. He's running Boston this weekend so we will see how he bolsters his mile seed against top competition. Last two years, PA's top finisher in this meet has run 4:11 and 4:10 so, if he catches a good ride, it's not crazy to imagine Kolor around 4:15 or faster.

Other notes: Ryan Thrush with a sick 400 to win, Logan Caruso gets another W with a big gold (still probably wants another chance at a fast time) and just to restablish, Seneca Valley ran 8:11 in the 4x8. That's a real solid run. Could they swing a DMR before the season ends? How many TSTCA meets are left these days? 

TFCAofGP #6

The postponed meet at Glenn Mills didn't get a huge turn out, but what would you expect on a Tuesday night at Glenn Mills track no less. Still, some dudes managed nice times/performances. The big takeaway is Upper Dublin jumping into the 4x8 mix, running well under 8:20 in the relay (I'm assuming without their best 400 guy McMullen). That puts them just ahead of CRN and firmly in the bubble spot for states. They will 100% need to run it again, but UD is having themselves a strong year in the mid distance relays. Dink and Ames now how to coach mid distance guys so I could see this team challenging like 8:12ish at MoC or something. Of course I'm incredibly biased seeing as I attended Upper Dublin for the first (and last) 4 years of my high school career. But other than that ...

Wolfgang Schanbacher of Cheltenham and Noah Falasco of Upper Merion both clocked strong mile wins (more suburban one American love), Upper Darby cut some nice time off their 4x8 in 8:28 and Abington continues to just run fast in the 4x8 no matter where they are or what the meet is. This time it was an 8:20 for silver.

Slippery Rock

Bryce Descavisch (or someone running unattached with a remarkably similar name) tripled in the mile, 800 and 3k winning all three events. This is almost the exact same triple we saw out of Nick Wolk at this venue (times and golds) and Wolk is now a sub 4:30 miler. Watch out for Bryce if he gets in the right race (SC Invite maybe?). Shout out to Central Cambria.

Varsity Classic

A team by the name of Downingtown West finally put their cards on the table, unleashing a sick DMR on the state. The quad ran 10:16 with reported splits of about 3:08-51-2:00-4:15 (+/- a second). Looks like the order was Josh Hoey, Alleyne, Barton, Jax Hoey. Not too shabby, especially considering they ended up getting the victory (looks like Jaxson threw down a big kick for the W). This puts them about even with where Henderson was this time two years ago before they ran the second fastest DMR Pa has ever seen indoors (behind O'Hara's absurd performance which still mesmerizes me) and won Penn Relays. That's a good place to be right now and, if the team is even reasonably fresh, they have catapulted themselves comfortably into state title favorite position. I think it's going to be very hard to beat Jax on the anchor leg (similar to KJ last year) and the rest of his relay likely can keep it close against the other top teams. That being said, I still think it's only a 50-50 shot they contest this relay (4x2 and 4x4 sandwich the DMR, individual points a plenty, etc) and I'm not ready to count out GFS in this one. 

Speaking of Henderson (scroll up like 5 sentences, we were indeed talking about them), they ran a sick DMR time of their own, clocking a 10:36 and putting themselves into the top 5 or so relays in the state. Apparently it's a team of all underclassmen, including sophomore Spencer Smucker, who anchored the team around 4:27. Quietly the team that already has 3 state championships in the event is lurking once again. I feel like this team could do something along the lines of Conestoga a year ago if things click and that's not too shabby company.

HGP also improved on their DMR time with a 10:44, Sappey ran 4:27 and Smucker doubled back for 4:30 (assuming I've got the order right). PJ Murray ran a very nice 3200 as well, running around 9:45. 

And yes, Dominic Hockenbury was also invoked on Monday night. The Lake Lehman Senior and 4 time state champ, made his bid for PA #1 status, crushing the field in 9:12, shortly after Brophy stole PA #1 honors in the 3k. Considering Hock was solo (word is he lapped everybody, shout out to our commenters) and this was a full 3200, you could make a pretty good argument that Hock's mark is actually more impressive than Brophy's was, but I also feel that Hock may be a more natural time trailer than Jake so who knows.

All I know is, if these two face off at states it could be unreal. Imagine Dom setting a suicide pace to break Brophy and watching the two dual down towards the meet record. You think Hock has gotten over getting outkicked last year? I doubt it. Gotta imagine the kid is ready to run something fierce this year and that could make for an all-time type race. Throw Dahl in there (unlikely I think, but worth noting) and break out star Jeff Kirshenbaum and we are heading towards the fastest top 4 finishers in a while (2013 debatably I suppose, but not quite as deep that year). 

Coming Up

We got the Carnival this weekend (preview below) at Lehigh. In case you missed it, I came up with a really silly title for the post. If anyone understands the full title, you have my utmost respect.

We got Mike Kolor representing PA in Boston. Gonna be sick and I'm thinking we could see a huge breakthrough. Don't think he's lost since December and has made a habit of running 4:18/1:55. If he keeps his head under the bright lights, I think Kolor makes a big statement.

We got There's going to be a big meet at Spire in Ohio prominently featuring some big PA studs (again shout out to our commenters). I heard talk of a performance list. If somebody has a link or something, feel free to throw it up and spread the word on the action. 

We got Millrose Games are coming up in two weeks and PA will be nicely represented. And hey, yours truly will also be there. Live and in person! I'll actually probably be there for the first event as my girlfriend's sister is racing it so from 12 o'clock on, if you need me, I'll be at the Armory. If you're there and want to talk running, feel free to get in touch. I'm hoping to preview the action on all levels (high school, pro and maybe Zat will help in the NCAA realm) next week so be on the look out for that.

We got And the Olympics may not be til this summer, but the first big Olympic trials race is coming up this Saturday. I can't say for sure, but my guess is it will be on USATF.tv similar to the Armory Invite and US XC Champs (shout out to Craig Lutz on the dub). I'm hoping to put together a preview (although I don't know much, I'm super excited for the event). Apparently, Galen Rupp is going to run, but the odds on him finishing are a bit less certain. I'll discuss more if I get the chance, but if you like people running at a moderate pace for a long time, you won't want to miss this!

And yes the we got's were all intentional. I'm trying to be funny, it's just not necessarily one of my stronger attributes. 

Hope you guys appreciated the shout outs.

Sincerely yours,

Train