5 Sentences or Less

So there’s already some recap style comments floating around the blog, but I figured I’d add in a few thoughts of my own. There were plenty of meets to cover so I’ve tried to limit it to five sentences per meet to keep this post a manageable list for all you loyal readers still hanging around. Keep in mind one post down gives you the current indoor state qualifying standings for reference along with a few other comments tossed in about some overarching thoughts.

State College Invite

Indiana Area is an intriguing team long term (won the 4x8 at this meet and did well at TSTCA). They were quite strong during XC and have historically dropped some nice 4x8 squads in the past. I’m not sure we will see a big time from them indoors, but I could definitely see them making noise by the spring. State College could be another DMR sleeper after dropping two sub 4:40 miles and owning the top spots of the open 800.

Glen Mills

Dylan Servis is looking excellent through the first few meets. I’m hoping for big things out of Twin Valley when they catch the right week and stack their DMR accordingly. Luke Narbus of Penncrest, just a soph, took 3^rd in the 800 and could be a deep sleeper for late in the year as Penncrest tries to make a push to states in the 4x8.

CSU

My gut says we see Kyle Burke in a Lehigh meet in the mile before the season is over. He can get the SQG in the right race after winning big in a sub 4:40 time at this meet. Ryan Curnew of Pottsgrove was very impressive with a 2:03.80. Looks like this may be an undersized track? That makes the times even more impressive.

Douglas W. Wesner Memorial Invitational (at Kutztown)

Brendan Miller is legit. A Miller-Kujdych match up looks fun as I think Miller could get pulled to a heck of a time in the 3k. I’m all in on this Spring Ford team after McKenna (9:12) and Smith (4:34) both run excellent races. Don’t sleep on the state champs from Wyomissing: they have big potential in the DMR as Ben Kuhn continues to excel (4:32 for second to Miller). Manheim Township another longshot DMR squad with high upside on the right track in the right race.

TFCAofGP #6

Matt Maiale and Saabir Yasin-Spann are two names that haven’t grabbed headlines, but have big time range. They were 1-2 at 800 in this one, but can make noise up to 3k. Really feeling big things from Boyertown before this season is over. Pennsbury is, unsurprisingly, quite good. I think they will win the 4x8 at states.

TSTCA #3 (i.e. 1)

We need more Western meets-we are just beginning to scratch the surface of their potential! I like the idea of Sam Snodgrass in a 3k (he is now a sub 9 guy), but wonder if he will ditch the mile completely for a fresh run at the long distance come states. Zach Ehling has a 1:56 PR outdoors and has already picked up some big indoor marks including this latest 2:01 run-by the spring I think he’s a guy to watch for the state medals. Butler in the DMR is a fun development. Would be cool to see the 4 WPIAL powers (NA, Butler, Seneca Valley, Mount Lebanon) in the same DMR before things wrap up-throw in Winchester Thurston if you really want to see a show.

Youngstown

Although it doesn’t need to be said (so why waste a sentence on it Trian!), Tristan Forsythe is going to be a force in the mile. That 4:21 to roll to a victory was really impressive and reminds me of Mike Kolor (a 4:11-1:51 guy) who has the facility record. Greensburg Salem could fit into that DMR discussion from a meet earlier too after Mark  Brown drops a 4:30.00. Nate Price (District champ in XC against the best AA district) won his section of the 16 in 4:34 and could be even better in a 3k/32 if he gets the chance. Don’t forget the name Josh Lewis.

New Balance

The 4x8s of Abington, Penncrest and Penn Wood caught my attention the most. Each team had some stand out legs and my hunch says that these tight knit programs will push each other so that the gap between the fastest and slowest legs shrink by season’s end. Abington’s anchor ran 1:57.06 (that’s moving) and we also had a sub 2 split from Upper Darby’s SMR anchor so keep an eye out for those individuals.

In the mile, Kujdych really impressed me by not only dropping a fast time (4:19), but also really handling the kick at the end with a 61 second close. He’s a huge favorite in the 3k right now so is there any chance he runs the mile at states?

VA Showcase

What Bishop Shanahan does the rest of the season will be the focus of everyone’s attention. Jonah is showing a ton of speed through the first few meets and is set up to compete for the individual title at 800 (he may be the favorite if his brother isn’t it). Josh is obviously an all-time great. The DMR still has a lot of time left to drop off an already fast mark in the 10:20s. Yoquinto and Zink are great pieces for the speed legs.

New Balance (again)

Yes, I already did this one, but I had more than 5 sentences worth of stuff to say so pretend that I didn’t. Seneca Valley’s DMR was awesome in meet one and I’d very curious to know which guy ran which leg. A sub 4:20 anchor carry indicates they could have an individual contender in that event if they want it (but they have two relays to consider as well).

Michael Clark of Methacton had a very strong 600 (1:23) this weekend and could be a breakout candidate at 800. From the mile crop (PA had a deep contingent), I like Wirth getting some extra experience on the big stage (he ran 4:24) and would be interested to see how he handles either a 3k (considering his XC success) or an 800 (he’s split 1:53 before) as things move forward.

Yale

The Great Valley chatter came to a head as they produced a big time DMR (10:51) behind Brett Zatlin’s 3:10 lead off carry. GFS’s team has also been impressive lately as they have a 400 guy with wheels, an experienced guy in Riley and an improving distance stand out in Blaylock. Smucker drops an 8:51 3k and further complicates the mile picture (will he scratch or not?) while Dom Moser quietly impresses with a sub 9:20.