The Relays are Ramping Up!: Recapping Va Showcase, NB Games, and more

Hello everybody! In our last installment of recaps, we took a look at what events were seeing the biggest changes at the state level. Some of the big takeaways were the that the DMR and 4x8 were taking longer to heat up at the front than years past. Well, with two of the biggest meets of the year for the east coast taking place, we finally saw some results that gave PA a better idea of what to expect come states. Without further ado, lets jump right back into it!

VA Showcase:

Though the PA contingent down at Liberty University was small, those who competed dropped some big times. The two main programs responsible for shaking up the state rankings were Ephrata and Haverford Township. For Haverford, they dropped PA #2 10:39 DMR, finishing 5th in the invitational race. The only team to have run faster so far this season is LaSalle (10:38.05 converted from Lehigh's track). I discussed in my last post how I felt that despite the multiple run throughs of a 4x8 throughout this season, I was waiting for this team to finally unleash a stacked DMR given all their pieces. While I don't know the exact legs on this relay, my guess would be some assortment of Tomov, Campbell, and Peetros ran the relay legs. I do think that this route is Haverford's best choice for gold, and I think an anchor like Tomov has both the talent and experience to lead this team to a state title. Peetros went on to double back in the mile, running 4:32.84. As of right now, that time has Peetros into the state field, but I'll be interested to see if a.) that time holds, and b.) if the coaches at Haverford bother even tiring his legs out before the DMR. Regardless, it was another weekend, another great performance for the boys from Haverford. 

As mentioned, it was more than just Haverford Township in Virginia this weekend. Ephrata dropped not one, but two PA #1's from two different guys! Tyler Shue went out and hung with the region's best, running 4:20 to claim the top spot amongst PA boy milers right now. I spent some time talking about how I thought it might be difficult for Shue to replicate his top 2 finish in the 800 last year. Well, the main reason for that might be because he doesn't run it! While I do think Shue is still an 800 runner, the fact that its almost February and his 4:20 is still PA #1 tells me that this mile field is looking weak up front. As of right now, a state gold for Shue is looking a lot easier in the mile rather than clashing with experienced veterans in Eissler and Hoey down in the 800.

Not to be forgotten about though, was Andrew Foster's electric 9:31 in the 3200! This converts to right around sub 8:50, giving him the new fastest time in PA over Brayden Harris. While this is an incredible time, I'm not ready to start talking about him as a favorite. I know that's unfair because I've thrown Harris in the mix, but truthfully, I'm still waiting for the big guns out west to debut and throw down some quick times in this event. Nonetheless, this was still an incredible breakthrough performance for Foster who now has the possibility to contend for a top five finish come states.

New Balance Games:

Another big time relay we saw this weekend was Penncrest's PA #2 8:12 4x8. They came away with a big win, in what I would call a pretty surprising fashion. I spoke briefly on this team's potential earlier in the season because of how balanced of a team they are, with no big time studs. Well, consistency was key in this one, with the reported splits being 2:03-2:06-1:58-2:03. While I can't say with any guarantee who ran what split, it was certainly an interesting move to not only have the fastest split come from the 3rd leg, but have that fastest split be by five seconds. It would be easy to say that this formula won't win them a state championship, but if this is how the Penncrest coaches feel the relay runs its best, then maybe this unorthodox approach can carry this relatively inexperienced Penncrest squad to a high placing medal at states. 

If it weren't for Tyler Wirth's own big mile up here in NY, then I'd be talking about how Shue could cruise to gold in the mile at states. Fans finally got a good glimpse at primetime Tyler Wirth, as he returned to top form with a 4:21 in a pretty loaded field. I think a Wirth-Shue battle could really elevate the competitiveness of the mile, and with both guys vying for their first state gold, it would make for a really exciting race. Wirth is often labeled as having the best range of any runner in PA, but is often overlooked as being an all-time great because his lack of championships. Could a state gold finally cement the 1:56/4:14/15:24 stud as an all-time great?

At this same meet last year, the Seneca Valley boys ran a PA #1 DMR, running well under 10:30. This time around, they opted to run some open events, with Owori and Ketler both racing in the aforementioned mile field. While neither stud dropped a jaw-dropping time, having both guys under 4:30 is just as encouraging for their DMR aspirations. 

Speaking of the DMR, Jenkintown threw their name in the mix, with a 10:55, notably off of a 4:27 anchor from Jack Miller. The DMR-3000 double is nearly impossible, so my guess is this was just a gauge of what the team could run. 

Bears High School Invitational:

The two big freshmen names in the mile continue to drop time, as Zachary Brill runs 4:38, and Alex Kane run 4:40. 

Tyler Clifford solo's a 9:11 3k, winning by over 30 seconds as he looks to inch closer and closer to that 12 man field. 

TFCAofGP Meet #5:

Jack Balick won the Divison I 800 by five seconds, running 2:01.97 on Lehigh's track alone. The flat track conversion puts him just shy of 2 flat, meaning he is dangerously close to hitting that SQS.

With just about a month to go until states, I'm very excited for some more Pittsburghers to jump into the mix as our final state qualifying pictures begin to take shape!

Stay Happy, Stay Healthy

-The RunningHub