AAA Boys' 300-meter hurdles
Can anyone stop Ayden Owens (North Allegheny) in the 300 hurdles? (Photo by Phil Grove)
North Allegheny's Ayden Owens enters states as the only sub-38 300-meter hurdler and a strong favorite for the state crown. Owens, a sophomore, had a quick exit from states last year as a frosh and he'll be looking to shake off that memory in a big way this weekend.
The question is, who can challenge Owens? There are some strong competitors below him, but no clear "next in line" should Owens slip up. Souderton's Stephen Scott was the winner in a wide-open District 1 final and he could be it. But Springfield (Delco)'s Ache Hall, Penn Wood's Sekou Kanneh, and William Tennent's Stephen Testa are other District 1 qualifiers that with the right race can come away with the glory.
Solanco's Billy Cooney, one of the high hurdles favorites, will be up there as well after taking the District 3 title over the weekend. Patrick Kimball of Mount Lebanon ran 39.06 to take second at District 7 to Owens and he'll be up there, too.