AAA Boys' 110-meter hurdles
Solanco's Billy Cooney (fourth from left) is the lone returnee from last year's high hurdles final (Photo by Abby Huber)
It's not easy picking a favorite in the AAA high hurdles. So we won't. Instead, we'll just prepare for what should be a great race for the crown here. We'll be without the indoor hurdles champion in Upper Darby's Mason Weh (he was seventh last year in the event), but there is one other returnee from that final in 2015.
Solanco's Billy Cooney took fifth in a senior-laden field last year. That experience could be key in a race where execution will be paramount. Cooney won in the rain at District 3 and seems primed for a big race this weekend.
The top qualifier is also the PA#2, Jace Roundtree of Kiski. Roundtree blasted a 14.19 at Butler earlier this season and remains undefeated on the season. He ran 14.26 to win District 7. Mount Lebanon's Patrick Kimball was second to Roundtree at D7 and could supply a good threat with the right race.
The PA#1 is Souderton's Colin Harker and he can't be counted out after a 14.16 early in the season. He was second in District 1 to the breakthrough Sekou Kanneh of Penn Wood, who posted a 14.74 to take that win.
There's no shortage of talent in this field, though. Milton hershey's Nasir Salahudin was a surprise runner-up to Weh at indoor states. He's seeded 15th headed into states, but a prime candidate to move up. Williamsport's Conner Oldt, Carlisle's Ali Brown, and Manheim Township's Taraje Whitfield could all sneak in with high finishes. With no clear favorite, this one's up for grabs!