Winter Is Coming: Ursinus High School Open Meet Preview

Photo by Pat . onter

Boys' Preview

SPRINTS/HURDLES: Dock Mennonite's Austin Kratz returns to the track after a huge sophomore season. Kratz won a pair of state titles in AA outdoors and then had a great summer in AAU. Now a junior, Kratz is one of the state's premiere sprinters. He's entered in the 55 meters, the 200 meters, the 400 meters and the long jump and should be a factor, if not the winner in each.

Terrance Laird of Coatesville will be a tough one to beat in the 200 meters, though. The senior and Penn State-signee is one of the favorites in the state in the one lapper. He had a great start to his indoor campaign last year, but it was cut short due to injury. He's coming off a terrific summer in AAU.

In the 400, Kratz will be contested by Keegan Hughes of Bishop Shanahan and the Alleyne brothers (Nate and Ian). The Alleyne's transferred to Shanahan from Downingtown West this past summer. That Shanahan squad should also be very strong in the 4x200 relay, where they're the top seed

In the hurdles, we'll see some strong Delaware talent matchup with Germantown Academy's Kyle Garland and Susquehanna Township's Bobby Pressley. Garland, a talented multis athlete, will also contest the shot put and pole vault.

Photo by Patty Morgan

DISTANCE: The mile will feature a good race between Pennsbury's Jed Scratchard and Neumann Goretti's Kamil Jihad among others. In the 3000 meters, watch for Malvern Prep's Peter Borger, who's coming off a good fall in XC. In the 800 meters, the ones to watch are West Chester Rustin's Brandon Hontz and Shanahan's Logan Yoquinto.

FIELD: The aforementioned Garland will be one to watch in the shot and pole vault, as the junior looks to get some competition in as he strives for some postseason goals. Kennett's Xavier Feliciano should be strong in the pole vault.