Isaac Elliott (Ambridge Area) / Photo by Phil Grove
Boys' 60 Meter Dash Preview
There's no shortage of talent in the 60 meters, and like last year, we're going to get a super close finish of the finals in this one.
We have the returning stat champ in Ade Jones-Roundtree of Imhotep. Then we also have the current PA#1, PA#2, and PA#3 and all come in with sub-6.9 second times.
The state leader is Isaac Elliott of Ambridge Area. Elliott ran a very fast 6.81 at the TSTCA Champs this past week to seize the top spot. He's been consistent ever since a breakthrough performance at the Kevin Dare Invitational.
Meadville's Journey Brown is PA#2. The Penn State running back recruit ran 6.83 last week to take second to Elliott. He'll be looking to reverse his fortune against his western PA counterpart. Brown, too, has been consistently fast all season.
We can't forget about the reigning state champ in Jones-Roundtree. The senior won the Last Chance Meet and then took second at the Millrose Games. He seemed primed for a big race at the Meet of Champs this past weekend, but a false start derailed that opportunity. He'll be hungry to get back on the line and show he can hang with the top two in the state.
PA#3 is Downingtown East's Jeremy Jennings. Jennings won the Meet of Champs over Coateville's Terrance Laird (who we'll see in the 200 meters, not the 60). He clocked a 6.85 to sit at third in the state. The Temple running back recruit is just focusing on the 60 and 4x2 and would love to leave with a state title.
Imhotep's Kristian Marche and Dock Mennonite's Austin Kratz are a pair who have dropped fast 55 meter times this season and they should be among the guys up there near the favorites.
There are a number of others aiming for a big upset on Saturday. Penn Charter's Chris Tucker could be one to do it. He's run a number of 60 dashes in the 6.9 range and a big time drop could be in order for him. South Philadelphia's Gunell Vaughn-Jackson should be in the mix after a fourth place at MOCs.
A few others are sniffing the surface of breaking seven seconds and that's what it may take to get into this final. Harrisburg's Ronald Kent, Bonner & Prendie's Ethan Cook, Mastery Charter South's Merrill Chappell, Springfield (Delco)'s Philip Shovlin, LaSalle's Octavious Carter, and Norristown's Austin Montgomery are ones to keep a eye on.
Boys' 60m Entries:
Event 6 Boys 60 Meter Dash (24) Prelims
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State Meet: 6.80 3/6/2010 Alex Kenney, State College
Name Year School
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1 Brown, Journey 12 Meadville
2 Carter, Octavious 11 LaSalle Coll
3 Chappell, Merrill 12 Mastery Chtr Sou
4 Cook, Ethan 12 Bonner/Prendie
5 Elliott, Isaac 12 Ambridge
6 Ezi-Ashi, Dozie 12 Hickory
7 Gaye, Prince 12 Carlisle
8 Hebron, Savion 10 Neshaminy
9 Isabella, Paul 11 Hatboro Hors
10 Jennings, Jeremy 12 D-Town East
11 Jones-Roundtree, Ade 12 Imhotep
12 Kent, Ronald 11 Harrisburg
13 Kratz, Austin 11 Dock Mennonite
14 Marche, Kristian 11 Imhotep
15 Martin, Kamden 10 Canon-McMill
16 Montgomery, Austin 9 Norristown
17 Shovlin, Philip 11 Springfield Delc
18 Swift, D'Andre 12 St Joe Prep
19 Thomas, Mychael 12 Carlisle
20 Todd, Vincent 11 James Coughlin
21 Trower, Alex 11 Pittsburgh Cent
22 Tucker, Chris 12 Penn Charter
23 Vaughn-Jackson, Gunell 12 South Phila
24 Wright, Dante 12 Williamsport