Boys' Mile Run Preview
Two weeks ago, Noah Affolder redeemed himself in a big way at the Millrose Games. A year after easing up before the finish line, costing him the junior boys' mile title at the prestigious meet, Affolder won that Millrose mile in a big way, running an all-time Pennsylvania state record of 4:07.24.
Now Affolder, a Carlisle senior, who transferred from New York over the summer, will look to add a state title on the track. But more important to him, he wants to help his Carlisle squad to a state title that slipped out of their grasp in cross country. Affolder is entered in the mile and the 800. Carlisle also has a 4x8 and DMR entered. Even if he runs the 4x8, Affolder will enter the mile as the heavy favorite (especially after Josh Hoey opted to run just the 800), as he looks for the win and crucial team points.
The second seed in the boys' mile is Noah's brother, Sam Affolder. Sam was fifth at the Millrose Games, running 4:13.45. Expect the brothers to help each other out en route to what they hope is a 1-2 finish. While eyes will be on those two, there are plenty of others looking to spoil Carlisle's party. Who could be the ones that could pull off a big upset?
Winchester Thurston's Tristan Forsythe might be a good bet. Forsythe finished eighth in the Millrose mile in 4:17.13. He has the speed and experience on the big stage and should be ready for a big race on Saturday. He took seventh in the mile from the slow heat last year.
LaSalle's Evan Addison is having a monster winter. Addison won at Ocean Breeze a few weeks ago in a 4:19.25 and showed some good fitness solo-ing a strong 1200 DMR leg at MOCs on Saturday. Expect the junior to try and mix it up with the leaders.
West Chester's Brandon Hontz, Owen J. Roberts' Liam Conway, and Haverford's James Abrahams have all run in the 4:23 range this season. Hontz picked up a notable win at the Carnival in the event and has steadily improved this winter. These three are definite contenders for medals. Kiski Area's Eric Kennedy ran a strong 4:23.14 for 1600 meters at SPIRE a few weeks ago and has run 4:17 outdoors.
Others to watch for are Cumberland Valley's Josh Higgins, South Fayette's Sam Snodgrass, and Springfield (Delco)'s Joe Cardie in a deep mile field.
Boys' Mile Entries:
Event 8 Boys 1 Mile Run (20)
===============================================================================
State Meet: 4:09.56 3/1/2015 Sam Ritz, Germantown Acad
Name Year School
===============================================================================
1 Abrahams, James 12 Haverford Twp
2 Addison, Evan 11 LaSalle Coll
3 Affolder, Noah 12 Carlisle
4 Affolder, Sam 10 Carlisle
5 Boyd, Jarrett 12 Freedom Area
6 Brown, Sean 12 Roman Cathol
7 Cardie, Joseph 12 Springfield Delc
8 Conway, Liam 11 O J Roberts
9 Dineen, Kevin 12 Holy Ghost Prep
10 Forsythe, Tristan 11 Winchester Thur
11 Higgins, Josh 12 Cumberland Val
12 Hontz, Brandon 12 W C Rustin
13 Kennedy, Eric 12 Kiski Area
14 Lennon, Callahan 12 Holy Ghost Prep
15 Matsumura, Thomas 11 Sthrn Lehigh
16 Mihalak, Colin 12 Coatesville
17 O'Toole, Brendan 11 North Penn
18 Owori, Sam 10 Seneca Valley
19 Schulte, Jacob 12 Bishop McCort
20 Snodgrass, Sam 11 South Fayette