Nathan Henderson (JP McCaskey) / Photo by Howard Anderson
Boys' 3000 Meters Preview
It will be hard to match the drama and intensity of last year's 3000 meters at indoor states. A pair of seniors---CB East's Jake Brophy and Lake Lehman's Dom Hockenbury---battled to the line in a classic finish that ended with Brophy taking the win after a menacing kick.
We may not get that kind of finish this time around, but we should see a very competitive race in what looks to be a very open field with a number of contenders. There look to be about five entries in the 3K with legitimate claims to the state crown.
The top returner is JP McCaskey's Nathan Henderson. Henderson was an impressive third in this event last year. He was faster at the Carnival than he was a year ago by a few seconds, so that may indicate he's in better shape. Henderson was the runner-up in AAA at XC states to Noah Affolder. There's no Affolder in this race and Henderson would love to get that state title.
It won't come easy, though. Waynesburg Central's Ben Bumgarner looked very strong two weeks ago, running 9:16.14 over 3200 meters at SPIRE. Bumgarner won AA state crown in XC this past fall, and he'll look to add one for himself on the track.
Neshaminy's Rusty Kujdych is another contender. Kujdych led the early part of this race last year, but ended up 13th. He's been stronger this year, though, as evidenced by his XC season that included a PIAA District 1 AAA title. He's been under the radar for much of February, but Saturday could be a big day for the junior.
Besides Henderson, the only other returning medalist from this event last winter is Pleasant Valley's Seth Slavin. He was sixth last year and after a third place finish at the Carnival, has proven he has the fitness for an even better showing this year.
Souderton's Connor McMenamin won the 3K at the MOCs on Saturday. It'll be a quick turnaround for the senior Bucknell recruit. He ran 8:48 last week, and he can't be counted out in this field. He's a savvy racer looking for the biggest win of his career. Another one to watch is Ephrata's Zach Lefever. he ran 8:51 to take second to Henderson at the Carnival. He's another senior in search of a signature win and he has the talent to possibly make that happen Saturday.
Butler's Noah Beveridge has looked strong all season. He ran 8:56 in January. His western PA counterpart, Aaron Pfeil of South Fayette won this past weekend at TSTCAs and he will likely put himself among the leaders.
Boys' 3000m Entries:
Event 16 Boys 3000 Meter Run (12)
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State Meet: 8:22.65 2/25/2006 Craig Miller, Manheim Twp.
Name Year School
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1 Beveridge, Noah 11 Butler
2 Bumgarner, Ben 12 Waynesburg Cent
3 Griffen, Will 12 Cheltenham
4 Henderson, Nathan 12 J.P. McCaskey
5 Kujdych, Rusty 11 Neshaminy
6 Lederer, Avery 11 Penncrest
7 Lefever, Zach 12 Ephrata
8 McMenamin, Connor 12 Souderton
9 Pfeil, Aaron 12 South Fayette
10 Rahill, Sean 11 William Tennent
11 Scarpill, Matthew 12 CB South
12 Slavin, Seth 12 Pleasant Valley