Boys' Distance Medley Relay Preview
We should see some good excitement in the boys' DMR later in the meet. We'll have a talented, but likely tired Carlisle team going up against a strong Germantown Friends squad that will look to improve upon its second place finish in the event last year.
Carlisle has made it known they are going for the team title on Saturday. The DMR will the crew's final event of the day, but some major pieces like Noah and Sam Affolder will be on their third or possibly fourth event of the day. A win will be a tall order, but this is also a team that is capable of breaking the national record in the event, so they'll be strong. When Carlisle won at Ursnius in 10:21, three out of the four members on that relay were on their third event of the meet.
Germantown Friends, meanwhile, is entered in just the 4x8 and DMR. Senior Nick Dahl would love to close out his prep career with a pair of wins. He'll likely be on the anchor leg and will ample time for rest and a 4:14 mile SB, he'll be tough to beat.
Cardinal O'Hara will be a team to watch. They were somewhat surprise winners in the event last year and they will be looking for a repeat performance. O'Hara ran 10:33.65 at MOCs last week for a PA#3. They're a team that can't be counted out in this race.
Central Bucks West was just off O'Hara in that MOCs race, running a PA#4 10:34.17. The Bucks were fifth here last year and look to have the team for another strong race. State College Area was sixth last year. They'll be going for the 4x8/DMR double like many teams in the field and should be in the mix.
West Chester Henderson sits at PA#5 after a strong showing at the Varsity Classic. They'll have a team likely anchored by Spencer Smucker that could make some noise. Council Rock North will be coming into the race fresh and should be strong. The AAA XC champs from the fall have a deep distance squad that will definitely be dangerous in this field. Lower Merion and LaSalle will also be looking for strong races and have a wealth of talent to get it done.
Boys' DMR Entries:
Event 20 Boys Distance Medley (12)
===============================================================================
State Meet: 10:15.89 3/1/2008 La Salle, La Salle College
P Donnelly, A Kent, B Ledder, D Lowry
School
===============================================================================
1 Cardinal O'Hara
2 Carlisle
3 Central Bucks West
4 Cheltenham
5 Council Rock North
6 Downingtown West
7 Germantown Friends School
8 LaSalle College High School
9 Lower Merion
10 State College Area High School
11 West Chester Henderson
12 West Chester Rustin