Boys' Distance Preview
800 Meters
We know all about Ryan Thrush's talent and range. The Brookville senior took third in the 400 meters at indoor states and tried to come back shortly thereafter for the 800 meters, but didn't have his best race on short recovery. This weekend, Thrush will race the 800 fresh and it should be interesting to see how fast he can go. He ran 1:54.43 on SPIRE's flat 300 meter track earlier this season.
Michigan's Cameron Cooper and Virginia's Brandon McGorty are the favorites in what should be an exciting battle for the win. Penn Trafford's Nick Wagner, who took fourth at indoor states, is also in the field, looking to improve upon his season best of 1:55.14.
1 Mile
We won't see state record holder and state champ Noah Affolder in this field, but there's talent aplenty in the mile. Bishop Shanahan's Josh Hoey, who surprised the nation back in January when he upset DJ Principe on national TV at the New Balance Grand Prix to win the mile in 4:09.30. Now Hoey will return to the mile this weekend. Texas's Reed Brown (the Foot Locker national champ from XC) and McDonogh (MD)'s Dalton Hengst will be among his top competitors. Brown has run 4:06 this season and Hengst has gone 4:08.99.
2 Mile
This event is loaded and should be very exciting up front. Rhode Island's DJ Principe is in the field, but Carlisle's Noah Affolder will be looking to take him down. Tennessee's Brodey Hasty should be in the mix as well.
After focusing on relays at indoor states, it looks like Germantown Friends' Nick Dahl will go after some individual glory here. He's run a US#3 8:30.62 for 3000 meters this season and Dahl could surprise a number of competitors in the this field. Neshaminy's Rusty Kujdych, who took second at indoor states in 8:37.05 is also entered and will be shooting for a fast time.
5000 Meters
Waynesburg Central's Ben Bumgarner is the lone PA entry in the 5K. Last year we saw Lake Lehman's Dominic Hockenbury blast a 14:45.09 in the event and Bumgarner should be aiming for a quick time himself.