Boys' Relays Preview
4x1 Mile
Cardinal O'Hara is the lone PA entry here. They'll look to mix it up with New Jersey powers Colts Neck and Christian Brothers Academy. MA's Wellesley should be strong in the this race as well.
4x200 Meter Relay
Coatesville will look for redemption in the short relay. They were DQ'ed at indoor states for a lane violation, wiping away what could have been a state title. The Terrance Laird-led squad is talented and with Laird on the opening leg, they could make some noise as the only PA entry here.
4x400 Meter Relay
Three of the state's top four relays are entered in this event. The state champions from Bishop Shanahan will return, looking to build off their PA#1 3:21.80 from the state meet. Led by Nate Alleyne, they could be a force on the national scene this weekend.
The upstarts from Council Rock South are also in the field. South took second to Shanahan at states in a PA#2 3:22.51. PA#4 Abington will look to mix it up with those squads this weekend as well.
4x800 Meter Relay
Despite being just off the state record at indoor states, Carlisle will opt for other events this weekend and not go after that mark in the 4x800. Germantown Friends is also entered the 4x8, but notably absent from the list of athletes on that relay is Nick Dahl, who will go after the 2 mile.
That could open the door for State College, which is ranked sixth in the nation. Look for the Little Lions to contend for the win this weekend.
Sprint Medley Relay
Bishop Shanahan will have a busy day around the track at NBNI. Look for the US#9s to contend in the SMR. They ran 3:35.06 back in January at the New Balance Games at The Armory. They're familiar with the track and be on the hunt for a drop come this weekend.
Distance Medley Relay
Carlisle ran a nation-leading DMR at last week's state meet, clocking a 10:13.12 for a runaway win. This came in the midst of a busy day for many members of that relay. The Affolder brothers and Isaac Kole were both apart of the winning 4x800 earlier in the day. Noah also ran the mile and the 800, while Sam ran part of the mile before dropping out. So the quartet was really tired headed into the DMR late in the meet.
Noah has already run 11 second faster than his 1600 split from the DMR and Sam has posted a 4:13 mile. Add in strong splits from Isaac Kole on the 800 leg and Jared Griffie on the 400 leg and The Herd could be looking at taking down the 17-year-old national record in the event, which is 9:59.94 by Gloucester (MA). Keep an eye out for that this weekend. (Also note that the PA state record is 10:00.57 by Cardinal O'Hara in 2014).
Germantown Friends (this time with Nick Dahl on the list of entries) is also in the field. They sit at US#4 and should be a factor as well near the front.