PIAA States Preview: Boys' Sprints/Hurdles

Photo by Howard Anderson

AAA Boys' 4x100m Relay Preview

The Terrance Laird-anchored Coatesville squad put on a show at the District 1 Championships. After a DQ at indoor states in the 4x200, this is a motivated bunch that will be hungry for a state crown at Ship. On their home track, the quartet dropped the season's lone sub-42 time with a tremendous 41.77. If they're in the mix on the final exchange, it's hard to bet against Laird.

Another hungry squad is the boys from Imhotep. They were Class AA champions last year, but they moved to AAA  this season. Even still, a state title is on the mind of this talented bunch. They ran 42.28 to take the District 12 title and will look to convert that into state gold this weekend.

The surprise squad of the season has been Greater Johnstown. The District 6 champs blasted a 42.29 to win the crown there and they just keep getting better this season. Look for them to mix it up this weekend with the favorites for sure.

Bishop Shanahan is a squad you have to keep an eye on. They're in the team title battle and will need these points. They were the indoor 4x200 meter relay champs took second to Coatesville at District 1. Can they reverse that result this weekend? Downingtown East was DQ'd last year in the 4x100 meter relay. Can they come back with a vengeance this time around?

Greater Latrobe, Bethel Park, Lower Merion, CB West, Susquehanna Township, and South Western are among the many teams in this field that could make some noise in the finals if they get there. Remember, it's all about handoffs, handoffs, handoffs.

Entries:

Event 705  Boys 4x100 Meter Relay AAA (27) Prelims
===============================================================================
 NFHS Record:  39.76  1998        , FtWrthWyattHS,TX                           
                      Wesley, Franklin, Clopton, Wesley                 
 PIAA Record:  41.14  1998        , Harrisburg 3                               
                      Rier, Henry, Arroyo, Totten                       
NFHS Hnr Rol:  41.20                                                           
               43.25  SQS
     School                                                  Seed relim Time
===============================================================================
  1  Coatesville 01                                         41.77  SQS   
  2  Imhotep Institute Charter 12                           42.28  SQS   
  3  Greater Johnstown 06                                   42.29  SQS   
  4  Bishop Shanahan 01                                     42.37  SQS   
  5  Downingtown East 01                                    42.59  SQS   
  6  Harry S Truman 01                                      42.59  SQS   
  7  Greater Latrobe 07                                     42.64  SQS   
  8  Bethel Park 07                                         42.64  SQS   
  9  Lower Merion 01                                        42.65  SQS   
 10  Central Bucks West 01                                  42.71  SQS   
 11  Susquehanna Township 03                                42.80  SQS   
 12  South Western 03                                       42.83  SQS   
 13  Central Bucks East 01                                  42.86  SQS   
 14  McDowell 10                                            42.89  SQS   
 15  Pocono Mountain West 11                                42.90  SQS   
 16  Norwin 07                                              42.94  SQS   
 17  Altoona Area 06                                        42.95  SQS   
 18  West Mifflin 07                                        42.98  SQS   
 19  Harrisburg 03                                          43.13  SQS   
 20  Gateway 07                                             43.17  SQS   
 21  Wilson Area 11                                         43.19  SQS   
 22  Roman Catholic 12                                      43.22  SQS   
 23  Central Dauphin East 03                                43.32        
 24  Wilson 03                                              43.32        
 25  James M. Coughlin 02                                   43.65        
 26  Williamsport Area 04                                   43.86        
 27  Punxsutawney Area 09                                   44.68