Paul Short Run - HS Brown Race Recap
The stage was set for a fast day and the contenders didn't disappoint.
The weather was sunny and low-70s, a departure from the past few weeks of hot weather in Pennsylvania. The course, hardened due to a lack of rain, was flat and fast as ever. And the field assembled would ensure a quick pace.
Ultimately, it was McDonogh's Dalton Hengst, a Pennsylvania resident who attends school in Maryland, that pulled away in the final kilometer to earn the win in 14:57. It's Hengst's first time under 15 minutes in his career and just two seconds off Colin Abert's (Easton) meet record from 2014.
Neshaminy's Rusty Kujdych (PA#1) just missed that 15 minute barrier, placing second in 15:01. While he said it was so close he could taste it, Kujdych was pleased with the effort and competitive race with Hengst. Kujdych will have two more shots to chase sub-15 on Lehigh's course with the SOL National Conference Championships and the District 1 Championships.
OJR's Liam Conway turned in another strong performance, showing he can contend for the district and state title this season. Conway dropped a huge PR of 15:08 to take third. Bishop Shanahan's Josh Hoey proved he will be a serious contender this fall in XC. Hoey, who was third at states two years ago, ran a PR of 15:16 (five seconds faster than his district race from 2015) to place fourth.
Hengst, Kujdych, Conway, and Hoey made up a lead pack that formed just after the mile. The four stayed together through about two miles, when things opened up a bit.
Phoenixville's Carlos Shultz ran well, taking sixth in 15:21, while Wallenpaupack's Tyler Wirth took sixth in 15:24, both massive PRs for those two.
The team race went to PA#9 Spring Ford, which used 34-second gap through its top 5 and a 16:05 average for the win. Jacob McKenna (19th in 15:48) and Zachary Smith (25th in 15:57) led the way for the Rams, who avenged a defeat by conference foe Boyertown from last week's Foundation Invitational.
Salesianum School (DE) took second with 179 points, just three of the winners. PA#6 Downingtown West made their team 5K debut in strong fashion, placing third with 216 points. Tyler Rollins' 11th place finish in 15:37 led the way for the Whippets. PA#5 Boyertown placed fourth with 249 points, while Centerville (OH) was fifth. Owen J. Roberts continues to make an impression, placing sixth as a team.