Photo by Bill Shearn
Burdette Classic - Boys' Meet Preview
SPRINTS/HURDLES
Kyle Garland (above) returns to the track Wednesday. The Germantown Academy senior and Georgia recruit will look for a big day in the 60 meter hurdles. He's already PR'd twice this season in the 55 meter hurdles, running 7.25 (US#1) a few weeks ago. Now he'll set his sights on the 60 meter hurdle national leading time, which is 8.22 (Garland's PR is 7.89).
The rest of the hurdle field is very strong after Garland. Nasan Robbins of Pennsbury has been on a tear to open up his season. he went 8.28 this past weekend at Lehigh, a PA#1 and US#3, so look for him to have a strong race. Chester's James Jackson, Easton's Katrell Thompson, Spring Ford's Stephen Chapman, and Coatesville's Jared Elters are also in the field.
In the 60 meters, we should get a great race between some big names. Norristown's Austin Montgomery (PA#3 60m) will race Springfield (Delco)'s Philip Shovlin (PA#6 55m) in what should be a good one.
The 200 meters will also be very competitive as PA#2 Romaine Rhoden of Lower Merion will battle Garland, who can do everything, and Central Bucks South's Michael Cannon Jr. Armonte Paulk of Hill-Freedman is at PA#3 in the 400 meters. He'll take on Malachi Langley of Chester in what should be an interesting race for the two-lapper.
DISTANCE
Avery Lederer, who was apart of a solid Penncrest DMR a few weeks ago, returns to the track, leading the milers into Burdette. Wissahickon's Ben Hoyer and Boyertown's Christian McComb are also in the field. The 800 meters should be very competitive, featuring Hudson Delisle at the top. Delisle, who was third in the 800 meters at both indoor and outdoor states last year, will be challenged by Chester's Lamaj Curry and Pennridge's Matt Eissler.
In the 3000 meters, North Penn's Noah Demis, currently PA#8. Cheltenham's Jason Cornelison will be going for the win in what should be a fairly wide open field for Wednesday.
FIELD
It's been a busy start to the season for West Chester Rustin's Charles Dever (above). The senior has progressed nicely over three weeks of competition, jumping 15-1, 15-3, and a PA#1 15-4 in consecutive weeks. He's back at it Wednesday for Burdette. He'll be on the hunt for win No. 4. William Tennent's Randy Showmaker should supply a good challenge, so keep an eye on the pole vault runway parallel to the backstretch.
While Kyle Garland is looking for a big time in the hurdles, he's also entered in the high jump, where he's US#1. Garland cleared 6-11 at The Armory on 12/16. Could he go for seven feet Wednesday? He jumped 6-10 at Burdette last year, so it will certainly be a possibly. Bangor Area's Anthony Jones looks like he'll be making his indoor debut Wednesday. He jumped 6-7 indoors, so he will look for a big effort.
Garland's also entered in the shot put, where he's PA#3. Easton's Elek Ferency (PA#9) and CB South's Kyle Chen (PA#10) will aim for the upset over the multi-talented Garland.
Few boys have had a better start to the winter than Ahmir Johnson of Wissahickon. Johnson jumped a PA#1/US#3 in the long jump, cleared a PA#5 in the high jump, and ran a PA#4 in the 60 meter hurdles all in a two week span.
Now he'll compete in the triple jump, where he was second at outdoor states last spring. He'll look to go after the state leading jump of 44-11 (Johnson's indoor career best is 46-7). Pennridge's Ryan Sattelle (PA#3) is also in the field looking for a big leap.