12 Pennsylvania Individuals & Relays Making National Noise Already


Kamil Jihad (Neumann Goretti) - 800 Meters

A lot has been building to this senior season for Jihad. As a sophomore, Jihad ran 1:52.23 at the PIAA State Championships in the 800 meters to take second in AA to the legendary Dom Perretta. Injuries hampered most of his junior year (though he still ran 1:53.09 outdoors in the spring), but now Jihad is fully healthy and it's showing.

After going sub-2 at Ursinus to open his season, Jihad dropped a 1:56.23 for second place in the invitational section of the 800 meters at Friday's Marine Corps Holiday Classic at The Armory. New York's Jeremy Perdomo won that race in a US#1 1:56.17. Jihad clocked a 1:56.23, which slots him in at US#3. It's also a PA#1 by over three seconds.

Look for Jihad to continue to drop time in the half mile, as he hunts for a state title and maybe even more at indoor nationals.