AA Boys' 400m Preview
Last year, William Gruber of Hickory took fifth in a quick AA boys 400 meter final. Fast forward to this year and Gruber will come into Ship as the favorite in another strong 400 meter field. Gruber has been undefeated over 400 meters this spring and will look to cap it off with his biggest win of all. The senior dropped a PR of 48.02 to win the District 10 title.
But he'll have his fair share of challengers, including last year's runner-up, Armonte Paulk of Hill-Freedman. Paulk went 49.29 to win the Philadelphia Public League crown and is a tough racer worth watching for. Seneca's Anthony Popalardo was second to Gruber in District 10 and will be in the mix, as well.
Lakeland's Cyril Babcanec has had a terrific career. After a sixth place finish last season, he seems primed to make some moves up the podium. Don't count him out. The same goes for fellow 2017 finalist Austin Keim of Wyomissing Area, who won the District 3 title this past week.
District 6 champion Kayden Kutchman of Central Cambria, District 1 champion Donovan Sanders of Girard College, and District 7 champion Jackson Coyne of Riverside will also be on the hunt for medals.
ENTRIES:
Event 606 Boys 400 Meter Dash AA (25) Prelims
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NFHS Record: 45.19 2012 Aldrich Bailey, MansfldTimberviewHS, TX
PIAA Record: 46.36 1984 Mike Spangler, South Western 3
NFHS Hnr Rol: 47.00
50.70 SQS
Name Year School Seed relim Time
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1 Gruber, William 12 Hickory 10 48.02 SQS
2 Popalardo, Anthony 12 Seneca 10 49.50 SQS
3 Babcanec, Cyril 12 Lakeland 02 49.80 SQS
4 Kutchman, Kayden 12 Cntrl Cambria 06 49.93 SQS
5 Paulk, Armonte 12 Hill-Freedman 12 49.99 SQS
6 Sanders, Donovan 10 Girard Colleg 01 50.11 SQS
7 Coyne, Jackson 11 Riverside 07 50.12 SQS
8 Gill, Tyler 12 Reynolds 10 50.20 SQS
9 Zerfoss, Brendan 12 Clarion Area 09 50.28 SQS
10 Keim, Austin 12 Wyomissing 03 50.46 SQS
11 Arnone, Avery 12 Ligonier Vly 06 50.65 SQS
12 Jones, Hunter 11 Karns City 09 50.74
13 Bradley, Zander 10 Cent Columbia 04 50.89
14 Williams, Luke 12 Schuylkll Val 03 50.92
15 Huss, William 12 Derry Area 07 51.09
16 Jones-Thomas, Kani 12 Beaver Falls 07 51.20
17 Lloyd, Dylan 10 Mohawk 07 51.25
18 Huss, Justin 10 Derry Area 07 51.32
19 Hohl, Charlie 12 Notre Dame GP 11 51.49
20 Smith, Camden 12 Canton Area 04 51.51
21 Worthing, Tanner 12 Bllwood Antis 06 51.55
22 Maxwell, Nathaniel 11 Everett Area 05 51.85
23 Halko, Luke 11 No Schuylkill 11 52.22
24 Richardson, Kenneth 12 Motivation 12 52.37
25 Alston Hill, James 11 Promise Acad 12 52.38