The wait is over. It is officially PTFCA Championship Week. With an action-packed meet on deck - we want to ensure you're as prepared as we are.
Throughout the week, we will release event-by-event previews of the action and what you can expect on Sunday. Today we have previews of the 800m, Mile and 3000m. Make sure to click through to each event to read event-by-event previews of the action.
800m | Mile | 3000m
Mile Run Preview
by Phil Grove
The Girls:
A year ago, youth was served in a big way as Mt. Lebanon's Logan St. John Kletter went wire to wire, holding off Penn Charter's Alli DeLisi in an exciting final 100 meters. That sophomore-freshman finish kicked off a parade of non-seniors, with 10 of the first 13 across the line having at least another year in high school.
St. John Kletter, whose indoor and effectively entire sophomore season ended later that day when a nagging injury forced her off the track in the DMR, is back to defend her title. She enters the state meet with another solid season behind her, featuring PA's No. 3 1600 time, No. 2 run in the mile and No. 3 performance in the 3,200.
Ahead of her on this year's Pennsylvania performance list is Mount Saint Joseph Academy junior Ella Woehlcke, who leads the way in the mile at 4:53.82. Woehlcke, who also is PA#2 in the 800 at 2:13.02, finished two spots ahead of St. John Kletter in the Millrose Games HS mile.
Others with solid numbers heading to PSU this year include Owen J. Roberts senior Claire Zubey, who is PA#4 at 4:58.83 and was sixth in the PTFCA mile last year, Bethel Park's Jenna Lang (PA#7 5:03.60) and State College senior Marlee Kwasnica (PA#8 1600 5:01.22).
Breakout sophomore Olivia Cieslak of Haverford Township leads the 1600 charts with last week's 4:49.14 at Ocean Breeze. She opted for the 800 on the Ashenfelter banked oval.
The Boys:
A year ago, the boys' mile at the PTFCA indoor finale was arguably the most anticipated event of the day, with a pair of XC state champions dueling into the record book.
On Sunday, two runners who are very familiar with their cross-country styles will meet for the first time this winter. Another rewrite of the meet record book is not out of the question from Butler's Drew Griffith or Brian DiCola of Hatboro Horsham.
Griffith, who wrapped up his fall XC season with an All-American finish at the Champs national final, has the best 1600 time in the state and country with his 4:07.31 win at SPIRE. Meanwhile, Class AAA XC winner DiCola sprinted to victory at Ocean Breeze less than three weeks ago, covering 1600 in US#4 4:09.87 and the mile in US#13 4:11.25.
The field is dominated by seniors, as Griffith is one of only four juniors (and non-seniors) in the indoor mile finale. Even more rare is returnees from the 2022 race as only senior Luke Brown of Cathedral Prep is back for the mile at PSU.
Others who have proven their fitness over 5,280 feet this year include LaSalle College seniors Ryan McGinley (PA#4 4:17.60) and Drew Brill (PA#5 4:17.77), East Stroudsburg Area's Liam Davis (PA#6 4:18.20) and Council Rock North's Jack Czarnecki (PA#10 4:19.04). All of those season bests came in the mile in Staten Island won by DiCola.
Gary Martin (4:04.59) and CJ Singleton (4:06.60) were well under the old meet record last year.
How many will go sub-4:10 this year and possibly threaten the new PTFCA standard in the mile?