Affolder Rolls; Gardizy, Rittler Win Letter Races: Manhattan Invitational Recap


Boys' Recap: Manhattan Invitational

Noah Affolder continued his spectacular senior season, winning once again. Affolder was uncontested en route to the win in the Eastern State boys' race. He timed in at 12:10. It was four seconds faster than his winning time in last year's race. Affolder said afterwards that his goal was Edward Cheserek's course record of 11:55, but no one went with him in the back hills to push him to that time. His time ties him for the eighth best time in the meet's history. It's the fastest time by any PA runner ever.

Noah's brother Sam Affolder got into the top ten, placing tenth with a time of 12:37. Isaac Kole took 35th, Jack Wisner was 101st and Tyler Hallman was 139th as Carlisle took home top PA team honors in the Eastern States race. They scored 281 points to nip Downingtown West, which got eighth with 287 points.

The Whippets were led by Shaun Bullock in 34th place. Jake O'Neill was 45th, Drew Alansky 52nd, and Ryan Barton was 68th. Downingtown West has been knocking on the doorstep of PA#1 Carlisle and they almost got them on Saturday.

LaSalle, PA#2 entering the meet, was the third PA team in the standings, placing 12th overall. Evan Addison ran well to take 25th in 13:03, while Stephen Paul was 32nd in 13:11. West Chester Henderson's Spencer Smucker returned to form on Saturday, placing 21st in 13:02. That made him the third PA kid across behind the Affolders. Henderson placed 26th in the team race. Bishop Shanahan's Josh Hoey took 30th overall in 13:10.

Nick Dahl of Germantown Friends' had a rough day, reportedly limping to the finish line after placing himself among the leaders early on. He wound up 54th overall. Germantown Friends placed 21st as a team. Watch the race above.

In the Varsity F race, the Taylor Allderdice boys placed fourth overall as a team. Amadou Diallo led the way, placing tenth in 13:19. Tavonne Davis, his teammate, wasn't far behind, taking 16th in 13:27. Diallo posted the tenth fastest PA boys time of the day. Watch the race above.

In the Varsity G race, Holy Ghost Prep placed fifth as a team. Callahan Lennon ran 13:31 to take ninth place and pace the Firebirds. Click here to watch their race!