Boys' 3,000 Meters Preview
It took a 9-flat to crack into the indoor state field this year, a ign that it's been a strong winter for distance running with a number of boys dropping
Zach Kinne, who transferred from Illinois to North Allegheny before the start of his senior season, will look to win his first PA state title on Sunday. The Duke recruit is the top seed in the 3K, having posted a best time of 8:41.22 at Edinboro a few weeks ago. Kinne is a beast on the track; he popped a 4:19 mile last week. He'll be the one to beat.
Of course, a strong field of challengers won't go down without a fight. The top returner from last year is Ian Miller of Manheim Township. Seventh a year, Miller proved he's even stronger than he was a year ago, running 8:50 to win at the PTFCA Carnival a few weeks ago. Brayden Harris of Mifflin County is coming off a stellar XC season. Just a sophomore, Harris has shown he can hang with the vets. He went 8:51 at Kevin Dare earlier this season and should be in line for a big race.
Three boys have run 8:52 this season: Ben Kuhn (Wyomissing Area), Zachary Leachman (Mars Area), and Daniel McGoey (North Allegheny). McGoey was eighth last season. Of course, he's teammates with Kinne so the pair may look to work together. Kuhn and Leachman are enjoying breakthrough seasons and should be in the mix near the front.
Three others have run 8:53: Jack Miller (Jenkintown), Jeffrey Love (George School), and Christian Fitch (Fox Chapel Area). Miller was the 1A XC state champ and has plenty of experience winning races. Love and Fitch will be worth watching for as well. Penncrest's Patrick Theveny was 10th in this event last year and that experience will bode well for him on Sunday.
Entries:
Event 16 Boys 3000 Meter Run (13)
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Meet Record: 8:22.65 2/25/2006 Craig Miller, Manheim Twp.
Name Year School
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1 Fitch, Christian 11 Fox Chapel
2 Foster, Andrew 12 Ephrata
3 Harris, Brayden 10 Mifflin County
4 Healey, Andrew 11 Holy Cross H
5 Kalbaugh, Dalton 11 Shaler Area
6 Kinne, Zachary 12 North Allegh
7 Kuhn, Ben 11 Wyomissing A
8 Leachman, Zachary 11 Mars Area
9 Love, Jeffrey 12 George School
10 McGoey, Daniel 11 North Allegh
11 Miller, Ian 12 Manheim Twp
12 Miller, Jack 12 Jenkintown
13 Theveny, Patrick 11 Penncrest