Girls' 4x800m Relay Preview
The state meet will start off with a very exciting race on Sunday morning with the girls' 4x800-meter relay. The PA#1s from Neumann Goretti will clash with PA#2 Strath Haven in what should figure to be another close battle, just like last year.
But this year, unlike last year, it's NG that comes in as the top seed. Because of other events throughout the day (and a maximum of 4 events that one athlete can compete in) it likely won't be the same Saints' relay that went 9:09 for third at Millrose. Regardless, NG has some great firepower and will contend for the win again. Haven will be going for the repeat state title. Last year, the relay held on to win by .19. It could be similarly close this season.
After that, four other squads have run sub-9:40 this season. State College Area went 9:33 on the PSU track a few weeks ago. The always-strong half mile crew from SC will contend for a high finish this year. Central Bucks West, the defending outdoor AAA state champs, will bring a strong PA#4 squad to the line. The DVGTCA MOC champs were sixth last year. Penn Charter ent 9:36 to win at the New Balance Games earlier this season and will be all-in with relays, starting with the 4x8. Greensburg Salem went 9:39 in a competitive SPIRE field and will be in the mix for a high finish as well.
Friends' Central, Central Bucks East, and Seneca Valley are among the other strong teams in the always-deep 4x8 in PA.
Keep an eye on the state meet record. It stands at 9:09.52 by Strath Haven in 2014. Neumann Goretti has already run faster than that and Haven will look to approach that. In a competitive race, it could go down. Also, look for some surprises. Last year, Butler took fourth from the first section. Who could surprise this year?
Entries:
Event 1 Girls 4x800 Meter Relay (21) ============================================================ =================== Meet Record: 9:09.52 3/1/2014 Strath Haven, Strath Haven B Irons, J Kenney, A Wilson, K Miller School ============================== ============================== =================== 1 Butler 2 Central Bucks East 3 Central Bucks West 4 Downingtown East 5 Friends' Central 6 Greensburg Salem 7 Mount Lebanon 8 Neumann Goretti 9 North Penn 10 Owen J. Roberts 11 Penn Charter 12 Pennridge 13 Radnor 14 Saint Joseph's Catholic Academ 15 Seneca Valley 16 State College Area High School 17 Strath Haven 18 Unionville 19 Upper Dublin 20 Villa Maria Academy 21 West Chester East