AAA Boys' 4x800m Preview
Central Bucks West rebuilt a nice squad this season in the 4x800 meter relay where the Bucks are two-time defending AAA state champions. But it wasn't until Blake Ewaskey, a lacrosse player turned track star, truley emerged that West looked like they had the chops to make it three-in-a-row.
Thanks in large part to Ewaskey, CB West is the favorite heading into this weekend's state meet and a three-peat is on the horizon, despite having just one returner (Luke Fehrman) back from last year's team. West rolled to a 7:47.22, a PA No. 1 and US No. 5 to take the District 1 title this past week, running away with it.
Can anyone challenge the Bucks? West's rival Central Bucks South threw down an impressive PA No. 2 time of 7:51.33 to take second in District 1. South, sixth at indoor states, is clicking at the right time. Meanwhile, Cedar Crest dropped a quick 7:51.77 to take the District 3 title, asserting themselves as a serious statewide threat this weekend.
The indoor state champs from Pennridge went 7:53.44 for third in District 1, despite the absence of the injured Andersen Dimon. The Rams have depth and the 2018 runners-up can't be counted out. A deep Radnor squad and the indoor state runners-up from Council Rock South are part of a solid District 1 contingent in this field. Penncrest, Council Rock North, and Haverford Township all went sub-8 and will be on the line at Ship with dreams of the medal stand.
Warwick and Twin Valley were second and third, respectively, in District 3, each boasting a good crop of half milers that could impact this race. District 10 flashed its muscle, throwing down a pair of impressive times with Meadville Area (7:56.01) and General McLane (7:56.04) dropping times the rest of the state can't ignore at their district meet.
Indiana Area ran away with the District 7 crown in 8:00.69, but remember that this is a team that went 7:54.67 at Altoona a few weeks ago. Indiana will be in the mix near the front and could very well be the squad at the top of the podium. State College Area has run a best of 8:04 this season. Don't count out the Little Lions, who are always dangerous at this stage in the game.
ENTRIES:
Event 701 Boys 4x800 Meter Relay AAA Prelims
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NFHS Record: 7:33.48 2009 , Central Bucks So HS, PA
Dickson, Manion, Poiesz, Mallon
PIAA Record: 7:33.48 2009 , Central Bucks So 01
Dickson, Manion, Poiesz, Mallon
NFHS Hnr Rol: 7:48.00
8:02.04 SQS
School Seed relim Time
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1 Central Bucks West 01 7:47.22 SQS
2 Central Bucks South 01 7:51.33 SQS
3 Cedar Crest 03 7:51.77 SQS
4 Pennridge 01 7:53.44 SQS
5 Radnor 01 7:53.80 SQS
6 Council Rock South 01 7:55.54 SQS
7 Warwick 03 7:56.01 SQS
8 Twin Valley 03 7:56.04 SQS
9 Meadville Area 10 7:56.22 SQS
10 General McLane 10 7:56.58 SQS
11 Cumberland Valley 03 7:57.25 SQS
12 Penncrest 01 7:58.25 SQS
13 Council Rock North 01 7:58.41 SQS
14 Central Bucks East 01 7:58.82 SQS
15 LaSalle College 12 7:59.79 SQS
16 Indiana Area 07 8:00.69 SQS
17 Carlisle 03 8:00.87 SQS
18 Chambersburg 03 8:01.06 SQS
19 North Allegheny 07 8:04.29
20 Parkland 11 8:06.86
21 Emmaus 11 8:08.42
22 Moon Area 07 8:09.60
23 Roman Catholic 12 8:11.25
24 Hempfield Area 07 8:11.42
25 Shikellamy 04 8:13.53
26 State College Area 06 8:20.19
27 Wallenpaupack 02 8:27.25
28 Punxsutawney Area 09 8:29.10