Boys' 60 Meter Hurdles Preview
Expect some very competitive matchups in the boys hurdles on Sunday. Williamsport's Allen Taylor enters at PA No. 1 and the top seed. He went 8.03 at Susquehanna earlier this season and also has a 8.08 to his name this winter. This is his first season competing indoors, but the multi-time outdoor state medalist will look to add indoor gold to his collection on Sunday.
His top challenger will be Kevin Thomas, the impressive sophomore from the Haverford School. He's been undefeated in the 60 meter hurdles -- his only defeat in the 55 hurdles came at the loaded VA Showcase. He won at the Philly Public League Invite and most recently at the TFCAofGP Meet of Champs this past weekend. His best of 8.05 has him at PA No. 2 on the season and he'll be in the mix for the state title.
Downingtown West's Ethan Robinson will be a factor, too. The senior was second at the Ocean Breeze Invite (7.44 in the 55mH) and ran a best of 8.18 in the 60 hurdles in early February. He's been very consistent and that will bode well for his chances to compete for the title. Hickory's Braedon Allen is enjoying a strong winter season. He enters at PA No. 4 with a season best of 8.23, and the AA state medalist from outdoors has the potential to make a big splash this weekend.
Central Dauphin East's David Niang is new to hurdling, but he has wasted little time letting his presence be felt. He picked up wins at both Kevin Dare and the Carnival (running 8.27 both times), so he has experience winning big meets and he will certainly be in the mix. Southern Columbia's Jake Rose was a close second to Niang at the Carnival and he was closely followed by State College's Lokey Howell. Look for both to be in the hunt for the finals and the top five come Sunday.
The lone returning medalist from last year's senior-heavy state final is Liberty's Christian Tackett. He ran a strong PA No. 3 time in the 55 meter hurdles of 7.63 at Ocean Breeze. He has the experience of making it through the three rounds and that will give him a nice boost this weekend. TSTCA champion Dontae Lewis of West Mifflin is another one to look out for in this field.
Event 4 Boys 60 Meter Hurdles Prelims ============================================================ =================== Meet Record: 7.74 2/25/2018 Ayden Owens, North Allegh 8.65 SGQ State Guideline Name Year School ============================== ============================== =================== 1 Allen, Braedon 12 Hickory 2 Blake, Evan 11 Strath Haven 3 Bregman, Andrew 12 Methacton 4 Colwell, James 12 Mercersburg Acad 5 DelaCruz, Lorenzo 10 Perk Valley 6 Haines, Tanner 11 Warwick 7 Howell, Lokey 12 State College 8 Leib, Cameron 12 Shikellamy 9 Lewis, Brenden 12 Grsburg Salem 10 Lewis, Dontae 11 West Mifflin 11 Love, Kyle 11 Bonner/Prendie 12 Manchester, Byron 11 Butler 13 Meyer, Trevor 12 Spside Chestnut 14 Niang, David 12 CD East 15 Paul, Josh 12 Pennsbury 16 Robinson, Ethan 12 Dtown West 17 Robinson, Justin 12 Interboro 18 Rosenberger, Ryan 11 Malvern Prep 19 Schreffler, Kameron 12 Lewisburg 20 Sousa, Marcus 12 Swenson Arts 21 Tackett, Christian 12 Liberty 22 Taylor, Allen 11 Williamsport 23 Thomas, Kevin 10 Haverford School 24 Vandellos, Quinn 12 Strath Haven