Boys' 4x400m Relay Preview
Just like the 4x200, the Upper Darby boys will be the team to beat in the 4x400 meter relay. The Royals ran a state-leading time of 3:22.95 to win at the Ocean Breeze Invitational and will be looking to go even faster on Sunday to secure the win.
But a host of squads -- many of which traditional state powers in the 4x4 -- will be looking to knock them off. Penn Wood went 3:23.46 to take second to UD at Ocean Breeze. It was a hotly contested race, and surely one that PW will use as motivation coming into the final event of the day on Sunday afternoon.
Saint Joseph's Prep will also be right in the thick of the conversation. Prep ran 3:25.25 at the PCL Championships on Lehigh's flat track a few weeks ago. After conversions, that makes SJP the No. 2 seed in the 4x4. They have the top-ranked 400m runner in the state in Salim Epps and if he's on anchor, it will be interesting to see who he can run down with a title on the line.
At the Philly Public League Invite, Haverford Township edged out Girard College for the victory. Both teams went 3:25 and should be serious factors in the this field, coming out of the third of the four sections.
Norristown and Carnival champions Cumberland Valley also have quick flat track times that will make them a factor in the 4x4 on Sunday. Bensalem, Pennridge, and Friends' Central will also have their sights set on high finishes in this deep field.
The 4x4 always makes it worth sticking around the meet until the end, and this year is certainly no exception. It will be an exciting ending to the indoor track season in PA!
Event 22 Boys 4x400 Meter Relay ============================================================ =================== Meet Record: 3:18.73 3/2/2002 Glen Mills, Glen Mills Polk, Alexander, Bishop, Jones 3:31.23 SGQ State Guideline School ============================== ============================== =================== 1 Bensalem 2 Butler 3 Canon-McMillan 4 Central Bucks South 5 Central Bucks West 6 Cheltenham 7 Coatesville 8 Council Rock South 9 Cumberland Valley 10 Downingtown West 11 Friends' Central 12 Girard College HS 13 Haverford Township HS 14 Norristown 15 North Penn 16 Overbrook 17 Penn Wood 18 Pennridge 19 Radnor 20 Saint Joseph's Prep 21 Upper Darby