The Pennsylvania distance crew surprised a few people in the invitational boys races, with a 4th place by Council Rock North in the DMR, a 5th place by Sean Doyle of North Penn in the Mile, and 2-5-6 finishes for Sam Luff, Emmaus; Jeff Weiss, McGuffey; and Colin Leak, Unionville, in the 3000. And a dropped baton on the next-to-last exchange left West Catholic too far behind for getting the win in the Championship of America girls 4x400.
The four-race package started with Council Rock North splitting 3:11.1, 50.3, 1:59.2 and 4:15.4, for a 10:15.98 in the DMR Championship of America.
0:15.98 M Council Rock North
John Mahoney (3:11.1), Matt Worthington (50.3), Keith Capecci (1:59.2), Brandon Pomerantz (4:15.4)
In the Mile, Sean Doyle didn't back down from the pace or the challenge. He split 2:07.6 for the 800, and 1:03.8 and 1:04.5 to finish with a great 4:15.83. Starting the 2nd half, Doyle looked to be losing a little ground as the leaders surged, but he recovered at the 900 meter mark to get back in the race.
5 4:15.83 16 Sean Doyle North Penn
The 3000 was loaded with Pennsylvania talent. Two of the favorites were in the mix, and one of the under-the-radar athletes ran his own race and moved into the top finishers with a big PR. Jeff Weiss, McGuffey, either led or controlled the early pace. When the race picked up after the mile, he remained in the lead group. But over the final 600, Emmaus senior Sam Luff appeared near the front, and pushed past Weiss and others to run 8:33.45 and finish 2nd. Weiss was 5th in 8;35.39, and Colin Leak, Unionville, 6th in 8:36.91. The first mile was roughly 4:39, with a negative 3rd 800 before the final push.
2 8:33.45 7 Sam Luff Emmaus
5 8:35.89 23 Jeff Weiss McGuffey
6 8:36.91 13 Colin Leak Unionville
10 8:41.89 20 Brian Cullen East Stroudsburg
11 8:42.50 6 Curtis Bixler Cumberland Valley
14 8:43.84 21 Josh Hibbs Hatboro-Horsham
15 8:45.25 15 Jason Weller Boyertown
16 8:45.74 19 Tyler McCandless Northampton
23 9:02.87 14 Amin Garnett Coatesville
Plus the Simon Gratz boys qualified for the 4x100 Championship of America with a time of 42.23.
In the Championship of America 4x400, West Catholic suffered a dropped baton on the next-to-last exchange, and anchor Nicole Leach had far too much grouind to make up to challange Holmwood JA for the win. The locals would finish 3rd in 4:43.53.
3 3:43.52 B West Catholic
Kweshia Sheard (56.8), Latavia Thomas (55.4), Nia Ali (57.9), Nicole Leach (53.4)
Luff has one more to pass as he rounds the final turn on the way to his 2nd in the 3000.