Central Bucks West: AAA Boys' 4x800 Champions

In the country's best state for the 4x800 meter relay, Central Bucks West proved it was the best team.

The Bucks quartet of Brian Baker, Alec Fehrman, Alec Hofer, and Jake Claricurzio dropped a US#1 7:40.14, a few tenths better than Maryland's Oxon Hill's previous national-leading time, for the win in the AAA boys' 4x800 meter relay at the PIAA Track & Field State Championships.

Hofer, a senior on the third leg, put the team into the lead heading into the final exchange. In a terrific finish, the anchor leg Jake Claricurzio was able to out-run State College Area's Nick Feffer to take the win. State College, the reigning champs who also ran a US#1 to win last year, ended up second in a US#3 7:41.42.

"I knew if I was neck-and-neck with (Feffer), it'd be 50-50," Claricurzio said. "I'm glad I'm the one who got it."

The entire race was incredibly race. After the top two, Pennridge was third in a US#5 7:44.91 and North Penn was fourth in a US#6 7:45.07. Then there was a mad dash for placing for the final four medals. Pennsbury (fifth in 7:46.00), Penn Wood (sixth in 7:46.07), Seneca Valley (seventh in 7:46.38), and Abington (eighth in 7:46.49) ran times that took up US#11 through US#14 rankings.

For CB West, three of the four return next year, with Hofer as the lone graduate. With a strong stock of half milers, West could make a return trip to the top of podium next spring. But when it comes to the 4x800 in the state of Pennsylvania, there's never any guarantees.