Preview of Eastern States' Individuals
Some Seriously Speedy Guys
Gone is two-time champ Noah Affolder from the Eastern States lineup, but Dalton Hengst might be his worthy successor after two straight wins at Paul Short and Great American. Mason Gatewood won by a huge 36 seconds at St. Anthony's on Saturday against some of the same stiff competition he'll see at VCP, so he is also in flight mode. Silas Derfel picked up a big win in the McQuaid AAA race two weeks ago, and Rusty Kujdych was 2nd only to Hengst at Paul Short.
Last year's top returners are Nathan Lawler who was 3rd and CBA frontrunner Brian Hill at 11th. Charles Hicks would probably have joined them if Bolles had managed to make it up from Florida, and Geoff Howles running now for Fayetteville-Manlius leads a team with Eastern States championship experience. No clear pick for winner this year with six runners grouped between the 187 and 192 marks, so that drive down the final 700 meters on the parade grounds should get very loud.
Name | Team | Speed Rating (TR) |
Dalton Hengst | McDonogh School | 192 |
Mason Gatewood | Saint Anthony's | 190 |
Silas Derfel | Ithaca | 189 |
Charles Hicks | Bolles | 188 |
Rusty Kujdych | Neshaminy | 188 |
Brian Hill | CBA | 187 |
Geoff Howles | Fayetteville-Manlius | 186 |
Cameron Ponder | Mount Tabor | 185 |
Nathan Lawler | Pittsford Mendon | 185 |
Peyton Barish | Green Hope | 185 |
Michael Moerk | Mount Tabor | 183 |
Josh Hoey | Bishop Shanahan | 183 |
William Hare | Princeton | 182 |
Ben Otis | Fayetteville-Manlius | 182 |
Evan Addison | La Salle College Prep | 181 |
Ray Sellaro | North Hunterdon | 181 |
Matt Fusco | Somers | 181 |
Damien Dilcher | Brick Twp. | 181 |
Carlos Shultz | Phoenixville | 181 |
Greg Fusco | Somers | 180 |
Donovan Tucker | NIskayuna | 179 |
Brendan Balthis | Tatnall | 178 |
Martin Riddell | Haddonfield | 178 |
Jack Huber | Bethlehem | 178 |
Luke Reid | CBA | 178 |
Declan Horner | Southern Garrett | 178 |
Michael Keehan | Salesianum | 177 |
Sam Lawler | Pittsford Mendon | 176 |
Cameron Davis | Bethlehem | 176 |
Daniel Gahagan | Corning | 175 |