By Dan Beck, PennTrackXC
Boys' 60-Meter Dash Preview
Austin Kratz of Dock Mennonite has made plenty of headlines this season in the 200 meters, but we can't forget that he also enters Sunday as the top seed and favorite in the 60-meter dash. Kratz clocked a 6.78 at the SPIRE Showcase, a time that has only been topped by Deworski Odom in state history. Kratz has already run faster than the state meet record, which Journey Brown tied last year. We'll see if Kratz can start what will be a big meet off with a win and record run.
Who could challenge him? Imhotep's Kristian Marche has been strong all season. He was fourth last season (behind third place Kratz). This year, Marche has earned big wins at the Hispanic Games and the New Balance Grand Prix. He's has a career best of 6.85 and should be a factor on Sunday.
It's just the first season of indoor track for Bethel Park's James Krandel, but he's wasted no time making a big impact. Krandel, who emerged onto the scene in the spring when he took sixth at outdoor states in the 100 meters, has run 6.91 (PA#3) this season. He's won quite a bit in the west this season and should be ready for a tough test.
A crowded group with times right around 7.00 expect to be in the mix for not just medals, but possibly a surprise in the final. Among them are Hempfield Area's Eudel Moreta (PA#5), George Washington's Edner Dorwil (PA#6), Harrisburg's Ronald Kent (T-PA#8), and Springfield (Delco)'s Philip Shovlin (T-PA#8).
Boys' 60-Meter Dash Entries:
Event 6 Boys 60 Meter Dash (26) Prelims
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Meet Record: 6.80 3/6/2010 Alex Kenney, State College
Meet Record: 6.80 2/15/2017 Journey Brown
Name Year School
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1 Acie, Carlinos 12 McKeesport A
2 Brown, Shawn 10 C Dauphin East
3 Byrd, Tyler 11 Bish McDevitt
4 Carter, Octavious 12 LaSalle College
5 Dorwil, Edner 12 G Washington
6 Griffin, Malik 10 Roman Cathol
7 Gruber, William 12 Hickory
8 Hebron, Savion 11 Neshaminy
9 Isabella, Paul 12 Hatboro Horsham
10 Kent, Ronald 12 Harrisburg
11 Kirk, Eric 11 Coatesville
12 Krandel, James 12 Bethel Park
13 Kratz, Austin 12 Dock Mennonite
14 Marche, Kristian 12 Imhotep Inst
15 Miles, Roland 12 Coatesville
16 Moreta, Eudel 12 Hempfield (7)
17 Piper, Joseph 11 Greater Latrobe
18 Russell, Cohen 11 State College
19 Saydee, Edward 11 Penn Charter
20 Sharrow, Alex 10 Shippensburg
21 Shovlin, Philip 12 Springfield
22 Stello, Antonio 12 Punxsutawney
23 Stocker, Brassir 12 Dtown East
24 Tate, Devon 11 Lower Merion
25 Trower, Alex 12 Penn Hills
26 Worrell, Tyeshawn 10 Chambersburg