Foot Locker Northeast Preview - Individual Stars Head To VCP

Boys Race


The last time Liam Murphy came to Van Cortlandt Park, he walked away with the Manhattan Eastern's Title, and a Top 10 All-Time performance.  That was the short course, but Murphy still remains the favorite as we head back to the Tortoise and the Hare statue.  He's the top returner from the year before, and has been improving all year. His only loss this year came at the hands of Jack Jennings at the NJ Group Championships. However, Jennings came down with illness the following week, and was unable to compete to that same level at the NJ MOC.  Jennings is back in this race, and we'll see how close he is back to normal, although he'll need all that and more to challenge for the win.

PA's Patrick Anderson is the second Top Returner in the field, and has likewise been having another strong season.  He's been undefeated this year, one of only a few across the country to be able to stake that claim.  Another, Gavin Sherry, can also boast about being undefeated, and on top of that, he is only a sophomore.  He's had top competition all year from Aidan Puffer, another in-state Sophomore, who will toe the line right next to Sherry.  Sophomore's will look to have a major impact on this race.

There is a trio from New Jersey, and another from Connecticut all at the top of the billing, with a single Pennsylvania athlete breaking up the party.  New York doesn't get involved until the 8th seed, with NY Class D State Champ Kal Lewis.  He'll be looking to continue his peak after giving up a shot at the Federation Title last week.  Massachusetts rounds out the field with their State Champion, Sean Kay.

Note: These races are always hard to predict, as mostly, athletes know that they only need to finish Top 10, not win.  Unless someone is trying to set a fast time, the sit and kick tactics rule the day, and don't give a true indication on how Nationals may play out.  So expect some shifting within these buckets.

Favorites

Liam MurphyAllentownNJ196.33
Jack JenningsMendhamNJ198.67??
Patrick AndersonMount LebanonPA195.47
Kevin AntczakMainland RegionalNJ194.33
Gavin SherryConardCT193
Matthew FarrellLoomis ChaffeeCT191.02
Aidan PufferManchesterCT191
Kal LewisShelter IslandNY189
Austin GabayCinnaminsonNJ189
Sean KayArlington CatholicMA188
Mike GriffinKing Phillip Reg.MA187

Safe Bets

Jackson BarnaRidgeNJ185.67
Andrew AvilaWilmington CharterDE185.66
Colton SandsPenns Valley AreaPA185.33
Dylan ThroopGeneral McLanePA184.97
Finn WalshKent IslandMD184.76
Robert DiDonatoGermantown AcademyPA184.59

Dark Horses

Kevin BaranoskiFallstonMD183.47
Zachary LeachmanMarsPA183.09
John LuceyNewburyportMA183
Brendan ColwellPenns Valley AreaPA182.33
Evan HilbertSt. Joe's CollegiateNY182
Jacob IrelandRiverdale KingsbridgeNY182
Joseph ThumannWhitinsville ChristianMA182
Philmon MehariLivingstonNJ181.67
Loeden RodriguesMarbleheadMA181.67


Back To Front