Not even close. Lex Young ran 8:43 as a sophomore, Cole Sprout was in the 8:40s, Leo Young 8:55, Aidan Puffer and Gavin Sherry both sub 9s just off the top of my head and a bunch more in recent years. I doubt 9:06 is even in the top 100 Sophomore times ever
…and Recupero this year 8:47
However, State should be fast. Everybody now knows that Noonan can close in 56 off a 9:00 pace. Other runners will not let that happen again. They will at least try to keep the pace honest.
yes i definitely agree. between guys like jason para, who ran an 8:52 last year almost entirely solo at arcadia until the last lap or so, and a few other guys in the field that i’ve spoke to who all want to go under 9, the pace is gonna be HOT
The young buck is closing shop for the season. What a varsity year it was. Massively impressive recovery yesterday after falling in the state meet, using that explosive kick to finish third.
However, State should be fast. Everybody now knows that Noonan can close in 56 off a 9:00 pace. Other runners will not let that happen again. They will at least try to keep the pace honest.
Maybe. Maybe not.
The problem is that "the field" does not have a collective brain. "The field" often gives away the gold medal to a big kicker because "the field" does not make decisions.
Each runner is racing for himself. Taking the lead and forcing a fast pace is not usually considered a good strategy for placing high in a relatively evenly matched field. Hence, nobody forces the pace and the kicker picks up the win.
Evan Gardner of Homestead High improved from 2:11 to 1:52. Won his heat on the day of trials beating some really good dudes then kind of ran out of gas in the finals. He'll be a contender for the next two years as well