Class M boys distance preview

Class M is strong in the distances, although there may not be a standout running insane times it's deep, Incredibly deep. The runners are all very close in times and especially after the M meet in cross country I can't wait to see how tight and close this meet will be, especially in the 1600 and 3200, as a former class M runner myself I've seen and raced these guys before so I can vouch for a lot of these guys.


1000 Meters

Top Returners/ probable top five

1. Cole Clark, Weston Sr, PBs (2:01 800, 2:37 1000, 4:36 mile, 2nd 2014) 

2. Jesus Osuba, Windham Sr, PBs (2:43 1000, 4:32 1600, 4th 2014) 

3. Christopher Rivas, Brookefield Jr, PBs (2:41 1000, 10:13 3200 11th 2014)

4. Thomas Rigby, Suffield Sr, PBs (2:07 800, 2:46 1000, 8th 2014)

5. Bryan Allen, Sheehan Sr, PBs ( 2:45 1000, 4:37 1600, 6th 2014)

Dark Horses (chance for top 5) 

1. Jordan Dixon, Ellington Sr, PBs (2:04 800, 2:42 1000, 4:32 1600, 9:46 3200, 2nd in 1600 2014)

2. Nick Zannis, St.Joseph Jr, PBs (1:36 600, 2:10 800, 2:46 1000 7th 2014)

Analysis-
This event was a little tricky to pick who would be in the mix as a lot of these guys could easily opt for the 1600 instead. Cole Clark is the guy who I see as an absolute number 1, he was 2nd a year ago and had an incredible run at the New Haven invite to win the 800 in a meet record time, he said he was hungry and the Weston senior looks like he is poised to claim his first ever state title. Jesus Osuba is the 2nd returner and has a nice PR, he had an alright season of cross country that should give him a strong enough base to race well on the oval, we've yet to see much from him yet this season but i hope to see him give the 1k a few more try's before states. Christopher Rivas may not even run this event, he was so strong in cross country and it looks like he runs the 3200 the most but last year he did run this race and he's already run 2:41 only behind Clark in the rankings so far, if he chooses to run this i can see him making Clark worrying slightly throughout the race and apply some pressure, It will be interesting to see what he chooses. Thomas Rigby and Bryan Allen are wildcards no doubt about it but I just wasn't sure who to put in but I know Rigby is good. He is almost non-existent in the cross country season but he is there on the oval and he builds up a base to use this season, I've seen him race before and from what i can tell he is incredibly consistent and his times are all around the same marks and it will be exciting to see how he runs this year and if he will be able to drop some seconds in the race. Bryan Allen is already close to his PR of last year and was 6th in 2014 which should put him into the mix. Jordan Dixon is someone i can see mixing it up in this race, but i doubt he will run it he is more of a miler and 2-miler kind of guy and will probably focus on those come states. Nick Zannis doesn't have the best PBs and I don't see a lot of marks to comment on consistency but he was 7th as a sophomore which is great and shows that he can mix it up even more this year if he has consistent and healthy training until the meet. My prediction is Cole Clark wins easily but 2nd place is stolen by Rivas while the pack battles for 3rd. 



1600 Meters 

Top returners/ Probable top five

1. Jordan Dixon, Ellington Sr, PBs (2:04 800, 2:42 1000, 4:32 1600, 9:46 3200, 2nd in 2014, 2nd M XC)

2. Bryce Hedman, Ledyard Sr, PBs ( 2:45 1000, 4:30 1600, 9:51 3200, 4th 2014, 4th M XC, 21st New England)

3. James Mas, St.Joseph Jr, PBs are weak but 1st M XC

4. Luke Arsenault, Branford Sr, PBs ( 4:38 1600, 10:00 3200, 2nd MM XC)

5.  Jeff Noonan, Bacon Academy Sr, PBs (4:40 1600, 10:11 3200)

Dark Horses (Chance for top 5)

1. Andrew Suter, Avon Jr, PB ( 4:45 1600)

2. Josh Bedard, Tolland So, PBs ( 4:44 1600, 10:08 3200)

3. David Clavet, Ellington So, PBs ( 4:443 1600, 10:00 3200)

Analysis-
This race could be wide open as most of the top 3 are basically the same runners. The class M race during cross country season was great to say the least and the results where practically flip flopped at the opens. Its hard to bet against Jordan Dixon, he was 2nd a year ago and is an incredibly consistent runner its rare to see a bad race from Jordan and the Ellington program is so strong that he has the people to train with. Bryce Hedman could take this race but it depends on how he runs it, Hedman likes to take out races fast and in first and that could be what kills him in this race since he is not head and shoulders above the rest and Dixon's kick is strong and could easily pick off a fading Hedman if that's the case. Mas has weak PRs and has never been a threat on the track but this year it looks like a change could happen, the class M champion wants to prove that his win was no fluke and he will need to do that on the track. Luke Arsenault and Jeff Noonan both have been racing strong this year and Noonan has had great races already this indoor season but we will need to see more speed from these two if they want to mix it up in the race. Andrew Suter is the classic dark horse just like Avon was during the XC season, no one expected Avon to be in the hunt at class MM and that's the same with Suter, he raced last year in the 3200 but he has never been prominent on the track (or in cross country really) but his improvement is incredible  he went from a 4:50 to a 4:45 in a week and i expect those times to just keep dropping, we will have to see what he does. Josh Bedard and David Clavet are two of the best sophomores in the state and could easily mix it up with the big dogs if they choose, we'll have to see how well these guys run for the remainder of the season. As of now I see Dixon out kicking Hedman and then being followed by a tight pack but James Mas falls off the back. 


3200 meters 

Top Returners/ Probable top five

1. Bryce Hedman, Ledyard Sr, see above (7th 2014)

2.Jordan Dixon, Ellington Sr, see above (4th outdoor 2014

3.  Albert Tebbets, Ellington Sr, PBs ( 4:44 1600, 10:06 3200) 

4. Jesus Osuba, Windham Sr, PBs ( 4:32 1600, 10:02 3200, 5th 2014)

5. Luke Arsenault, Branford Sr, see above ( 6th 2014)

Dark Horses (Chance at top 5)

1. David Clavet, Ellington So, see above

2. Peter Bakker, Northwestern Jr, PBs ( 10:20, 21st XC opens)

Analysis-
This race is basically the same as the 1600 with a few more people in the mix. Hedman has beaten Dixon in the 3200 already this season and has one multiple races already and I see him continuing this winning streak even further. Dixon is practically a lock for 2nd but behind him is an Ellington show. Tebbets is really showing us some great track chops and he is knocking seconds off his PB and is looking strong coming into this half of the season. Jesus Osuba is the top returner from last year followed by Luke Arsenault and they both should improve off of last years performances but only by a little. David Clavet is a big up and comer and is currently ranked 2nd in M only behind Hedman and he could steal the show if the race doesn't go to plan for the others. Peter Bakker doesn't have impressive times but he is coming off of a very impressive cross country campaign and if he isn't just training through this season he could push for an upset. I see Hedman over either Dixon or Clavet and then Tebbets and Bakker. 

Class L indoor distance preview boys

To start things off its clear to say that class L is strong, especially in the distances and its even more fair to say that Alex Ostberg should be the favorite in most of these but these previews will still go in depth to the other competitors and how they stand.

1000 Meters.

Top returners and ones to watch.
1. Spencer Brown, Wilton Sr, PRs(1:54.39 800, 2:28.77 1000, 4:11 1 mile, 1st 2014) 

2. Edward Tomasso, Farmington Sr, PRs ( 2:02.07 800,2:37.56 100, 4:21 1600, 4th 2014)

3. Arthur Cassidy, Darien Sr, PRs ( 2:01 800, 2:39 1000, 5th 2014)

4.  Troy Stegman, Wethersfield Jr, PRs ( 1:26 600, 2:02 800, 2:38.41 1000, 6th 2014)

5. Alex Abraham, Pomperaug Jr, PRs (2:04.77 800, 2:41 1000, 7th 2014)

Dark Horses-
Michael Stoker Jr, South Windsor currently ranked 1st in class L pr (2:40 1000)
Andrew Damon-Smith Bristol Central Sr, ranked 3rd in Class L pr (2:43 1000)


Analysis- Its impossible to bet against Spencer Brown his personal best is almost 10 seconds better than anyone else and he's proved he can race multiple times. The 3rd place finisher from the state open in cross country is looking like he will have an easy win defending his class title in the 1000. Edward Tomasso is the 2nd returner from last year and looks like a pure track guy, his cross country chops just aren't as good as Browns but he's been racing well so far this year but he only ranks 5th in the class right now. Cassidy had a good cross country season but he really is a middle distance guy, he opened up with a 2:03 800 at new haven  ahead of Tomasso but behind Stegman, expect Cassidy to only slightly improve on his 5th from last year. Troy Stegman is looking good right now, he ran 2:02 at New Haven and beat both Cassidy and Tomasso he is not to prominent in cross but he is a real gamer on the track who I think will take a huge step forward this year. Abraham had a great cross country season, finishing 25th at state opens he earned a spot on the line at New England's, although i see him in the mile this year he has the strength from a good cross season to back him up in the 1000 which he is currently ranked 2nd in L. Stoker and Damon-Smith have showed us what they have right now but we haven't seen much from Smith and we've seen a lot from Stoker in the past but normally in longer distances so be on the watch for them at Hillhouse. 





1600 meters 

Top Returners and one to watch.

1. Alex Ostberg, Darien, Sr  PRs (4:06 1600m in a DMR, 8:52.64 3200, 14:16 5000, 1st XC opens 9th FL)

2. Ari Klau, Hall, Sr PRs  ( 4:24 1 mile, 9:21 3200, 2nd XC opens, 22nd FL Nationals, 2nd 2014)

3. Armstrong Noonan, Darien, Jr, PRs ( 4:17 1 mile, 9:17 3200, 6th XC opens, 3rd 2014)

4. Daniel Schumacher, Naugatuck, Sr, PRs ( 4:32 1600, 9:51 3200, 10th XC opens, 4th 2014)

5. Spencer Lyman, New Canaan, Sr, PRs ( 4:29 1600, 66th XC opens, 6th 2014)

Dark Horses- 
Alex Abraham, Pomperaug Jr, PR ( 4:35 1600, 25th XC opens)
Palmer Weimann, Farmington, Sr, PR  (4:34 1600, 16th XC Opens)
Analysis-  
The Battle between Alex Ostberg and Ari Klau will be incredible and what will make it even better would be if Spencer Brown ran the 1600 we would have the top 3 from xc meet up again, although I doubt this will happen. Ostberg only ran the 3200 last year so who knows If he will even be in this race but that does not make Klau a sure winner, Noonan has a better 3200 and 1600 pr than Klau but has not beat him before and Klau was so good in cross I am very confident he will turn in a good season this year. Schumacher is a solid and consistent runner who i can see being in the mix, his PR isn't loud but he's always run close to it every race and he had a great XC season and he has the strength, Spencer Lyman has a good PR and is probably not talked about too much considering the colossal battle that could be this race but he is the 4th returner from a year ago and has a good PR his 66th in XC may not sound great but he still ran in the 16:40's at wickham and i expect a good race from him. Abraham has a good PR and has the strength from his solid XC season should give him the confidence to mix it up with the big guys in this race. Palmer looks great, he is consistent and strong and has won a few races this winter, i see him more in the 3200 but the Marist commit could mix it up in this race and maybe take a few scalps. 


3200 meters 

Top returners and ones to watch. 

1. Alex Ostberg, Darien, Sr see above  (1st 2014)

2. Ari Klau, Hall, Sr see above  (9th 2014)

3. Grant O'Conner, Hall, Sr PRs  (4:24 1600, 9:30 3200, 7th outdoors, 13th XC opens) 

4. Armstrong Noonan, Darien, Jr, see above  (5th 2014)

5. Palmer Weimann, Farmington, Sr, PRs  (4:34 1600, 9:33 3200, 16th XC opens, 4th 2014)

Dark Horses-
Will Brisman, Fairfield Warde So, PRs  ( 10:19 3200,16:09 xc 5k) 
Ryan Brennan, North Haven, Jr PRs  (4:43 1600, 10:16 3200, 8th class L XC, currently 3rd in L) 

Analysis-
To bet against Ostberg in this is almost impossible, he not only has the state record but dominated the state in cross country and won a national title on the track, he seems like a sure lock to retain his championship. Like we said Klau is a stud, he's been running very well all year and should for sure improve on his 9th place showing from a year ago  (that was after he was the mile runner up). Grant O'Conner also has the chops to make this race interesting it seems like hes really flourished in the past year and he had an incredible cross country season which should give him a lot of confidence and strength coming into this year. Noonans Pr is great but for some reason I think it will be close between him and O'Conner especially if Noonan has run another event but this could be a very close race. Another guy who i wont discount and could even taken down Grant is Palmer Weimann, he's consistent, he's winning and he has the confidence, after all he beat Noonan a year ago. Brisman Is solid, he's PR may not show that but he ran that as a freshman and had a very good XC season and i expect him to try and mix it up with these guys during the track season and Ryan Brennan also, he was 8th in the class meet during XC and although he may not have outstanding PRs his times are all from this indoor season and he is obviously improving and i bet he's hungry to prove what he can do but in the monster meet that class L is this could be a tough race to breakthrough in but he certainly will have the competition to drag him along.