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.