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The 2005 Grote Poll: NCAA Championship Preview
November 15, 2005
(editor's note: prior to LetsRun.com and just before the dark ages there was TNFMedia.com, which was run by John Schiefer and Ryan Grote (a national class runner). One of the highlights of TNFMedia was the Grote Poll were Grote, an NCAA XC qualifier himself, analyzed the NCAA field in his every humorous style. If you have a thin skin or don't want to be insulted, stop reading.In this episode Grote gives his predictions for the 2005 nationals and insults illegal aliens and Mormons once again.

2005 Grote Polls
1) Preview of the Grote Poll Preview August 25, 2005
2) Grote Poll Preview September 5, 2005
3) The Grote Poll Addendum B September 14, 2005
4) End of September/Beginning of Real Meets Edition September 27, 2005
5) 1st Weekend of October Edition October 10, 2005
6) The Post-Pre-Nationals Grote Poll October18, 2005
7) Conference Meet Preview October 26, 2005
8) The Post-Conference Grote Poll November 2, 2005
9) The Pre Regionals Grote Poll November 10, 2005
10) Nationals Preview November 15, 2005
11) 2005 Grote Poll Awards November 30, 2005

It has been 8 years since I attended an NCAA meet, I am embarrassed about that, yet thrilled about the upcoming road trip. The RV plan is off, too many logistical issues and potential illegal activities associated with it. Instead, we should arrive late Sunday afternoon. Any tips on places to be Sunday night are appreciated. Email GroteWurst@aol.com. The Knights Inn is the place where we will aim to return to each evening to pass out. Having never been to Terre Haute, I am unfamiliar with the attractions. Those attending the meet with me will be hocking some unique wares which they took the liberty to create. They are easy to spot and cost 20 bucks. All proceeds from this will go directly into the funding their few days of mayhem and debauchery.

My Wife will not be attending the meet, as she will be in Rochester, NY, Saturday for the Club Team Nationals with her team Brooks Runners Pace Club East. At this time I would like to wish most of the members of that team well, and also wish the Brooks Manhattan Track Club well there, who I raced once with and disgraced with my loss to a clown among others. Since they are wearing similar garb, albeit of different gender, they should meet up at some point. Almost, but not quite all 5 of the women from the Brooks Runners Pace Club East team going to Rochester do not suck ass and are cool enough to hang with the BMTC guys, and the vast majority of these same women have done nothing to severely piss me off.

Although I really just like to say things once, people seem to be questioning the sincerity of my regret that Gaylord is not in the meet, so I will restate myself. I like to be obnoxious and annoying, which is the root of me calling him Gaylord, just as it is the reason behind my spelling the 2nd place team from the West Region “Stanfurd”. Its stupid and annoying, just like me. At least I am consistent. I really do not have it out for Gaylord, and have trouble seeing why so many of his pathetic, sniveling little fans think I have bashed him. If you are into breathe right strips and underwater treadmills, good for you. Maybe if you want to buy stuff like that, you can show a Gaylord Fan Club membership card and get a discount at Niketown or wherever else such weak nonsense would be peddled. Again, I do not wish to be mean. The fact is I have sent as many birthday, Christmas, and Mother's Day cards and gifts to Gaylord as I have to my very own mom. Zero. In all likelihood that score will remain deadlocked indefinitely. The likelihood of having a word or two with either is much higher with Gaylord actually, if he actually runs in the NCAA meet, and I manage to get myself there again before another 8 years go by. Again, recall the camel connection, Gaylord is a Campbell Camel, and when I was a kid my mom was spit on by a camel, which would be neat to see again, if only I didn't actually have to be in the same state as her at the time for that to happen. Make of that what you will.

Finally, before addressing a preview and prediction of team and individual finishes, let me take a moment to mention the great honor for New Jersey inter-collegiate athletics, that a men's team will finally once again be participating in the NCAA Division 1 Cross-Country Championships. I love the Garden State, and have seen many a great young distance runner develop and move on to college success elsewhere, so to finally have a team from NJ in the meet, when I will be there again…well, that's a great thing. Additionally, NJ took a bit of a hit on Friday, when bowl-eligible Rutgers put up an ugly 5 points in a ridiculous defeat to Louisville. The next day at the Mid-Atlantic Regional, the best squad of 7 harriers in NJ, restored some pride, almost snaring an automatic bid, and earning an at-large in 3rd place. Coincidentally, my place of business is on Route 202/206, around 25 miles north on 206 from this quiet, unassuming college in Mercer County. Who would think its possible for a quiet school of scholars to compete against an athletic power like Georgetown, to take down powers from the Big East, A-10, and Big 10? Nobody talks about it much, and while I may have insulted these guys all season by ranking HS teams ahead of them, when it counted, they got the job done and will be in Terre Haute, proudly representing NJ and Rider University. You can bet that myself and other NJ guys with me will be loud and proud on the sidelines…when you hear those screams: “GO RIDER!!!!”…you can know that it is us…clear a path. Then again, never mind, there was no at-large given to the 3rd placers from NJ in the Mid-Atlantic, rather Loyola (Illinois) is in the meet, thus only 2 individuals representing NJ collegians will carry the torch. Nonetheless, “GO RIDER!!!!” and clear a path.

THE GROTE POLL NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

These are not rankings. These are predictions. Rankings of the 31 teams participating would be a bit different.

1. ARKANSAS- I am waiting for the day when Boit and Kosgei run together when both are all out. Next Monday would be a good time for that. Both of them in the top 10 with a rested Forrest and Cormier still makes them the favorite in my book, which is not a book, rather a maddening, grammatical nightmare typed out without any sort of planning or proofreading.

2. WISCONSIN- When I really sit down and think about it, I don't know how I can pick against the Badgers. I'm not real smart, so I try not to think too much, thus Wisco is still 2nd here. How does that work if I pick Withrow to win and both Bairu and Solinsky in the top 5? Well, you see, if Arkansas wins and beats them, then Wisco is 2nd, not 1st.

3. COLORADO- Better at regionals than at Big 12, which happens to be a longer race, later in the season, which is pretty consistent with the Buffs history. Still, all that might be great, but its pretty f-ed up that Gaylord is hurt because Wetmore gets everybody injured. How close to matching Vaughn and Schoolmeester last year, will Nelson and Schoolmeester be this year? If Battliner is 60seconds behind those two, he should be an All-American as their 5th man. Pifer is much better, as is Strang. So, could CU actually be better than last year? Yes. Will they win? Hard to imagine, but if they do what they do well, they will be very good, and not totally out of the picture.

4. IONA- Back where they started in September after nearly falling completely out of the Grote Poll are the Gaels. This final trophy spot, which is assuming the first 3 are set in stone…which they are not…is up for grabs with Arizona, Stanford, Notre Dame, UTEP, BYU, and Iona all having cases. I will go back to Iona. Why? Well, they are sort of local for one, and I don't like the idea of some of these other squads running as tough in the hearty Midwest, especially if weather is cold and crappy. Kiplagat is a top 10 guy, and Harbert Okuti is improving rapidly. I have always felt that a healthy Mohammed Khadroui is an instant NCAA X-C All-American. I look forward to him doing something Monday, that he never got a chance to show everybody at Foot Locker Nationals when he missed in 2003. Chemlany should be a top 50 guy, and if they put a 5th man with 90 seconds of Kiplagat, they could stand on the podium with a big trophy.

5. BYU- I have bounced them all over the place in The Grote Poll and made not so subtle stabs at their faith and religious beliefs. They are probably unaware of this because they may feel they would go to hell or somewhere for reading The Grote Poll. Whatever. BYU has a good coach, big frontrunner in Rohatisnky and a history of running well as a team at NCAA's.

6. ARIZONA- 10k in Terre Haute in November is nothing like 10k in Palo Alto anytime. I expect Terre Haute to be one of the more despicable destinations I have ever witnessed, perhaps right up there with Buffalo. That said, I would much rather be there than Palo Alto because Stanfurd sucks. 1-2-4 was impressive from ‘Zona, I must say. This meet is very tight in these spots.

7. TEXAS- Dick Harter unzips it and lets it out on Monday. The ‘Horns ran reserved, yet successfully as runners-up to Arkansas. Watch out next year, but watch out Monday first. Leo Manzano will be the key perhaps. I really hope that they beat Stanfurd, since they clearly discriminated by not hiring Dick Harter. What a mistake. Look for Texas to run smart and come on strong in the last 1000m to mile…Homeward Bound With The Hammer Down…

8. NOTRE DAME- The Irish have a major contributor named Van Ort? Doesn't sound Irish to me. At least he's not French. An argument could be made for ND at 4th or 5th.

9. UTEP- So at least Joe Munoz was not in the top 5 for them, but I think he's American, so why the hell do they have one of those on the roster? I mean, look damnit, if you can't get enough good Kenyans, get rid of the crappy Kenyans, and try some Tanzanians, Ugandans, Zimbabwians, Ethiopians, South Africans, Eritreans, Moroccans, hell maybe even Egyptians or Libyans. Just anything but a guy from the good old U.S.of A. That will get you nowhere in a hurry. If Africa doesn't work out, try your own continent, use geography to your advantage. Why not sign up some Mexicans? Head south from UTEP campus to the border at the Rio Grande. Look for the guys that are leading the pack running away from border patrol into the US. Be careful to make sure its not somebody who just sprinted out of the water real fast. Take splits. Look for the guys who clear the barbed wire fences with ease. Who can't use a good high jumper or two during track season, right? But careful reconnaissance will reveal those border hoppers with true cross-country potential. Those who are cool and calm amidst the search lights, german shepherds and warning shots are the ones you want. This sets these Mexican harriers up well once they complete their eligibility. You already know they can swim a bit if they can cross the river alive. So, once their UTEP days are done and dishwashing and/or fry-making beans, they can take their x-c fitness with the swimming background, and combine that with cycling when commuting to each of their 6 jobs on an 80-pound, 50-dollar mountain bike from WalMart. So, even if these guys don't get a degree, it's a win-win because they have helped UTEP's x-c cause and use that background to begin another athletic career as a triathlete. There's a sport that could use a little diversity.

10. STANFURD- Will they really, possibly be 10th? I hope so. Actually I hope they are worse than that, but its highly unlikely.

11. ALABAMA- They would be ranked up there with UTEP, but they do not have the advantage of having Mexicans illegally fleeing into their town from South of The Border, so they remain a few spots behind. I suppose the overtime loss to LSU was buffered by ‘Bama winning the South Region? Was Bruno mit Funkyzeit on the sidlelines for the football game?

12. GEORGETOWN- Fleet Hower. Another neat name. Pretty good squad this year for the Hoyas. That's my in-depth analysis.

13. WILLIAM and MARY- Where's The Count? Count or No Count, The Tribe counted up 23 points less than UVa to win the region. There are some other people a refer to as something similar to The Count, but without the “o”. Neither of them will be in Terre Haute.

14. FLORIDA STATE- Seminoles have come on strong of late. They seem better than last year, and were 17th last year.

15. DARTMOUTH- Still a tight grouping less than a minute 1-5, and I would expect True to finish in the top 25. Their 5th man is named Matt Davis? If only this were THE Matt Davis…the man Matt Davis I said I would be more reluctant to fight than Mike Tyson…the good Mike Tyson…good in terms of ass-kicking good, not so much raping, face-tattooing good. If this Matt Davis is anywhere near that tough, look out. There is no shame being beaten by Iona when they run like they did Saturday…see Rider in the MAAC meet, not even close to the Gaels, now proudly representing NJ colleges in Terre Haute.

16. KANSAS- I know they were 3rd in the region, two good individuals and maybe one great one in Chesang help their cause.

17. PORTLAND- I know they tied for 4th in the region, but they ran solidly there, and I think will show up to run well with a young squad at NCAA's. Originally I had hoped for them to be at top 10 team, but this is shaping up as an enormously tough year. Grape Crush.

18. FLORIDA- Wither Henok, Enoch, ptooey?

19. VIRGINIA- There is still life after winning the ACC.

20. OHIO STATE- Olinger's win was nice, and OSU has been solid in championship season the past two races.

21. ARIZONA STATE- What the hell was going on all season?

22. AMERICAN- They cut it a bit close for the auto, but got the job done. That may have been a slight off day across the board for them.

23. OKLAHOMA STATE- Apparently a bit banged up all season and perhaps rounding into form. The regional run suggests something more along the lines of at top 15 for the Cowboys.

24. IOWA- I think they will be closer to OkState here than at regionals. I am basing that on nothing other than laziness and filling out the top 31 teams here.

25. WASHINGTON- Glad to see another one of the 3 institutions of higher learning that I managed to attend in the meet when I'll be there.

26. MINNESOTA- The Gophers got a somewhat surprising individual win from Antonio Vega. Does he have a sister who's name is Luka? Freshman Rombough has had a solid season. He showed up big in the last national championship cross-country race he ran, however this one is not in San Diego against a bunch of high school kids.

27. TENNESSEE- I called it. The South Region gets 4 teams in and deserves it. Two NJ guys will run for the Vols, although one of which is from so close to Philly that I'm not sure it counts.

28. EASTERN MICHIGAN- A good young squad stocked with US talent is nice to see.

29. INDIANA- Why are they ranked so low? Somebody has to be down here.

30. BUTLER- The Great Lakes with 3 of the last 4 spots seems unlikely, but as always I'm right and I'm right.

31. LOYOLA (Illinois)- Congrats for the bid, it's a great honor, but I really feel bad for the guys from Rider that they did not get the chance. Inevitably, somebody gets left out. If Gaylord's foot was better, I think they'd let him back in, but others get left out. Sorry Rider. Sorry Nofolk State. Sorry Rice…what happened to Marcel Hemmorhoid? Sorry NAU. Sorry Michigan. Sorry Providence. Sorry NC State. Sorry Cal. Sorry Cal Poly. Why the hell am I apologizing for everybody? I'm not exactly Mr. Cordial. Life is hard and full of disappoint so learn it and deal with it.

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP INDIVIDUAL PREDICTIONS

1. Matt Withrow, Wisconsin

2. Josphat Boit, Arkansas

3. Josh McDougal, Liberty

4. Chris Solinsky, Wisconsin

5. Robert Cheseret, Arizona

6. Richard Kiplagat, Iona

7. Bret Schoolmeester, Colorado

8. Shawn Forrest, Arkansas

9. Simon Bairu, Wisconsin

10. Andrew Lemoncello, Florida State

11. Kurt Benninger, Notre Dame

12. Josh Rohatisnky, BYU

13. Billy Nelson, Colorado

14. Peter Kosgei, Arkansas

15. Martin Fagan, Providence

16. Kenny Cormier, Arkansas

17. Stephen Pifer, Colorado

18. Tonny Okello, South Florida

19. Patrick Mutai, UTEP

20. Fernando Chimichanga, UTEP—New guy who hopped the border.

21. Ben True, Dartmouth

22. Joe Thorne, Texas

23. Brian Olinger, Ohio State

24. Fleet Hower, Georgetown

25. Casey Burchill, Arizona State

That should do it for The Grote Poll. Don't forget to look for the t-shirts (20 bucks), you know where to find us…and…clear a path.


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