Webb Officially in Trials 5k

yawn

It was the right decision. There is no way the race is better off without him.

I agree. I understand the argument against it, but I still think the race is better with him in it.

It's hard to be a Webb fan anymore knowing he took a spot and a dream from a 5k guy who had run the standard. Webb has not run the standard, he had a chance to do so last weekend. Why does he get favors? Where does the line get drawn for who gets to pull one of these antics and who doesn't? Webb doesn't have a chance at a medal. In our country it doesn't matter what you've done, it matters what you will do.

Which guy's spot did he take?

hard to be a fan wrote:

It's hard to be a Webb fan anymore knowing he took a spot and a dream from a 5k guy who had run the standard. Webb has not run the standard, he had a chance to do so last weekend. Why does he get favors? Where does the line get drawn for who gets to pull one of these antics and who doesn't? Webb doesn't have a chance at a medal. In our country it doesn't matter what you've done, it matters what you will do.

I think you should pause for a minute and think about each of those questions

hard to be a fan wrote:

It's hard to be a Webb fan anymore knowing he took a spot and a dream from a 5k guy who had run the standard. Webb has not run the standard, he had a chance to do so last weekend. Why does he get favors? Where does the line get drawn for who gets to pull one of these antics and who doesn't? Webb doesn't have a chance at a medal. In our country it doesn't matter what you've done, it matters what you will do.

You had me until that last sentence...

No Way wrote:

hard to be a fan wrote:

It's hard to be a Webb fan anymore knowing he took a spot and a dream from a 5k guy who had run the standard. Webb has not run the standard, he had a chance to do so last weekend. Why does he get favors? Where does the line get drawn for who gets to pull one of these antics and who doesn't? Webb doesn't have a chance at a medal. In our country it doesn't matter what you've done, it matters what you will do.

You had me until that last sentence...

Exactly... that is why they let him in.

I don't agree with this decision at all. I don't care what it does for the Trials race. This is a complete slap in the face to all the other guys that ran faster times. It would have been a good race without Webb. The likelihood of these guys running the A standard is not good if one considers nearly every other Trials and US championship race. They have standards for a reason and dozens of other guys were shooting for those standards, and all of a sudden USATF pulls this out of their a$$ and throws the standards out the window. I would like to hear the reasoning behind it. Perhaps it would be wise for me to hold back my fingers and wait for an explanation, but whatever the explanation ends up being it's a complete load of malarkey.

If they expand the field by 1 to allow for that extra spot I think it's okay. So if they were looking at 24, make it 25 instead. I know that doesn't make the 25th guy feel any better, but then he isn't technically taking a spot from anyone, just being granted an extra. And everyone knows he's probably got a better chance at doing anything than everyone but the top 10 or so times.

Don't think he can run with rupp/lagat/lomong as it is, but maybe off a slower pace he'll be more able to shift gears at the end. Doubt it, but you never know.

When a guy has run 13:10 and 3:46 (I don't care how long ago it was), he has a hell of a more chance at MAKING the team then some senior college guy who has run 13:30. The college guy didn't have a chance to begin with. That being said, he "took" a spot from some kid who wasn't going to make it anyways. And yes, that IS the point.

this is great, being a Webb fan. What ive been saying all year long. Think he might surprise himself at how easy pace feels. He's going run around 13:40ish in the heat, make the final and going run 13:teens finishing 3rd behind 1.rupp

2. Lagat

3. webb

Agreed. It really sucks if he bumped someone out but, let's be honest, that person was going for the experience. Webb is getting in because his credentials suggest that he could pull a top 3 out of his ass.

I disagree. If you don't have the trials A, USATF should have the right to choose whomever they like. Webb is the best choice among those with the trials B standard, he ran that 5k immediately after a 1500 and paced the 5k. He brings name recognition and excitement to the race.

rabblerabbler wrote:

If they expand the field by 1 to allow for that extra spot I think it's okay.

Exactly. I have no problem with exceptions if 1) it's stated clearly in the USATF guidelines AND 2) it doesn't eliminate someone else.

Some day soon there are going to be lawsuits because of things like this --- from these guys who were technically more qualified or from one of the guys that Alan beats to get his Olympic spot (hoping...). The only reason things like this happen is because there is a powerful body in this sport that no one has recourse against. I want to see Alan in this race, but the USATF is flirting with problems that have plagued other governing bodies with these kind of moves.

Hassan Mead University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 13:33.42 provisional pending

Yosef Ghebray 13:34.34 provisional pending

Dan Lowry Brown University 13:34.49 provisional pending

Girma Mecheso Oklahoma State University 13:34.83 provisional pending

George Alex University of Oklahoma 13:35.27 provisional pending

Trevor Dunbar University of Oregon 13:36.86 provisional pending

Forest Braden 13:37.90 provisional pending

Joseph Stilin Princeton University 13:38.36 provisional pending

Michael Banks 13:38.67 provisional pending

Parker Stinson University of Oregon 13:39.22 provisional pending

Mikhail Sayenko Brooks / Club Northwest 13:39.75 provisional pending

Kenyon Neuman 13:40.38 provisional pending

Jonathan Peterson University of California, Davis 13:41.93 provisional pending

Elliot Krause University of Wisconsin-Madison 13:42.38 provisional pending

Landon Peacock ZAP Fitness Reebok 13:42.90 provisional pending

He's actually declared for both the 1500 and the 5000. Eeeenteresting!

Only automatic times guarantee you a spot in the trials. Provisional is no guarantee of anything. The petition process is part of the rulebook, so if Webb successfully petitioned himself into the race any potential lawsuit would have no merit.

I have three words for ya': John Chaplin & Nike.

You are welcome