I'd like to refrain from making final picks until next week Monday, but here's my updated list:
1) Cortland - We should be paying them for their distance running clinic.
2) NYU - I am surprised and impressed; I thought they would have to rebuild a bit more.
3) SLU - Home course advantage, and as I said before, it's cold. High of 60 in Syracuse today; 30 up north. Try and tell me that it doesn't matter.
4) SUNY G - Not a typically strong showing at SUNYACs, but who knows if they were all going 100%. They are hurting big time without the R-O'C.
5) SUNY P - Like the gas turbines in Oswego, these guys come on when it counts (think: Asher '05). Losing Seth hurts their cause, but the others can step up when needed. Plus they have the decked out tour bus and the single file cool down. Still don't know the deal with that one.
6) TCNJ - Very strong up front, but trail off quicker than usual from 5-7. Still, they have proven themselves to peak very well, and it will be close.
7) Ithaca - Very good pack. The reason I give SUNY P and TCNJ the nod - the front runners. How many people are going to finish between Guerriero/Heymann and Drew Hodge? I would say 15, maybe 20 depending. That will be the difference at the end of the day.
As for individuals, it's tough to say. How many teams will we send? I would like to think 5 no matter what, but history has shown that argument is not air tight.
Kosgei, Williams, Stewart, Guerriero & Bocchino if TCNJ doesn't make it, Heymann & Sico if Platts doesn't make it, Hodge & Bell if Ithaca doesn't make it... maybe Stenuf will return to 2007 form, who knows. I'll make a top-25 list next week, and draw the individuals from that.
That's my $.02, give me yours.