I think most would agree that a team of Rupp, Ritz, Solinsky and Teg would be phenomenal xc team and our best ever in these days of E. African dominance.
What would you do to ensure that it happens?
Would you pay $10?
What if you could get Nike & USATF to partner up and match whatever the letsrun fans fund could come up with just for showing up and making the team?
Judging by the average poll on letsrun roughly 1000 people respond to the distance polls so that means at least 1000 people care enough about it to respond.
What if all 1000 (or more) paid $10 for them to all compete at the trials and make the team? Nike/USATF match that so they get $20,000 / 4 = $5,000 each just for qualifying for worlds and racing there. Could be an honest effort clause which requires a top 40 finish (meaning no giving up because they have an off day). Further incentive could be to double it for a top 3 team finish and triple it for a top of the podium? Nike may have to foot the bill on this aspect since USATF doesn't have a lot of cash. Obviously this would be on top of whatever bonus incentives are already written into their contracts.
For good measure it would apply to any other athletes who might make the team OVER one of these 4 provided these 4 show up to the US championships.
Considering the impact this could have on the mentality of young american distance runners, would it be worth $10 bucks if this was a possibility?