Where's Schaaf? I'm outta the loop clearly.
Yeah all amzingly interesting field this year. Hasay surely will win the mile, however it's always tough when its your 3rd race of the weekend.
3k is the race of the weekend for me, Reid vs van Dalen. Reid will be hard to beat, watched her at Big east, was so strong. However van Dalen will be fresh and 4:32 is crazy. Reid split a 4:31 also. What a match up
The 5k is an interesting one. I have to agree with T&F news as van Dalen was strong over cross against all these girls but am backing her mainly as I watched her qualify at the Armory last Friday, she chilled in the 5k, look like a heat. It was one of the easiest college sub 16min I have ever seen. I heard she had an injury early and hence she has not raced much this season, however split a sub 4:40 dmr. She could be fresh. Areson, however, has run 15:39, that is hard to beat. Also has solid speed over 3k
Emily Lipari on Villanova's 1200 may have only run 4:46 this season, but she ran 4:42 as a HS senior last March. On top of that, she split 3:20 in the 1200 last weekend, which is believed to be the fastest indoor 1200 split ever recorded. Nova also doesnt really run at those big time trial meets that most schools get their qualifiers at. I do agree their middle legs will be weak. You also mention Reid listed way down the mile list. That time is from the first weekend. At NB Grand Prix she ran 4:35 in a race that went out crawling. You did note Chelanga's time in the 3k from NB Grand Prix, so not sure why you omitted Reid's. She also split 4:31 this past weekend. I have no doubt in my mind that Reid is at worst the 2nd best and I'd bet the #1 miler in the NCAA right now.
You are right that Villanova's middle legs will kill them without step up performances. On paper, Oregon has the pieces for some of the best DMR and 4x15s the ncaa has ever seen. BUT, all their legs besides probably the 400 will be coming off of a Prelim, while Nova will be 100% fresh. If they can get a 2:06/2:07 out of their Neutts and just keep Reid close, it will be a great race. Hasay may not even run (which I think would be the smartest move).
I think jackie areson is Def the strongest in the 5k. She lead about 90% of the race running a 15:39. And if it were to come down to a kick, she split a 3:34 on the DMR at SEC's by herself. I also see Jackie in there for the 3k don't rule her out she ran 9:01 by herself and a 434. They should be worried about her
reality czech wrote:
At NB Grand Prix she ran 4:35 in a race that went out crawling. You did note Chelanga's time in the 3k from NB Grand Prix, so not sure why you omitted Reid's. She also split 4:31 this past weekend. I have no doubt in my mind that Reid is at worst the 2nd best and I'd bet the #1 miler in the NCAA right now.
Thanks for the insight. I didn't mention it as I didn't know about it. Reid is fresh and a stud. If it's close, they might win it - you are right but how much will they give up on the 800 and 400 - a ton. Should be interesting.
Holly was injured early on in season, hence her lack of racing this season. Last weeks 5k at the armory was a cake walk, making sure she got the auto, and is no way any indicater of her current fitness... look for her to have a stormer even though she is under rated by letsrun at the moment...
Lucy is a straight up beast and in very good form, as is Reid. That race will be one for the ages, as both are equally as good on paper, with Reid having the edge from cross country. I am biased however and will have to pick lucy to grab her first national title. Def the race of the meet on the womens side.
These two races are fascinating. First, the 5k has the unknown element of HvD. I think from what I saw at the armory that she is in incredible shape. However still being over 15seconds behind going in is a lot. You do have to remember HvD has beaten Areson a number of times in there last few races. Regional 5k van Dalen blazed the last 500m. Also people think LvD is the better of the two where as in fact Holly has beaten Lucy on far more occasions it was just during the cross season she was coming from an injury so was always a few weeks behind Lucy. Still I think this one is just to hard to tell. I'm edging towards van Dalen but Areson is just so much faster on paper.
The womens 3k is going to be a blinder. van Dalen dropped a 251/252 last k when running her 8:56 and Reid is all class. Got to go with Reid in the last 50m
Mile - Hasey
3k - lvd
5k - hvd
Have twins ever done a double like that? They are juniors also