Kyle Merber does not make it to NCAAs!

ermerbz wrote:

Unfortunately that 3:35.59 for Merbz seems like a lifetime ago and was setup at both the wrong place and time to record a performance like that.

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Short track

Merber is the most overhyped and overrated collegiate runner. What has he ever done on the national level? Ever been an All American? Ever been a factor at NCAAs? Ever done anything of note besides that one race?

OK...so what's your 1500m PR?...lolz

It's not the regional system's fault that a given athlete(s) fails to make Nationals. I suggest it shows the reverse - that a fast time trial doesn't guarantee an automatic spot for someone who is not ready to race against good competitors two weeks before the NCAA Championships.

exactly. Distance runners and coaches have it all wrong. They set up races with rabbit's to hit fast times and then many do not know what to do in a tactical race. They train for these fast time trials as well, but many do not train themselves to run races that start slow and end up fast. Sprinters just train to run fast all the time. So fast times for distance runners really do not matter that much.

I think someone with the name "Voice of Reason" should avoid the classic logical fallacy of ad hominem we see on these boards so frustratingly often.

He might not be running at NCAA's, but he is still a handsome man ;) we all still love you kyle!!!

Kyle is a huge talent. He may be one of those who doesn't benefit as much from the NCAA system. He seems to be similar to Ritzenhein. Very talented, but very fragile. If a coach could figure out how to train him to squeeze the most out of him, I'd say you see some more 3:35's equivalent performances.

Merber has a ton of upside and seems like one of the most likable and marketable guys out there right now. I'm a fan. I'm sure he'll find a group and get in some good training. #teammerber

I'm sure he's a wonderful guy and it would be awesome if he breaks out after college. That said, his failure to qualify hardly counts as a surprise given his track record.

Haha, so I should avoid doing what you just did? Posting towards me instead of the topic at hand? Lol, what's frustrating about these boards are the hypocrites!

My 1500 PR is irrelevant to the topic. Notice that you. Didn't address my actual post because, though you are apparently a Merber fanboy, you can't deny that what I say is true.

Count me as another Merber fan. The thing I like about Merber is that he knows he is having a rough time and isn't trying to ride the coattails of his collegiate 1500 record (read his recent blog posts). Also, he has a fair amount of wit. At this point, he's overrated because people think he still has a race like that in him. It doesn't sound like Merber himself knows if he does or not.

He might not make it as a pro, but whatever. One-hit wonders exist to make the constant successes more special.

Not proving to be very inconsistent?

Lol again, I never said that you weren't speaking the truth. But I suppose now I should address your original post.

"Merber is the most overhyped and overrated collegiate runner. What has he ever done on the national level? Ever been an All American? Ever been a factor at NCAAs? Ever done anything of note besides that one race?".

As far as I know, he is a 2xNCAA Qualifier, 9xIvy League Champ, & Collegiate record holder in the 1500m. So he has never been an All-American but certainly has been a name to talk about. I do not know him personally, but from interviews, he seems like a good guy, which is enough for me to defend him against the Letsrun hoards.

The runner-up in Merber's fast race at Swarthmore - Jordan Williamsz of Nova - also didn't make it.

That Swarthmore race was just crazy.

A prominent coach told me, "Throw out your PR. It doesn't count." Sort of like in stats, throw out the highs and lows, and what not.

I've done osme research along those lines. 4 of the top 5 at Swarthmore last year ran huge liftime PRs in that race. I list them below with their next best time last year and then their times from this year if it's better than their next best time.

1 Kyle Merber USA 3:35.59 - next best time 3:42.49 (3:41.63 this year)

2 Jordan Williamsz AUS 3:36.74 - next best time 3:39.91.

3 Nate Brannen CAN 3:36.77 - had lead but tied up and ran 3:34.22 later in year.

4 Sam McEntee AUS 3:36.81 - next best time 3:42.33.

5 Liam Boylan-PettUSA 3:37.05 - next best time 3:39.65 (3:38.26 this year)

Merber's the man on twitter though and certainly better than a 3:41 guy in my mind. He'll be back.

That track had to be short, or measured wrong

Kyle Merber may have been very unsuccessful after that 3:35, but his twitter game is still OK. @TheRealMerb

someonen tell me about this race? seems nuts