MIAC XC 2014

I think the Oles' title defense depends on the return of Lehn. If he can run like he did for a few meets there last year, they can do it.

Can Carleton make nationals without Huderle? Based on graduations, I think not. However, Barry and Hornor should be in position to make it as individuals, and Hornor should be looking to finally make the jump to be AA. I was surprised by the way he sort of burned out the rest of the year after running very fast early.

Individuals at MIAC: Wintheiser, Brown, Berens, Campbell, Barry (which is really a boring prediction because that was their order at conference this year...). I could see 2-4 in any order, especially given how well Berens came on at the end of outdoor.

What will recruits be like? Olaf has to have snagged some good prospects after this season?

How will rising sophomores perform? Coffey, Edstrom, Bjork, Carlsen, Withbroe, Trapp? These guys (especially Bjork and Coffey) have some major talent that hasn't been shown on the course yet. If Carleton makes it to nationals, it will be because of their sophomores.

I think Olaf will be able to contend with any team on the national level this season after their performances this past year and their returners. Podium at nationals highly likely with a very realistic shot at the title. I agree that Lehn Is the key to the puzzle at this point. Based off the second half of his sophmore year his number 1 priority should be in staying healthy.

MIAC All-American predictions:

Winthieser (Should be going for individual title)

Brown (Could be top 3)

Berens (Could be top 3)

Campbell (Could be top 10)

Barry & Horner right on the bubble

(Lehn and Escher both have potential as well)

Speaking of... Escher #2 in the 1500?!? Could be a great addition to the oles scorers.

I think Carleton must be the favorite for #2 in the conference. They lose Huderle but keep Horner and Barry, desperate need of a 3,4,5 though...

This year will be a BIG local max year for the MIAC. Lots of talent, lots of fast guys, lots of Seniors..

Adam Wood will win the 12 and under division.

Word on the street is Berens is in a boot yet again. If he is not in form, Olaf could come close to perfect scoring the MIAC, although Barry and Horner could have something to say about that...

However, Berens tends to return from injury fairly well, and I expect he will be ready to go come late October. Even so, I think Olaf can take 1-3 like last year. Wintheiser and Brown are tough to beat, especially when they can use each other, and with a 15:00 road 5k early in July, Campbell looks like he will be right with them this year.

We won't know for sure how the rest of the MIAC is shaping up until they run their early season 4k's though.

Nov. 3 from the Oles' perspective:

http://youtu.be/DvIufihXt7E

Smacketeer wrote:

Nov. 3 from the Oles' perspective:

http://youtu.be/DvIufihXt7E

All I have to say about that video is, "Don't do that."

For all of our sakes.

Augsburg could do decent....in the MIAC.

They have a few good incoming guys, along with Mohamed Mohamed who was really good in high school but for some reason never really translated. Maybe he put in a good summer and gets top 5 at Conf. and qualifies for natties.

Otherwise the only acceptable word associated with MIAC is OLAF

Macalester has got some talent and potential. For example: Lachlan Hindwood. Ran like 4:50 and 10:35 in hs but all of a sudden runs a 4:30. Dudes a beast and whatever Macalester in doing is working. I predict a big jump for Macalester in MIAC this season

Is Jake Brown not running this fall for Olaf? He's not on their roster.

Their 2nd fastest returner ran 28:38 at MIAC last year...Top 8 would be a good year for them

Augsburg's I mean

Anyone know about Jake Brown?

MIAC PREVIEW/PREDICTIONS

St Olaf: 1, 2, 4, 8, 9 24

Jake Brown may or may not be returning for the Oles this year, but MIAC should be a cakewalk for the defending National Champions either way, as they boast 4-5 of the top 8-9 MIAC returners. Grant Wintheiser, Jake Campbell, Paul Escher, and Phillip Meyer are all returning from huge XC and Track seasons, as Olaf’s top man Wintheiser finished 3rd at the 2013 XC Nationals and ran 14:14 (5k) in Outdoors. Campbell and Meyer both broke the 15 minute 5k barrier in track, and Escher came away runner-up in the 1500 at Outdoor Nationals (3:48). Matt Berens and Jonah Barry may be the only obstacles to an Olaf sweep at the MIAC meet.

This year’s recruiting class for St. Olaf is far from spectacular, but they will not be expected to make an impact until 2015.

Calvin Lehn’s health could be the decider for where Olaf finishes at Nationals, as he missed the MIAC XC Meet last year as well as most of the 2014 Track season. If healthy, he could finish top 40 at nationals and deliver a second consecutive national title to Northfield.

There is a sizable gap between their 1-5 returners and the rest, but this should not be a problem at MIAC, where they have a huge margin for error.

St. Thomas: 6,13,17,18,35 89

St. Thomas will be looking to move up after finishing third in the MIAC last year, behind St. Olaf and Carleton. It’s a tall order for the Tommies, who graduated 2-time XC Nationals qualifier Keaton Wendroth, but boast some of the best depth in the MIAC. Another worry for UST will be the recovery of their top returner, Jacob Gehartz, who is recovering from a spinal fracture.

Ben Rascher struggled with injuries all of last year, but he has the potential to be top 10 at the conference meet, as seen from his ninth place finish at the St. Olaf Invite last year.

Dylan Baumann should be a solid #3/4 runner, as he broke 27 minutes three times in 2013, including a 26:30 performance at MIAC that put him in 24th. Senior Robby Williams placed right behind Baumann at MIAC last year, before going on to place top 40 at the regional meet. Williams and Baumann both raced little in Track (Presumably because of injuries), but are capable of being top 20 come the MIAC meet.

St. Thomas comes in with no obvious 5th runner, but with plenty of returning depth and a big freshman class, someone will surely step into the role. Sophomores Trevor Smith (MIAC: 27:05), Adam Brandt (15:54 Outdoor 5k), and Austin Knowlton (15:58 Outdoor 5k), as well as Junior Tyler Krpan (MIAC: 27:20) and Senior Brian Anderson (MIAC 27:13) are among the favorites to take spots 5-7. Among the eight incoming freshman, three have high school times under 16:50.

Carleton: 5,7,16,31,33 92

Last year’s runner-ups Carleton may only return two of their top five, but with arguably the best recruiting class in the MIAC, they will contend for 2nd once again this year.

The squad will be led by Juniors Jonah Barry and Hart Hornor, both of whom posted top five times in the MIAC for the 5k (14:50 and 14:57, respectively). Both have had injury problems in their first two years, but if healthy, they should be top 10 at MIAC.

Behind them, Carleton should have a fairly tight pack for spots 3-7. Returners include Junior Joe Haase (MIAC: 26:38), Sophomore Ben Withbroe (MIAC: 27:09), and the Laack-Veeder twins, who return for their final season (Thor: 27:10, Noah: 27:13). Sophomore Walter Edstrom had a breakout track season, running a 15:35 5k, a big improvement from his 27:58 performance at MIAC in the fall.

Freshman Ryan Hanselman and Jerry Cook both have a good chance to come in and score for the Knights, with Hanselman posting a 4:21 1600 and a 15:19 Three Mile, and Cook running 1:54 for the 800, a 4:19 1600, and a 16:05 Three Mile. With the battle for second looking to be tight, these two could be the difference makers for the Knights.

St. John’s: 15,19,23,27,40 102 FR: (4:37, 17:10), (4:36, 16:44), (4:39, 16:38)

St. John’s finished just four points behind St. Thomas last year, but losing three of their top five will make moving up in the MIAC very difficult. However, they saw lots of improvement from their underclassmen in the 2014 track season, and should have enough to post results similar to last season.

The Johnnies top two returners are Juniors Preston Zimny and Thomas Feichtinger. Zimny placed 23rd at MIAC last year (26:27) and should see steady improvement. Feichtinger finished 37th at MIAC (27:02) last year, but had better showings at Regionals (26:30, 52nd) and La Crosse (26:00, 42nd) He was Indoor and Outdoor MIAC 800m Champion (1:52) in the Winter/Spring.

Caleb LeClaire, Kyle Rossow, and Max Kuzara will all hope to round out the scoring for the Johnnies. LeClaire ran in the low 27’s for most of 2013 XC, but showed big improvement in track, where he ran a 9:02 3k indoors, and dropped a 15:19 5k outdoors. Kuzara also was in the low 27’s last year, and posted a 15:36 in outdoor track. Junior Jake Burr and Sophomore Nick Traxler could also play a part, as they both ran in the 27:40’s at MIAC last year and ran solid 5k’s in the spring. Andrew Hansen, Sam Friesen, and Lukas Buehler, as well as a few freshman all have a chance at making the top seven on a team that has no lack of depth.

Macalester: 14,26,28,32,37 137

Macalester returns six of their top eight runners from the MIAC meet last year, and will look to break into the top five for the first time since 2006. The team will revolve around a big senior class, led by Joe Giamberdino. Giamberdino placed 50th in the region meet last year and studied abroad in the spring.

The Scots are blessed with a wealth of men who should run under and around 27 minutes. Seniors Mike Waltman and Ross Boehme both struggled with injuries in 2013, but were able to sneak under the 27 minute barrier at Regionals, something they should repeat again this season. Junior Trevor Maggart finished 21 spots higher at the MIAC meet in his 2nd year than he did in his 1st and was the 8th place finisher at the MIAC Indoor Mile, and should challenge for a top 30-35 place this year. Candidates for the fifth scoring spot include Sophomore Lachlan Hinwood (27:41, 16:00), Junior Alex Ropes (27:46, 16:03), Dylan Saul (15:59, 27:17), and senior/cross country newcomer Erik Alfvin (4:13 1500). Freshman Nolan Ebner (1:57, 4:34, 16:51) and Nate Merrill (16:52) also figure to be in the mix.

Hamline: 10,20,25,39,46 140

Hamline nipped out Macalester for the 5th spot in the MIAC last year, and they return all of their top seven besides All-MIAC Colin Rogers. Chris Gill is Hamline’s lone sub-27 returner, and will need to run well for the team to hold onto 5th. Senior Ryan Peterson’s 8k PR is 27:02, but Peterson had a monster of a track season, running 9:25 in the Steeplechase and 15:05 in the 5k.

Another Piper who had a sub-par MIAC race last year is Junior Nathan Rock. Rock ran 27:29 at MIAC last year, but came back at Regionals and ran a 26:41. After running a 15:28 5k in track, Rock should be in contention for a top 20 spot.

Question marks for Hamline are aplenty for spots four through seven. junior Cole Konczal (MIAC: 27:30) is the 4th returner for the Pipers, then junior Ronnie Stimson (Regionals: 28:07), and sophomore James Logan (MIAC: 28:14).

The Pipers do have a very solid freshman class, which stars Andy Magnuson, who ran 4:29, 9:44, and 16:11 (XC) in high school. Anthony Paladie (17:15), Sam Jewson (17:12), and Alex Liu (10:12, 16:41) also will have a chance to contribute for the Ham-Dogs.

Gustavus: 21,30,34,54,56 195

Gustavus finished a disappointing seventh at last year’s MIAC meet, and will lose three of their top five from last year. They will come into this year as a dark horse to take a top five spot. Their top returner is sophomore Thomas Knobbe, who ran 27:15 at MIAC and 15:49 in indoor track. They should have a tight pack from #1-6 and following Knobbe should be Paul Nordquist (MIAC: 28:08, 15:45), Evan Jones (MIAC: 28:08, 15:55), Carston Dammann (MIAC: 28:09), Sam Renier (MIAC: 28:10), and Matt Carlson (MIAC: 28:15). Freshman Emmett Haberman (17:12) and Ryley Sandberg (16:55) could contribute to the team in their first year as well.

St. Mary’s: 12,22,53,57,61 205

St. Mary’s finished ninth in the MIAC last year, just four points ahead of Bethel. The team graduated just one senior and a strong incoming group could see them contend for seventh this year. Senior Aaron Haley will be the lead harrier for the Cardinals. Haley is the eighth fastest returner in the MIAC, and will have a chance at a top 10 finish, despite a disappointing track season.

After Haley is Sophomore Jovan Newsum , who ran 27:13 at last year’s MIAC meet, but has since dropped a 15:19 5k and figures to give St. Mary’s a #2 runner in the top 25. The drop-off from #2 to #3-7 is significant and freshman will need to step up for the Cardinals. Gabe Thiel (MIAC: 28:11) and Jase Pater (MIAC: 29:03, 16:14 5k) are the third and fourth returners, and the top seven could be rounded out by three freshman. Austin O’Hare (16:47), Brandon Krogman (Griak: 17:28), and Tyler Fiebig (16:39) make up a solid class of first years, and could help St. Mary’s build in the future.

Augsburg: 11,29,59,63,64 226

Augsburg finished dead last in the MIAC last year, but should have the firepower to move up a couple spots this year, even with the loss of #2 runner Ryan Cook. Returning for the Auggies is Mohamed Mohamed, who will contend for a top 10 place after finishing 12th last year (25:56). Their second returner is Ahmed Nur, who ran 28:35 at MIAC last year. Behind him should be senior Luke Iverson (28:44), sophomores Andrew McGillivary (28:48, 16:24) and Chris Huss (29:05, 16:19), and Junior Zach Richards. Freshman who can make an impact are Ibrahim Barqadle (17:09), James Westby (17:48), and transfer Abdullahi Salan (HS: 15:50).

Bethel: 3,50,52,73,74 252

Bethel looks to be a one man team this year, and will likely battle to avoid the MIAC cellar. Senior Matt Berens should be among the best in the conference, although he will be returning from injury and a lackluster track season. Junior Thomas Ritter and sophomore Connor Haugen will likely be numbers three and four for the Knights. Bethel has no other sub-30 returners and will struggle in position four and five.

Concordia Moorhead: 25,51,58,60,62 256

Concordia Moorhead graduated their top runner from last year, and appear to have lost 3-4 of their top 7 from last year (Not listed on roster). Sophomore Matt Lillehaugen should lead the team, improving on his 36th place finish at MIAC last year (26:55). Fellow sophomore Carl Wahlin placed 74th last year (27:50), and Henry Dobbs will hope to be a solid #3 for the Cobbers (MIAC: 28:16, 16:23). Senior Aaron Larkin should score as well (MIAC: 28:45)

Concordia will need a freshman to step into the #5 role, as their 5th and 6th returners are junior Taylor Lauermann (MIAC 29:41) and sophomore Peter Simon (MIAC: 29:49). Their top three incomers are Brendan Johnson (10:24, 17:05) Noah Pilgrim (9:59, 16:40), Ben Sullivan (10:24, 16:28).

1. Grant Wintheiser, SR 24:41.9 St. Olaf

2. Jake Campbell, JR 25:23.5 St. Olaf

3. Matt Berens, SR 25:25 Bethel

4. Calvin Lehn, SO 25:30 St. Olaf

5. Hart Hornor, JR 25:32 Carleton

6. Ben Rascher, SR 25:35 St. Thomas

7. Jonah Barry, JR 25:35 Carleton

8. Phillip Meyer, JR 25:38.5 St. Olaf

9. Paul Escher, SO 25:44 St. Olaf

10. Ryan Peterson, SR 25:49 Hamline

11. Mohamed Mohamed, SR 25:51 Augsburg

12. Aaron Haley, SR 25:53 Saint Mary's

13. Jacob Gehartz, SO 26:00 St. Thomas

14. Joe Giamberdino, SR 26:11 Macalester

15. Preston Zimny, JR 26:12 Saint John's

16. Joe Haase, JR 26:20 Carleton

17. Dylan Baumann, SO 26:23 St. Thomas

18. Robby Williams, SR 26:25 St. Thomas

19. Thomas Feichtinger, JR 26:25 Saint John's

20. Nathan Rock, JR 26:28 Hamline

21. Evan Jones, SO 26:28 Gustavus

22. Jovan Newsum, SO 26:30 Saint Mary's

23. Caleb LeClaire, JR 26:31 Saint John's

24. Matthew Lillehaugen, SO 26:31 Concordia Moorhead

25. Chris Gill, SR 26:33 Hamline

26. Mike Waltman, SR 26:35 Macalester

27. Maxwell Kuzara, SO 26:36 Saint John's

28. Ross Boehme, SR 26:40 Macalester

29. Abdullahi Salan, FR 26:43 Augsburg

30. Thomas Knobbe, SO 26:45 Gustavus

31. Ben Withbroe, SO 26:45 Carleton

32. Lachlan Hinwood, SO 26:46 Macalester

33. Walter Edstrom, SO 26:47 Carleton

34. Paul Nordquist, JR 26:48 Gustavus

35. Trevor Smith, SO 26:48 St. Thomas

36. Ryan Hanselman, FR 26:49 Carleton

37. Trevor Maggart, JR 26:52 Macalester

38. Kyle Wagener, JR 26:52 St. Olaf

39. Andrew Magnuson, FR 26:55 Hamline

40. Andrew Hansen, JR 26:56 St. John’s

41. Thor Laack-Veeder, SR 27:03 Carleton

42. Sean Bjork, FR 27:06 St. Olaf

43. Adam Brandt, SO 27:08 St. Thomas

44. Dylan Saul, SR 27:11 Macalester

45. Brian Anderson, SR 27:13 St. Thomas

46. Cole Konczal, JR 27:13 Hamline

47. Kyle Rossow, SR 27:13 Saint John's

48. Sam Friesen, SO 27:15 Saint John's

49. Alex Ropes, JR 27:20 Macalester

50. Thomas Ritter, JR 27:21 Bethel

51. Carl Wahlin, SO 27:26 Concordia Moorhead

52. Connor Haugen, SO 27:36 Bethel

53. Jase Pater, JR 27:39 Saint Mary's

54. Carston Dammann, Fr 27:45 Gustavus

55. James Logan, SO 27:50 Hamline

56. Sam Renier, JR 27:53 Gustavus

57. Gabe Thiel, JR 27:53 Saint Mary's

58. Noah Pilgrim, FR 27:55 Concordia Moorhead

59. Ahmed Nur, SR 27:57 Augsburg

60. Ben Sullivan, FR 27:57 Concordia Moorhead

61. Austin O’Hare, FR 27:58 Saint Mary’s

62. Henry Dobbs, SR 28:01 Concordia Moorhead

63. Andrew McGillivary, SO 28:03 Augsburg

64. Chris Huss, SO 28:05 Augsburg

65. Tyler Fiebig, FR 28:08 Saint Mary’s

66. Matt Carlson, SR 28:08 Gustavus

67. Luke Iverson, SR 28:16 Augsburg

68. John Benson, SO 28:19 Gustavus

69. Brandon Krogman, FR 28:26 Saint Mary’s

70. Ibrahim Barqadle, FR 28:29 Augsburg

71. Brendan Johnson, FR 28:34 Concordia Moorhead

72. Aaron Larkin, SR 28:38 Concordia Moorhead

73. Harrison Hitt, SR 29:26 Bethel

74. James Woolley, FR 30:05 Bethel

75. Nick Lowery, FR 30:25 Bethel

76. Matt Berka, JR 30:36 Bethel

Jake Brown will be running for Olaf this fall. Any word otherwise was false and the roster must be a clerical error.

I have confirmed this information with multiple reliable sources.

I have heard from multiple sources that Berens is out for the season and is talking about a fifth year.

As far as competition goes, it will be interesting to see where the Oles start off in an 8k at their home invite in a few weeks. With Berens gone, it will also be intriguing to see where Barry and Hornor are at, as they seem like the only likely candidates to break up a St. Olaf 15 at conference (which I don't think will happen).

Berens is out. Read the MIAC pre-season stuff on the MIAC Cross Country website.

Well, I think Escher is going to help solve the Cal Lehn dilemma Olaf is facing.

http://www.stolaf.edu/athletics/crossctry/men/media/2014-15/results/2014-09-06.htm

Hornor's the Division 3 athlete of the week for that fast "four mile" race.

Barry was out... Heard he's got back issues. That freshman looks fast.

Well, I think Escher is going to help solve the Cal Lehn dilemma Olaf is facing.

http://www.stolaf.edu/athletics/crossctry/men/media/2014-15/results/2014-09-06.htm

Hornor's the Division 3 athlete of the week for that fast "four mile" race.

Barry was out... Heard he's got back issues. That freshman looks fast.