let's get it started - who are the contenders? Who are the pretenders? Who is going to be the dark horse? Who are the top returners? Let's hear it!
let's get it started - who are the contenders? Who are the pretenders? Who is going to be the dark horse? Who are the top returners? Let's hear it!
New rules this year I think more teams are going
On the men's side the obvious front runner is Oklahoma City, unless they are losing more guys to transfers.
The chase pack is filled with the usual suspects:
Southern Oregon loses two out of its top 5 (one being the national champ) but they had guys step up this past spring and a reload is not out of the question.
St. Francis loses its 1-2 super combo which will be hard to replace however they get back two key pieces from their national championship team. Plus they have a VERY solid recruiting class coming in. If they can overcome inexperience this could be a big surprise for the title come November.
Aquinas always has a very tough pack and they're only losing their #5/6 runners. Could this be the year they put a front runner(s) out in the mix? Look out for their top 4 - if healthy this is going to be a dangerous group. Knowing how good of a coach Woj is I wouldn't be surprised if these guys were hunting for a big trophy in Lawrence come November.
Olivet Nazarene brings back all 7 of their runners from last years squad. Which includes Ethan Gallagher who finished 5th individually. Caleb Drake finished as their #7 at Nationals last year but was their 3 man most of the year - having him back healthy could be a game changer. They also have a very good recruit coming in. Only time will tell but this could be the team to beat come November. At the very least the CCAC should be well represented between ONU and USF.
My Dark Horse picks:
Shawnee State had a very solid spring with 4 guys running sub 15 in the 5k. Plus some very solid 10k's. This is a very talented group of guys. They have 7 guys that will be tough to beat. Look for them to turn heads early!
British Columbia has a solid front three with a good group of 4-8 not far back. If these guys click at the right time it will be a fun trip to the states in November. Look for Justin Kent to make a big leap this year for the Thunderbirds.
Eastern Oregon will make a leap this year behind the efforts of the Indoor 5k National Champion DJ Flores. Their 1-5 will be very talented but their is little depth beyond that. This could be a team shooting for top 5 if they can stay healthy.
Lewis and Clark bring back the top returner in Sam Atkins but his supporting cast is going to be the question. Can 2-5 close the gap?
Just like the men - on the ladies side there is a clear cut favorite that everyone is chasing. British Columbia brings back almost their entire top 7 from a team that won last year. This is a very deep and talented team. They had 4 ladies go sub 17:30 (5k) on the track and they always seem to bring in a freshman that can run fast.
Chase pack:
Biola brings back the majority of their team and has a solid recruiting class coming in. If they can stay healthy they should be in position to trophy again.
Lewis and Clark could be the favorite to chase down UBC as they return a young team that finished 4th.
Dordt brings back their team that finished 6th last year and had some kids step up this past spring. How high can this group finish?
Northwest Christian, Carrol, and Taylor are all very talented teams that could be pushing those front four teams for a trophy.
College of Idaho and Olivet Nazarene both lose more than half their top 7 but these programs have constantly been in the top tier and I would expect Pat and Mike to have their teams ready to go come November.
Individual Titles go to:
Men: Sam Atkins of Lewis and Clark
Runner up: Ethan Gallagher of Olivet Nazarene
Women: Maria Bernard of UBC
Runner up: NO IDEA - to close to call.
top 25?
FYI - It's Lewis-Clark State College, not Lewis and Clark, that Sam Atkins attends.
Tennessee Wesleyan College!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's Sam Atkin not Atkins
Hubert quagly threw down some solid indoor times but was injuried once again. If he can get healthy he'll for sure be a top 5 contender for his last time around
Rumor has it that Atkin will be red-shirting this fall. If so, will definitely open up the doors for a favorite for individual title. Also significantly hurts the team with atkin not in there. They lose their other all-American from last year. Will be lucky to make nationals. Rest of the team is a bunch of hatchets.
If Atkin redshirts then Gallagher (ONU), Carrera (Robert Morris), Liston (Shawnee), Koskey/Bahreini (ok city) are the front runners. Should be an exciting race at Rim Rock!
I would have to include Roderick Bowman in that list of front runneres. He just finished 4th in the outdoor 10k right besides and was right with the lead pack with a lap to go. He also ran 14:43 as a true freshamn and he is not afraid to lead. Look for him to be top 5 next year.
NAIAxc wrote:
I would have to include Roderick Bowman in that list of front runneres. He just finished 4th in the outdoor 10k right besides and was right with the lead pack with a lap to go. He also ran 14:43 as a true freshamn and he is not afraid to lead. Look for him to be top 5 next year.
No doubt he is a talented individual and should do very well in xc this coming year. However, none of the guys listed above we're in that 10k field. To go from 43rd to top 5 in a year isn't impossible but I think it would be more likely he'll finish top 20 rather than top5.
I agree that is a large jump but the longer he has spent under Coach J's training the better he has got and he is out in Boulder all summer training, I agree a top 20 finish but if everyting falls into place and he progresses like he has a top 5 finish isn't out of the question. That team has had huge imporvements since Jakubowski has been there and they return everyone from last year they should have a shot at a top 10 finish if they stay healthy. I love to see the NAIA this strong its going to be a fast year!
original thoughts wrote:
NAIAxc wrote:I would have to include Roderick Bowman in that list of front runneres. He just finished 4th in the outdoor 10k right besides and was right with the lead pack with a lap to go. He also ran 14:43 as a true freshamn and he is not afraid to lead. Look for him to be top 5 next year.
No doubt he is a talented individual and should do very well in xc this coming year. However, none of the guys listed above we're in that 10k field. To go from 43rd to top 5 in a year isn't impossible but I think it would be more likely he'll finish top 20 rather than top5.
10k
2. Dylan Reyes - St. Francis - 30:45
3. Andy Reidsma - Trinity Christian - 30:48
4. Roderick Bowman - Tennessee Wesleyan College - 30:48
6. Mike Blaszczyk - St. Francis - 31:11
8. Eric Ghelfi - Southern Oregon - 31:45
9. Anthony Simpson - Bryan - 31:56
10. Western Nelson - CSU San Marcos - 32:10
XC Meet
4. Reidsma - 24:35
12. Nelson - 24:52
15. Simpson - 24:55
16. Reyes - 24:57
17. Blaszczyk - 24:57
20. Ghelfi - 25:02
43. Bowman - 25:23
Bowman beat 4 top 20 finishers from last years XC meet and came close to beating number 4. Top 20 for sure in the nation next yeaer. Also, being a true freshman and seeing this kids times from HS to now is impressive, in only a year. If he improves just a little bit over the summer (in altitude), he'll be a contender
Northwest Christian has a star recruit with Garrett Kraal from Kamiakin High School (9:06 3200m, 4:16 miler) heading over there to join his brother in the fall.
Bowman did all of that with it being like 80+ degrees as well. He is a legit stud! Look out NAIA - Bowman for the win in 2k14!!!
Look out for St. Francis as well always have a few new studs. Should be very deep. OKC will be very had to beat as they return a lot. And Shawnee state is another to watch for.