I know cross country isn't over quite yet but it's never too early to discuss track.
I know cross country isn't over quite yet but it's never too early to discuss track.
Ashland, as always, will have a VERY strong team. GVSU has brought in some outstanding sprint recruits. It should be close but I think GV has the edge. We shall see!!
800: Drew Windle ( AU )
Mile: Brian Baum ( AU )
3k: Chris May ( GV )
5k: Bryce Bradley ( GV )
800: Windle
Mile: Baum
3k: Hall
5k: Peterson
DMR: Ashland
GVSU wins the team title.
800 - Windle, Webster, Middleton, Mach, Rono
Mile - Baum, Hall, Perez, May, Groubert
3k - Peterson, Hoffmeyer, Rousch, Mirth, Hammer
5k - Peterson, Bradley, Cini, Mirth, Flores
DMR - Ashland, Grand Valley, Saginaw Valley, Ferris, Findley
I'm pretty sure Peterson has used his track eligibility already. Don't forget about Ethan Barnes (1:49) or Joel Reitsma (1:50.38) for GV in the 800m. I really think Wuoi Mach will be running the Mile more. I base this off of his xc season, very strong at the longer distance. But who knows. Also, GV will have Selner and Lutterbach. Ashland should have an incredible DMR with Windle, Baum and Hall/Davis. Does Findlay return everyone from last year's DMR? They were pretty good as well.
I'm almost positive Peterson still has at least indoor. Don't quote me however. I don't see Rietsma or Barnes taking a top 5 spot in the 800 - Barnes didn't have a good xc season, and who knows how Rietsma training has went. Maybe I'm wrong. Mach has done nothing but progress thus far, with an excellent xc season under his belt I'm excited to see what he can do. Last season he spent much of his season rabbiting. Example: Windles 1:46, where he did not have a watch. Not sure about Findley DMR, good last year, should be even better with all returners if that is the case. Ashland DMR can set records.
There are never any guarantees in athletics. That said, there are not 5 800m runners in the conference better than Ethan Barnes. Not even close, period. Barring injury or a massive collapse, he will be in the top three. Rono wasn't on Northwood's xc roster and didn't compete for them. I'm not sure he runs for them anymore. Reitsma finished top 5 at GLIAC Indoors last year. Doesn't mean he will this year but he is certainly capable of it. Mach is definitely talented, I am interested to see if he runs the mile more. He ran 4:16/3:57 last season and has improved a lot during xc.
Track is a match up of GV vs Ashland and a handful of runners from other schools
if ashland spreads their guys more in the 3k/5k (baum/hall/knack/potes) gliac could be a different story since that's where points will be taken from gv.
Grand Valley does have runners who are capable of running 4:10-15 as well, as well as their 800 squad. I think Ashland can spread their runners around however they want and Grand Valley will still win. 4 runners can not compete with Grand Valleys depth. Think about the runners who were not in the top 7 for xc who can still run sub 1:52, 4:18, 8:40, and 14:50.
Hopefully Knack and Potes can grab some points in the 5k indoor (they'll do better outdoors in the 10k) to help make it interesting.
Outdoors could be very interesting indeed. Baum will probably go 1500/steeple, Windle in the 800/1500, Hall in the 1500, Potes and Knack in the 10k should be up there. What will help the most is that you'll have Mirth and the Malone boys in the 5k/10k to help push back all the GVSU dudes.
It's really too bad Ashland doesn't still have Charlie Michel. For one, they would have gotten 2nd at regionals this past saturday and are probably a top 6 team nationally with him.
GV is going to get their points in the distances regardless of how Ashland arranges their distance runners. They will place 3-4 in the 3k & 5k, 2-3 in the mile and 2nd in the DMR. The real question is can GV gain in the sprints. We know about Sean Wells and TJ Burnett. But they have some very good freshman coming in. Nolen Bright-Mitchell (listed as Mitchell Lawson for some reason) ran 10.7, 21.36 in hs. Thomas Capers ran 48.6 several times in the Indiana tournament. Richard Johnson went 10.89, 21.9 and 49.01 in hs. They also brought in a couple good hurdlers. So can they close the gap on Ashland in the sprints? We will see. Tiffin had a bunch of senior spriners that won't be around for indoors. It'll be a real battle!
Seniors last year for Tiffin.
Very good information about the sprints, and hurdles, GLIACXC. I admit I know little about that, aside from the fact that Ashland and Tiffin seem to be up there in those events.
Outdoors will be more interesting with the steeple, as well as the 10k. Baum was hurt last outdoor for a period of time, correct?
I do think Saginaw Valley requires there own paragraph right now: They could make some noise this year. They have some solid freshman and sophmores who could surprise some people.
Ben Dueling ( LSSU ) - Is he red-shirting this entire year? 2nd in the 3k last year, I believe he had knee surgery this past summer / fall. Regardless, he redshirted xc.
Grand Valley has too much depth each year to be beaten. But Ashland's big names are fun to watch. So much talent on the upper end for those guys. Always exciting to watch those guys race.
800: Windle, Barnes, Webster.
Mile: Baum, Hall, Mach.
3k: Mirth, Knack, Roush.
5k: Mirth, Peterson, Potes.
DMR: Ashland blows away the field. No one should touch them this year even at the national level. Possible NCAA Record?
A note about outdoors. 5th year, 45 point (split) 400 man, Jacob Cook is moving from the 400 to the 800. Could be big for the Eagles at a national level.
Cool to hear he is moving from the 400 to the 800. Get some base in those guys and it's always fun to watch them. I'd rather watch more of a 400 guy run the 800 than a mile guy. Mirth will not win the 3k and the 5k. 3k is going to be loaded this year. Is the mile the weakest event from 800 up? In terms of least depth I think so?
I checked, Peterson has already competed at gliac indoor & outdoor championships 4 times each. I don't agree with your 3k/5k pics. I don't see Mirth winning both. I just can't imagine Bradley, May, Flores, Cini or Selner failing to place in the top 3 in any event. I would think Bradley would be the favorite in the 5k, winning outdoors and having a 14:10 pr. But of course anything can happen. How about Zach Panning? Will GV race him or redshirt? He certainly ran xc like he could have an impact now. Who knows...
Why does Wayne State not have a track team? Michigan Tech? Northern?
Windle and cook will take 1st and 2nd at gliacs and ncaa.
Baum and hall will go one and two as well.
36 big ncaa points. Throws should be good for normal 30 and will be in contention for ncaa title. Not so sure about gliacs. Sad when its easier to win ncaa vs gliac.