Not Nomar wrote:
Actual results:
(W) Ostrander-Rohrer-Peloquin-Lokedi-Kurgat-Pietrrzyk-Barrett
(M) Koech-Fisher-Dressel-Anderson-Armstrong-Farnsworth-Maton
Got 6 of 7 in both races. Owe someone a Coke for Armstrong.
Women had 4 in the top 10. Men had none in top 10 but interestingly had 4 sophs in top 10 (Knight, Green, Bennie & Scott).
A true freshmen in the top 10 for men is not very common. 10 km is a strength race and 18 year old's typically are no match for older/mature runners.
Koech is questionable. Yes I am biased when it comes to the age of African runners.
Of the middle distance guys/freshmen, Fisher and Maton are shorter distance guys who ran very well. Fisher raced beyond expectations IMO and has shown, once again, that he has tremendous talent and range capability - his upside is fun to think about. Maton had a very good cross country season. Just like at Pac 12' s he ran out of gas in the later stages but gave it a gallant effort. Next year, with more maturity, my guess is he won't run out of gas and will be up with the top guys.
Of the more pure distance freshmen, Dressel is a force. His Pac 12 and National's performances indicate he will be one of the top American born distance guys in the future at NCAA's. Training at altitude also gives him an advantage when racing the cross country distances. Anderson ran well all year long and will be a big part of Oregon's future successes in cross country. Farnsworth is a stud as well.
The HS graduating class of 2015 is packed with amazing talent - some of which we didn't have the chance to see due to being redshirted. There is a strong list of redshirt freshmen that will show their talent next year.