What is this kid's potential? New Asst. Coach would like input.

you know his potential.

now you have to reach out to this kid and let him know what his options and future possibilities are. if he really ran a 305 as a soph with that training like that d1's would throw scholarships at him asap. let him know this, let his parents know this, and maybe get in serious contact with a great coach or pro and tell them this story so they can reach out to him.

then say your prayers that his potential in soccer isn't the same or better.

personally, i'd rather be a college or soccer pro, regardless of the money. very fun sport to play.

Isn't running what you do only when you can't play a sport like soccer?

4:17-25 for the mile perhaps, you did say standstill.

I would focus him on 800m for a start, less distance work so he can still play soccer, whilst still getting grounded for the middle distances. My little nephew is exceptional at all sports especially running, but he is better off being good at soccer or tennis. The same should be said for this kid you saw, being good at soccer might help out his family financially in a few years if he is any good, track pays crap-all.

Dead Nike Lunar Forever 2s wrote:

4:17-25 for the mile perhaps, you did say standstill.

I would focus him on 800m for a start, less distance work so he can still play soccer, whilst still getting grounded for the middle distances. My little nephew is exceptional at all sports especially running, but he is better off being good at soccer or tennis. The same should be said for this kid you saw, being good at soccer might help out his family financially in a few years if he is any good, track pays crap-all.

Thanks for the input. I think your guess on his mile potential at the moment is dead on. Apparently some kid in a similar situation (older of course) pulled of something similar at the Stanford meet today. I'll have to check it out.

3/10.

Nobody with a brain believes this.

Hey, but he gave decimals!1.7/10

LR Poster wrote:

3/10.

Nobody with a brain believes this.

LR Poster wrote:

3/10.

Nobody with a brain believes this.

You don't think that there are kids out there who decide to start running and win a state championship in their first season?

There are 3:36 guys that quit the sport, because they don't want to dope, and they need to earn a living.

somebody with a brain wrote:

LR Poster wrote:

3/10.

Nobody with a brain believes this.

You don't think that there are kids out there who decide to start running and win a state championship in their first season?

There are, but OP is describing a more hyperbolic scenario.

Think about it, a 1200 in 3:05 in trainers with no pacer (and no pacing), no experience, and no spikes!

Probably in sub 3:00 shape with all three of those things!

I really hope your for real on this. It is so amazing to see a young guy like this come along once in awhile. Take care of him and protect him....it is all only about him. Good luck.

He probably runs for hours during soccer season (while playing soccer) and then puts 20 miles a week of jogging on top of it

somebody with a brain wrote:

LR Poster wrote:

3/10.

Nobody with a brain believes this.

You don't think that there are kids out there who decide to start running and win a state championship in their first season?

Check out Brie Oakley in CO. Played soccer until junior year, then quit to run cross country. Finished second at state, then won the 1600 and 3200 at state in track. Ran a 16:44 at Liberty Bell Invite this Fall, breaking 17:00 and the previous record. Plus, that's over a mile above sea level.

Soccer players can make exceptional runners (see Grant Fischer), but I would let this kid play soccer as long as he wants, maybe "train" through the winter and run some track races. Maybe then, he will see his potential.

LR Poster wrote:

3/10.

Nobody with a brain believes this.

Decided to check in just to see if anyone else posted.

It's a true story. The kid is still wrapped up with soccer. I suspect "LR Poster" is bitter about being an average to below average runner in terms of natural ability and that's why the story set him off. We had quite a few snarky remarks from kids with modest talent, the same likely holds here.

I did get to speak with some coaches with far more experience, and a couple of them had similar stories. They figure the kid is in 4:20 1600 shape, give or take a couple of seconds. (Yes, the watch stopped on 3:05.9 - hand held watch, so everyone can do their conversions : o) One forwarded me Craig Virgin's "starter" story, and it's totally outrageous and true. Rather amazing really.

An interesting side note was one coach (who actually posts here regularly under different names more for laughs than anything else) told me a story about one youngster with similar talent who decided to go from soccer to running period, and then he didn't improve as much as people would think even with specific training. He said this happens a lot more than people are aware of, but it's rarely discussed.

A retired coach told me about a youngster he had coached, who started as a 10th grader during track season, and went on to run a similar time in the 1320 at the end of the season, and he hadn't really engaged in any organized training at all until February of his soph year, and by June was under 3:10 in the 1320 (he told me this was a standard race distance for non varsity runners in CA back in the day). He said the youngster ended up being a very successful HS runner. I won't post the individual's name. He told me a similar story about another kid from So Cal who ended up a state distance champ. So these kids pop up all the time. I just wish the one at our school was as interested in running as he is in track. If he makes the move to the track I'll probably put his name out there. I should mention this kid has great basic speed which was likely enhanced by playing soccer.

Can he catch a football?