2017 IIAC XC Thread

Just curious, but which IIAC school do you go to? Is it Loras? I only ask because you know some semi specific information...

I wonder what happens at regionals this year, does the IIAC flop the 'ol diq out on the table again this year or does the MIAC get their crap together? Olaf looses Coffey and Eggers and nobody else was even that close

I go to Simpson actually, and I wouldn't say I have any semi-specific information about Loras. If you're referring to me saying Sevcik was hurt, I don't that for a fact, I'm just assuming cause it looked like he took a major step back compared to 2015, if you look at his TFRRS page he didn't run as many meets as the other Loras guys, plus his track season seemed much better. Again, I don't know that for a fact, but I'm just assuming based on the evidence.

I pretty much expect the IIAC to go to town at Regionals again

I believe Carleton is getting Donson CG back. He ran a 14:42 while running a 800/1500 double. He gets in the mileage, he wins regionals. No question.

Depending on how well Wartburg's incoming freshman class develops, they could be really good this year.

They have the one stud coming in, but what is the gap between him and the rest of the class? How many sub 9:40 or sub 10 guys? People who can develop for sure, but nobody who will replace Frawley or Kailas that first year. They'll have Kascinski, Appleton, the incoming stud, and then a gap. They'll be good this year, but then maybe next year...

Benjin wrote:

they could be really good

DCG??? wrote:

I believe Carleton is getting Donson CG back. He ran a 14:42 while running a 800/1500 double. He gets in the mileage, he wins regionals. No question.

LOL great runner, but he's obviously getting worse as the distance goes up. If Coffey couldn't win regionals with a faster 1500 and 5k PR, then there's no reason to think that Cook-Gallardo is guaranteed the win.

I heard they have a bunch of pretty good guys coming in besides him, like a few other 920 guys and some 410 guys

How do you guys go winning conference individually?

If it were me, I would start by building a large base over the summer. I would avoid intervals early on in the season, but add the speed training as championship season approached. Finally, I would count on my hard work and determination (along with a carefully timed surge) to break my opponents around 4 miles in and run scared to the finish. But that's just me.

As to "who" will win individually, that is another question entirely.

My prediction:

1. Loras- They lose 6&7 but 8 is right there and they have depth, so they will obviously stay strong and look good on the national scene as well. Going to be hard for anyone to take them down.

2. Nebraska Wesleyan- They lose their top guy but they have depth as well so should be strong again this year. They are looking to get redemption from what seemed to be a snub from nationals.

3. Wartburg- They lose 3 out of their top 7 and a lot of their depth so look for them to not be quite as strong.

4. Central- They loses 1 in there top 7 and some depth as well which they don't have a lot of in the first place.

5. Luther- They will be a lot weaker they lose 4/7 from last year but have a lot of depth to back them up just not a lot at the top.

6. Simpson- They lose 2 of their top 7.

7. Dubuque- they only lose 1 in their top 7.

8. Coe

9. Buena Vista

So I think it will look identical in standings to last year although the point differtial will be a bit bigger than last year. With Loras and Nebraska Wesleyan being the clear favorites. Then there will be a gap and Wartburg and Central will be fighting for that 3rd spot. And then Luther all alone in 5th. And then another gap and everyone else.

How I came up with this was I took top 5 from each team at conference last year that weren't seniors and scored them to see where they were at. And then I took in other factors like how well Kaczinski and Fairley ran in outdoor this year, i think that 3rd spot between Wartburg is going to be really really close. Because those two will both be battling for the top individual spot and when you score their top 5 non seniors from last year it's Wartburg-116 Central-119, so it'll be interesting. It will also to be fun to see how everyone does at regionals and see if the IIAC can get more than 2 in to nationals this year.

Loras is the clear favorite, and I don't see anyone taking it from them.

Tope: 24:53

Sevcik: 25:05 (2015)

Adams: 25:17

Nugent: 25:21

Carroll: 25:35 (2015)

And they seemed to all have pretty solid track seasons, aside from Adams who I'm guessing was hurt during outdoors.

But then again, last year they almost lost, and it seemed like nobody was gonna come close to them. The small conference field makes things very interesting, and benefits teams like Wesleyan and Central who are strong up front but lack depth.

Loras will more than likely win the Region too, with Wesleyan and maybe Wartburg making it to Nationals. It'd be great to see the IIAC dominate at Regionals again.

Nationally, Loras could be a podium team, and guys like Tope, Sevcik, Fairley, Kazcinksi, Bass, Wheeler and hopefully a few others as all-american possibilities.

If only Central was fielding the teams they did back in 2013 with Eli Horton and Cole Decker right now. It would be some battle with them and Loras

How does Mark Fairley win NCAA DIII Runner of the Week but not IIAC Runner of the Week? Shouldn't he win both? His time of 19:59.2 was enough to beat the next finisher by over 40sec. He definitely deserved it up against stiff competition from Indian Hill Community College and Grinnell (looks like Grinnell tempo'd although maybe Mark did too), not to mention unattached DONALD MCDONALD (20:46.8). Oh and Faith Baptist guys. Forgot them.

Interesting meet out at the Grinnell course. Bass and the Wartburg freshman went sub 25 already. Bass must have recovered pretty well from whatever he had at the end of track and over the summer. Eli's time is respectable, but a bit of a surprise to see such a gap between him and them.

And Donald McDonald??? What cruel parents!

The IIAC is shaping up to have a really good year. Loras and Wartburg already look very strong and Nebraska Wesleyan should be very good too. Wartburg's freshman is pretty darn good....

The conference is shaping up better than expected, although a run club did just beat half the conference at Wartburg's meet. Neat to see conference guys taking down the likes of Jason Thomas and Wal Khat though.

Agreed, conference is looking much better than people would have thought. And Loras actually looks beatable, something people wouldnt have guess at the beginning of the season. Excited to see how the season will play out, another close conference meet and hopefully the IIAC dominating the MIAC again at regionals.