I would have liked to see Hobbs and any other distance prospect run in college, get that team camaraderie and training and racing, especially at NAU. Ron Warhurst and Nick Willis know what they are doing. Still, it's not at all the same, and it's mentally draining not to have collegian teammates. I hope he's healthy and fit for this race and can build into USATF well. Also, fun to see Sahlman test himself against this level in the 800m.
Team camaraderie? As opposed to that training group camaraderie?
I think Kessler, and to a lessor degree Hocker, are young kids with a few dollars in their pockets now. They also have school, business/marketing responsibilities and increased training. It might take a while to adjust for some people.
I think Kessler will be fine and Hocker will get his kick back.
You can stick a fork in Drew Hunter. He will never make a US team. The US has too many guys running really well and our bench is deep.
Why is Hunter done?
He is 24 years old.
He won the USATF road 5k champs in 2021 six months ago.
He hasn't done anything in the past 2.5 years that a dozen or more other Americans can't do, and he's not exactly young anymore. Ya 24 years, turning 25 in September. There are a handful of college Americans who would beat him right now on top of the several post college runners. He is still a good runner, but not someone who you would put on the short list to have a real shot at making US teams on the track. He is not someone who you would expect to have a big contract based on his results. You say he won the road 5k championships, which were in November when no one is trying to run fast for 5k. The only bigtime people he beat was Centro who is notorious for being in bad shape until it actually matters. Where was Grant Fisher/Kincaid/Klecker/Chelimo/Mantz/Teare/Hocker/Bor/True (he was running the marathon actually), all guys who would probably beat him in 5k, not including the slew NCAA Americans who could also probably/reasonably beat him like Nur/Young/Hacker/Beadlescomb/Dylan Jacobs/Hererra/Clinger
I would have liked to see Hobbs and any other distance prospect run in college, get that team camaraderie and training and racing, especially at NAU. Ron Warhurst and Nick Willis know what they are doing. Still, it's not at all the same, and it's mentally draining not to have collegian teammates. I hope he's healthy and fit for this race and can build into USATF well. Also, fun to see Sahlman test himself against this level in the 800m.
Team camaraderie? As opposed to that training group camaraderie?
Training group camaraderie with a guy on the edge of retirement after a long career and some much older kids vs. that of a college xc and track team of 18-24 year olds. Don't even begin to compare those things.
I would have liked to see Hobbs and any other distance prospect run in college, get that team camaraderie and training and racing, especially at NAU. Ron Warhurst and Nick Willis know what they are doing. Still, it's not at all the same, and it's mentally draining not to have collegian teammates. I hope he's healthy and fit for this race and can build into USATF well. Also, fun to see Sahlman test himself against this level in the 800m.
mentally draining?? What the heck is wrong with you? You bring this type of crap up all the time. It is you that is mentally draining, not whether he has College teammates or not.
I bring "this type of crap up all the time"? Bizarre. Hardly anyone enjoys the mostly solo professional life in comparison to college xc and track. I can tell you never competed in college. Why is my stating an opinion grounded in experience and many a professional athlete's interview grounds for saying "what the heck is wrong with you?" What the heck is wrong with YOU!
Hocker and Kessler ? That’s way off . Hocker is a beast who maybe needs a little break for running 331 at Oly finals etc . Kessler who did run a decent 149 last 10 days or so seems to have taken a major step back and I honestly think 2022 will be a complete wash now
Too many people inadvertently comparing Tom Schwartz, a high school coach, to Ron MFin Warhurst.
Conservatively, Hobbs will make multiple US teams in the next 5-6 years
At this point we’re comparing Joan Hunter to Ron Warhurst. Maybe Joan will recruit some better runners to Tinman like she did for Drew’s high school team.
The US has talent. For example the guys from Newbery Park and this kid that just ran 3:57 for the mile. However none of these kids will be heard of again in a few years max. The US struggles at converting young talent into world class runners.
not trying to hate on Hobbs and wish him well, huge potential.
Not trying to hate on Hunter either.
or Webb
or Fernandez
or Verzbicas
or Withrow
or Cormier
but we need to lay of female phenoms once and for all? Boys don't pan out either. It's hard and complicated and it takes luck, the right environment, coaching, genetics, and hard work.
All this to say I really hope Hobbs is doing well and will see big things from him from the future.
not trying to hate on Hobbs and wish him well, huge potential.
Not trying to hate on Hunter either.
or Webb
or Fernandez
or Verzbicas
or Withrow
or Cormier
but we need to lay of female phenoms once and for all? Boys don't pan out either. It's hard and complicated and it takes luck, the right environment, coaching, genetics, and hard work.
All this to say I really hope Hobbs is doing well and will see big things from him from the future.
Idk why Webb got included in this list. Yeah he was disappointing at times, but he ran 1:43, 3:30, 3:46 and won 3 US titles. He was miles ahead of anyone else there.
I think Kessler, and to a lessor degree Hocker, are young kids with a few dollars in their pockets now. They also have school, business/marketing responsibilities and increased training. It might take a while to adjust for some people.
I think Kessler will be fine and Hocker will get his kick back.
You can stick a fork in Drew Hunter. He will never make a US team. The US has too many guys running really well and our bench is deep.
Uhhhh Hocker ran a 350 mile pr, won two US indoor titles and ran a 13:08 5k pr in a glorified practice with Coop....why is he in this conversation? Lol