Only an idiot would turn down a pro deal. Especially if you’re only going to NAU. It’s not like he would be going to a real school like Stanford.
There is no wrong choice. Hundreds of baseball players have had the same decision; some cash out after HS and others attend college. As a fan, I would prefer he chooses to stay in school rather than skip XC and only run a handful of races during track season like pros do.
A 3:56 mile and 7:50 3k with minimum social media influence will not get you a strong contract right now. 20 guys ran faster in both events at the ncaa level this year. He’ll probably run college a year unless someone bets long term
Well, he's totally unready to go pro, so he should just focus on beating Martin. (Even Hobbs Kessler, after running 3:34 (3:51 equivalent) was clearly not ready to go pro and missed out on a couple of national titles at NAU this year). After all, he's taken a few shots at 800m already. He may want 1:47 but beating Martin would cinch his crown at top middle distance runner of the year. There's no reason not to change races here. In fact, he could always just run another meet for the 800 pr if he wants it. It's not as if the next meet is offering him money to run the 8. They'd be more than happy to set up the race the fans want.
There's no reason not to change races here. In fact, he could always just run another meet for the 800 pr if he wants it. It's not as if the next meet is offering him money to run the 8. They'd be more than happy to set up the race the fans want.
Do you ever take a step back and realize you are talking about a HS kid and not a pro runner. What the fans want is irrelevant, hes not being paid for any of this.
There's no reason not to change races here. In fact, he could always just run another meet for the 800 pr if he wants it. It's not as if the next meet is offering him money to run the 8. They'd be more than happy to set up the race the fans want.
Do you ever take a step back and realize you are talking about a HS kid and not a pro runner. What the fans want is irrelevant, hes not being paid for any of this.
Good for Sahlman for sticking to his schedule.
I think Sean Brosnan has watched enough 80s teen movies to know that the kid with the feathered hair always loses out to the nerdy guy at the end of the movie.
A 3:56 mile and 7:50 3k with minimum social media influence will not get you a strong contract right now. 20 guys ran faster in both events at the ncaa level this year.
You clearly don't understand how pro contracts work. A HIGH SCHOOL senior running 3:56 is much more valuable to a sponsor than a COLLEGE senior running 3:56, because the high school senior has much more upside.
The last poster in clearly correct. And to the other alphabet poster..you do not have to make U.S or World Finals your first year to have it be successful. Kessler would be the fourth fastest Collegian at this point in a land of 22-25 year olds these days.And one of those guys is a 24 year old Bama soph eligibilty wise. Running for the old glory of college vs a multi..multi year life changing deal would be a stupid decision, I do not care what one other person says about that.You can say all you want, Kessler is getting real world enough exposure in his racing schedule now at a much higher level than what is going on in college.
I have a feeling that in the next year or two, "running in college" will look a lot different than it is now. Just look at what Texas A&M is doing with NIL and their football players. You can now compete for your college team and be a "semi pro" at the same time.
Soon the top high school senior runners won't have to choose between having a college experience and making money. They'll be able to do both.
There are not 5 guys a year thru all events that have to make that decision in any year, it is not a real issue or problem. And in Track and Field..no one is ever making Hoops or FB NIL money, that will also be a "for sure"
There are not 5 guys a year thru all events that have to make that decision in any year, it is not a real issue or problem. And in Track and Field..no one is ever making Hoops or FB NIL money
I specifically wrote "top high school senior runners" and this thread is about Colin Sahlman and Gary Martin. So yes, runners like that DO have that kind of a decision to make.
And I never said that runners would make the same kind of NIL money as a college football or basketball player. But there will be NIL money to be had. So my point is factually correct. There will no longer be a decision for "top high school senior runners" to decide between "college and no money" vs "pro and money". There will be a "college and money" option.
Sorry you took that personally, not my intent, only that it really was not a problem. And I think you are wrong, I certainly do not think either would get monster deals. I have seen them both run, and so have the talent eyes of guys that make those decisions.
Only an idiot would turn down a pro deal. Especially if you’re only going to NAU. It’s not like he would be going to a real school like Stanford.
There is no wrong choice. Hundreds of baseball players have had the same decision; some cash out after HS and others attend college. As a fan, I would prefer he chooses to stay in school rather than skip XC and only run a handful of races during track season like pros do.
It’s not the same decision. Hunter and Kessler signed deals worth more than almost any other pro distance runner - high school baseball players aren’t doing that