Unfortunately Rob never runs his A squad at conference. So all we can really look forward to is watching BYU absolute crush the Pilots. I hope he at least runs a squad that can be Gonzaga. I will be curious to see if any of the projected top 7 that haven't yet raced this year will get a form check prior to Regionals. Speaking of Cathal Doyle (13:38; the projected #1), Clement Leduc (29:12) and Jona Bordirsky (29:27). I'm also curious how guys like John Kavulich, Daniel Racle, Chris Anderson, Leo Donlea and Henry Mong rate against BYU. Presumably not well, but if the three foreigners above aren't running a few from that later group are going to have to step up!
Another vote for the Big 12 and SEC individual women’s showdowns, hands down. With no horse in the race I’d like to see Cook win Big 12s and Valby dominate again at SECs - most interesting storylines, I think.
Hoping to see a surprise runner for OSU who ran unattached at Weis-Crockett but was the 3rd OSU runner. She could be OSU #4 or 5 at conference. Cook, Roe, Jepkirui, Moss, Dawson. OSU has a lot more depth than anyone is even considering.
Gabija Galvydyte's name was brought up in their preview as a potential surprise.
Just saw WCC start lists. Looks like Clinger and Allen are running! BYU going full strength squad in their last WCC Championship before changing conferences. In their previous 10 WCC outings they have 8 titles. Trying to bookend their 11 years in the conference with another win, and their 7th in a row.
Meanwhile the Pilots aren't running Doyle, Gertsen, Leduc, Bordirsky, or Kavulich. Apparently Rob is just giving the title to Ed as a going away gift.
Thanks for lineup updates. Wonder if there's any chance we see Mwaura?
Where did you find the lineups? Does it just list 7, or alternates? Is Mwaura on there for Gonzaga? Saw a picture of Zags loading up for the meet in Spokane and he's in picture but certainly doesn't mean he's running. I assume he'd come chear regardless.
Ditto. SECs should generate a solution to the Valby paradox. Will she drop the field--someone suggested she may pull a Kiptoo--and hold on for the win? Otherwise, if Chelangat can beat her, so can Olemomoi and Tyynismaa, imo. Can the Alabama trio score 20 in Stillwater? How good are Kentucky’s top two?
Will NAU’s XC season unfold like Alicia Monson’s track campaign this year? Got it all wrong at Worlds, got it all right in the DL. Looking for signs that Smith’s men are rounding into form ahead of a sharp peak at Nats.
ACC M could yield some unexpected podium results.
Agree on most of this. And the same question for the OSU trio. But also equally or more important for both OSU and AL W teams is how far back their 4th and 5th will be. On Valby I posed the Kiptoo parallel for the championship, but does she try to run away from Chelangat here?
I'll have an eye on the OSU and AL #4 & #5 as well. On the Kiptoo gambit, seems to me like conference champs is the time to try it. No disaster if it doesn't work, just regroup and rethink a new strategy for Nats.