Without entering into the fray regarding coaching, etc., it's just sad that 3 of the top 5 high school runners from '23 basically didn't even participate this year (Burns, Birnbaum, Sahlman). Hopefully they will all return to form next year.
He never had a shot at the national 800m record and he didn't fail in the pursuit of it because he got injured. He got injured because he was trying to get the 800 record. That prompted him to focus entirely on speed. He might actually have run a faster 800 by working on running a fast mile/2 mile, which he had in the tank after getting that good at xc. His attitude really concerns me because he got into disputes with his teammates and continued to race on an injured IT band, which resulted in a long hiatus. Then he did not keep his grades up at NAU to stay eligible and when he did race he was far away from the level he was at in high school, with the exception of a 400m race at altitude. But then Abdihamed Nur was also academically ineligible and turned out fantastic, so if he too completely buys into the program and follows his brother's lead, he should do great as well.
He never had a shot at the national 800m record and he didn't fail in the pursuit of it because he got injured. He got injured because he was trying to get the 800 record. That prompted him to focus entirely on speed. He might actually have run a faster 800 by working on running a fast mile/2 mile, which he had in the tank after getting that good at xc. His attitude really concerns me because he got into disputes with his teammates and continued to race on an injured IT band, which resulted in a long hiatus. Then he did not keep his grades up at NAU to stay eligible and when he did race he was far away from the level he was at in high school, with the exception of a 400m race at altitude. But then Abdihamed Nur was also academically ineligible and turned out fantastic, so if he too completely buys into the program and follows his brother's lead, he should do great as well.
Makes me remember the times I had to visit teachers who were giving low grades to some key track guys (never seemed to happen to girls). I had to transform into this nice guy who was only thinking of the welfare of the student. 😇
He never had a shot at the national 800m record and he didn't fail in the pursuit of it because he got injured. He got injured because he was trying to get the 800 record. That prompted him to focus entirely on speed. He might actually have run a faster 800 by working on running a fast mile/2 mile, which he had in the tank after getting that good at xc. His attitude really concerns me because he got into disputes with his teammates and continued to race on an injured IT band, which resulted in a long hiatus. Then he did not keep his grades up at NAU to stay eligible and when he did race he was far away from the level he was at in high school, with the exception of a 400m race at altitude. But then Abdihamed Nur was also academically ineligible and turned out fantastic, so if he too completely buys into the program and follows his brother's lead, he should do great as well.
Like I said. Him focusing the 800 was a waste of time. He's a miler/5k runner who's a wannabe 800 runner. Just like Xai Ricks but an event down.
I always thought the dude was an idiot for racing the way he did. I never liked him from the start, to be dead honest.
His attitude really concerns me because he got into disputes with his teammates and continued to race on an injured IT band, which resulted in a long hiatus. Then he did not keep his grades up at NAU to stay eligible and when he did race he was far away from the level he was at in high school, with the exception of a 400m race at altitude.
Is any of this stuff about him getting into disputes with teammates or being academically ineligible confirmed beyond message board rumors? I remember last year after NXN there was a thread with nothing but rumors about him and the Young twins having some falling out or something but I was never sure if that was just message board talk. One thing that's frustrating about the boards is that sometimes people do genuinely provide anonymous insider info but it's always veiled in that uncertainty until something comes out later from a more legit source.
Following this as a total outsider just wondering what's up with the top talent from class of 2023, I can agree with the earlier poster that it's been a bummer freshman season between injuries, not racing, and underperformances. Hopefully all pick it up because that was such a talented group!
He never had a shot at the national 800m record and he didn't fail in the pursuit of it because he got injured. He got injured because he was trying to get the 800 record. That prompted him to focus entirely on speed. He might actually have run a faster 800 by working on running a fast mile/2 mile, which he had in the tank after getting that good at xc. His attitude really concerns me because he got into disputes with his teammates and continued to race on an injured IT band, which resulted in a long hiatus. Then he did not keep his grades up at NAU to stay eligible and when he did race he was far away from the level he was at in high school, with the exception of a 400m race at altitude. But then Abdihamed Nur was also academically ineligible and turned out fantastic, so if he too completely buys into the program and follows his brother's lead, he should do great as well.
The kid had just won the NXN when no one would have picked him. He had never won a HSXC race. He would have been foolish not to set his sights on breaking the HS 800 record.
On top of that he probably knew Colin would be the better 1500+ runner, who wants to sacrifice to be the family second fiddle.
His attitude really concerns me because he got into disputes with his teammates and continued to race on an injured IT band, which resulted in a long hiatus. Then he did not keep his grades up at NAU to stay eligible and when he did race he was far away from the level he was at in high school, with the exception of a 400m race at altitude.
Is any of this stuff about him getting into disputes with teammates or being academically ineligible confirmed beyond message board rumors? I remember last year after NXN there was a thread with nothing but rumors about him and the Young twins having some falling out or something but I was never sure if that was just message board talk. One thing that's frustrating about the boards is that sometimes people do genuinely provide anonymous insider info but it's always veiled in that uncertainty until something comes out later from a more legit source.
Following this as a total outsider just wondering what's up with the top talent from class of 2023, I can agree with the earlier poster that it's been a bummer freshman season between injuries, not racing, and underperformances. Hopefully all pick it up because that was such a talented group!
whenever someone gets personal about a runners health or well being I immediately tune it out. If it starts with "I heard from a source" or "I know someone on the team who told me..." that's a sure sign they're making it up off the top of their heads for attention. The worst is when once in a blue moon one of their theories actually comes true and they act like they're a modern day Woodward and Bernstein.
He isn't eligible to compete on the team presently. His grades are that bad
Speaking to a number of top coaches, they all said the same thing. None of them wanted Aaron Sahlman on their teams. NAU was the only school dumb enough to give him a good scholarship. Smart coaches saw the writing on the wall.
Speaking to a number of top coaches, they all said the same thing. None of them wanted Aaron Sahlman on their teams. NAU was the only school dumb enough to give him a good scholarship. Smart coaches saw the writing on the wall.
He isn't eligible to compete on the team presently. His grades are that bad
Speaking to a number of top coaches, they all said the same thing. None of them wanted Aaron Sahlman on their teams. NAU was the only school dumb enough to give him a good scholarship. Smart coaches saw the writing on the wall.
Hang on, so none of the top coaches wanted him except the best coach in the NCAA who's turned two other Newbury guys into top NCAA runners? Again, I need a little more than message board rumors because I doubt Mike Smith would make that mistake if it was a known fact Aaron was trouble.
i don't think he's in the best spot financially either. he has been advertising coaching for high school xc and track training-he's only credible because he did one notable thing in high school and and then got injured. i doubt any shoe company wants to sign a nil with him rn when he's in injury and eligibility limbo.
He set his goal of breaking the 800 record the summer before his senior year. He also ran 1:48 as a junior. He also ran 8:01i as a 16 year old. He'd have had a good shot at 1:46 if he hadn't gotten injured. Last I heard he was academically ineligible, but if he gets his academics together, I'm expecting great things from him. He said he was going to NAU because he was all in on running. Colin and Nico both went for the same reason, and things gave gone great for them.
Don't know why the dude thought he had 1:46 potential, just because of that one race where he ran 1:48.9 in 2022 where he paced with his brother the entire time. He never PR'd in that event again after that
The dude's 400M PR isn't even under 50
Pursuing the 800 was just a waste of time. He should've focused more on events like the mile, 5K, etc.
He’s a great runner with an excellent future in a first rate program.
I agree that the “1:48” set unrealistic expectations if you did not consider it was ideal conditions: pacing, weather, someone to draft off, on the rail the whole time. A truly legendary junior year race, but 1:48.91 in those conditions is not like your typical “1:48”.
He isn't eligible to compete on the team presently. His grades are that bad
Speaking to a number of top coaches, they all said the same thing. None of them wanted Aaron Sahlman on their teams. NAU was the only school dumb enough to give him a good scholarship. Smart coaches saw the writing on the wall.
so you just randomly asked some top college coaches for personal and private information about a specific high school recruit and they all just volunteered a bunch of dirt on the kid? wow, that's insanely unethical. could you list the names of the coaches so I can report them for ethics violations?
His attitude really concerns me because he got into disputes with his teammates and continued to race on an injured IT band, which resulted in a long hiatus. Then he did not keep his grades up at NAU to stay eligible and when he did race he was far away from the level he was at in high school, with the exception of a 400m race at altitude.
Is any of this stuff about him getting into disputes with teammates or being academically ineligible confirmed beyond message board rumors? I remember last year after NXN there was a thread with nothing but rumors about him and the Young twins having some falling out or something but I was never sure if that was just message board talk. One thing that's frustrating about the boards is that sometimes people do genuinely provide anonymous insider info but it's always veiled in that uncertainty until something comes out later from a more legit source.
Following this as a total outsider just wondering what's up with the top talent from class of 2023, I can agree with the earlier poster that it's been a bummer freshman season between injuries, not racing, and underperformances. Hopefully all pick it up because that was such a talented group!
Allegedly they didn't speak but that seems more rumor
I also read they unfollowed each other / didn't post with any photos of each other for a bit but that seemed more real