With the insurgence of foreign runners in the NCAA, BYU win both men’s and women’s titles without any foreign athletes. What makes BYU so dominant? What is their training like? Is Provo Utah that good of a training place?
Despite being older, BYU men have generally underperformed at almost every national meet prior to today. So they aren’t dominant at all really.
We’re about five years beyond that even being a possible argument anymore.
Maybe because they have the 2015 NXN Champion leading the team today.
This alone is embarrassing
No, that is even more impressive that someone that old can hang with the young kids. Imagine if it was the football team having someone that old try to play running back against a bunch of people so much younger.
I agree. You have it all the marks. While growing up in Utah- health is closely related to LDS. Schools push and encourage running in all levels of education within the state.
with all the success CBA has had over the years, who are their greatest post-hs success stories? Any of the kids outperform expectations? No doubt they have phenomenal coaching while in hs - but does that coaching actually wring out most of the talent/potential while in hs with with high quality workouts / mileage. Or do the kids typically peak during college or thereafter - genuinely interested
I'm not Mormon but I've known a few in youth soccer circles. We had discussions about diet and it was clear that many Mormons are quite knowledgeable about nutrition and follow the recommended guidelines. We can quibble all day about some of their beliefs but the healthy diet, healthy lifestyle is one that more people could benefit from.
with all the success CBA has had over the years, who are their greatest post-hs success stories? Any of the kids outperform expectations? No doubt they have phenomenal coaching while in hs - but does that coaching actually wring out most of the talent/potential while in hs with with high quality workouts / mileage. Or do the kids typically peak during college or thereafter - genuinely interested
Mormons (particularly the ones in the inter mountain west), have a very northern europe phenotype (norway, denmark, sweden, england). Lots of norwegian blood. Go to utah its like being at a swedish world cup game or something.
most of their ancestors walked across the plains utah in tough conditions.
TLDR: mormons in utah are basically the highest concentration of little Ingebrigtsens running around of anywhere in the united states. Of course they are good at distance running.
Meanwhile a guy that isn’t Mormon, can get up in morning without having gone on a mission, is much younger, doesn’t live at altitude, and is not part of competitive team, beat every single one of them today.
I see it all the time, but what does “culture” mean, exactly.
Yeah, but does he drink alcohol, drink coffee, or have sex?
Their positivity can be slightly overwhelming but it's a welcome contrast to dreadful NYers. Their runners seem to have no fear. The steeple guy at the Olympics just went for it.
1. White. Totally white. Maybe some mixed kids and the anomalous dark-skinned person, but not many. Not many at all. 2. Disciplined. Very. Tied into their religion, 3. Strong belief in themselves and their leaders (coaches) in whatever they do. Tied into their religion. They don't question and cause internal team/group distress. There is group harmony. Always 4. Always, always positive mindset.
This could either become a cult or a damn good XC team.
I believe without the strong religious connection they wouldn't be as successful even with the age advantage (those mostly African teams are over-aged as well btw). They sincerely believe this is their God-given purpose to dominate in XC. Some higher purpose.
When this mentality is ingrained you from childhood (LDS), you'll go way above and beyond to accomplish goals....cuz it's God's will.
Imagine if fundamentalist muslims in the middle east tied that passion to their religion to running (instead of suicide bombings) -- same thing would happen.
Mormon clean living, the coaches, the altitude a huge plus, the mountains, discipline, genetics. Ran high school in Utah Valley at altitude. American Fork and Timpview top running HS in USA. Some genetics- their parents top runners. Dathan Rizenheim not BYU, but his short daughter abbie? now a top HS runner.
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Casey clinger is like 26/27 and wife having baby tomorrow. Lexy Hallyday got married like 2 weeks after High School graduation! A couple of years ago, almost all the girls on the team were married. It's creepy.
1.Utah has some of the most talented high school runners in the country, and most of them are devout Mormons.
2. I'm guessing that most top college coaches outside of BYU and other LDS schools would be less than understanding if their new star recruit commited to a 2 year mission either before starting college or after freshman year.
3. Ed Eyestone has proven many times to be among the very best, if not the best, coaches in the country for developing long distance talent.
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