Rachel is not someone who is comfortable with most people or most situations. Her sister being at Michigan State was a big reason why Rachel decided to go there.
I think that Laurie Henes is someone who can help Rachel feel comfortable in a new situation better than most other coaches. And it certainly doesn't hurt that Rachel is already familiar with some of the women on the NC State team like Jessie Jazwinski, Sadie Engelhardt, Emily Wisniewski, and Bethany Michalak.
Yeah going to NC state would have a trifecta of benefits. 1) Henes helping the athlete feeling comfortable in a new situation. 2) Having lots of great runners to train with. 3) Being part of a program that competes for national champions
I tried explaining the situation at MSU over the last 20 years regarding the women’s distance program. I guess I was too specific naming names as my post was deleted. I will say this. Rachel Forsyth is leaving for good reason and I hope she will share her story some day.
I have it on good authority that she’s heading to the West Coast, of Michigan, and will be enrolling at GVSU
I tried explaining the situation at MSU over the last 20 years regarding the women’s distance program. I guess I was too specific naming names as my post was deleted. I will say this. Rachel Forsyth is leaving for good reason and I hope she will share her story some day.
I have it on good authority that she’s heading to the West Coast, of Michigan, and will be enrolling at GVSU
I would be surprised if that happens. But if it does, Rachel Forsyth wouldn't be the first 3rd place finisher at Foot Locker to enroll at GVSU. Abby Vanderkooi finished 3rd at Foot Locker in 2018 and 2019 and skipped Division 1 colleges to enroll at GVSU.
I have it on good authority that she’s heading to the West Coast, of Michigan, and will be enrolling at GVSU
I would be surprised if that happens. But if it does, Rachel Forsyth wouldn't be the first 3rd place finisher at Foot Locker to enroll at GVSU. Abby Vanderkooi finished 3rd at Foot Locker in 2018 and 2019 and skipped Division 1 colleges to enroll at GVSU.
This is a very different situation, as you didn't give context to her situation. Was 3rd at Footlocker as a FR and SO, then went considerably backwards in times as a JR and SR. She went from 4:48/10:02 (16/32) as a SO to 5:07/10:49 as a JR. Whatever was going on had to dramatically affect her recruitability to top programs, as well as influence the way she went about her process.
Even now, she's only raced a total of TWELVE track races across 7 track seasons. Yes, that includes potential doubles, prelims, etc... 12 RACES, not meets, in 7 seasons. A girl who ran 4:48 for 1600m indoors as a HS sophomore has now only run a PB of 4:55 for the mile as a senior in college.
Forsyth was 16th at D1 NCAAs in XC as a true freshman, and has already run 4:11/8:53/15:30 in 3 track seasons. These two athletes aren't even remotely comparable, and Forsyth would have zero competition at D2 where the best times this indoor season were 9:03 and 15:50...
I would be surprised if that happens. But if it does, Rachel Forsyth wouldn't be the first 3rd place finisher at Foot Locker to enroll at GVSU. Abby Vanderkooi finished 3rd at Foot Locker in 2018 and 2019 and skipped Division 1 colleges to enroll at GVSU.
This is a very different situation, as you didn't give context to her situation. Was 3rd at Footlocker as a FR and SO, then went considerably backwards in times as a JR and SR. She went from 4:48/10:02 (16/32) as a SO to 5:07/10:49 as a JR. Whatever was going on had to dramatically affect her recruitability to top programs, as well as influence the way she went about her process.
Even now, she's only raced a total of TWELVE track races across 7 track seasons. Yes, that includes potential doubles, prelims, etc... 12 RACES, not meets, in 7 seasons. A girl who ran 4:48 for 1600m indoors as a HS sophomore has now only run a PB of 4:55 for the mile as a senior in college.
Forsyth was 16th at D1 NCAAs in XC as a true freshman, and has already run 4:11/8:53/15:30 in 3 track seasons. These two athletes aren't even remotely comparable, and Forsyth would have zero competition at D2 where the best times this indoor season were 9:03 and 15:50...
Rachel also ran 2.03 coming out of HS and was 2nd at World U20 in 1500m.
Dad went to UM, and ran with Sully, any chance she ends up there?
They have a good young group of girls - Emry Ross (2.00), Steph Bertram (2.04), incoming Maya Markowska (2.04), Hannah Gates (2.05/4.19) - the latter three all fellow Canadians.
Dad went to UM, and ran with Sully, any chance she ends up there?
They have a good young group of girls - Emry Ross (2.00), Steph Bertram (2.04), incoming Maya Markowska (2.04), Hannah Gates (2.05/4.19) - the latter three all fellow Canadians.
The glory days of UM’s distance program, especially on the women’s side, have long since passed. 3 Canadian’s are your top recruits, when US teens have never been faster? because the talented US athletes, with a clue, are avoiding Ann Arbor like the plague. While I did find it strange that the Forsyth’s chose MSU for any reason, them not choosing UM, with the family ties, is quite telling
I tried explaining the situation at MSU over the last 20 years regarding the women’s distance program. I guess I was too specific naming names as my post was deleted. I will say this. Rachel Forsyth is leaving for good reason and I hope she will share her story some day.
Can only be so toxic? Her sis went there and stayed, and she went there with U of M right across the street and dad a U of M athlete? UM loses a few for sure to State in XC and track. I am not sure why or just a temporary pattern.
Rachel is not someone who is comfortable with most people or most situations. Her sister being at Michigan State was a big reason why Rachel decided to go there.
I think that Laurie Henes is someone who can help Rachel feel comfortable in a new situation better than most other coaches. And it certainly doesn't hurt that Rachel is already familiar with some of the women on the NC State team like Jessie Jazwinski, Sadie Engelhardt, Emily Wisniewski, and Bethany Michalak.
Yeah going to NC state would have a trifecta of benefits. 1) Henes helping the athlete feeling comfortable in a new situation. 2) Having lots of great runners to train with. 3) Being part of a program that competes for national champions
4. Infinitely better weather. 5. And it's not east lansing.
This post was edited 3 minutes after it was posted.
For some reason I thought mom went to MSU. But there you go, lots of connections to U of M and went to HS across the street. I get why people leave for Stanford (Dudek, Flynn) , but not MSU.
In fairness, I have to say it, but for a toxic situation, she flourished a bit under whatever coaching she got, no? 4:11 1500 as a freshman, 15:30, 19:30.... She made a great jump to NCAA.
This post was edited 12 minutes after it was posted.
They have a good young group of girls - Emry Ross (2.00), Steph Bertram (2.04), incoming Maya Markowska (2.04), Hannah Gates (2.05/4.19) - the latter three all fellow Canadians.
The glory days of UM’s distance program, especially on the women’s side, have long since passed. 3 Canadian’s are your top recruits, when US teens have never been faster? because the talented US athletes, with a clue, are avoiding Ann Arbor like the plague. While I did find it strange that the Forsyth’s chose MSU for any reason, them not choosing UM, with the family ties, is quite telling
I think you are right. But when this has come up before everyone points to academic standards and weather as the reason. But why now? And 3 went to Stanford? Michigan has been on a strange run with winning or close to winning national HS titles for girls in the last 6 years. From one HS 4 state champs and 2 nattys (Forsyth, Dudek, Forsyth, Dudek) and a couple from nearby -Dadamio and 1 up north. All went or going elsewhere.
I checked. U of M missed on every 8/16/32 state champ (D1) going back to 2018? Both Forsyths (legacy), Osika (legacy), Dadamio, Dudek, Garces, Flynn ..... 3 went to Stanford, 2 went to MSU.
Vanderlende and Finn last ones to go to UM. And Vanderlende left.
Any school in the nation will cut somebody to bring her in.
The fact that she is already announcing either means she's sending a message for teams to get ready or she's already talking to teams illegally.
i'm not sure that would be good for team chemistry.
Also it could be a scholarship money issue if all their money is tied up already.
Lol yeah you're right. They'd rather keep the 17th woman on their roster over Rachel Forsyth. If she's knocking, you'll figure it out. If there's no scholarship they'll find NIL money.