Is Bobby Curtis at Contender in the NCAA 5k?

Trialswatcher wrote:

In a "walk it out" special at NC's in 5k, he is now as dangerous as anyone else.

You guys need to go back in read my original post. I like Curtis, especially in High School. But, the OP's subject asked if Bobby Curtis is a contender in the NCAA 5k? I guess in a sense everyone regional champ is a contender but my point is that one race--especially what amounts to a qualifying round--does not make someone a contender. This fact is only heightened by the fact that this year there are four, arguably five, guys with much better PR's and career than Bobby. Am I saying that Bobby can't win? No. I am saying that he should not be consider a contender based on beating McDougal in a qualifying heat.

We can certainly change the question to "if the pace goes out perfectly and bobby curtis isn't boxed in and he kicks with 400 to go like he always did in the NIN mile as a high schooler and nobody catches him, then will bobby curtis win?" The answer to that question is "yes." But, that would be a different thread.

Actually, I really did get what you were saying, although it did seem to have a more negatve spin, than your last post.

Here is what I think, if someone does go and make it a 13:20's high race, that might look different, if this a 13:40 low race, I would pick him over some of the guys that have run substantially faster to date. He can cover last 600-800 with anyone in this field.

After his missed time after XC , he really is only getting better every week, also.

zcn wrote:

mcdougal will never be a contender

ACTUALLY, Josh McDougal is ALWAYS a contender. That's the main reasno people get upset when he doesn't win.

afsdfasfs wrote:

ACTUALLY, Josh McDougal is ALWAYS a contender. That's the main reasno people get upset when he doesn't win.

WHEN has McDougal ever been a contender? Until this winter his best race was a 13:52.9 in the regionals, a 4th place finish.

I didn't mean to sound negative towards Bobby so much as the bandwagoning that happens on the board. If Bobby wins, I will be happy for him and his coach. I just don't think he should be considered a contender for beating McDougal in a sit and kick race. Another way to think about it is that Curtis only beat McDougal by a half second in a race that greatly played to his strengths. If anything it means that McDougal would be much more of a contender off any faster pace since he certainly doesn't have the speed of Curtis. Good discussion.

McD really IS always a contender but he has precisely zero ncaa titles. So why is it that he can't get over the hump? I suggest that it is because he wastes his best efforts on qualifying races. But it appears that he did not do that this time. He knew that he would be vulnerable in a kick to a guy with a 1500 background like Curtis but instead of going 13:30s for the win, he was content with a slow early pace. Either he is burned out from the IC4A triple or he is finally learning to save himself for nationals.

What relevance does the IC4A team title really carry these days? I've been into competitive running for 15+ years but I've never lived on the east coast and haven't heard of any IC4A team titles or who won them until Liberty had JM triple to help them win it. What type of presige does it really carry? Is it better then or not as good as a regional team title? What about compared to a conference title?

IC's used to be a big deal in all seasons, with abundance of "oher" spots to run on the schedule, plus Regionals now in the picture, it is not as big as it used to be.

But there were really good runners in it this year, anyway.

Wyner

McD and others.

Doesn't Curtis have one more year after this year?

Yes, he has all 3 seasons of eligibility, next will be his red shirt 5th.

He's a contender in my book, but, the class of the field is clearly Rupp. His 5K in the West Regional was an easy jaunt for him with surges thrown in just for the heck of it every time he came across the finish line area later in the race to make the fans realize he still had plenty in the tank. His move with 800 to go showed jut how much he had left. Rupp, Solinsksy, McDougal and then further back are the likes of Curtis. Glad to see him back.

I agree that Rupp is the man to beat, then Solinsky, McD, and Vaughn... If the race goes out in 13:20 pace then Curtis is gonna be a little out of it... but how many times does nats do that? even with fields as stacked as this? last year was a 14:11, Ritz's last year he was second in 13:52 to Cragg i believe... this race wil most likely be won in the mid to low 40's and that means that Bobby has jsut as good a shot as these other guys... is he a contender? YES...

Letsruin: "the east is weak this year................"

You are kidding, right? The east may not have handfuls of runners throwing down outragious times, but this is simple due to the fact that very few of these runners go to the time trials that the west offers twice a year in Palo Alto. It has long been believed by many that te Northeast winter weather, although not conducive to great training over the winter months, does build toughness. This leads to championship type racing (gritty, gutsy) not get-in-line and PR-type racing the west often offers. Since we are discussing the 5k and you stated that the East is weak THIS year, lets look at THIS year's indoor meet at the same distance. These results are from less than 3 months ago. The east had 3 runners in the top 8; Chelanga FDU (4th), Quigley LaSalle (7th) and McDougal Liberty (8th). Curtis beat all three of these guys, none of which have missed a beat from their strong indoor performances. Burrell Georgia (10th) gives the east 4 of top ten inside, although he has seemed to lost the great form he displayed indoors. That being said, perhaps Solinsky and Rupp are on different levels than these three (many argue not McDougal) and therefore Curtis as well, but given the fact that Curtis is rounding into form and learning the event as we speak he should be considered a contender as much as any one else outside of Solinsky or Rupp. (McDougal included) Granted all these guys may not choose to even run the 5k this year at Nats but elect for the 10 instead(as is the case with all regions), but i hope this makes you think otherwise about the East region being weak in the 5k this year.

Bobby beat Josh, who has the top 1500m and 5000m time in the NCAA, that makes Bobby a contender. Bobby has the 10th best 5k time on the list.

They run two 5000m races in 48 hours. It won't go, 13:20, or 13:30, or even 13:40. If Bobby can run one 5k a bit over 14:00 and one a bit under he'll be up there.

Alan

I guess Bobby read this post.

I really like the guy and I hope he is there in the end. His deference to his opponents talent and his own limitations make me like him even more.

Can't wait for tonight.

Let's hope Bobby doesn't fall asleep in the middle laps and lose touch with the leaders during the 5K.

Does anyone have a MOTORAZR maxx Ve? Trust me, it's a very good phone because it has lots of features for video and music but I still want make it more interesting. I already enjoy adult moble tv which is interesting but i want to add more stuff.

I mean there are ringtones and pictures that I can add on my phone but is there anything other that that?

After all, my phone was hundreds of dollars.

-Jeffery