NEW Atlantic Region XC *2009* thread

Notable Facts wrote:

definitely dont count cortland out of the mix.... nothing is set in stone but dont be surprised to see cortland on top at sunyacs regionals and nationals again.

After their, well less than stellar indoor and outdoor performances, excluding KoB of course, I would be very surprised if they were atop the sunyac let alone region and nation... I don't know... What's the surprised version of surprised? I'd be that.

I couldn't agree more, looks like the coaching change got most of the Cortland guys pretty mixed up. It's hard to count them out but I think they will have their hands full with sunyac and regional competition.

cortland does receive a freshman who ran in the low 15s at HS nationals for indoor, he would make an immediate impact on the team and the conference as well.

Cortland, Geneseo and NYU should be definites in anyone's mind. Will TCNJ replace what they lose and try to regain national status or will they continue to falter? Can Ithaca or Fredonia grasp onto a national ranking? What can SLU do this year with all of their talent? I heard Plattsburgh despite not losing anyone to graduation lost two of their top 5 for unknown reasons, I think we can count them out, or will they surprise again?

Women- I think this is going to be one of the most exciting years in history. Geneseo loses a bunch of tough girls, Cortland does as well, and loses Palen to a transfer, SLU has everyone returning and Plattsburgh seems to have surprised last year and with the way their women improve (drugs over the canadian border?) its probable to see them up there in November. NYU women will continue to improve with Nick's guidance, and they had a real break through with their freshman in outdoor track running 17:06. TCNJ loses A LOT and Ithaca loses their stud and a couple others, will these perenial powerhouses be ousted from the ranks by some new teams like Rochester (returns a lot of youth), Oneonta (heard it through the MB a good recruiting class), or Hamilton (big year last year)?

That's all I have for now.

Let's put a smile on that face.

Why should NYU be a definite? I am not looking to argue, I just want to hear how you justify putting them in the year-in year-out powerhouse rankings.

Last year they were still led by a multi-time all american. It just seems to me that lack that type of fire power. What will keep them from falling slightly like TCNJ has? What am I over looking?

I agree Cortland was less that stellar in indoor/outdoor but they still have put up some quality times.

DuBois 30:17

Wager 1:53

Stermer 8:41

Of course KOB 8:57

You can't ignore them and if someone does it would be a mistake.

Lloyd wrote:

I agree Cortland was less that stellar in indoor/outdoor but they still have put up some quality times... You can't ignore them and if someone does it would be a mistake.

Agreed. My point is simply that their times/roster don't really match up to the caliber of the pre-cross team from last season. They came into last year unbeatable, held it through cross, and then lost that in indoor and outdoor. I am not counting them out but it would also be a mistake to look at last year's finishers on a very crappy regional course, subtract the seniors, and make predictions for the upcoming year based on who is left while ignoring a.) the conditions of that race and b.) the track season that ensued after which saw the fall of some runners and the rise of others. I realize that track isn't cross but it is a whole other 2 seasons for some runners (cough* Mike Heymann* cough) to come into their own.

It is just my opinion that Nick McD. Knows what he is doing and consistently puts together a strong team that can be top 15 year in and year out, they do graduate Jessie and another, but return a bunch of guys who made huge strides last year. NYU has consistently brought in a couple top freshman each year. Do I think those 3 teams are going to be top 3? Not necessarily but I do think those 3 teams will go to NCAA.

I'm in the SUNYAC conference and compete against Geneseo and Cortland often. Geneseo is looking real good next year, Berube seems to be getting into it and Streb also looks good. Their Indoor and Outdoor performances were great especially being able to beat Cortland for SUNYACS in outdoor.

However, Cortland is still real good. Stermer was hurt all indoor and outdoor after his 8:41 3k in Indoor. Same for people like Dubois, Nally, Wager, Viglione, DeRusso, Scrafford. Those were their top 7 aside from O'brein and Greenlaw and they were all suffering from injuries or illness. And with the addition of Sean Curry (15:01 5K in hs) They look strong and deep still.

I think Cortland wipes up SUNYACS, Regionals, and Nats again. No question about it.

How does Cortland get a 15:01 HS 5k runner. What Division 1 college is not recruiting him.

If Cortland does not win everything AGAIN, their coach should be run out of town.

What the hell is wrong with him? low 15 in high school? He could at least go D2 if he had any dignity, maybe he is just stupid. Either that or he got rejected from D1 schools

well what about lee berube? he ran 9:07 in high school a good 9 or so seconds faster than curry ran in the 3200. Why the hell is he going to Geneseo? Especially with their record of taking somewhat good runners in high school and not improving them, if anything making them slower.

the scrub probably ran a lap short.

how about we pick a current summer blockbuster

anyone have an predictions for darkhorses that are going to come out of the woodwork in this region after a good year of training?

It has already been said, but RIT is going to be a lot better team. They have some 5th year guys coming off of their internship semester. A darkhorse? I guess not since they have been good in the past, but they will get much better in just one season. I'll be interested to see how Hardbarger runs xc after making big strides on the track.

Also, Jeremy Mwenda of SLU, not on the regionals returner list as he didn't run. However, I think his 8:4X indoor 3k and 9:21 steeple show he will be in form to be there if healthy.

who exactly does RIT get back?

Jeremy Mwenda should be solid for SLU next year. He ran a 25:52 in September on SLU's course at the Hoffman Invite last year, then did not race the rest of the season, for whatever reason.

mwenda will indeed win everything, and then run the course again to be SLU's 1st and 3rd runner.