University of Washington gets the Footlocker National Champion and the NXN National Champion

yeah, you're clearly a big Nova fan, with your expertise on Oregon's academics and irrational hatred of Washington. "Let's" repeat? ha. The Washington women were 19th at NCAAs last year, one point behind UCLA. That's nonexistent? Why don't you go after Villanova then? They were 40th with their distance crew. And how would women's distance scholarships affect the men? Completely irrelevant. Nevertheless the men were 20th at NCAA Outdoors and 10th in the program of the year standings.

Does this mean the teams will do well at Pac-10s? Nope. They won't win many dual meets. If that's your only measure of success, then continue to mock them. I'm sure if they could sign a top-25 sprinter or hurdler, they would. Those athletes do not head north, not even to Oregon, who had Keshia Baker and ... nobody in the sprints, men or women. So is it your opinion that they turn away top sprinters or jumpers? Or if they can't sign them, then they should just take the money off the table? Looks like they're trying to get the best talent they can, in whatever area that's in, which is obviously women's distance now.

I always laugh when I see people comparing academic programs - because frankly, the overall reputations of the academic institution don't count for the individual going there. Your education is what you make of it - regardless of where you go in the PAC 10.

Now, obviously there are some exceptions to that - like Stanford, where the name of the university alone will open doors for you - but for the rest of the PAC 10, you're just as likely to have a door open for you due to what school you went to as what fraternity or sorority you were a member of....

I've seen successful people from all academic institutions - including a few who haven't graduated college...or even HS.

I understand what you're saying and agree that an education is what you make it, but anyone who lives in this region knows that with all else equal, a degree from UW is worth far more to a prospective employer than a degree from UO (or any other school in Washington, Oregon or Idaho for that matter).

As a prospective employer now myself, I know that kids have to work harder in HS to get into the UW in comparison to other area state schools, and that UW students on average are working harder to get their degrees because their peers are more academically competitive than at schools that are ranked lower. I'm going to be more inclined to hire a UW student over the others (all else equal).

We tell our kids what everyone else knows concerning PAC-10 and western state schools. USC, Stanford, UCxx, Cal Tech, and the Claremont Colleges are top ranked and globally reknowned in EVERY academic department no exception. To get accepted into any of those schools is an honor. Personally I never had the honor, but I wish every student of mine (and yours) the best out of life.

Harvard of the Northwest wrote:

The University of Oregon is regarded as the Harvard of the Northwest. No other school in the region deserves mention.

Man that sucks. No wonder Frank Shorter went there.

idk

Villanova

- Great acedemics

- No FL, NON, NIN or NXN Champs

- Good sprinters and field events

** NCAA XC Champs **

Parents and coaches should play a major part in a college decision, a lot of 17 year olds will do like I did an choose the school with the best track team and/or the best looking coeds.

TrackCoach,

Villanova wrote:

Villanova

- Great acedemics

What are great acedemics?

How is that any different from what Oklahoma State does?

For the most part, a top level athlete out of high school that plans on running and competing to their potential will probably try for a top level Div 1 team. (Stanford, Villanova, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Wisconsin, Okie State). There might be a few exceptions where a personal situation dictates (Nealy Spence) or family tradition is an influence (Anne St. Geme, ) but for the most part, the athlete wants a school that will fit best their goals. Some athletes will go for the full ride (German). Some will be a part of the bandwagon such as Oregon had with AJ, Mercados, Wheating, Klotz, or Washington seems to be having this year with their 4 top incoming verbals. (Three have been announced, there is one more to come)

The one variable that I do not know understand is support. By that I mean coaching staff, school, fans and community. If support was the number 1 factor in making a selection, then would not Oregon get the majority of the top athletes? What other university puts on the Trials, NCAAs, League meets, etc.?

What other community prides itself on their fanatics? Nike is often maligned for backing the school. Is that bad as Oregon gave the Nike organization its roots so should not one except the fact that Mr. Knight might want to return the favor?

Closure on what school should an athlete attend is not possible as everyone sees their university as the best. SOOOO - when all is said and done, I hope that each young athlete picks well and has success.

Villanova wrote:

Villanova

- Great acedemics

- No FL, NON, NIN or NXN Champs

- Good sprinters and field events

** NCAA XC Champs **

Parents and coaches should play a major part in a college decision, a lot of 17 year olds will do like I did an choose the school with the best track team and/or the best looking coeds.

TrackCoach,

No offense but Sheila Reid was the best Canadian Jr when she signed with Villanova. She'd been to Pan-AM Jr and World Jr meets.

Gina also brought in a couple of good Europeans and an underachieving jr-transfer all of whom have shined. She isn't working with nobodies, just good kids who went under the radar.

That's true, and if you aspire an Olympic Medal, an IAAF Outdoor Medal, and a Marathon Major Medal then you choose USC or UCLA, the two top T&F schools in the world, with the medals to prove it.

Guess this thread that was started over Christmas break is officially true, as I just saw on the Husky track team's Twitter page and on Paul Merca's blog that Katie Flood finally signed with Washington.

Anyone recall the last time a single school has loaded up with this much talent?

Who are the top 4? Megan Goethals, Katie Flood, Megan Morgan (arguably the 2nd fastest runner in CA), Chloe Curtis (another top runner in CA... fastest or close to fastest returner in the mile)?

Very, very solid class.

Everyone said Kelly-Strong was responsible for Washington's recruiting prowess. Yet they have their best recruiting class as soon as Kelly-Strong leaves. What say you now morons?

Yeah I was wrong. I didn't realize it until now but Seattle-Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest is the Kenya/Ethiopia of U.S. Distance Running. UW confirms this. Btw, Kelly Mac has great legs.

According to Jason Drake on twitter, they signed these [distance] girls:

Megan Morgan

Megan Goethals

Chloe Curtis

Mackenzie Carter

Katie Flood

And they will not dominate at anything remotely resembling the level this incoming class would suggest. They will be very good, in all probability, but it's bad chemistry to bring in this many queen bees.

They'll be good for 2 years...then they'll follow the typical pattern of disappearing. One of 'em might come out healthy similarly to their current situation.

Great recruiting class though.