2013 Footlocker National Thread

Aaron Templeton for the win,

Hardy close second.

Kenoshizzle wrote:

Uhhh, no. FLMW is slower than Balboa, with the weather likely playing a factor. There are a lot of hills, and it can be cold as sh1t. I'm going mainly by historical results for FL champions and top 5-10 finishers from the midwest. Balboa yields faster times.

Case in point:

2012 results at FLN (left) and FLMW (time on the right) -

Boys -

15:06.9 Jake Leingang ND #3 14:56

15:18.7 Sam Wharton OH #6 14:56

15:29.7 Ryan Kromer WI #8 15:08

15:42.9 Patrick Perrier IL #19 15:03

15:43.7 Nicholas Raymond MI #20 15:02

15:51.2 Grant Nykaza IL #26 15:04

15:52.6 Scott Milling IL #27 15:10

15:58.2 Connor Mora MI #29 15:09

15:58.7 Nicholas Elswick OH #30 15:12

16:03.5 Samuel Prakel OH #33 15:04

Girls -

17:24.8 Anna Rohrer IN #1 16:54

17:29.2 Maria Hauger MN #3 17:07

17:29.5 Jordyn Colter CO #4 17:08

17:42.4 Anna Holdiman IA #7 17:33

17:45.2 Bobbie Burgess IN #9 17:35

17:46.3 Hannah Long MO #10 17:33

17:52.4 Taylor Werner MO #13 17:06

18:01.5 Courtney Ackerman IL #17 17:13

18:34.8 Kaylee Flanagan #34 17:34

18:36.1 Melanie Nun CO #35 17:39

Notice that ZERO athletes ran faster at Balboa. Of the runners that ran well, they were generally 10-20 seconds slower at Balboa.

Yes, there have been a couple of years where times at FLMW were about as slow - or maybe even a little slower in the more extreme years - due to conditions. But the course itself isn't slower than Balboa.

So does Templeton get Matthews' state course record or are they just considered two separate records? They made adjustments to the course, and the times were way faster across the board in every division. Matthews ran 15:32 on the old course earlier in the season but was a few seconds slower at state before winning the footlocker region.

Again, I'm talking historically here, and with big names contenders.Midwest FL Champs Fry, Kennedy, Williams, Grosso, Ihmels, Goucher, Alzindani, Solinsky, Withrow and Fout all ran either roughly the same time on both courses or considerably faster at Balboa. Goucher was 30 seconds faster at Balboa (14:41). Verzbicas, like others have noted in another thread, ran a controlled 14:59 in the rain at Balboa with no competition after going 14:45 at Kenosha. Had he been able to run Balboa- Ritz likely would have dipped under his 14:55 from Kenosha his junior year, and in my opinion could have gone 14:30s his senior year.Years of results from Kenosha show that real contenders / top finishers run the same or faster at Balboa. People that had to peak just to qualify- some 2-3 weeks after their state meets- yes, may have rough races at Balboa (the case of most 15:30+ performances in my opinion).

Williams wasn't a FL champion. But he was faster at Balboa than Kenosha.MW runners are just so damn tough.

Kenoshizzle wrote:

Again, I'm talking historically here, and with big names contenders.

Midwest FL Champs Fry, Kennedy, Williams, Grosso, Ihmels, Goucher, Alzindani, Solinsky, Withrow and Fout all ran either roughly the same time on both courses or considerably faster at Balboa. Goucher was 30 seconds faster at Balboa (14:41). Verzbicas, like others have noted in another thread, ran a controlled 14:59 in the rain at Balboa with no competition after going 14:45 at Kenosha. Had he been able to run Balboa- Ritz likely would have dipped under his 14:55 from Kenosha his junior year, and in my opinion could have gone 14:30s his senior year.

Good point on the peaking issue. For my state, FLMW is 3 weeks after our state meet, so FLN ends up being 5 weeks after state. Considering the championship season leading up to state, that makes for a loooong season for runners that think they *might* have a shot, versus a guy that is good enough that he can train through most of those meets.

Tennessee State wrote:

So does Templeton get Matthews' state course record or are they just considered two separate records? They made adjustments to the course, and the times were way faster across the board in every division. Matthews ran 15:32 on the old course earlier in the season but was a few seconds slower at state before winning the footlocker region.

The courses are different enough that they have to be considered two different course records. But keep in mind that Brentwood just got 3rd at NXN with their top guy finishing 8th, and Templeton beat them easily at state.

Bonus for templeton on that count, since he has continued to improve over the last 5-6 weeks rather than hitting a peak two months ago.

JC coach wrote:

Interesting that some of these favorites are going to lesser schools.

I think school is the operative word here. There are a lot of very well educated kids coming out of HS that want to run for an education, let their skills pay for that education. These kids cannot be "dumb" to handle the rigors of these "lesser" schools. Furman has two Olympic coaches, the backing of some very big pockets and an A.D. that gets it.

These lesser schools will be more-er (athletics wise) soon. If not already.

She may not be up for the win but keep an eye on Karen Xiang from Florida. Only 5th in her state meet then 10th at FLS. Off to Penn next year. One thing she has going for her is that she competed for the same high school as Tim Tebow.

Nike Sting wrote:

One thing she has going for her is that she competed for the same high school as Tim Tebow.

Oh so God hates her?

I think we can all agree that this is the true "Baby Nationals"

My ass.

December 14, 2013

Morley Field @ Balboa Park

San Diego, California

Girls Race - 9:15 am pst

Boys Race - 10:00 am pst

I have a feeling these are going to be epic races tomorrow.

Alas, I will be in the middle of my run again and will miss both of them. Hopefully there will be replays of the races!

will wheaton wrote:

Agreed.

B1G10Beauty wrote:

Grant Fisher will win.

Agree as well

J.R. wrote:

December 14, 2013

Morley Field @ Balboa Park

San Diego, California

Girls Race - 9:15 am pst

Boys Race - 10:00 am pst

I have a feeling these are going to be epic races tomorrow.

Alas, I will be in the middle of my run again and will miss both of them. Hopefully there will be replays of the races!

Just watch them for christ's sake. As long as you're not a world beater you should be fine missing a run by an hour or two.

Templeton to open up a can of whoop!! Whoop!!

Is there a way to see where each Footlocker finalist is committed to college? I wonder how many seniors are already committed?

haha wrote:

Just watch them for christ's sake. As long as you're not a world beater you should be fine missing a run by an hour or two.

It's going to be warmer tomorrow but I might, or else run at 7am when it's cold... brrrr.