TrackFan11 wrote:
I think the idea of Colorado winning the whole thing should be taken a little bit more seriously.
#1: Dani Jones' performance individually at PAC12 was fantastic. Hull from Oregon was throwing every jab she could the last 200 meters and Jones repelled everything. If Jones can stay close enough when Kelati/Kurgat push to separate mid-race, the final 1K should be interesting.
#2: Makena Morley has been steadily working with Jones up at the front of races this season. If they work together early in this race, I could see Morley finishing in the 10-15 place range.
#3: Tabor Scholl had solid performances at both the PAC12 meet & at Regionals. If she keeps that rolling into nationals, she could be top 25ish.
#4-5-6: Sage Hurta has a lot of talent and ran so well early at the Nuttycombe Invite. A lot of people have forgotten about her going into nationals because she rested during regionals (after a very crappy PAC12 meet). If she is well rested and runs similar to Nuttycombe, then she is a top 35 runner. Tayler Tuttle is vastly improved this season and could be right on her heels. Don't forget Val Constein, CU's 9:47 steeplechase athlete.
Supposedly some of these ladies have been sick, but with the way the conditions are going to be on Saturday, it's nothing that the Buffs haven't seen before in Boulder. This race reminds me a lot of the 2011 race. So many close teams. GTown won that year after Nova won the Big East. I think this year is going to be a similar tight score.
^ LetsRun: if you'd like me to work for you, I'm open to it anytime. I'd say my pre-race predictions were pretty spot on ;-)
Cheers