Midseason MIAC Awards -
MVP - Bati, no surprise here, but he seems to be at a different level now. I'm eager to see if he can break Patzka's course record at St. Olaf. Our coach thinks that course runs about 40 seconds slower than Carleton, so it will take a big run.
Rookie of the Year - This is a toss up between little Ihrke and Hootie Hage, but Ihrke won the head to head matchup. It doesn't appear any other freshmen will be in the conversation unless one of the Carleton runners has a better latter half of the season.
Coach of the Year - Kurza from St. John's. Many have talked about Schofer, but the Scots will have to perform better than last week versus MIAC competition to get the hardware.
Most Improved - Parker Max emerging as a scorer for the Oles wasn't something I'd predict before the season. Kaluza also merits conversation for this.
5 things I'm eager to watch the rest of the season -
1. Will Carleton get healthy and be the team posters hyped to start the season?
2. Does Macalester have the depth to hold off a surging St. John's?
3. Traditionally a team to peak at the MIAC's, will the Johnnies be able to shock the Oles on their home course?
4. Out of Region meets - with many teams going out of Region next weekend, can the MIAC earn some respect from other Regions?
5. Which Carl will resume Bowman's hilarious habit of releasing air from Power's tires when they pass his house? My vote is Lyness, but perhaps a freshman can make that an annual tradition!
6. A bonus for the anti-Power crowd - will noted Power hater Devin Monson fly Power's illegitimate and unacknowledged child to the MIAC championship in hopes of causing enough chaos for the Oles to not win and deny Power another coach of the year award?