It makes me a bit sad to see how little interest there is in NCAA running in general anymore. When I started college in 2018 it had a different excitement about it that slowly dissipated over the years. Notably this year something feels off. I want to say it's all the foreign talent but maybe it's something beyond that...
Public interest in U.S. distance running peaked in the 60's and 70's when the Cold War duals were on national TV and guys like Ryun, Pre and Shorter captured the stage and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated and Time magazine. Its been in a slow decline since. And the foreign talent has been pervasive (and in cycles) since the 70's (some could argue the 60's). Then it was mostly Kenyan, European and Aussie/NZ athletes. My freshman year in 1977 I lined up at the NCAA XC meet in Spokane next to Henry Rono. I had just turned 18 the month before. So this is not a new issue. In my opinion, the foreign runners did make the U.S. guys better - because they had no choice.
To be fair no one has said that about Mc Cabe and she has been running in a lot of pro races for years. Seems like she has been in the NCAA for an eternity. I was rooting for her today, but I don't think anyone had an unfair advantage over her and no one bats an eye that she is still out there with all of her experience.
The men’s side is different but the top 3 women aren’t listed as very old and I don’t really have much evidence they are.
A smidge of truth there. If Naukot was the experienced steepler and McCabe the promising frosh, the top Mountaineer would surely receive endless torment from the cretins on this thread.
It makes me a bit sad to see how little interest there is in NCAA running in general anymore. When I started college in 2018 it had a different excitement about it that slowly dissipated over the years. Notably this year something feels off. I want to say it's all the foreign talent but maybe it's something beyond that...
Public interest in U.S. distance running peaked in the 60's and 70's when the Cold War duals were on national TV and guys like Ryun, Pre and Shorter captured the stage and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated and Time magazine. Its been in a slow decline since. And the foreign talent has been pervasive (and in cycles) since the 70's (some could argue the 60's). Then it was mostly Kenyan, European and Aussie/NZ athletes. My freshman year in 1977 I lined up at the NCAA XC meet in Spokane next to Henry Rono. I had just turned 18 the month before. So this is not a new issue. In my opinion, the foreign runners did make the U.S. guys better - because they had no choice.
That’s amazing thanks for sharing! Hope you’re enjoying watching the racing today!
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