In her interview with Dominic Schlueter, Coach Henes shared her and the other coaches would prefer to go in as the underdog. That’s not the case for NC State this year (regardless of some coaches’ poll. But as Napoleon says, being rated first is a privilege.)
In this video the northwestern coach talked about how coaches voted based on history and brand. Obviously BYU has both, so they should be unanimous #1 no matter who is in the actual lineup.
In her interview with Dominic Schlueter, Coach Henes shared her and the other coaches would prefer to go in as the underdog. That’s not the case for NC State this year (regardless of some coaches’ poll. But as Napoleon says, being rated first is a privilege.)
In this video the northwestern coach talked about how coaches voted based on history and brand. Obviously BYU has both, so they should be unanimous #1 no matter who is in the actual lineup.
In her interview with Dominic Schlueter, Coach Henes shared her and the other coaches would prefer to go in as the underdog. That’s not the case for NC State this year (regardless of some coaches’ poll. But as Napoleon says, being rated first is a privilege.)
In this video the northwestern coach talked about how coaches voted based on history and brand. Obviously BYU has both, so they should be unanimous #1 no matter who is in the actual lineup.
That’s fine, but I really like LACCTiC for giving us an informed perspective on the competition results. By just simply looking at BYU’s victory at pre-nats, a casual observer might think they are the clear favorite. which isn’t the case.
In this video the northwestern coach talked about how coaches voted based on history and brand. Obviously BYU has both, so they should be unanimous #1 no matter who is in the actual lineup.
That’s fine, but I really like LACCTiC for giving us an informed perspective on the competition results. By just simply looking at BYU’s victory at pre-nats, a casual observer might think they are the clear favorite. which isn’t the case.
Last year Amy Bunnage only ran regionals and championship races, and she excelled in both. So Hutchins may copy the formula this year?
In addition, I believe a flat course will result in stronger correlation between track performances and cross country results. If this is the case, Oregon and BYU should benefit more than other teams.
That’s fine, but I really like LACCTiC for giving us an informed perspective on the competition results. By just simply looking at BYU’s victory at pre-nats, a casual observer might think they are the clear favorite. which isn’t the case.
Last year Amy Bunnage only ran regionals and championship races, and she excelled in both. So Hutchins may copy the formula this year?
In addition, I believe a flat course will result in stronger correlation between track performances and cross country results. If this is the case, Oregon and BYU should benefit more than other teams.
Maybe; possibly we’ll see NC State’s critical 5th (Sadie) take to the Missouri course, as well.
In addition, I believe a flat course will result in stronger correlation between track performances and cross country results. If this is the case, Oregon and BYU should benefit more than other teams.
I'd agree on OR (some milers) but not sure it helps BYU (altitude) more than NC St (esp Engelhardt).
In addition, I believe a flat course will result in stronger correlation between track performances and cross country results. If this is the case, Oregon and BYU should benefit more than other teams.
I'd agree on OR (some milers) but not sure it helps BYU (altitude) more than NC St (esp Engelhardt).
Irony is that had Klaudia K. from OR not gone pro, they likely would have been the heavy, heavy favorites. If Dalia Frias can bridge the gap to Ayyildiz, they may have a shot at 2nd.
In addition, I believe a flat course will result in stronger correlation between track performances and cross country results. If this is the case, Oregon and BYU should benefit more than other teams.
I'd agree on OR (some milers) but not sure it helps BYU (altitude) more than NC St (esp Engelhardt).
Also Hartman, who has the 5th fastest 10000 time in NCAA history and with a good chance at beating Valby's 10 record this spring (either her or Kosgei will get it if conditions are right, IMHO) and has the 9th fastest 5000 time in history. She also has the 3rd fastest mile in NCAA history and is close to the top 10 in the 1500.
Then there's Napoleon with the 8th fastest steeplechase time in NCAA history. I also think of Napoleon more as a middle distance runner based on her HS background but she is transitioning well to distance.
NC State should be able to hold their own on a flatter course.
I'd agree on OR (some milers) but not sure it helps BYU (altitude) more than NC St (esp Engelhardt).
Irony is that had Klaudia K. from OR not gone pro, they likely would have been the heavy, heavy favorites. If Dalia Frias can bridge the gap to Ayyildiz, they may have a shot at 2nd.
well, not so sure about that....she was 100th last year....134th in 2023.....I don't think XC was her forte'
I'd agree on OR (some milers) but not sure it helps BYU (altitude) more than NC St (esp Engelhardt).
Irony is that had Klaudia K. from OR not gone pro, they likely would have been the heavy, heavy favorites. If Dalia Frias can bridge the gap to Ayyildiz, they may have a shot at 2nd.
Not sure how they possibly could have been the “heavy, heavy favorites”, considering the departing 24yr-old’s LACCTiC Rating of 16:03 would put her 7th in Oregon’s current lineup.
In addition, I believe a flat course will result in stronger correlation between track performances and cross country results. If this is the case, Oregon and BYU should benefit more than other teams.
I'd agree on OR (some milers) but not sure it helps BYU (altitude) more than NC St (esp Engelhardt).
Much ado about Sadie.
Sadie ran exactly 2 xc races in her hs career outside of California, the infamous two races at NXN in Portland. She ran FL San Diego as a freshman and sophomore. These 2 data points created the narrative:
"Sadie, like most Californians, can't run true xc."
One would think with all the attention on footware, training plans, pro meets, player agents& NIL etc. that Coach Henes and Sadie would spend some time running on hills and grass (and cold) in her training. She could even pop up to North Rockland for a weekend and run Bear Mountain and Bowdoin Park. If they think she needed true xc course exposure, they will have worked on it.
Hopefully, Sadie runs well over next 3 meets and puts this story to an end. She already handled the Nuttycombe course quite nicely.
Basically, all the ncaa courses; Wisconsin, Lehigh, OSU, Gans Creek, Terre Haute, Charlottesville etc are all actually quite well manicured with wide mowed paths to accomodate 300 runners.
I don't really think the course makes much of a difference to NC State and SE. (Now for sure there will be a hurricane)
The accuracy of this simulation can be improved if some basic updates are implemented, such as:
(1) fill in the missing athletes, e.g., Hedengren; (2) make some warranted finer adjustments in the expected top 7’s for each team, e.g. Napoleon’s rating should be no less than 15:33; (3) add in some expected fill-in athletes, particularly after the 3’s, to get an idea on the placements separation;
(4) limit each team to just seven athletes.
There seems to be a bug when posting LACCTiC simulations: with low sticks previously deleted, they still get put back in when sharing the simulation.
Hedengren has been a revelation all year can’t wait to see her shine brighter than a star
True. Ducks had a bad year but on a course not as suitable to their strength. I will note that with Frias emergence and consistency of Thompson along with their big 3 massive point haul they have backup if one or two struggle. I would argue with their top 3 mixed with Thompson, Frias, Barnett, Thorsett, they are very strong. Maybe more backup than most.
Then there's Napoleon with the 8th fastest steeplechase time in NCAA history. I also think of Napoleon more as a middle distance runner based on her HS background but she is transitioning well to distance.
NC State should be able to hold their own on a flatter course.
This is another myth. Both Putman and Napoleon are seasoned xc runners.
In New York class of '22 they ranked #4 and #5 in NY State in xc.
In front of them was Foot Locker champ Karrie Baloga, USA U20 team member Zariel Macchia and Izzie Sullivan from Fayetteville-Manlius.
Sure Napoleon better known for her national title and record in the steeple, but plenty of successful xc experience.
Anytime basically now that a recruit picks NC State, they are proclaiming a strong interest in xc, and winning xc championships, as frankly that's what is most important there.
Notice like the old Wetmore Colorado teams that all the Wolfpack t&f recruits are distance runners for the xc team. The rest of t&f is in state athletes. NC State's weak leg of the DMR is always the 400. Yes, they compete in track, but focus is xc and distance running.
Engelhardt 'the miler' and Napoleon 'the steeple specialist' picked NC St to run on the xc team, and they are excellent xc runners with plenty of xc experience.