MIAC CC 2007

i say run mitch and leave chowder off the team...

what do you mean that vanbruggen didn't look healthy at conference? his time wasn't good and I think he shouldn't run based on that. too bad for him. kind of a wasted career.

Finishing 2nd at MIAC championships his junior year had to have been very disappointing for him. I know as a MIAC alum I would have been very upset finishing 2nd. How pathetic is that? Saint John's will have problems with their depth at regionals, but even if they finish 5th at regionals like they did last year, I'm sure they're still going to Nats, and that's the race that matters. I am going to look forward to next year and say Hamline is going to be very tough to beat. Gleason will be back and I am saying right now he'll be MIAC champion in XC. Bauer, Groh, and Murphy are all back as well. Bethel should be good next year with Greeno and Gladitsch possibly going 2,3 and Hinrichs possibly finishing on the fringe or in an all-conference position. His brother will have to step up and then a 5th guy as well, but Bethel could be top 3 next year.

Predictions for 2008 MIAC Championships

1. Hamline

2. Bethel

3. Carleton

1. Gleason

2. Greeno

3. Gladitsch

4. Bauer

5. Mudry

More SJU slanted video. This covers the MIAC repeat. However there is a pretty good look at the all-conference finishers.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=r95NxFw3pyo

i dont expect to see gleason win miacs next year. he has a rod in his leg. i doubt hell be hitting 200 miles per week with that in him. who knows, but if he isnt runninga crapload, he wont be even close.

Results will shake up next year. I expect Andrew Stevens to return to last year's form. There are a few others who will make big steps in both directions. It happens every year.

I am surprised that no one is talking about what happened to Mitch Vanbruggen this year. the number one returner coming in and he ends up finishing 8th for his team? Kind of a Tony Hoff performance if you ask me.

I don't think anyone was expecting him to race any higher than 8th on his team.

I don't think anyone was expecting him to race any higher than 8th on his team.

He took what 8 weeks off and has 3 or 4 weeks of running under him with 3 weeks until nationals. I can see him coming around and starting to mix it up with the 5 to 6 runners on the Johnnies team by then.

WK wrote:

... mix it up with the 5 to 6 runners on the Johnnies team by then.

My point was there is a big difference between the Johnnies 5 and 6 runners right now and no reason to think that anyone can realistically close that gap in the next two weeks. My question was, will the only person who I believe has a chance of closing that gap, even be given the opportunity. It's tough to deny a #7 runner the opportunity to run at Nationals in place of someone who has his health working against him. Especially when you consider the possibility that this may be the Johnnies last run at nationals for a couple years.

The VanBruggen question is a solid one. Much of the decision may be already made by the policy and practice that Miles has in play now. Lowder and King have had good solid, consistent years and have flipped finish positions. If I am coaching only for my best shot at Nationals I go with VB. The upside potential has to be better. I make Lowder(So) the alternate and make King(Sr)a starter. This is all based on not knowing any of these guys very well. The team dynamic is known only by those on the inside and this will be the biggest factor.

wow, a civil and educated response... refreshing.

I agree, if I were coach Miles I think would monitor his health (make sure the kid eats a T-bone steak for dinner every day) and assuming he's making progress, I'd call his number. Seems unfair to someone who has done all they can to earn a spot on the team, but VanBruggen has clearly shown in his years at Saint John's that he can be one of their best.

My prediction: the Johnnies top 7 spread will not be the best in the Region. (really out on a limb there aren't I?)

2008 predictions? you have to be kidding.

I'm from concordia moorhead, and I think we're gonna win MIAc next year, and we're also gonna me one of the top teams at nationals. F*** all you guys.

Oh yeah, I'm from saint Johns, and I think you people that go to concordia suck eternally. I hate myself. F*** you.

its a hard call to make for miles. If you were number 7, would you give up your spot to a guy who you know will run better than you in two weeks (realistically, vb will run better at regionals)? Or you could compromise, give up your spot to him at regionals, and if he still finishes as number 7 on the team, put the other guy back on since he earned it throughout the year.

how bout region predictions? How do you think the MIAC school stack up?

at the same time, they dont need vb to make nats and he wont contribute much anyways. so for a d3 team, id say they should stick with what they got.