Who Knows? wrote:
Can Wiley successfully operate in the wild and against stronger competition? Take away her creepy little support bubble and make her race week in, week out against East Africans and Europeans instead of JV talent from other Bible colleges, can she adapt? She is very talented but once she turns pro, her agent's first task will be to jettison the Johnsons as they compromise her marketability.
You must just be back from a long space flight. Americans no longer compete week in and week out period. They compete about 6 times per year, often at local high school just against teammates. They face the JV talent once a year at nationals , and a few go to Europe for shopping and to learn about rabbiting for money.
Back to subject. Touhy and Valby both have little raw speed. They will both be 10k marathon types long term, 5k to start. Touhy is the safer bet to succeed as 4:06 8:35 15:03 already makes her a top 10 us pro. Valby keeps getting more impressive. It's now 22 out, xc, 23 out with consistent gritty running off cross training and low mileage. If she can find the right Dr physio coach combo she could see Cranny/Schweizer like improvement as a pro.
Wiley for now is classic 800/1500 runner at 2:01 4:03. The closing speed and having world standard makes her a threat to make Budapest. She can run relaxed and has nothing to lose. Wiley also most likely to win a medal at some point. 4:03 at 19, so why not 3:57 by 2028?
Don't be surprised if the HU scheme stays in place for her still for 23/24 school year.
