It is interesting though that FM and Saratoga girls are almost always top 3 in the nation but the boys aren’t. I know FM boys won in the 2010’s but overall they don’t dominate like the girls do.
In FM's case, the severe diet restrictions the coach imposes seem to positively impact girls more than boys, in terms of performance. Saratoga may well do the same thing (their boys have also won NXN / NTN once, FWIW).
The New York region sucks on the boys side and probably won't ever deserve an at large bid.
In 2014, the NY boys teams went like this: FM - 1st at NXN Liverpool - 4th at NXN St Anthony’s - 8th at NXN There were 3 NY boys teams at NXN that year.
The other year when 3 NY boys teams were at NXN was 2013. That year: FM - 4th at NXN Northport - 11th at NXN Liverpool - 20th at NXN
is southwest really as good as everyone saying it is?
Ok so you have two really good teams American Fork and Herriman. But does that warrent 2 at-large bids?
I mean if you think about technically south region has two really good teams: southlake carroll and jesuit la. However, in no world would they ever get a bid for it. To get 2 at-large bids the other teams need to beat auto qualifiers.
I think Lone Peak UT looks really good as well. They are looking to be the #3 team in the Southwest. They return these 3200 times: 9:19, 9:29, 9:32, 9:45, and 9:51. All were at altitude I think. The 9:19 and 9:51 guys were not even in their top 7 last year. They return their 2-4 runners from the state meet.
Niwot and Valor Christian look really good as well. Niwot has a lot of depth. Riverton returns a good amount but did not do very well on the last meet. They were missing a top runner.
You are correct, beating autoqualifiers gives a team a better chance to get an at-large. But in 2019, Dana Hills never beat an autoqualifier during the regular season but got an at-large (probably because the top 2 teams in the nation were in CA that year), and at NXN they showed that they deserve one.
If Southwest somehow doesn’t get one, I think that the Northwest and Midwest will get one
I think the at-larges on the boys side will be 2 teams from Southwest 1 team from California 1 team from either Northwest or Midwest
NW will have likely have enough depth to merit 1-2 extra spots but not get one unless it is Crater or Jesuit that finishes third.
Don’t count out Rocky Mountain ID though. Very deep team even though they graduated 3 seniors. They raced at Bob Firman last year and won it, and some good teams from other regions go there.
Damn this thread is beyond crazy. So glad I commited and read the whole thing ha ha
I'm hoping sirpoc84 is still around? I would love a question answered. I race both on the bike and 5 and 10ks when I can. I just find it hard to believe he did no race specific work? For Time Trialling. That is just so wild and I'm not sure I believe it? The times he was just dropping in are literally elite? Like not sub elite, but actual elite? I just don't see how that is possible on the hours mentioned. I understand you sun 19 for 10 mile and way under sub 50 for 25. This just casually dropped in. I don't think people quite understand how quick this is and I just can't wrap my head around someone that fast training this way. This is equivalent I would say to at least sub 14 5k running.
Lack of race specific just keeps coming up and I'm not sure it has been answered fully. Or satisfactory to my liking. Something just doesn't add up.