On February 22, 1980, the United States Olympic hockey team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history, defeating the Soviet Union, 4-3.Back in ...
I think NC State goes in with a "go for broke" mentality. They cannot be conservative. They have to push to have a chance, and they have to know that. Their chances are not zero. If Tuohy is in the top 3, and Tynissma races to her full potential (which Henes made clear was possible), and Sam Bush is back (15th last year and a proven history of stepping up at nationals), and rested Leah Stevens has a great race, then they need a #5 to have the race of her life, and they have several women who are capable of that. Yes, this hurts. Yes, it is much harder and more of a long shot. But it is not impossible. If they pulled it off, it would be the XC version of Miracle.
Henes said Tuohy is in the best shape of her life. Now that the team win is unlikely, she’s not going out conservatively, she’s going for that 1 point.
Of course she’s going for the win. She’s the defending champion after all.
I admire Laurie Henes as a coach for the way she frames everything in a way that is motivating. Over the years Tuohy has talked about Henes teaching them to take charge of the factors that they control, and to appreciate their opportunities. This fits. If they capitalize everywhere they can, they have an incredible opportunity to bring down the house with a surprise upset and give the sport of cross country a story for the ages. I bet they will put everything they have out there for Kelsey. They have no safety net, so everyone has to fight for every place. I can't wait to see what they do with this!
I admire Laurie Henes as a coach for the way she frames everything in a way that is motivating. Over the years Tuohy has talked about Henes teaching them to take charge of the factors that they control, and to appreciate their opportunities. This fits. If they capitalize everywhere they can, they have an incredible opportunity to bring down the house with a surprise upset and give the sport of cross country a story for the ages. I bet they will put everything they have out there for Kelsey. They have no safety net, so everyone has to fight for every place. I can't wait to see what they do with this!
There aren’t other coaches that do the same things? A lot of Tuohy fans blamed Henes for the bad race she ran at the NCAA championships last spring.
I didn't say that other coaches aren't motivating. These are just specific things that I have heard NC State runners say about Coach Henes. Since this thread is focused on NC State just mentioning them specifically is appropriate. I am sure there are other threads on this site to praise the virtues of other coaches.
This thread was created to discuss a tough blow dealt to a top team. I was just trying to think of it in a way that inspired some hope. The longer the odds, the sweeter the victory. Aren't all of the greatest stories in sports along that thread? How many of those are about XC? That was my point.
Great recruiter. Average coach. Even the Tuohy fans said that the decision made at track nationals were dumb. And she gets many people injured. Her own daughter took a big jump once she got a real coach.
Great recruiter. Average coach. Even the Tuohy fans said that the decision made at track nationals were dumb. And she gets many people injured. Her own daughter took a big jump once she got a real coach.
Not bad for an average coach to have her team finish 2nd, 1st, and 1st the last three years. I takes more than 1 or 2 stars to build a champ team.
Great recruiter. She recruited the most talented and accomplished runners of any program. Are you disputing that? Which school has better runners?
You can see for yourself the quality of the top teams at this year's championship. My point is that the test of a great coach is winning team championships. She's done that. What else can you reasonably expect her to do?
I’m going to re-post here, what I just posted in the press conference thread:
I personally didn’t gain any perspective from the women’s individual (nor the coaches) press conference for the women. As a fan for many years now of Tuohy; however, I know a few things: 1) She LOVES cross country. 2) She LOVES the TEAM aspect of cross country. 3) She DISLIKES losing. 4) She never repeats the same mistake. 5) She learns from EVERYTHING. 6) She WINS. 7) She WANTS to push herself to the utmost limits (even to the irritation of her coaches).
Tuohy will WIN and will MOTIVATE her teammates to do EVERYTHING they possible can to do they best THEY can as well to win the team title.
Tuohy will win by 23 seconds.
On a side note: NC State wins by a margin of 10 points.
I hope I can remember to check back! If you end up being right on 23secs and 10pts... no offense, but I will believe that you have some sort of psychic future-telling ability rather than just being that good. That would be both an amazing prognostication and outcome!
Great recruiter. She recruited the most talented and accomplished runners of any program. Are you disputing that? Which school has better runners?
Recruiting is part of being a great college coach. Results still speak for themselves since NC state is far from the only program getting great recruits.
Lets compare them to some other schools over the period that is competing at this years nationals: