other districts wrote:
Give me predictions for qualifiers from the other Districts 800/1600/3200. North is interesting because they will get 3 qualifiers in each event, but CDA had 6-7 boys running at a very high level in XC...
I'll go Max CS, Rietze, Carr in the 3200, May, Max CS, King in the 1600, and May, King, Max CS in the 800.
Zack CS's best chance at state is in the 3200, but has to beat Rietze and Carr who seemed to beat him often down the stretch in XC.
I strongly doubt CDA will go with an order like that. If anything, I think it will be something along the lines of:
3200m:
Max, King, May
1600m:
Max, King, Carr
800m:
Max, King, May
The reason for this is that May is worth more points in the 800m (probably the 4th best guy in the state now) if he is fresh than he would in the 1600m and 800m combined and might be able to steal points from Helder or Kemper if they falter after the 1600m.
King and Max can certainly make sure 1600m stays honest so that guys like Kemper and Helder have to run some of the life out of their legs for the 800m.
May was really effective on easier courses this fall, beating Max. He might be a 9:15 guy on the track on the right day, and King might be as well. Having 3 guys that can be in a scoring position is huge for team tactics, and they very well could have the most guys in the mix for points if they run those three in the 3200m.