Iowa 2025 Track & Field Thread

Yes. We are probably close to having a 2 day meet dominated by high school events.

That won’t happen

Quite a leap from breaking 9 next weekend to running sub-4 this year…

If he runs 8:59 at the Misfits invite I’ll be duly impressed with his ability to do that with next to zero actual running on ground for 2+ months—and I will still think it’s a foolish decision to have run the race at all.

Yes. Already committed to Colorado but likely trying to boost his stock in order to earn a scholarship. Running 8:59 this week doesn't contribute to that and may harm late season performance.

Do you really think that someone who has ran 8:55, 4:14 as a sophomore, and 14:40 in the 5k as a junior, is not already on a Scholarship? You do realize he was the 3rd fastest sophomore in the UNITED STATES as a sophomore correct?

First, he isn't on scholarship because he can't sign until November.

Second, roster cuts start in the fall. Add to that, JUCO time likely doesn't count and 5 year eligibility may be allowed. Coaches haven't been provided with firm numbers from their ADs yet. Colorado is a program that cut sub 14 guys and 4 minute milers already.

I hope he gets something but being a top American won't be enough in the future.

Correct. Some national class seniors faster than him haven't even found roster spots.

The only ones that would fit this are Evan Noonan, who had a lot of health issues during the period of being close to making a decision, and thus has not signed yet. Roster spots are not as limited as some might think. Running 14:00 flat on the track at a huge D1 college does not get you a spot anymore. Highschoolers are close to running that.

No. They are more limited than you seem to realize. Iowa State finished 2nd at XC. They have 24 guys on their roster. They have to cut to 17 this fall. Their guys will transfer to the next level down. These are places like Minnesota or Iowa. Then those excess guys end up at places like UNI. Then, those excess guys end up at places like Central and Loras. Big changes are coming. Some coaches are going to be shocked.

This may be true, however take a look at Iowa State's bottom 5 guys:

Ernest Mattson (So) - 8k: 25:34, 1 mile: 4:07.47

Riley Simpson (Jr) - 8k: 24:39, 5k track: 14:24

Nathan Pestka (Jr) - 8k: 24:40, 5k track: 15:15, 1 Mile: 4:12

Quinton Orr (Jr), 8k: 24:27, 5k track: 15:17, 3k: 8:10

Alex Mckane (So), 8k: 24:37

At one point in time these were decent times that could earn you a D1 spot, however in todays world this is what it takes to be top 5 on a team.

Iowa State top 4:

Robin Kwemoi Bera (Fr), 8k: 22:16

Josh Ruto (Fr), 8k: 22:43

Sanele Masondo (Sr), 8k: 22:51

Said Mechaal (Sr), 8k: 22:35

Why do people constantly say stuff they know absolutely nothing about on this board? Unfortunately then plenty of others not in the know believe the crap.

Please educate us.

Signing period is November. Fact.

Rosters have to be chopped to 17. Fact.

You provided nothing to refute any of the information but said the poster knows nothing about it. Fact.

Why would it be foolish? 4-6 weeks is normal recovery for injury I understand he had, he’s over 10 weeks and has done little running so no pounding, he usually has a lot more miles ran by now according to Strava.

You can receive an offer at any time after June 15th following sophomore year.

Along with that, the NLI (national letter of intent) has been erased, however there are agreements between the athlete & school that can lock in a roster spot. So therefore he could have went with that option.

Thus, you have no facts in your post as well besides for the first “official” signing date.

Rosters will be capped at 17. That is a fact. And no, you can't lock in a roster spot. Roster caps will cause kids to get cut who were/are on scholarship. NLI doesn't increase spots. It isn't separate as your post insinuated. Even some current seniors have had their agreements revoked. Juniors have nothing but a good will promise from a coach who may not know that the AD will soon change the rules on them. Programs may be eliminated entirely.

There is almost no bone stress injuries that allows an athlete to return to sport (particularly running) in 4-6 weeks. Others have suggested he had a "tibial stress reaction". If that is the case, it would likely be grade one or two. But this bone is weight bearing, and is therefore considered high risk. The incidence of recurrence in tibia is 20% among track athletes, and largely due to returning to run too soon. The average return to sport time with high risk grade 1-2 injury is 12-13 weeks. And that is the time to begin running again, not to go and race indoor. JWH is absolutely correct that doing this race is foolish. He has so much more to lose than gain. Needing to start the clock again in January would be make it very difficult to have much of a junior season.

I am a fan of this kid and have watched him run since elementary school. I hope he doesn't feel obliged to race because he made some bold statements about his goal time. A DNS would be just fine. Nobody will remember in April.

Let us do some math:

His first day of Elliptical was 73 days ago, November 3rd. Being 4 days out from the race, that would be 77 days since he shut down any fast running. The first week he was doing elliptical he was also doing a few mile segments at tempo, which may have set him back a touch but not a lot. Even if that prolonged recovery by a week, that would be 70 days which is 10 weeks. At minimum. More like 11 weeks.

He uses Stryd Powermeter for training, and it seems that his dad has reposted Palladino Power Project multiple times on facebook so I am guessing that is who he trains under. I googled this, and turns out his power coach was a foot doctor for over 20 years. I am sure they have it handled.

There are a few defensive posters here. Everyone has the kid's best interests at heart here whether it has to do with injury, racing, scholarship, etc.

I know athletes who attended top universities that had top hospitals and medical doctors. And some of those kids had similar injuries that kept them out of running for the majority of their careers due to a rush to return to training and racing.