The Cooper Teare Problem

Salvitore Stitchmo wrote:

Let it Rupp wrote:

Eh, I'd like to see how he does in the 5000 final when he doesn't have 4 races in his legs first before saying he has no path.

Like in 2023 when he got bounced in the heats of the 1500m as the defending champ and then finished 5th in the 5000m 3 days later getting beaten by guys like McGorty and Klecker in a 13.25 race that should have perfectly suited his "1500m pedigree"?

If he even was able to replicate that 5th place finish again moving forwards it would be an absolute miracle. Maybe if the race got to 4600 on 13.45 pace and he was well positioned on the rail and a bunch of guys lost their minds in the final 250m he might get lucky.

Look you can still be very good in this sport and only have a short window at the top where you can make teams or get lucky enough to make teams. That's not even a controversial or critical statement to make - even recent history is littered with names of very good and talented athletes this applies to. Don't be mad, it's not personal.

Samsung7680 wrote:

Salvitore Stitchmo wrote:

Like in 2023 when he got bounced in the heats of the 1500m as the defending champ and then finished 5th in the 5000m 3 days later getting beaten by guys like McGorty and Klecker in a 13.25 race that should have perfectly suited his "1500m pedigree"?

If he even was able to replicate that 5th place finish again moving forwards it would be an absolute miracle. Maybe if the race got to 4600 on 13.45 pace and he was well positioned on the rail and a bunch of guys lost their minds in the final 250m he might get lucky.

Look you can still be very good in this sport and only have a short window at the top where you can make teams or get lucky enough to make teams. That's not even a controversial or critical statement to make - even recent history is littered with names of very good and talented athletes this applies to. Don't be mad, it's not personal.

This is the main reason not to like Teare's chances compared to guys like Nur, Wolfe, Blanks and Jacobs. Although Teare's 2 indoor races show at the moment he's in just as good of shape as them, he doesn't have a good history at the US champs except for his one 1500 win in a relatively weak year. I was just reading Kessler's T&FN interview about getting in as many high pressure races as possible to get ready for the pressure of the olympic trials last year - it seems like that's an approach that could be helpful for Teare and why it would've been nice to see him racing at US indoors and maybe world indoors this year.

Samsung7680 wrote:

Nonpro wrote:

You are just making a lot of silly points. In 2023, he was like a 13:10 guy struggling with BTC.

Last year, Teare just ran 12:54 / 3:32.1. He seems to be on track for a PR. I don’t know how many 12:50 or sub 12:50 guys you think we have that can close. In what world does a 12:54 guy have to get lucky to get 5th?

Teare is significantly faster than Blanks, Wolfe, Nur, etc over 800/1500 which makes him better equipped at a slow race. But he’s also fine if Grant wants to hammer it.

The point about the 1500m title race was that he closed in 51.87 in any race. Nur, Blanks, Wolfe etc would have all been well off that pace. They don’t have the speed Teare does.

On paper Teare looks to have a good chance to make the team, but I think you're also overstating the difference between him and Blanks, Wolfe and Nur (and I'd throw Jacobs in there). Based on this indoor season it looks like Teare, Blanks, Wolfe and Jacobs are all in roughly the same shape. I think the only one who can claim to be a step ahead is maybe Nico Young, 12:51 is really impressive, but doubling back from the 10K does make things tougher on him.

I think the real question is whether Teare's poor race at the trials last year is just because he was tired from the 1500 or a sign of struggling at championships (he was a 12:54 guy last year too). Only time will tell, but that's why I would have liked to see him in the 3k at US indoors racing against Kessler and Jacobs.

Salvitore Stitchmo wrote:

Nonpro wrote:

You are just making a lot of silly points. In 2023, he was like a 13:10 guy struggling with BTC.

Last year, Teare just ran 12:54 / 3:32.1. He seems to be on track for a PR. I don’t know how many 12:50 or sub 12:50 guys you think we have that can close. In what world does a 12:54 guy have to get lucky to get 5th?

Teare is significantly faster than Blanks, Wolfe, Nur, etc over 800/1500 which makes him better equipped at a slow race. But he’s also fine if Grant wants to hammer it.

The point about the 1500m title race was that he closed in 51.87 in any race. Nur, Blanks, Wolfe etc would have all been well off that pace. They don’t have the speed Teare does.

Silly points?

So what's the 2024 excuse as a 12.54 guy? Oh right, shouldn't have run the 1500 and put those 3 extra races in the legs. Got it

Tell you what, let's check in after US champs this on this thread because according to you the style of race won't matter - slow or fast, it's just a mere formality for CT to make this team. I mean significantly faster than Blanks, Wolfe, Nur - easy streets. Oh and say hi from me when you get home tonight.

Nonpro wrote:

Salvitore Stitchmo wrote:

Like in 2023 when he got bounced in the heats of the 1500m as the defending champ and then finished 5th in the 5000m 3 days later getting beaten by guys like McGorty and Klecker in a 13.25 race that should have perfectly suited his "1500m pedigree"?

If he even was able to replicate that 5th place finish again moving forwards it would be an absolute miracle. Maybe if the race got to 4600 on 13.45 pace and he was well positioned on the rail and a bunch of guys lost their minds in the final 250m he might get lucky.

Look you can still be very good in this sport and only have a short window at the top where you can make teams or get lucky enough to make teams. That's not even a controversial or critical statement to make - even recent history is littered with names of very good and talented athletes this applies to. Don't be mad, it's not personal.

You are just making a lot of silly points. In 2023, he was like a 13:10 guy struggling with BTC.

Last year, Teare just ran 12:54 / 3:32.1. He seems to be on track for a PR. I don’t know how many 12:50 or sub 12:50 guys you think we have that can close. In what world does a 12:54 guy have to get lucky to get 5th?

Teare is significantly faster than Blanks, Wolfe, Nur, etc over 800/1500 which makes him better equipped at a slow race. But he’s also fine if Grant wants to hammer it.

The point about the 1500m title race was that he closed in 51.87 in any race. Nur, Blanks, Wolfe etc would have all been well off that pace. They don’t have the speed Teare does.

Kickers usually win wrote:

newaccountsinceyourwebsitesucks wrote:

Deer Cooper Teare,
I write this letter to you as an avid fan of American distance running who wants the best for all American distance runners. I know you’re probably very busy with training, so I’ll keep this short and to the point: I implore you to immediately switch your primary event to the steeplechase.
Here are the reasons a switch to the steeplechase is the best move for you:
1: You are naturally suited for it! With your 1500 speed, 5000 strength, and tall height, you have the same gifts that Evan Jager utilized to become an Olympic and world championship medal winner.
2: It’s your best chance to make the US Olympic team. The 1500 and 5000 are going to be barnburners at the US Olympic Trials. Those teams were already expected to be tough coming into this year, but the improvement of Hobbs Kessler and Colin Sahlman make the 1500 even tougher, and the rise of Nico Young and Graham Blanks make the 5000 even tougher. You’d have much weaker competition in the steeplechase, both now and for the next four years.
3: It’s your best chance to win an Olympic medal. The world is ridiculously stacked in the 1500 and 5000 right now. Not so much in the steeplechase. Just like Evan Jager, you could win a medal!
4: You could be the first American to break the 8:00 barrier. Wouldn’t that be cool? All the major time barriers have already been broken by Americans in the 1500, mile, and 5000. Being the first American under 8:00 in the steeplechase would be a monumental and permanent claim to fame.
5: Your country needs you. We already have medal contenders in the 1500 and 5000. What we desperately need is a contender in the steeplechase. In last year’s world championships, the top American finished only 10th. You could do so much better! As President JFK once said, “ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” You can give USA distance running fans reason for hope in the steeplechase. If not for yourself, do it for your country.
Please at least give the steeplechase a try. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. Glory awaits you in the steeplechase.
All the best to you.
Sincerely,
Someone who loves America
🇺🇸

“You’d have much weaker competition in the steeplechase, both now and for the next four years.”

That’s why he should switch to the steeple? Abandoning his best distances to avoid competition, would be un-American.