B1G not very good in the longer distances…seems like Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin ain’t too bad.
They did alright at XC Natty’s..where were Big Sky, WCC and Mtn West as compared?
This is track, not XC - the individual performances are what matter (these conferences did send 4 teams to nationals, though, 2 of which finished in the top 10, more than the big10). And of Oregon's "amazing" distance performances, their largest point haul (23) was in the 10k, an event where Oregon has a total of 1 guy ranked in top 70 and the conference as a whole has only 5. If New Mexico were to have an XC style dual meet against the entire conference, it would win (going off the ranking list). Also, keep in mind the top-rated runner in the conference for the 5k is 31st nationally.
You mention those three teams, but outside of them, there is Mariana Trench-sized drop off. The combined rest of the conference in the 5/10k has 3 athletes in total ranked in the top 100.
Fact is, the big10 is not strong at the long distances. Not knocking Oregon for getting points where they can grab them, but let's not pretend Oregon was making some sort of statement nationally.
Epic! No one expects to dominate conference on distance points. This conference should probably be split in 2. Half the teams scored 0 points. There could be a A conference meet for the top teams and a B meet for the other teams.
And they took down the #1 team in the land in USC quite comfortably at conference as a result.
TFN wrote:
EUGENE, OREGON, May 16–18 — If Oregon was going to defend its home turf during its first Big 10 Championship as one of four new west coast members (‘Big 18,’ anyone?), it was always going to be on the strength of its distance runners — even if they have sported a pretty balanced program over the years...
As strong as the Ducks prospects seemed to be between 800 and 10000, most folks didn’t expect them to squeeze 68 points out of those five events. A massive 23 of those came in Friday’s 10,000 – where Oregon went 2-3-4-6-8 – and Saturday’s steeple, where Benjamin Balazs (8:40.93) and Sergio Bel Barrios (8:42.67) finished 1-3.
And they took down the #1 team in the land in USC quite comfortably at conference as a result.
TFN wrote:
EUGENE, OREGON, May 16–18 — If Oregon was going to defend its home turf during its first Big 10 Championship as one of four new west coast members (‘Big 18,’ anyone?), it was always going to be on the strength of its distance runners — even if they have sported a pretty balanced program over the years...
As strong as the Ducks prospects seemed to be between 800 and 10000, most folks didn’t expect them to squeeze 68 points out of those five events. A massive 23 of those came in Friday’s 10,000 – where Oregon went 2-3-4-6-8 – and Saturday’s steeple, where Benjamin Balazs (8:40.93) and Sergio Bel Barrios (8:42.67) finished 1-3.
PS. Everyone on here 5 years ago saying Vin had lost was embarrassed. Now history has repeated itself with Jerry.
Oregon canned Ben Thomas to bring in Jerry. Thomas was there just a few years and had multiple NCAA Champions, NCAA mile record & #2 & #4. NCAA Record in 5k. OT champ. Let us know when Jerry achieves similar things. Thanks.
And they took down the #1 team in the land in USC quite comfortably at conference as a result.
TFN wrote:
EUGENE, OREGON, May 16–18 — If Oregon was going to defend its home turf during its first Big 10 Championship as one of four new west coast members (‘Big 18,’ anyone?), it was always going to be on the strength of its distance runners — even if they have sported a pretty balanced program over the years...
As strong as the Ducks prospects seemed to be between 800 and 10000, most folks didn’t expect them to squeeze 68 points out of those five events. A massive 23 of those came in Friday’s 10,000 – where Oregon went 2-3-4-6-8 – and Saturday’s steeple, where Benjamin Balazs (8:40.93) and Sergio Bel Barrios (8:42.67) finished 1-3.
PS. Everyone on here 5 years ago saying Vin had lost was embarrassed. Now history has repeated itself with Jerry.
Michigan and Michigan State both had more points than you listed in the distance events. Michigan had 9 alone out of the 1500m plus the 8 from the 3k Steeple. MSU had 5 from the 5000m plus more from the Steeple if I remember correctly.