Briana Jackucewicz going to Harvard

1. There isn't a lot of negativity - just people being honest about her running career.

2. Did you just compare Bri J to Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan? On what planet are you living on? Her Dad, was - and is - a certifiable nutjob. This is a guy who used to ride his bike beside her in races and berate her to run faster. Who stood on the sidelines at Penn Relays as his middle school daughter was kicking the crap out of collegiate runners in a 10k and screamed at the top of his lungs to "not quit." There are plenty of parents who make sacrifices for their kids - and most of them aren't assholes doing it.

3. As I said above, congrats for Bri J on getting into Harvard. She's got a brain in her head. And sure, running had SOMETHING to do with it, and sure that her Dad had something to do with it too. But we've got no idea.

4. I do know something about NJ track - and it's BS that a top 10 runner would be state champ in most states. Jersey has 3 girls this year who can qualify for FL. And a couple other solid ones. But you're overestimating Jersey's depth. And yes, Jersey has a lot of top 10s over the past 5 years in events 800 and over - but if you take out Southern Regional H.S., suddenly Jersey is just another state.

5. Your memory of Bri J is only partially correct. Sure she was a kid who loved running and competiing. But she was also a kid who was hammered from an early age by an overbearing father. Her Dad explained his actions to the press by stating that kids these days didn't know how to work hard, and that they're lazy - so he was showing his daughter how to work hard. Which may be true...but somewhere along the way a bunch of kids figured out how to work hard too - and now they're beating his daughter. As far as never training that hard - you're nuts. She was running 50-60 miles per week before she turned 14, with a ton of racing. She races over 50 times one year!

Look, in no way should this girl be dumped on. I feel for her, and forget about how she may or may not have been admitted to Harvard, she is clearly qualified in any event and I wish nothing but great things for her. She simply sounds like a great kid and hope she has a great future - whether it running or in any one of the tremendous academic departments at Harvard, or in her personal life, where one hope she meets great friends and people.

But the post about the Penn Relays incident is the issue, and more particularly the issue is her father. It makes me cringe just hearing about it. I know very, very few young people who would pick up the somewhat lonely and rigorous sport of distance running at age 8 on their own, at least in America. They get pushed into it, and sometimes pushed really hard. This may sound corny, but those years spent knocking around on the youth soccer (or softball, or whatever) are great ones - the camaraderie gained with other young people is great, as is the simple things like pizza and soft drinks afterwards. Kids ought to have that kind of fun - and relish it...and not be confined to a distance running training regimen in any form at a young age - having fun for fun's sake sets a great foundation - and helps in terms of security and sense of self when the competition gets serious (and especially in a state like New Jersey) in the high school years. This kind of advice is consistent with that given by people on Lets Run who know a lot more about running than I do, and who have worked with young people as well.

I think its nuts she was running a 10k at Penn in O4 - a 10K! For what? At age 13/14? And then having a father yelling like a maniac after her? What you see is what you get. Fathers should be there to support their daughters - rain or shine - and be a shoulder to lean on - and not scream at them like maniacs to push through a competitive 10k against adults that shouldn't have been attempted in the first place.

Lest one think I am howling in the wind - I was a capable 9th grade runner - 9:20 two miler actually - and remember feeling horrible as I was being repeatedly screamed at publicly to push through a 1/2 marathon (and I was never a really good long distance runner) against mostly college runners. Oh yeah, I likely ran a great 9th grade time (I can't remember it, but I ran about 15:30 for 5k in cross country that year, so it had to be at least decent), but I remember asking why the heck I was being pushed to do it, and regretting like crazy not being able at the time to try out for the Freshman basketball team (cross country season was just over). It wasn't in fulfillment of any studied long term athletic plan, it was for satisfying my father's curiousness at what kind of talent he had at the longer distances. Kids will react negatively over the years at being treated like an athletic experiment or lab rat, and when I hear stuff like the screaming incident, it just makes me cringe because it just speaks volumes about who really is driving the process. Don't think the kids aren't aware of the screaming, and deep down it doesn't feel good. It is much easier to hear it from coaches, when the time is right.

By the way, I do have a fair perspective on this - running with the right attitude and balance is ok for kids. About 10 some years ago (I am well on in years now) I ran a 10k race in 35 minutes - a good time for me at that age with minimal training - and was surprised to see an 8th grader finish next to me. But it was a pleasant surprise. He hopped in the race to have fun - the race is the big social event in town each year and is before a big parade - and it was clear he was doing it as an adventure - his grunge rock t-shirt thrown on at the last minute was actually a welcome and fun sight and no parents were pushing him. This guy went on to become a Footlocker star and multiple All American in college, and he was then doing it for fun. He was simply that talented to run that time without any training. That's the model to aspire to.

FXG wrote:

[quote]TrackCoach wrote:

4. But you're overestimating Jersey's depth. And yes, Jersey has a lot of top 10s over the past 5 years in events 800 and over - but if you take out Southern Regional H.S., suddenly Jersey is just another state.

this happens to be one of the more idiotic posts of the day. unfortunately for you, southern IS in nj. that's like saying take duke out of the acc and acc basketball isn't that good or take the pats out of the afc east and the afc east isn't that good. how would the bulls have been without jordan?

I am amazed how stupid people are.

FXG is simply a fraud. Then a dummy, Sure . really sure that repeats what the fraud says. I'm a coach. I was at penn not ten feet from Jaxckucewicz. He gave splits and was encouraging just like every coach. He was saying if she pos. or minus each lap. That's the Gods honest truth. There were several other coaches right on the same corner. FXG on this issue you are flat out lying.

I was more amped than he was. You are on a mission and not a nice one that's for sure.

Great accomplishment, best of luck.

========================================================

You are wrong on too many accounts to correct, but to correct one statement:

A quick scan of the top-10 list shows over the last 5 years shows a lot NJ girls who are not from Southern Regional H.S. and in fact BJ name appears quite a few times.

Kathleen & Amanda Trotter, Jennifer Clausen, Brittnee Bynoe, Lindsay Van Alstine, Brianna Jackucewicz, Janine Davis, Renee Tomlin, Brittany Sedberry, Ashley Higginson, Jenn Ennis, Melanie Thompson, Katie McCafferty, Chelsea Ley and Emily Carrollo.

Btw – I don’t live in NJ and I am not personal friends of the Jackucewicz family.

I think the deal w/ Jackucewicz Sr is that the myth has now perpetuated itself to ridiculous proportions. How many have actually SEEN him do all these awful things, vs hearsay?

I have probably been to AT LEAST 75 races where BJ & her Dad were and NEVER once had I seen him do anything remotely close to what the rumor mill suggests. I've also run at the manasquan reservoir and crossed with them countless other times and never witnessed a thing.

Could I have just missed everytime he was an ass? Sure. Has this myth of him basically having a whip in-hand as he chases her around a race course gotten SOOOOO blown out of proportion. Absolutely!!!

Ummm, calculated financial need is still "no Loan." She will qualify. So where exactly am I inaccurate.

Looks a little thicker in this picture:

http://images.dyestat.com/dyestatmetro/New%20Jersey%20file/IMG_0043.JPG%20-%20Bri

Run, run, run, get hurt, take time off, get fat, run, run, get hurt, take time off, get fatter, repeat....

Injuries are usually due to biomechanical problems. Strength train, get stronger, don't get injured.

Alan

Bri's high school coach is one of the very best around, your comment is way off the mark. Way, way off.

TrackCoach wrote:

You are wrong on too many accounts to correct, but to correct one statement:

A quick scan of the top-10 list shows over the last 5 years shows a lot NJ girls who are not from Southern Regional H.S. and in fact BJ name appears quite a few times.

Kathleen & Amanda Trotter, Jennifer Clausen, Brittnee Bynoe, Lindsay Van Alstine, Brianna Jackucewicz, Janine Davis, Renee Tomlin, Brittany Sedberry, Ashley Higginson, Jenn Ennis, Melanie Thompson, Katie McCafferty, Chelsea Ley and Emily Carrollo.

Btw – I don’t live in NJ and I am not personal friends of the Jackucewicz family.

# of Jersey runners in the outdoor top 10 by year:

800m:

2003: 0 - top girl Katy Trotter #33

2004: 0 - top girl Renee Tomlin #17

2005: 1`- Janine Davis #4

2006: 1 - Danielle Tauro #10

2007: 0 - top girl Jillian Smith #18

2008: 1 - Jillain Smith #4

1600/Mile:

2003: 1 - Katy Trotter #5

2004: 0 - top girl Danielle Tauro #19

2005: 1 - Danielle Tauro #3

2006: 1 - Danielle Tauro #1

2007: 1 - Danielle Tauro #8

2008: 1 - Melanie Thompson #7

3200/2mile:

2003: 1 - Katy Trotter #7

2004: 0 - top girl Brittany Sedberry #51

2005: 0 - top girl Vanessa Wright #37

2006: 0 - top girl Jenn Ennis #16

2007: 1 - Ashley Higginson #2

2008: 2 - Melanie Thompson #6, Katie McCafferty #7

You ARE on mission. Mission patheic.

You know she was sick chichen pox and had her tonsils out in the spring. She never even runs the 800. How about listing indoor times and XC places?

1500 wrote:

Ummm, calculated financial need is still "no Loan." She will qualify. So where exactly am I inaccurate.

Your potential inaccuracy was in saying "free Ivy education." That situation--a family contribution of zero--would only be the case if the family income was pretty low.

(Which is possible--you may know more about her family finances than I do).

Jordan Hasay, are you paying attention?"But this is a girl who ran 16:43 5k indoors as a 7th grader"

Jack Rabbit wrote:

Hips and boobs

She soon will grow

And then she will

Be really slow.

Happens to most of 'em.

Why have we become a society of people who only feel good when the winners take a fall....why is it fulfilling to see Bri or Jordan not successful when they have already accomplished more than most ever will? Why can't we instead just say, Wow...that is cool for them! Why do I get the feeling that you are in the other 90.8%....and staying there!

1 Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

Score 100 Tier 1

Costs:

2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,173

2007 Total enrollment:

19,257

Fall 2007 Acceptance rate:

9.2 %

pathetic wrote:

Why have we become a society of people who only feel good when the winners take a fall....why is it fulfilling to see Bri or Jordan not successful when they have already accomplished more than most ever will? Why can't we instead just say, Wow...that is cool for them! Why do I get the feeling that you are in the other 90.8%....and staying there!

1 Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

Score 100 Tier 1

Costs:

2008-2009 Tuition and Fees: $36,173

2007 Total enrollment:

19,257

Fall 2007 Acceptance rate:

9.2 %

Assuming that anyone posting drivel on here would fall into that 90.8 assumes that they even applied to Harvard. I doubt that.

Jack Rabbit says she's getting slower every year. Last winter she ran two PBs in two days. She ran her fastest mile (4:59) ever in the 4x1 mile relay and then the next day ran 10:31 for 2 miles. So not quite the 10:45 you have her at.

She has gone to NYC and has worked on her muscle imbalances since August. She ran Holmdel Park only once this year as she was training through it. She ran a 17:44 for 5k on a flat course a week and a half later. She is getting faster and stronger by the week. She has also said that her only goal in XC this year is to stay healthy so she can have big break throughs on the track. Hell, we don't know how fast she could run if she stayed healthy for 6 months. Only time will give us the answer but I'll lay money she runs no worse than 18:30 at Holmdel this year. Not bad for 3 months training especially for a girl that will do nothing in college. Now I definitely wouldn't bet on that. Finally remember, in college she'll be away from her father.

First off if any my kids come home and say they were accepted into Harvard I would be thrilled.She had a lot of success as a young female runner which has been stated over and over but I don't think that means if she would have started running in high school with good coaching she would have all these great running accomplishments.She would probably be right about where she is now. Running isn't a sport that takes years of repetetion like basketball or golf. You will eventually hit your level. I have seen many parents take their kids after the season is over go to AAU meets all over the country thinking this will make their child better in high school. Eventually the kid with more talent will beat the over raced or overtrained kid. To Briania credit she kept at it. It can't be easy to compete against kids that a few years ago you beat them by minutes over 5K.

NJ Coach wrote:

You ARE on mission. Mission patheic.

You know she was sick chichen pox and had her tonsils out in the spring. She never even runs the 800. How about listing indoor times and XC places?

I was responding to the guy who said that Jersey has lots of top 10 performances in the past 5 years, and then went on to list a bunch of girls - who while fine athletes - never finished in the top 10. He claimed that from 800 up, Jersey was one of the best states, and that finishing in the top 10 in Jersey would be state champ in most states. I'm saying that's just not true.

Jersey is a great state, I'm from there myself. But I have no delusions about the running talent. We've got a great record of producing some real talented runners...but the depth just isn't that great.

I didn't list indoor times because only a very few states run indoors. It's not really a "national" list, more like a NE regional list. Nothing wrong with that, but hardly anyone on the West Coast, South, or Midwest even runs it, and they certainly don't take it seriously.

As for XC, I'll humor you with the FL results of the past 5 years - and you can decide what you want to believe - either the blowhard above who spouts off without actually paying attention, or someone who actually follows the sport:

2007:

1 Ashley Brasovan (11) FL 17:20

2 Kathy Kroeger (11) TN 17:28

3 Jordan Hasay (11) CA 17:31

4 Neely Spence (12) PA 17:35

5 Claire Durkin (12) OH 17:44

6 Emily Lipari (10) NY 17:46

7 Aurora Scott (12) VA 17:46

8 Katie Flood (10) IA 17:47

9 Carly Seymour (12) PA 17:48

10 Kauren Tarver (12) CA 17:53

Top NJ: 18 Chelsea Ley NJ 18:04

2006:

1 Kathy Kroeger SO TN 17:29

2 Aurora Scott SO VA 17:36

3 Emily Sisson MW NE 17:56

4 Kaitie Vanatta MW CO 17:57

5 Marie Lawrence WE NV 18:02

6 Alex Gits MW MN 18:10

7 Kauren Tarver WE CA 18:11

8 Neely Spence NE PA 18:13

9 Carly Seymour NE PA 18:13

10 Jordan Hasay WE CA 18:14

Top NJ: 22 Ashley Higginson NJ 18:40

2005:

1 Jordan Hasay CA 17:05

2 Marie Lawrence (11) NV 17:19

3 Aislinn Ryan (12) NY 17:34

4 Megan O'Reilly (12) WA 17:36

5 Kauren Tarver (10) CA 17:40

6 Danielle Tauro (11) NJ 17:41

7 Hanna Grinaker (12) MN 17:46

8 Bria Wetsch (12) MN 17:46

9 Aurora Scott (10) VA 17:49

10 Betsy Bies (11) SD 17:50

37 Briana Jackucewicz (9 NJ 18:46

2004:

1 Aislinn Ryan (11) NY 17:31

2 Marie Lawrence (10) NV 17:39

3 Ramsey Kavan (12) SD 17:47

4 Whitney Anderson (1 CO 17:49

5 Brittany Tinsley (12) OH 17:49

6 Brianna Felnagle (12) WA 18:02

7 Elizabeth Yetzer (11) MN 18:04

8 Zoe Nelson (12) MT 18:09

9 Madeline McKeever (1 CO 18:14

10 Jennifer Barringer FL 18:16

Top NJ: 37 Brittany Sedberry NJ 19:45

2003:

1 Katelyn Kaltenbach (11) CO 17:24

2 Marie Lawrence (9) NV 17:25

3 Jennifer Barringer (11 FL 17:35

4 Katie Harrington (12) IN 17:39

5 Sunni Olding (12) OH 17:42

6 Ramsey Kavan (11) SD 17:47

7 Nicole Blood (10) NY 17:48

8 Zoe Nelson (11) MT 17:49

9 Frances Koons (12) PA 17:52

10 Racheal Marchand (12) IN 17:53

Top NJ: 21 Jennifer Clauson NJ 18:27

If you want another perspective, the story of #5 footlocker 2007 Claire Durkin is just as interesting.

I don't think she could break 20:00 5k as a freshman. As a soph, she ran 19 flat. As a junior, she ran 18:02. As a senior, she ran consistently low 17's and broke the course record at the midwest region(17:01). She was already practicing on the swim team before footlocker.

She is now a freshman in college with no intention of competing. She is more interested in her education.

She was never pushed by her parents. She improved greatly every year to become one of the best runners in the country. She decided not to run in college.

The point is that everyone is an individual and can make their own choices. Just because they excelled at one thing does not mean they have to continue that activity the rest of their life.

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/preps/stories/2007/12/07/durkin07.ART_ART_12-07-07_C7_4A8MUJT.html?sid=101