Eric Jenkins pissed off at Ches?

Tired of this between these two. Why can't they just acknowledge that the other was better on a given day, and try to get the next one?

If you listen to the LetsRun interviews with the two of them and then just Jenkins it is clear that Jenkins thought they would cross side by side. Jenkins reaction is a reflection of his competitive nature, as, I think, is Cheserek getting a little excited in the homestretch. In the heat of the moment competitive people are competitors. I am looking forward to both going at it for the 5k title.

Hello, it's a race. They warmed down together, and they will Race again Friday.

Where can I see the vid of this race?

I'm glad we might actually get to see a Race between these two. Perhaps something that starts earlier than the last 400m.

For these two, who have professional careers ahead of them, what does this 10K mean? 18 points, that's it.

Ches should follow the unwritten rule that, if you are clear of the field, come in together and let the photo finish decide. Like Cragg and Lincoln. Unfortunately some teammates want the glory - when in reality, at their level, this race, in and of itself, is really not that important.

Now if you are not a clear favorite or contender, and your capability is limited (relative to these 2), then go for it as this may be the pinnacle of your running career.

I don't know how accessible this vid will be to most people, but

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/id/2578075/size/condensed/#

starts at about the 3:02 mark

limitless wrote:

For these two, who have professional careers ahead of them, what does this 10K mean? 18 points, that's it.

Ches should follow the unwritten rule that, if you are clear of the field, come in together and let the photo finish decide. Like Cragg and Lincoln. Unfortunately some teammates want the glory - when in reality, at their level, this race, in and of itself, is really not that important.

It's the national championship. The rule is that you race. My god.

Not Cool... wrote:

It would have been nice to point blank ask Ches why he kicked for the win rather than finish with his teammate.

That usually works better than running in last all the way.

Yes, I understand this is a NC race. And you race to win. I know I did usually, but..... they are racing for TEAM points. I know it is a foreign concept on LR with individuals with little or no team thought process posting, but Team over self is what winning this meet is typically about (9 times out of 10).

That was McDonnell's secret. He made an individual sport back into a team sport again.

I fully understand your thinking, that's why I suggested you go for it if you aren't clear of the field, with a teammate, trying to stay fresh for the 5K.

My point is Ches and Jenkins will have tons of individual opportunities at the pro level to excel individually. This is probably the only time in their running careers that team will matter.

If you haven't been on a team challenging for this title before, you may not understand.

How far is 252 feet?

I wasn't watching NCAA track yet back in 1975, the last year field events were measured in imperial. Aren't all those people dead by now anyhow? Let's see the real results please, ESPN and NBC.

OK genius. If team is most important then they should have cruised in together saving energy for 5k final. They already had 18 points locked up.

Your point is a good one but that's exactly why people are so upset. They were supposed to be all about team and finish together bit ches ignored this.

1996 NCAAs Arkansas, Bunston vs. Siyamuse (sp?) they were teammates and yet in it for the individual win which would help the team. 5K and 10K i believe.

Can anyone see this race or just americans? If so, why? Its not like anyone in Europe is gonna buy the rights anyway, no money lost.

Also I dont understand the ridiculousness about finishing together. No point. They were clear of the field, race for the win the last lap. Why the heck not. Or last 200m or whatever. It won't destroy their chances at the 5k. Finishing together, what a joke.

Anyone who thought the reigning NCAA Champ in the 10,000 meters was going to finish "together" holding hands and skipping across the line is / was unrealistic to idiotic.

The drama queens behind LRC try to once again create controversy where there isn't any. I sat with two diff groups of friends during the race and was mere feet from the Oregon coaches at the finish.

Of course a talent like Jenkins doesn't like to lose and of course a racer like Ches was going to defend his title; it's instinct.

No one in the stands was surprised; it was the exact outcome that was expected.

Of course the Oregon coaches were going to tell their guys just to cruise in and not kill each other off for the 5,000.

If they had held hands and slipped across the line together, as evidently the clowns behind LRC hoped for, of course those same clowns of LRC would then be petitioning the NCAA to void their two results because the Oregon runners did not make a valid effort to win.

There's no winning when the dorks behind the headlines here seek a negative against Oregon spin on every story involving Oregon they can.

Anyone who was actually surprised at this outcome is naive or blind.

I'd bet "finishing together" meant "do kill each other the last 1200 to get the win. And, arguably Jenkins had a gap in the last 1k that could be spun as he was trying to take the win.

The goal was to go 1-2. They did. No athlete likes to lose, and there were plenty of times former Ducks looked pissed at each other at the end of races. That's athletics. But, they were more frustrated that they didn't win...and just as these two did, all was forgotten once coach said "now go warm down."

The defending NCAA 10,000 champ won, setting up an epic 5,000 showdown between the other contenders Friday, last years runner up, and the immensely talented Mr. Jenkins...with, oh, the coveted Oregon 5,000m record possibly going down...

Yeah, like anyone would rather the set up were any other way...

Sure.

I am not sure what the big deal is , yet again?

Someone is going to be declared the winner and for all time..unless that is decided by team management ahead of time, what is the big difference?

Coming in together? Someone is gonna lean, get the win? So what they sprint for under 150M? Who cares?

Look? There is not really a doubt about who is better here, like it or not.

If Jenkins has a "competitive nature," as was stated somewhere above, then he should have actually run for the win, even if it was only for one lap, or the last 200m. This 'unwritten rule,' or 'gentleman's agreement' about finishing together is a lot of nonsense, as is the attempt to make one of these not-quite-men in in this 2-bit drama 'selfish.' They both did what they needed to do for team. If it was so damn important for Jenkins to be right with Cheserek at the line, or even ahead of him, then he should have run for that, even if only for the last half lap. Maybe now Jenkins is a tiny bit awake: You can either talk the other guy into finishing with you (or perhaps behind you) or you can try to outrun him -- and let the outcome be what it is. As this is a footrace, the latter strategy is recommended. No sympathy for him at all.

c parker wrote:

I don't know how accessible this vid will be to most people, but

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/id/2578075/size/condensed/#

starts at about the 3:02 mark

You're the man!!

Cheserek owes Jenkins NOTHING.

Ches is the one that left his family in Kenya, has had to struggle with people verbally abusing him, criticizing his age, his looks, his personality.

Ches is finally starting to realize that EVERYONE is competition, and that's how it should be.

King Ches has just added to his legacy.

5000m is going to be interesting. The pressure will be on Jenkins.