it's interesting to win in this way. you do what you can do within the rules, but i can't imagine it feels the same as doing it in a traditional way.
Ive had the opportunity to coach some dominating all-star teams in track and field, and I can tell you 100% it does not feel as good as when I have a team made up of kids who came up in my own school district.
In a case like this, I think you get the thrill that a GM would get from winning, but it doesn't feel the same as being a coach who brings guys up and develops them into champions.
in any case, congrats. it's not cheating. the game has just changed. adapt or die.
pretty much everyone in america is like "oh my immigrant grandparents/greatgrandparents had a tough life in their country, but they were talented/industrious and managed to use their talents to come here and build a good life".
then these immigrant runners bring their talent and come and run at osu/nau/arkansas/stanford/providence and everyone is sh*tting on them. Interesting this doesnt happen when its australians to Wisconsin or the Irish to Providence, just mostly with East Africans. I hope yall change.
Dave Smith was clearly sandbagging expectations for his group with the media. So he's out there telling people one of these guys was just a "3:50" runner before showing up and placing top 10? Not buying it. Guy builds teams of mercenaries, most of them won't stick around for another year let a lone graduate.
Messaoudi might be the talent of the field honestly 10th place and he’s basically considered a tweener for the 1500m-3000m. Samuels looked like he could win it but I knew he’d lose kick, he looks like a pure marathoner.
And if it were that easy, how come no one else is doing it?
I think most coaches are focused on developing their athletes instead of sifting through lists of Kenyan runners looking for one who might be eligible.
Mike Smith is unrivaled as best coach in the nation right now IMO. Truly impressive to bring it back with 71 points. Really solid effort from NAU.
I usually root for the dynasty to get broken and I have no issue with foreign athletes competing, but OSU just takes it to a level that makes it hardly seem like they are even a team or even need coaching. It’s like the turnkey apartment of running.