A slight correction- you’re forgetting Carleton was ranked #15 nationally when they won conference in 2021.
A slight correction- you’re forgetting Carleton was ranked #15 nationally when they won conference in 2021.
A slight correction- you’re forgetting Carleton was ranked #15 nationally when they won conference in 2021. Wilky had already graduated by then.
They probably would have won five straight had we not had the Covid interruption. But then Wilkie wouldn’t have had his time at Minnesota and possibly found the path to the Olympics.
I’ll see the oles in May
Collegeville NonGoat wrote:
If I cared more I’d go through to see how many times Buffalo Nickel directly contradicts himself in his various posts. He’s a professional troll. Move on.
Andrew, I appreciate that you’re a recent grad, but you need to learn MIAC history. Wilkinson’s post MIAC career has earned him the postgrad GOAT title, but he never won a national championship in cross country. He was runner-up which is certainly impressive. Your beloved Ole, Grant Wintheiser won a national title as did Ben Sathre and the true MIAC GOAT Nic Maniciu. Nic had many MIAC Track pre-super shoes records. Ben was also second. Coach Wareham also finished second and third. Mac even had a guy match Wareham. The Johnnies had a few runner ups way back and I believe Palmquist of Olaf was second or third. Mo certainly seems poised to enter the conversation.
As for injuries, impacting teams, Iggy has barely raced this year due to injuries. I think it’s safe to say a fully healthy 3:48 runner would make a bigger impact if he’s healthy. Every team has injuries. Some teams are deeper than others and that pays off. Some of these coaches need to quit complaining at practices and recruit harder. Clearly their current model doesn’t work.
Instead of debating a race that has already happened and one that is a year away while still competing in the current season, I’d be very curious to hear what each program does training wise. How has Maxwell changed Tim’s training? What exactly does Mac do? Why do we think Olaf’s training is so unique. What did Gustsvus do differently this year? Does Carleton still follow the Daniels book? Interestingly, I believe the Ole assistant ran for Daniels. I’m surprised they haven’t shifted to that, knowing his first hand expertise. Let’s move the message board back to constructive conversation by starting a dialogue about theee pertinent questions.
Fair enough on the recency bias allegations. To be honest, I am a guy who thinks Bron is the GOAT over MJ, and I also think Wemby will surpass Bron at some point, if you get my drift. Yes there have been plenty great MIAC runners of previous, but I do think that in general the talent in the NCAA has risen to be greater than it used to be. You see this in the times on the track for sure. And I really think that this trend will continue. To be honest, if in 10 years there isn't someone in the MIAC running faster than we were and doing some insane stuff, I will be diappointed. But I do respect paying homage to the runners who brought it to the level in which it is now. Trust I've heard plenty in my time about the great St. Olaf runners of past and as always, the MIAC is without a doubt one of the historically best conferences, so it isn't suprising that they had nationally contending runners. Finally, I will say that in my defense of Mo being the goat, I don't know that there has ever been a runner with the amount of aerobic endurance he possesses. Has there been a MIAC runner who ran a 63 and a half minute half marathon before a season? I don't know, but my guess is probably not. But as I said, different eras. As stated before, I do hope that the MIAC continues to get faster and faster (which I think it will, because lets be honest, these kids are much better than we were). I'll stand on that.
As for Power's training, I can't speak directly for his training, but he would say that he doesn't do anything special. I wouldn't necessarily say it is low volume, as Mop, Torty, and I all were running 90s-95s our senior year summers. I would just say it is a mix of things; meaning a lot of split tempos and hard, fast reps (Which might be where the FTC reference is coming from). My strava is public for anyone who wants to go back and look at my past workouts, and I'll gladly send them to you if you want. To be honest, (and I'll bet he will agree with me), I think a lot of the success comes from talking about the stuff that happens in the 22 hours outside of practice. I do think there is more than one way to get there, and honestly, this might be a hot take for you overthinking science nerds who like to analyze everything, but a majority of the training working is thinking that the training is working. I think a lot of athletes think to much, read into strava workouts too much, and don't shut up and actually follow the plan. Consistency. That is the only thing in this sport that matters. The training doesn't matter if you can't do it every day Consistently....
Powersnutsack wrote:
I’ll see the oles in May
What does this even mean? Are you skipping Indoor? Only compete in Outdoor events? This comment and your username is just weird.
Indoor should be fire from 800 alone. You’re missing out buddy.
Powersnutsack wrote:
I’ll see the oles in May
Sorry you didn’t make your Regional squad. Want to come run the AECMR?
Bro, Mo's taper season mileage is 120! He's the MIAC GOAT by light years. One his training partners was just the top American marathoner at New York!
What is the selection criteria for Coach of the Year. Does winning when you're heavily favored automatically mean a win? I see a considerably strong case for Coach Huber for the women and Coach Ricks for the men. Both repeatedly showcase great sportsmanship and show great love for the MIAC and its athletes.
Huber moved his squad up in the team ranks and certainly didn't appear to have the star power that the Northfield schools have. The work he has done with Molly Liston, someone without the accolades of many others is nothing short of stupendous. And he's such a fan of the MIAC and other teams.
Ricks had a rash of injuries that could have derailed any other program, but just like clockwork, when November hits Carleton teams tend to be ready. He closed the gap on Olaf with Torte, a surefire scorer racing sparingly, and Indy/Roy surviving by cross training and racing. Not many coaches can inspire their athletes like he can. I also don't think there is a runner that he didn't take time to congratulate and wish well. He's the best coach in the MIAC to talk with and shows sportsmanship his neighbor across town could aspire to.
I definitely see an argument for the dominant victory by the Carleton women, but they are also just a few years removed from winning Nationals. They should win. And it has already been established that Olaf is also supposed to win the men. But, the team took a step back and others closed the gap. Yes, some of those seniors did develop into scorers, but the two freshman that ran well were both sub 9:30 recruits. Stencel barely broke 10, now he's crushing studs like Deaver, Gael, Ihrke, and Hoottie.
This point can't be over-hyped. 8 straight weeks of 150 miles/week, with a 120 mile taper week? 20 miles at 6:20 pace the day before, 10 @ 6:30 after the race, 17 the next morning? Could he win nats and then go run 2:10 right after?
I'm good but I'm sure Grant Graber would love to come beat the Oles again just like he did in the 5k at outdoor MIAC
Mac been 2 years away from a Miac xc championship for 5 years now... The path of extrapolation has many dangers...
Andrew Skemp_ wrote:
9. Ihrke - My last two picks are just based off of talent and guts alone. Yes, Ihrke is an 800 runner, which I have my doubts about. Yes, Mac has yet to convince me that they can run well in the postseason the past few years (I thought they were locked number two last year). But lemme tell you, I've watched this kid take Lawrence Nemecek to the well a few times, and he's got some guts. I FW it HEAVY. GIMME IHRKE IN THE TOP 10!
4. The Mac Pack - I really want you guys to do well. I'm always impressed with what you guys do in the regular season and by how much it seems like y'all improve over the years. But I just don't know how much Dog there is in there. Does the Mac Pack have the talent and fitness to get second? Yes. Will they? Ugh IDK man Please just show me you got some guts on the XC course man.
Solid predictions overall -- I too had Mac at fourth, so it was impressive that they managed to repeat their 3rd place showing, especially when they were missing two of their top five including FY standout Chase.
St. Olaf was last ranked 22 but I don't think that's any indication of how they'll ultimately perform. They did return five of the seven that placed 8th last year. If they peak at the right time, they should have a decent chance at top 10 again.
When people talk about who the greatest basketball player ever is, the debate almost always comes down to Michael Jordan and LeBron James. But honestly, it’s not even close MJ is the real GOAT, and LeBron doesn’t even make the top three.
Michael Jordan straight-up changed basketball forever. Six championships, six Finals MVPs, ten scoring titles, five league MVPs all without needing to hop teams or build a superteam. Every time he reached the Finals, he walked away with the trophy. His drive and intensity were unreal. He took everything personally and used it as fuel. From “The Shot” to the “Flu Game,” Jordan made clutch moments look routine. He wasn’t just the best player — he was the standard everyone still tries to match.
LeBron is an incredible player, no question. But when you really look at it, his résumé doesn’t hold up the same way. Four titles in ten tries means he’s lost more Finals than he’s won with. And most of those wins came with stacked teams — teaming up with the well know BIG 3 in Miami, then later with Anthony Davis in L.A. He’s great, but he’s not that guy like MJ was.
If we’re talking top three, Magic Johnson deserves that spot before LeBron. Magic completely revolutionized the game with his passing and leadership, won five rings, and did it all while playing multiple positions — even center in the Finals.
At the end of the day, MJ is still untouchable. He dominated every era, owned every big moment, and inspired generations. LeBron’s amazing, but Jordan’s the GOAT. No debate.
sorry skemp.
Heard an interesting rumor while visiting Carleton with my son today. The St. Olaf and Carleton administrations have been meeting in regards to combining their athletic departments and some research departments for a cost-saving shared consortium not unlike a Pomona-Pitzer or Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. We waited a long time in the lobby to meet the coaches and heard a young administrator, who said he was an Ole alumni, talking about it with a coach, volleyball maybe? They seemed to think they will be more competitive in football, basketball, and volleyball and dominate nationally in cross country, soccer, and softball. Evidently the two presidents are great friends and the Olaf president taught at Carleton for 25 years. They're more excited about the research and teaching capabilities the two schools can share if they can take classes and study at both schools. It sounds like they offer reciprocity for meals and library privileges. He said it still needs trustee approval, and one Ole trustee is a football alum that is vehemently against it, but that would certainly shake things up for our sport.
How do you select the coaches? Coach Donna has a national championship, but the Ole women's coach arguably has a more successful history than either coach. Coach Dave called my son the wrong name twice. Maybe they go with Coach Donna and the Ole women's coach.
MJ GOAT wrote:
When people talk about who the greatest basketball player ever is, the debate almost always comes down to Michael Jordan and LeBron James. But honestly, it’s not even close MJ is the real GOAT, and LeBron doesn’t even make the top three.
Michael Jordan straight-up changed basketball forever. Six championships, six Finals MVPs, ten scoring titles, five league MVPs all without needing to hop teams or build a superteam. Every time he reached the Finals, he walked away with the trophy. His drive and intensity were unreal. He took everything personally and used it as fuel. From “The Shot” to the “Flu Game,” Jordan made clutch moments look routine. He wasn’t just the best player — he was the standard everyone still tries to match.
LeBron is an incredible player, no question. But when you really look at it, his résumé doesn’t hold up the same way. Four titles in ten tries means he’s lost more Finals than he’s won with. And most of those wins came with stacked teams — teaming up with the well know BIG 3 in Miami, then later with Anthony Davis in L.A. He’s great, but he’s not that guy like MJ was.
If we’re talking top three, Magic Johnson deserves that spot before LeBron. Magic completely revolutionized the game with his passing and leadership, won five rings, and did it all while playing multiple positions — even center in the Finals.
At the end of the day, MJ is still untouchable. He dominated every era, owned every big moment, and inspired generations. LeBron’s amazing, but Jordan’s the GOAT. No debate.sorry skemp.
Kobe. Nuff said.
I heard a rumor that when people make absurd posts on Letsrun they’ll be banned from all message boards for life.
In think there’s about the same likelihood of that happening as there is of a Carleton-St Olaf “merger”.
Whenever I see someone on this forum say "I heard a rumor that..." I know that I'm about to read some major league bull honkey
Re best miac runner ever
Do you guys not know how good Hamline coach Devin Munson was??
There are enough crumbs of truth here to make me wonder. Dave calling the recruit the wrong name, the Carleton assistant AD is an Ole, the Ole president did teach at Carleton. I doubt the whole story is true, but I’ll give you a B+ for originality. Those California schools have a great setup but each has its own focus of academics. Olaf’s strong programs are essentially lesser versions of the better Carleton programs except Norwegian and Religion. Even if the merger were to happen I don’t think that team could beat Bethel or St. John’s in track. They would likely dominate the MIAC and be a contender with UWL in XC though.
Deciding coaching staffs would be very interesting. Coach Donna won a national title and the Ole women’s coach is an alum. Coach Dave is beloved at Carleton and Power seems to have attracted a lot of negative attraction despite recent success The Oles have a much bigger full time staff including an assistant with decades of experience and success. They won’t keep them all and I’d guess they’d offer early retirement to the Ricks in hopes of not having to fire anyone. Rumors abound that Olaf has Power on a behavior contract, so they may not care if he has won some cross country championships.