theres alot of good things going on in ohio right now as far as distance running, and some not so good things.
too many runners go to division 1 programs just to say they went to division 1 programs, when there are division 2, 3 and NAIA schools with alot better focus on improving individual success throughout one's carreer.
Divsion 1:
everyone knows there is an up-and-coming school, MIAMI.
Miami Oh has been growing great over the past two years. look at the acquisition of runner Mike Veach transferring from Cumberland. Also, a great improvement from Pat Sovacool, running 3:46(1500) last year, and having some good races in cross country this year as a miler.
Ohio Sate - good college, nice campus, talented runner as a coach but.... what have they done with their big dawgs over the past 6 years??? Dan Glaz ra 29:13(10k) as a junior only to go nowhere and nowhere fast. Guys like Aron Fisher who left the program with eligibility left, because he was no longer into the game at OSU. Dont get me wrong, Gary was a great competitor, but it seems he gets some of the best talent in the mid west, and with a few exceptions, their careers go backwards. Sure hes produced Olinger and Meyers. BUT! lets also take a step back and look at the young team he had this year. Working with some seasoned verterans who were coming off some down performances, as well as some new young freshman, they was only a small gap to work with this year. Ealy had a break out race at the region meet, but does this speak volumes for their program? Also, look at their track program now, the coaches associated with it. i like OSU to be on the rise in another year or 2 and back to a top 15 team in the country.
Kent State - extrememly knowledgable coach in Mark Crogan, he had a great career at OSU and as a professional. They have some talented runners, but lets put it in perspective. They did finish 3rd in the MAC, 3 points out of 2nd, but you have to notice that Miami did not run well at the MAC champs. And also, the MAC falls off pretty hard after the top 3 or 4. There were 2 standout performances in big meets this year by guys returning from red-shirt such as Wiethmarchen and Spellmen, but those performances have been a long time coming. Good things can be done at this program, but their needs to be some changes in training philosphy. As far as track is concerned everyone blew it up at the beginning of indoor, then fell off the waggon hard as the ladder part of outdoor came around.
Akron - realtively cheap in tuition with a deccent campus for the all-around student athelete. With the addition of a bran new coach, Akron may be onto something. High milage as far as most teams in ohio goes, with multiple guys in the 100-120 miles a week range. BIG BIG BIG improvements from Jason Headman this year, watch out for him in track. 4th individual in the MAC he ran well. Its an ify program bu it has some young focussed runners who want to improve.
Division 2:
granted Ohio lacks a large number of Divion 2 schools, but i think you have to put an emphasis on Ashland University.
Ashland University - small private school with good atmosphere for the all-around student athlete. undoubetly the best division 2 school in Ohio, considering there is only what 4?
When looking at Ashland's program there are things to consider. This year at the GL Region, there was a 23 point spread between 4th and 8th, closest in my opinion ever. There was 7 teams that could have been top 25 in the country. Ashland is also a primarily young team. This year they had 3 sophomores and 1 junior in their top 7, while an original top 7 guy, a SOPH had to sit out due to injury. They by far have the most depth in Ohio as far as Div 2, 3 and NAIA go. HOWEVER, where were they in track last year? young yes, but where were the distance scorers at their conference meet? i think you have to look at the fact that both young coaches were inexperienced last year, and as they had a summer to prepare for this season they came around with a better team in the fall. Look for big things indoors and outdoors this year, some of those guys are talented young men who will be standouts.
Division 3-
There are good things going on for those who cannot make the ranks of a division 2 or 1 school in the midwest, and want a small division 3 ohio school.
Heidleberg - Great year by Scott Lasch coming off a "who the hell is this guy" freshman year of college to be an All-American. 20th in the nation was great for that team this year, and they have some good things brewing in the program. Lets wait and see how they produce in track this year, but i have a feeling it will be good.
Mount Union - by far a good year for these guys, with almost nothing negative to say about the program this fall. But just like heidelberg, lets look to track to see if these guys can carry on the good work.
Otterbein - though not a spectacular year, they have some young guys. Often up in the front was a freshman out of Ohio James Castrillo who proved to be a good improvement from high school into this year as a college freshman, however, looking at the OAC and into the region, Otterbein falls short of the mark year after year. They did produce Sawicki and Cauly, who were good runners, but 2 runners dont make a program. Watch out for some young kids in the future. They are primarily a low milage program, most of their guys running 50 miles a week during cross, and 60 during track. Make sense to you? me niether.
NAIA -
CEDARVILLE - cant stress it enough, regardless to this years performances these guys will be onto something and moving up in the rankings consistantly.
Malone - what to say about these guys? some of the best recruiting of Ohio runners, but they fell short of the mark again this year when it counted. They have talent, they have the tools, but they just need to use them. I dont think the program is focused enough on individual improvement, its more of a "be flashy and buy the athletes" program. Flash around your fancy USATF gear and spice up the program with fluffy duffy stuff to get the talent.
If you want individual improvement and a chance to compete at a good level in the future, heres my rankings:
MIAMI
OSU
ASHLAND
KENT STATE
CEDARVILLE
MALONE
AKRON
MT UNION
HEIDELBERG
OTTERBEIN
THE DO NOTS: Youngstown state. It speaks for itself, terrible program.