Rupp's splits from his 28:28 in Australia

themack wrote:

who here thinks his future is worthy of these luxuries? do you sincerely expect him to be toeing the line in a few years at a major championship with the intent on winning?

-themack

His parents probably paid the way to Australia (they were responsible for other trips to Europe and abroad for competition). So what? There are college kids who take spring break to Europe or the Caribbean when others drive to the Carolinas.

He runs for an institution sponsored by Nike. So what? Many other schools have gear comparable to or better than what Oregon athletes receive.

He runs in a town where distance running is thriving at the collegiate and post-collegiate level. That provides opportunities for lots of runners. So what? The same atmosphere exists in Madison, Boulder, and Ann Arbor. Do these athletes deserve to be scoffed?

You call these things luxuries--I call them tools. There are many other athletes around the country taking advantage of these same tools.

Being from Portland, I know that Alberto knew Galen from early on (like middle school and high school), and has continued to coach and advise him. Perhaps this could be considered a luxury, but it's more so a case of who you know at this point. What if Galen was at a different university--Colorado or Wisco perhaps? Would that make a difference to anyone? Is it because Alberto is an alum?

Galen has worked very hard to be where he is, and I think he deserves any acclaim he gets. He's certainly hyped, but Ritz, Webb, and many others have been as well. I think Rupp could make just as big of an impact on the national (and potentially international) scene as some other elites his age, so providing him the opportunity to do excel, while he has the talent and desire to train, does not seem unreasonable to me.

^ agreed

Mid Distance. wrote:

Grote lover wrote:

Except he ran with a nike jersey on. Not an oregon one.

How long before he appears in a nike commercial running laps with the other Oregon Project members?

How long before we can buy the Nike Rupp?

How long before we start seeing swooshes on "STOP GALEN" T-shirts?

I wear Nike gear all the time at road races. Does this mean I'm being sponsored by Nike now?

Seriously, what was he supposed to wear? He ran unattached so he couldn't wear his school stuff. It'd be stupid of him to wear another brand as its likely that he will run for Nike in a few years. If wearing their stuff for a track race meant that you got paid, I'd be rich.

I understand all that. He's in great shape right now after xc season, that's why I don't see him running 48 seconds faster. I hope he does, because that'd be badass, I just don't see that happening this year.

What cracks me up, is all the "Rupp Bashers" out there. When it really comes down to it, I've never heard or read Rupp say any cocky comments, never talked trash on ANYONE. For the most part, he's a very gracious "winner". The main source of negativity that apparently surrounds him, is the fact that he goes to a school with a rich running backround, with Nike as a huge donator. Basically, in running terms: he's got it made. So instead of being jealous of the kid, we should be ENCOURAGING him to do everything WE want to do. He's got the best possible scenerio, why bash someone who's a hard worker and is inredibly polite and humble? I could understand if he was a mean jerk or a ryan deak, but he's not, so why the negativity?

thank you. finally someone that makes sense. couldn't agree more.

MileBuddy,

although you mean the best stfu. I'm not bashing him and most people aren't. this are established facts:

He's not the most talented. He probably does not even rank in the top 20 most talented highschoolers. period DOT. he's way way way up there, but not in the top 20.

Point two, he's very VERY good because he works very VERY hard and has the kind of support we all dream about.

Point three, he lost ALOT of credit when he had that thyroid fiasco...it was a PR disaster for him. Its about as bad as that california brat saying he would break 4 and NOT coming even close...4.03 PUH I spit on it. run a 4:01 like other recent standouts and we'll talk.

Point Four he tried to break Four and came AWFULLY CLOSE if he could have just held it together for another 30 seconds, but thats Galen for you. He breaks in those tight positions, at Footlocker he broke, in the mile against that awesome Kenyan he broke, he brakes ALOT! until he stops breaking like that NEAR THE END, he will not get my endorsement and he will not win a championship unless he pulls away and stomps everyone, which will not happen on the world scene against the guys he's facing.

With these points in mind, Galen is just another REALLY good standout. He has yet to distinguish himself from the other guys surrounding him, Like McDougal, and other kids in his class. Galen needs to step it up before you guys mindlessly start backing him.

On a personal note, I like him, he's a great humble guy, unlike some a-holes we've come to know, (think recent graduates) and I wish the best for him. But he needs to get tougher in those kill or be killed situations at the end of a race. Even in a marathon it makes all the difference.

as much as i am a fan of the guy, i've got friends on the UO team who tell me that Galen is in Portland 4 days a week and doesn't train with the team. He's taking a few select classes - and no it's not finals week that was almost two weeks ago. He's alberto's boy with an oregon singlet. I still like the guy, but whoever claims 'this is from Vin's training' is fooling themself.

I remember him breaking all kinds of US Junior records. Did you miss that?

To succeed like he has (and as others have), you need a mix of: talent + work ethic + instruction (coaching) + misc (call this strength work, nutrition, etc). It sounds like you're pissed off because he has less talent, more work ethic, and more coaching and 'misc' than most athletes. Please refer to my previous post where I say that he is getting support that others around the country are getting as well. Just because you don't read about it online or hear it on the teevee...

So you're saying that because he was sick he's lost credit? He didn't brag about anything he'd accomplish before he was sick or during that period. He may have tried to race TOO much in my opinion, but how does that mar his reputation or his credit?

Tegenkamp was sick or injured fairly regularly while at Wisconsin--and wasn't really ever able to put together a string of competitive seasons. Once out of the college system he has thrived and had amazing breakthroughs. Who are you to say that Rupp won't do the same? As I said previously, there are people who believe in him, and have for some time (Salazar has been with him for some time)--he's got talent, a good attitude, and a great work ethic. Why do you care that there are people who support him and want to see him succeed? That shouldn't bother you.

Galen is much more talented at longer distances, in case you hadn't noticed. He raced 10k in Australia, and won the NCAA 10k race. He's also put together a few great 5ks, and a couple of fast 3ks. Sure, he'd like to run fast at the mile, it's an appealing distance (particularly when you're used to slogging through 25 laps), and it'll only help him run faster over longer distances. But you're saying that he can't be competitive because he failed to break four minutes on a previous attempt? Give the kid time, he still is awfully young. And remember--Salazar never broke 4:00.

He's a great standout, I agree--but I think he's more than that. Again, broke numerous Junior records, has competed well at the NCAA level, and I think that once he gets international exposure (after some continued development), he'll absolutely learn to compete on the big stage. He's never backed down from a competition with anyone thus far--I don't believe he'll start now.

There's a difference between supporting someone who is achieving success, racing well, and working hard, and 'mindlessly backing him'. I've seen the kid race for years, and think that he's not scratched the surface of what he can do. Sure, if he does something that I don't agree with, I won't like him as much--and I'm sure many others on this board will have the same reasonable approach. Don't start making blanket statements--no US runner has 'mindless backing' from any Letsrun poster. There is always someone trying to find a flaw.

johnny boy wrote:

He's not the most talented. He probably does not even rank in the top 20 most talented highschoolers. period DOT. he's way way way up there, but not in the top 20.

I haven't read the whole thread but doesn't Galen have numerious highschool records...wouldn't that put him better than top 20 all time....

Shot wouldn't that put him in the top 10 at least....

You my friend sound a little angry and bitter

yeah, an AR 2 mi 3:48 mile and fastest 10k debut by an american is pretty freakin bad

Does this count as an NCAA qualifier?

Why is it such a big deal he didn't wear Oregon gear if he was running unattached...didn't he run for nike after high school before his parents paid that money to the NCAA so he could run at Oregon...so wouldn't he still have a bunch of nike gear from that...also there are a bunch of schools that are wear testers for nike (even d3 North Central) they get all kinds of nike stuff that might never even make it to retail shops. Since Oregon is basically Nike U as stated many times on this board i'd imagine just about every kid that runs for them has all kinds of nike stuff...the football team has 4 or 5 different uniforms because of the nike connection.

Also I understand that people don't like it when kids are hyped and don't produce but the kid has run some great times...everyone wonders why US distance running is lacking on the international stage, everybody wants an american runner to make an impact yet when there is one that is attempting to do that and has the situation to make a go of it everyone wants to complain he is spoiled...tell me that if you had the chance he has you wouldn't take it i sure as sh*t would

NCAA Commish wrote:

I wonder who paid for his trip to Austrailia. Further, isn\'t it finals week at U of O? I guess Galen took a bunch of take home tests with him.

No it is not. Oregon is on a trimester, finals week is always the first week in December.

Moneyshot wrote:

yeah, an AR 2 mi 3:48 mile and fastest 10k debut by an american is pretty freakin bad

What do you mean fastest 10K debut by an American? Chapa still holds the US high school 10,000 record with a 28:37.

dfsadfas wrote:

i think we are looking at 27:40-50 this year...

I don't know about assuming nearly 50 seconds off.

johnny boy could you be a little more ignorant? not even top 20? b/c 1137 / 803 (American hs records btw) are definitely evidence of a your average hs stud. you cant be serious. rupp also placed 2nd at ncaa 10k as a frosh. what a scrub. how can you say hes not 20 most talented, look at the times he ran! that has to indicate some pretty good ability.

as for distinguishing himself from the rest of his class, are you serious? what is mcdougals best place...pretty sure not as high as rupp. how did mcdougal do this year at nationals? again pretty sure he got whacked out by rupp. what about kiptoo...as he placed as well as galen or run as fast? NO. for when he has raced, rupp has placed very high (aside from the stretch of thyroid issues but he has bounced back pretty well)

Johny Boy-

Despite finding many humours points in your "arguement", I found it interesting that you claim he "always backs down" and "always dies in the end" etc etc. My question to you is: Who doesn't? (Besides the winner of the race, everyone "dies in the end". And also, would (or should I say "could"?) you succeed where he has failed? (i.e. Would you be physically able to surge where he has stumbled off pace?). My guess is no, since it's basically proven that the majority of us here on letsrun.com aren't elite athletes, and for some on Galen's abilities, I doubt there are many here on the boards who could run what he did the other night.

In all honesty, I would love to be in his situation. He has a lot of resources to pull from to succeed (which in my opinion - he has). Wether or not I run a low 28 min 10k I don't know. What I do know is that right now he'd kick my ass, so my hats are off to him. It doesn't matter wether or not he is in a great situation or not, fact ofthe matter is he could beat the majority of us. PERIOD.

Everybody always loves a winner, but then there's that group that's hates the winner, and is always trying to finds ways to bring him down. You may say he's not a "winner", but in my opinion, he is. There aren't many other kids his age who could match his PRs or have the Bling from any NCAA meet to match strides.

My ultimate question is WHY NOT? Why not encourage him? What's the harm? I see only negative outcomes with being negative (makes sense eh?). Where-as, what's the harm in being positive towards someone? I always thought it was common sense... Maybe that's just me?

no, it is not possible for "johnny boy" to be either more ignorant or more envious. He has demonstrated full capacity in both categories. In fact if he utters another word he will likely reach critical mass and explode.

Hmmmmmm.......any thoughts johnny boy?