Rupp Considering 1500-5k-10k triple at NCAA's

That is a tough, nearly impossible schedule, even for a Galen Rupp. Were I his coach, I think I'd have him skip the 10K. Honestly, Oregon will not need his 10K points, and they'll get more points from his 1500 (I think he'll win the 5K) if he skips the 10K. The NCAA/Arkansas host apparently wanted a closely contested championship, so they set up a schedule that takes away 10 pts. from Oregon.

only Arkansas and Utep won triple crowns... he's the big gun for Oregon.. winning a third crown would make him him the biggest star next to Pre...

Why bothering finishing half a lap behind a medal in Berlin when you can become a legend in college T&F? He was the big man in cross and indoors... scoring massive points for them. Why not at the legendary home track of your own school?

Rupp scratched the 1500...

Event 5 Men 1500 Meter Run ** Qual: 03:47.80 **

RANK ATHLETE YR SCHOOL SEED TIME RG DATE

==== ======================= == ======================= =========== == =====

1 Matthew Centrowitz FR Oregon 3:36.92 W 05-02 AQ4-1

2 Lee Emanuel SR New Mexico 3:37.25 MW 05-02 R3-9

3 Garrett Heath SR Stanford 3:37.57 W 05-02 AQ4-3

4 Jack Bolas JR Wisconsin 3:37.64 ME 05-02 R2-7

5 Craig Miller JR Wisconsin 3:37.81 ME 05-02 AQ2-2

6 Michael Coe SO California 3:37.98 W 04-25 R4-7

7 German Fernandez FR Okla St. 3:40.04 MW 05-17 AQ3-1

8 David McCarthy FR Providence 3:41.37 E Regn1 AQ1-1

9 Dorian Ulrey JR Arkansas 3:41.39 ME 05-18 AQ2-1

10 Liam Boylan-Pett SR Georgetown 3:41.47 E 05-03 AQ1-3

11 Austin Abbott SR Washington 3:41.62 W 03-27 R4-10

12 E.C. Gibbs SR Ga Tech 3:41.65 E 05-09 R1-6

13 Matthew Gibney SO Villanova 3:41.71 E Regn1 AQ1-2

14 Andrew Jesien SR Virginia 3:41.89 E Regn1 AQ1-4

15 Andy McClary SR Arkansas 3:41.96 ME 05-18 AQ2-3

16 Jim Wyner SR Cornell 3:41.99 E Regn1 AQ1-5

17 Abdi Hassan FR Arizona 3:42.04 W Regn4 AQ4-4

18 Kris Gauson JR Butler 3:42.13 ME 04-17 R2-9

19 Felix Kiboiywo JR Auburn 3:42.30 ME 04-17 AQ2-4

20 Jordan McNamara JR Oregon 3:43.10 W Regn4 AQ4-5

21 Chad Hall SO Riverside 3:44.12 W Regn4 AQ * R4-6

22 Wil Buchanan JR Colo St 3:44.53 MW 05-02 AQ3-3

23 Jeff See SR Ohio State 3:44.88 ME 05-09 AQ2-5

24 Ben Blankenship SO Minnesota 3:45.14 MW Regn3 AQ3-2

25 Dan Castle SR Air Force 3:45.64 MW 05-02 AQ3-5

26 Justin Duncan SO Tulsa 3:46.73 MW Regn3 AQ3-4

Chad Hall should be down on his knees kissing Rupp's feet for allowing him to auto-qualify. He wouldn't have made it on his time otherwise.

maybe it would be lame/choking if he were a teamless individual who just wanted to showboat and set out to win 3 races, but if by running for second in the 10k, he is able to score more points for the team overall, you'd have to be crazy to criticize him.

having said that, i don't think he'll think its necesary to run for second in the 10k

Also its worth keeping in mind that Oregon has 2 other guys in the 1500, both of whom have decent chances. If Rupp runs and gets 3-4th but knocks McNamara and/or Centro out of or lower in the point scoring, its not really that helpful and might only help the team points by a couple of points. Probably another factor considered by Vin.

However, I do not think its the right call, because I tend to disagree with other thoughts on the schedule. The 1500 final is AFTER the 5K/10K finals. Thus the only reason not to triple is the 1500 prelim. The prelim shouldn't take too much from Rupp and from my perspect would only jeopordize getting 2nd in the 10K instead of first (He should still win the 5K with 24 hours rest). Seems like its worth sacrificing 2 points to have him there in the final on Saturday.

Why no 800/1500 double by Wheating??

The ducks won't need more points from young Mr. Wheating. They will win without him being forced to do a difficult double. Besides, Vin has plans for Wheating for the summer...he wants him to have a good chance at qualifying for Worlds and to not peak until the Worlds and the summer European circuit.

I believe Wheating has only doubled once in his life. He'll have his hands full with the 800m but should win.

hey its one of his last meets in college let him go out with a bang!!!!!!

I think he meant that 4-5 points from Rupp in the 1500 would also be negated by him perhaps getting a 2nd or 3rd in either the 5k or 10k.

Good call to 'just' double.

Oregon vs heat/humidity wrote:

Wed 9:25 PM 5K semi

Thurs 8:10 PM 1500 semi

Thurs 9:45 PM 10K final

Fri 8:40 PM 5K final

Sat 1:21 PM 1500 final

Thanks for posting the schedule.

Do you happen to have the same schedule for the women?

Wejobored wrote:

I don't agree with your interpretation that it would be LAME for Rupp to finish 1st and 2nd. Anyone who has raced understands that somedays you just don't have it...for whatever unexplainable reason. If Rupp has one of those days, he will not win an NCAA finals race, simple as that. So, I would not at all belittle a 1st, 2nd and say 5th...that would be tremendous accomplishments in my opinion. What is he more likely to finish? Probably one 1st in the 5K, and around 4th in the 1500 (let's not forget that even though he can now run a 3:55 mile, he is not primarily a miler like Centro). Oregon will not need his 10K points, so he probably can sit back and enjoy the team celebration by the time that race is run.

That is fine, and I appreciate no name calling or hyperbole, but you have to look back over history and see how many people have done the 5k/10k double. Names like Rono, Nyambui, Eyestone, Siamusiye, just off the top of my head.

Rupp is the XC champion and won two indiv. titles (at distances!!) at indoors. He is superior on paper to his competition, as superior as any of the all-time greats who achieved the distance double were to theirs. He should win both races.

Also, maybe you don't have a full understanding of how much was done to allow him to even run in college? Rules were bent, and he sat out of the NCAA for one year. he has been pampered (by traditional standards) for about 7 years now. He has been given every advantage they could provide him and he is one of the top talents from HS in all the time there has been HS. (along with Virgin, Pre, Ritz, and Fernandez, and several others ... but none of those others ran an 8:03 and 13:37).

He has run 1:49 this year, improved his mile/1500, won every race that mattered and is healthy and it is his last meet ... you have to have high standards for somebody who HAS ALL THE MARBLES ... if he doesn't win both he will have underachieved.

That is just my opinion, and not one I expect everyone to share. I have high expectations of everyone who has the talent to do something ... myself included.