Are there any scholarships left in case a qualify runner ends up in the transfer portal? I think they have given up on a 2024 rebuild and placing their resources into a 2025 rebuild. This strategy makes sense as minimum 3 teams have could score less than 100 points.
Are there any scholarships left in case a qualify runner ends up in the transfer portal? I think they have given up on a 2024 rebuild and placing their resources into a 2025 rebuild. This strategy makes sense as minimum 3 teams have could score less than 100 points.
I wouldn't say giving up. They will roll out a team that pre season will be ranked about #5.
Then they will see what happens with hope that someone pops up from their bench/freshmen, and teams above them self destruct (becoming reliable).
Even '25 still a crap shoot, as no one but Stephens has yet done anything from the '23 class. Obviously, '24 and '25 will still be fresh/sophs.
Are there any scholarships left in case a qualify runner ends up in the transfer portal? I think they have given up on a 2024 rebuild and placing their resources into a 2025 rebuild. This strategy makes sense as minimum 3 teams have could score less than 100 points.
There are scholarships, and there are "scholarships"
We’re 2 weeks away from “PortalMania” so maybe those scholarship can land 2 quality runners, but NAU (probably low priority) and Ala/Flo (high priority) will be competing for those same runners. Should be fun.
We’re 2 weeks away from “PortalMania” so maybe those scholarship can land 2 quality runners, but NAU (probably low priority) and Ala/Flo (high priority) will be competing for those same runners. Should be fun.
Maatoug is already out there, but as far as 2024 goes they should have solid runners in Hartman, Stephens, Smith, Rauber, Gapes, and maybe Michalek if things go well. Maybe someone from class of 2023 levels up as well.
We’re 2 weeks away from “PortalMania” so maybe those scholarship can land 2 quality runners, but NAU (probably low priority) and Ala/Flo (high priority) will be competing for those same runners. Should be fun.
Maatoug is already out there, but as far as 2024 goes they should have solid runners in Hartman, Stephens, Smith, Rauber, Gapes, and maybe Michalek if things go well. Maybe someone from class of 2023 levels up as well.
Angelina Napoleon (2023 class) could be a factor in cross country in 2024 as well. She has qualified for nationals in the 3000m steeplechase in outdoors in a few weeks.
How will they do with the addition of Michalak and Ellie Shea?
The Stride Report doesn't seem to think NC State is a contender. In TSR's recently released list of top 70 runners for 2024, they apparently have only ranked Leah Stephens and Grace Hartman inside the top 70. Returning 3rd year runner Hannah Gapes finished 73rd at the NCAA XC Championships in November 2023 as a R-Fr, but was snubbed. Fiona Smith, Michalak, and Shea not ranked in the top 70. I predict at least 2 of those 3 finish inside top 70 at nationals.
How will they do with the addition of Michalak and Ellie Shea?
The Stride Report doesn't seem to think NC State is a contender. In TSR's recently released list of top 70 runners for 2024, they apparently have only ranked Leah Stephens and Grace Hartman inside the top 70. Returning 3rd year runner Hannah Gapes finished 73rd at the NCAA XC Championships in November 2023 as a R-Fr, but was snubbed. Fiona Smith, Michalak, and Shea not ranked in the top 70. I predict at least 2 of those 3 finish inside top 70 at nationals.
Should have posted this in the previous reply....but TSR has Stephens at #21 and Hartman at #17 for their 2024 XC rankings. Between Gapes, Smith, Michalak, Shea and Brooke Rauber, I would not be shocked if they have at least 2 more AA's between those 5 runners.
How will they do with the addition of Michalak and Ellie Shea?
The Stride Report doesn't seem to think NC State is a contender. In TSR's recently released list of top 70 runners for 2024, they apparently have only ranked Leah Stephens and Grace Hartman inside the top 70. Returning 3rd year runner Hannah Gapes finished 73rd at the NCAA XC Championships in November 2023 as a R-Fr, but was snubbed. Fiona Smith, Michalak, and Shea not ranked in the top 70. I predict at least 2 of those 3 finish inside top 70 at nationals.
It is looking like they will have 6 NAU, 4-5 Providence, 4 BYU, 4 WA in top 70. Agree there is a case for 2-3 more from NC St in top 70 but there does appear to be a few very strong teams out there if everyone runs to their potential.
The Stride Report doesn't seem to think NC State is a contender. In TSR's recently released list of top 70 runners for 2024, they apparently have only ranked Leah Stephens and Grace Hartman inside the top 70. Returning 3rd year runner Hannah Gapes finished 73rd at the NCAA XC Championships in November 2023 as a R-Fr, but was snubbed. Fiona Smith, Michalak, and Shea not ranked in the top 70. I predict at least 2 of those 3 finish inside top 70 at nationals.
It is looking like they will have 6 NAU, 4-5 Providence, 4 BYU, 4 WA in top 70. Agree there is a case for 2-3 more from NC St in top 70 but there does appear to be a few very strong teams out there if everyone runs to their potential.
NC State has a couple of runners that would not be accurately ranked in a pre season list. Rauber is really good, and if she is healthy and fit she will perform as a top 70. Michalak and Shea haven't even competed yet, so ranking them accurately would be next to impossible. I don't know if I see them winning this year. NAU is going to be tough. But I think they will be better than people are predicting.
I noticed that Ellie Shea isn't competing at the U20 Worlds at the end of this month, even though she qualified in the 3000m. That means either she's injured, or she wanted to start her XC season fresh with her new team (if the latter, I think it was a good idea).
NC State has a couple of runners that would not be accurately ranked in a pre season list. Rauber is really good, and if she is healthy and fit she will perform as a top 70. Michalak and Shea haven't even competed yet, so ranking them accurately would be next to impossible. I don't know if I see them winning this year. NAU is going to be tough. But I think they will be better than people are predicting.
That drop from 2 to 3 is a little concerning for a team hoping to retain its national powerhouse credentials, as is the depth beyond 5. But it’s early. And there are some fairly young athletes there with a lot of talent and some experience against good competition (even in high school, with meets against national caliber talent to go along with state championships, etc.). From the outside, you never know where they are in their training and health, and even though it inspires confidence to come out of the gate strong, it would be very premature to count this group out.