Willis said that he think's Hocker's OT final, where he closed in 52.xx in a 3:30 race is worth a 3:28 in a paced DL race. So, if that is correct, he is already there fitness wise, he doesn't need to make a "final jump".
Well that is all well and good but then what is Goose’s race worth there, where he led almost the entire race and finished close to Hocker. Surely it is worth more than Hocker’s.
I don't think anyone is arguing that Hocker is faster than Nuguse in a time trial. The claim is that Hocker is better in a championship format with no rabbits. Sure, if it is paced evenly and they run 3:27 then maybe Nuguse beats Hocker. But how likely is that in the Olympic final?
Lol ‘final jump’ to 3:27-3:28’, you don’t just ‘jump’ from a 3:30 to a 3:27. If you do, you know what that says. This is like everyone saying Josh Kerr can suddenly run 3:26. Guy hasn’t broken 3:29. Hocker has a 3:29 in him. He might have a 3:28 in him, but I’ll say—- he ain’t doing that without being paced by a certain someone.
OK, then how did Nuguse make the jump to 3:43? Does your logic apply to him or only to Hocker because you don't like Hocker?
The logic I see with Hocker's statements is that when he's been on top of his game, like 2021, he made short work of Nuguse at NCAAs and OTs. He probably feels that he would have owned Nuguse in the 2021 Olympics as well if Nuguse had actually raced.
In the meantime, Nuguse has continued to improve while Hocker has been injured. Hocker feels he has overcome his injuries and improved over the past year while Nuguse is plateaued at the moment but still at a higher level than Hocker.
Hocker feels he's ready for that final breakthrough that will put him at the same level as Nuguse. Since he's been able to handle Nuguse in championships when they're at the same fitness level, he probably feels like he's ready to start beating up on Nuguse.
Finally, since Nuguse has shown he can run 3:43, just behind Jakob, Hocker probably feels he's capable of competing with anyone on the right day. With his huge kick, he's gonna be hard to deal with if he makes that final jump to 3:27-3:28.
It's not reality yet, but it seems that Hocker intends to make it so.
Nuguse did the dirty work in that Ncaa 1500m as well. I bet you could find me on a really old thread stating that then lol.
Lol ‘final jump’ to 3:27-3:28’, you don’t just ‘jump’ from a 3:30 to a 3:27. If you do, you know what that says. This is like everyone saying Josh Kerr can suddenly run 3:26. Guy hasn’t broken 3:29. Hocker has a 3:29 in him. He might have a 3:28 in him, but I’ll say—- he ain’t doing that without being paced by a certain someone.
OK, then how did Nuguse make the jump to 3:43? Does your logic apply to him or only to Hocker because you don't like Hocker?
Yared was a guy who was solo'ing NCAA records on multiple occasions/distances. Switching to becoming a pro then 2 years later and running 3:43 against a similar style runner isn't that crazy to think of. Look at the world rankings for 1500 guys and look at the discrepency in points between Cole and Yared. An alarming amount of you guys including Cole himself(rightfully so but a bit crazy) are disregarding a ton of data.
OK, then how did Nuguse make the jump to 3:43? Does your logic apply to him or only to Hocker because you don't like Hocker?
Yared was a guy who was solo'ing NCAA records on multiple occasions/distances. Switching to becoming a pro then 2 years later and running 3:43 against a similar style runner isn't that crazy to think of. Look at the world rankings for 1500 guys and look at the discrepency in points between Cole and Yared. An alarming amount of you guys including Cole himself(rightfully so but a bit crazy) are disregarding a ton of data.
So Yared ran alot of races he didn't win (DLs, etc), including alot of races where he didn't lead, and had PRs somewhere around 3:29 - 3:30, then runs 3:43 which is equivalent to 3:27, and this is not a 2-3 second jump somehow? And then hasn't run anything else under 3:29 or equivalent to this. And Hocker, who has this year PRed significantly in 800, 3000 [2 mile eq], and 5000 but has only marginally improved his 1500 PR in a fast but tactical (non-ideal pacing) championship race somehow doesn't potentially have another 2 seconds in him in a fast race like the one Yared ran 3:43 in?
I think the 3:43 has people over-rating Nuguse. Nuguse is a consistent 3:29-3:30 guy so far with the potential to run 3:27-3:28 on a perfect day. I think Hocker feels like he's at this level of fitness right now and he's excited about it, and it comes out in an interview.
Also, I would be thrilled to see Nuguse pop to a new level and still be ahead of Hocker.
I also think nobody should sleep on Kessler. Dude just found a major new level in the 800m, has been running much better tactically, and looks like he's having fun. Maybe Kessler gets the big drop and the medal.
The logic I see with Hocker's statements is that when he's been on top of his game, like 2021, he made short work of Nuguse at NCAAs and OTs. He probably feels that he would have owned Nuguse in the 2021 Olympics as well if Nuguse had actually raced.
In the meantime, Nuguse has continued to improve while Hocker has been injured. Hocker feels he has overcome his injuries and improved over the past year while Nuguse is plateaued at the moment but still at a higher level than Hocker.
Hocker feels he's ready for that final breakthrough that will put him at the same level as Nuguse. Since he's been able to handle Nuguse in championships when they're at the same fitness level, he probably feels like he's ready to start beating up on Nuguse.
Finally, since Nuguse has shown he can run 3:43, just behind Jakob, Hocker probably feels he's capable of competing with anyone on the right day. With his huge kick, he's gonna be hard to deal with if he makes that final jump to 3:27-3:28.
It's not reality yet, but it seems that Hocker intends to make fintechzoom so.
Cole Hocker, the talented American middle-distance runner, exudes confidence in his abilities with his bold statement: "If I stay healthy, I don’t think anyone can beat me. Definitely not in America." This assertion reflects his unwavering self-belief and determination to dominate the track. Hocker's confidence is well-founded, given his impressive performances and rapid rise in the world of athletics.
but what if...things happen. just imagine. Cole Hocker. If he's there, he's got a chance. More likely a chance at bronze, but who knows...the lane of dreams
I knew he would be a force! Let’s reread this thread and find ‘em’ all who said he is an arrogant, racist runner who does not stand a chance. Move over Centro you have company.
Yared was a guy who was solo'ing NCAA records on multiple occasions/distances. Switching to becoming a pro then 2 years later and running 3:43 against a similar style runner isn't that crazy to think of. Look at the world rankings for 1500 guys and look at the discrepency in points between Cole and Yared. An alarming amount of you guys including Cole himself(rightfully so but a bit crazy) are disregarding a ton of data.
So Yared ran alot of races he didn't win (DLs, etc), including alot of races where he didn't lead, and had PRs somewhere around 3:29 - 3:30, then runs 3:43 which is equivalent to 3:27, and this is not a 2-3 second jump somehow? And then hasn't run anything else under 3:29 or equivalent to this. And Hocker, who has this year PRed significantly in 800, 3000 [2 mile eq], and 5000 but has only marginally improved his 1500 PR in a fast but tactical (non-ideal pacing) championship race somehow doesn't potentially have another 2 seconds in him in a fast race like the one Yared ran 3:43 in?
I think the 3:43 has people over-rating Nuguse. Nuguse is a consistent 3:29-3:30 guy so far with the potential to run 3:27-3:28 on a perfect day. I think Hocker feels like he's at this level of fitness right now and he's excited about it, and it comes out in an interview.
LOL I told you guys exactly what could happen and you trashed on me.
So Yared ran alot of races he didn't win (DLs, etc), including alot of races where he didn't lead, and had PRs somewhere around 3:29 - 3:30, then runs 3:43 which is equivalent to 3:27, and this is not a 2-3 second jump somehow? And then hasn't run anything else under 3:29 or equivalent to this. And Hocker, who has this year PRed significantly in 800, 3000 [2 mile eq], and 5000 but has only marginally improved his 1500 PR in a fast but tactical (non-ideal pacing) championship race somehow doesn't potentially have another 2 seconds in him in a fast race like the one Yared ran 3:43 in?
I think the 3:43 has people over-rating Nuguse. Nuguse is a consistent 3:29-3:30 guy so far with the potential to run 3:27-3:28 on a perfect day. I think Hocker feels like he's at this level of fitness right now and he's excited about it, and it comes out in an interview.
LOL I told you guys exactly what could happen and you trashed on me.
Well, Nuguse still won a bronze and almost got Kerr, so I don't think he's overrated as you said. But you did nail it on Hocker.
Hocker is a great great athlete already. There aren't many back to back OT champs in this event and he already has a 6th place under his belt from an Olympics. His is easily one of the worlds very best.
But here is still the issue (and it's the same issue Josh Kerr has) in this era of 1500m running which is dictated by Ingebrigtsen - it's one thing accelerating off 3.32 pace - it's a totally different game surviving 2.47/8 at 1200m in your 3rd race in 5 days.
This is where, especially in the case of Hocker, I would love to see him racing more in Europe and at least putting himself out there at the 1200m point (going deep under 2.48). And I know he was injured last season and this year it's a weird one timing wise, but back to the problem the field faces in trying to overcome J.I, they are essentially relying on him to make the mistake/not get it right. So it's not a case of ever having their destiny in their own hands, they need a guy to mess up.
I like his mindset and honestly, his comment about being beaten in America (presumably he's talking trials, NC's etc) I think is pretty accurate - he has a different X factor to Nuguse - always has. But globally? Time to put up or shut up I guess.
Well, sometimes you have to come back and own being slightly off.
So he definitely has the X factor (!!!) and he already was and just proved again he is one of the worlds very best and today was the best.
But he didn't need Europe and didn't need a dry run at 2.47/8 to accelerate off it and be effective. Not only did he put up BIG time - he shut a lot of us up - myself included, that thought this sort of race wouldn't suit him. He is some special talent - today was sensational.
This post was edited 28 seconds after it was posted.
Hocker is a great great athlete already. There aren't many back to back OT champs in this event and he already has a 6th place under his belt from an Olympics. His is easily one of the worlds very best.
But here is still the issue (and it's the same issue Josh Kerr has) in this era of 1500m running which is dictated by Ingebrigtsen - it's one thing accelerating off 3.32 pace - it's a totally different game surviving 2.47/8 at 1200m in your 3rd race in 5 days.
This is where, especially in the case of Hocker, I would love to see him racing more in Europe and at least putting himself out there at the 1200m point (going deep under 2.48). And I know he was injured last season and this year it's a weird one timing wise, but back to the problem the field faces in trying to overcome J.I, they are essentially relying on him to make the mistake/not get it right. So it's not a case of ever having their destiny in their own hands, they need a guy to mess up.
I like his mindset and honestly, his comment about being beaten in America (presumably he's talking trials, NC's etc) I think is pretty accurate - he has a different X factor to Nuguse - always has. But globally? Time to put up or shut up I guess.
Well, sometimes you have to come back and own being slightly off.
So he definitely has the X factor (!!!) and he already was and just proved again he is one of the worlds very best and today was the best.
But he didn't need Europe and didn't need a dry run at 2.47/8 to accelerate off it and be effective. Not only did he put up BIG time - he shut a lot of us up - myself included, that thought this sort of race wouldn't suit him. He is some special talent - today was sensational.
+1. He did it and then some. What a race and executed extremely well, but not perfectly. He was the best 1500m runner on that track today. That’s for sure.
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