Ok, it's time to find the #1 LetsRun.com-certified NCAA XC team (No foreigners, no transfers, no redshirts?)

Jefe in the CO wrote:

I really like having internationals racing in the NCAA...to a point. I've often wondered why a State supported university, funded by taxpayers, allow for the recruitment of older, pro runners and still seem to get some satisfaction out of it when they dominate.

Last year there was this feel good story of LSU recruiting a 29 year old pro 1500 runner from Kenya and how it implied that he had to overcome his age in competing with 20 year olds. The current Iowa State roster is evidence that no one has a clue as to what's going on in cross country.

Cudos to Rojo, I busted out laughing at the concept of a high school draft. That would be epic. Draft positions/scholarships could be meted out by their finish at NCAA champs, after that Regions, Conference, XC majors like Nuttycomb/Pre Nats etc. Could you imagine being XC's version of Mr/Ms Irrelevant...and Chase Pack selected by the University of Phoenix!

txRUNNERgirl wrote:

Fact Checker 9 wrote:

You claimed you "still run competitively." You do not. There's no shame in hobbyjogging with your twins, but it is not the same as running competitively (and I'm not cherry-picking: the 21 minute 5Ks you ran last year aren't competitive, either).

Oh I see. English isn't your first language. Competitive refers to those who compete in races. As in run as fast as they can in a race, even when pushing a stroller. That's going to differ from person to person, but at the end of the day I train for and compete in races and have done so for 24 years. Not sure how else to define it. I don't claim to be pro/elite and never have, but I will take my longevity and consistency over burning out bright and being bitter the rest of my life any day.

I still didn't catch your name?

Regular-guy wrote:

rojo wrote:

Ok, since many of you think that recruiting foreigners means you can't coach, I think it's time we take this logic to its logical extreme.

Who is the #1 team in NCAA that we can all get behind? We don't want to be supporting any coaches that are taking short-cuts. So please nominate the top men's and women's NCAA xc teams in the current rankings that meet the following criteria.

1) No foreigners on the roster.
2) No transfers on the roster.
3) No overage runners on the roster.

Now how far do we take #3? No redshirts? I think so.

So which nationally ranked team (if any) features it's top 5 runners that are:

a) entirely from the US
b) all started college at that school,
c) features only runners from the HS class of 2022 or later.

I'm fascinated to see the results. Let's hope we aren't cheering for a blank screen.

Rojo,

I’m not some “woke” ultra-liberal person. But this just appears to be thinly veiled racism. I want the United States to succeed in all matters, and distance running is no exception. However, one of the greatest parts about being an American is the concept of this country being a “melting pot” where people of all backgrounds can come together to strive forward towards new opportunities and a better life. I can get behind age restrictions and on drug restrictions of all variety. What I cannot abide is a restriction on foreigners, so long as they play by the rules and are an appropriate age there is nothing wrong with them coming here to compete. It is on us to meet that competition and rise to that competition to become better in running and in all endeavors. You should reflect on your values, and you should reconsider this post, as it is very likely that somewhere in your lineage, one of your ancestors was once a traveler, a foreigner, traveling to a new land in search of newer, better opportunities.

Personally I will be taking a long break from this website. I appreciate you and your brother having created a space to talk about a hobby I’m very passionate about. But, this post feels like a very open declaration of bigotry, and I just can’t accept that.

-Regular-guy

Regular-guy wrote:

rojo wrote:

Ok, since many of you think that recruiting foreigners means you can't coach, I think it's time we take this logic to its logical extreme.

Who is the #1 team in NCAA that we can all get behind? We don't want to be supporting any coaches that are taking short-cuts. So please nominate the top men's and women's NCAA xc teams in the current rankings that meet the following criteria.

1) No foreigners on the roster.
2) No transfers on the roster.
3) No overage runners on the roster.

Now how far do we take #3? No redshirts? I think so.

So which nationally ranked team (if any) features it's top 5 runners that are:

a) entirely from the US
b) all started college at that school,
c) features only runners from the HS class of 2022 or later.

I'm fascinated to see the results. Let's hope we aren't cheering for a blank screen.

Rojo,

I’m not some “woke” ultra-liberal person. But this just appears to be thinly veiled racism. I want the United States to succeed in all matters, and distance running is no exception. However, one of the greatest parts about being an American is the concept of this country being a “melting pot” where people of all backgrounds can come together to strive forward towards new opportunities and a better life. I can get behind age restrictions and on drug restrictions of all variety. What I cannot abide is a restriction on foreigners, so long as they play by the rules and are an appropriate age there is nothing wrong with them coming here to compete. It is on us to meet that competition and rise to that competition to become better in running and in all endeavors. You should reflect on your values, and you should reconsider this post, as it is very likely that somewhere in your lineage, one of your ancestors was once a traveler, a foreigner, traveling to a new land in search of newer, better opportunities.

Personally I will be taking a long break from this website. I appreciate you and your brother having created a space to talk about a hobby I’m very passionate about. But, this post feels like a very open declaration of bigotry, and I just can’t accept that.

-Regular-guy