Jane Hendengren ran 15:15 indoor, early season, on a 200M track. By the time Bryan Clay rolls around, outdoor, 400M track she will go 15:00-15:10 . . . with a very real possibility she goes sub 15:00. She is wise beyond her years when it comes to proper pacing . . . she won’t go out “too fast.”
She just ran 9:34 for two miles. On what planet does that translate to sub 15? Look, I'm as much of a fan as you are here in Utah, but let's not put unrealistic expectations on her.
Came here to admit that I completely underestimated this athlete. Must be an aerobic monster. Total fumble on my part.
She just ran 9:34 for two miles. On what planet does that translate to sub 15? Look, I'm as much of a fan as you are here in Utah, but let's not put unrealistic expectations on her.
Came here to admit that I completely underestimated this athlete. Must be an aerobic monster. Total fumble on my part.
I don't think your take is that crazy (she only was 2 seconds slower than Arcadia as her 3200 split). I think its more that she didnt go to the well to win arcadia by 30 seconds, she had a lot left if people were pushing her.
Came here to admit that I completely underestimated this athlete. Must be an aerobic monster. Total fumble on my part.
I don't think your take is that crazy (she only was 2 seconds slower than Arcadia as her 3200 split). I think its more that she didnt go to the well to win arcadia by 30 seconds, she had a lot left if people were pushing her.
I underestimated her, too. I was thinking her indoor splits were good for 15:06, and maybe she could get down around 15:03 with even pacing and the wavelights.
Aerobic monster is right. She tied the standing US HS 3k record (Don't look at the unofficial 8:54-mid she split at Arcadia). En-route. Then raced another 5 laps. Jane's built different.
In terms of whether Kirwa is likely to improve much by the end of his college career is most pertinent probably. Based on his age (either 23 or 25) and running 8:23 at altitude so many years ago, you'd think *probably* not a ton. This is possibly the big breakthrough of more consistent training from a pretty high starting point. He did look great and was well within himself in the race. He'll need to be able to run this sort of time or faster at altitude to have a shot at making a Kenyan team with their outstanding depth there and influx of young talent in the steeple (the Serems, Koech et al.). But if he was 20-21, you'd wonder if he could break 8 while in the NCAA. Given his age, that seems unlikely and more he'll settle around this level or a little faster.
After watching the Men’s 5000, 3000 SC, and 10000 yesterday and today I can confirm that the next 2-3 years of NCAA distance running are going to be East African dominated. This will possibly make or break top American NCAA runners. Simply looking at the 5000m, New Mexico had five East African returning athletes (all Freshman or Sophomores currently) run under 13:40. Their top American ran 14:21 in the open race. In the 10000m, Redshirt Senior Dylan Schubert of Furman had to hold off the following Freshman/Sophomore East African D1 returners: Ernest Cheruiyot (SO) Texas Tech Dismus Lokira (FR) Alabama Robin Kwemoi Bera (FR) Iowa State In the 3000m SC, Redshirt Junior Rob McManus of Montana State (the school that produced Duncan Hamilton) got absolutely dropped by 25 year old Geoffrey Kirwa (FR) of Louisville. Other East African Freshman Joash Ruto of Iowa State and Bismack Kipchirchir of Akron fought with him until the end. Long story short, this meet has made me conclude that this year is the bridge year into complete East African domination in the NCAA. With a majority of the top Americans running out of eligibility after this Spring, it paves the way for the cross country field to be a majority top-heavy Kenyan list this Fall. This will pave the way for even more top American performances, however. I can see individuals including Rocky Hansen, Marco Langon, Will Zegarski, Gary Martin, and hell, maybe even this Summer this will prompt James Corrigan and Rob McManus to make shots at the US Olympic Team again, and next year, as they both will be Seniors eligibility wise. TLDR: NCAA will become East African dominated, but the top Americans will prosper; just as they did today for the most part
while i agree this latest wave of african runners to the NCAA will change everything, on the bright side by raising the bar some great young american runners will step up and train harder. while some will unfortunately get injured, a few will break thru and become top US olympic runners like this country has never seen.
and while I think this is more true in outdoor/indoor t&f. meanwhile, XC is more of an unknown. last years Nats proved there's a lot more to winning team titles than just taking a recruiting trip to Kenya.
Can someone give me a good reason the NCAA can’t make a rule saying you can’t start your freshmen year after age 22