MIAC Cross-Country 2009

Why are people counting out Hamline for Regions? They are MIAC champs. I think they have a good shot of making it. St johns on the other hand, i do not thing so. I agree, the course was not bad at all. Does anyone know who fell over to call back the race? Who are the individuals to qualify from MIAC?

I guess it is a bit hasty to count Hamline out, but it seems improbable that they can repeat such an incredible performance at regionals. Or, perhaps they'll prove all the letsrunners wrong again.

Women's regional race looks wide open. thoughts?

Snelling Avenue Bandit wrote:

I had to work 12 jobs to pay for my Carleton education, hence did not gain full knowledge of personal computer navigation, etc. during my 4 years in Northfield.

You obviously don't know anything about Carleton. Only the people who are already rich pay the "full" tuition. Most of the students get grants that don't have to be paid back.

midwest Runna wrote:

Women's regional race looks wide open. thoughts?

I think it could easily go to Wesleyan, Carleton, Wartburg or Bethel, depending on who has a good day that day. Wesleyan's been coming on strong lately, but their conference meet is this weekend, whereas everyone else has a weekend off so that may hurt them. Carleton ran great at MIAC but I doubt they can replicate a race like that again at regions. Ffitch ran a good race to get 5th but times were slow all-around and regions is bigger and more competitive. Although Roach didn't run as well as I think she could've so maybe they could do it again. If Bethel can get Potter back up where she was earlier in the season they have a definite shot but they have such a lack of depth that none of their top 5 can have an off day. Wartburg ran well at IIAC and will contend as well. I'd say it's anyone's guess.

I'm with you guys it's anyone's race for the taking. I'm not convinced we saw any full strength teams on Saturday, at least not from Carleton, Bethel, or Wartburg and I don't think we are going to see anything special from Wesleyan this weekend. Also, what happened to Rasett-Mehl? If St. Thomas could tighten their pack like they did at Griak they could get back in the hunt. And don't forget Luther they always seem to pull a team out of nowhere just in time for regional, but they don't have a front runner like they have had in the past. We probably saw the best from Olaf, they benefited from the slow pack race but things will be different at regionals. Alternately, I think Bethel was hurt by the way conference was run (ignoring Potter's race) so if they put together 5 good races they could take it. The race between Wartburg and Carleton will probably be decided in the 2nd-4th runners. Despite the regional rankings I think it's Wartburg's race to defend, but who the heck knows what is up with Wesleyan?

seems like the wesleyan men are always ready to roll @ regional. their women did not look quite as good as usual last year. they certainly ran well at lacrosse beating wartburg but that was a while ago now.

Here's what's going to go down next Saturday

-Greeno will cruise with the lead pack, saving himself for nationals, until the last half mile before pulling away late for the win.

-Haglund will emerge from the pack for second, getting redemption after his subpar conference race.

-The Hamline guys won't run quite as well as at MIAC but they'll get the job done and finish 2nd (although about 30 points behind Nebraska Wesleyan).

-St Thomas' top 4 will all place top 30 and Dowe will manage to come in about 55th. The Tommies will place 4th just behind Grinnell and get one of the last at large bids.

-Ruon will drop out, hurting St Olaf big time.

-St John's will attempt to duplicate what they did last year and will put a pack of 5 in the top 20-25 at halfway, but some of them will fall off and they won't make it.

-Greeno, Eckstrom, Marotz, and Gamble will qualify individually.

Pretty specific predictions. All of then seem reasonable although not sure about Ruan dropping out. any thoughts on the women's race or are you a men's only predictor?

If Greeno wins, he will not be able to "save himself." He's good, but he still has to work hard for a win. I say 4th.

If Haglund finishes 2nd, he will be the top MIAC runner.

If Hamline takes 2nd and is the top MIAC team, they will need to run just as well if not better than they did at conference.

Tommies will not finish in the top 5.

Ruon will not drop out and St. Olaf will qualify.

SJU will have only 1 runner in the top 25 at halfway and will move up in the 2nd half, but still miss out on NCAA's.

Your name is MidWORST because those are probably the worst predictions in this thread.

Those were mostly based on ifs from the previous post. "If Haglund is 2nd.." He won't be second and he won't be the top miac guy.

Here are my predictions. Like them or not, I don't care.

Nebraska Wesleyan

Luther

St. Olaf

Grinell

Hamline

St. Thomas

SJU

Coe

Augsburg

Wartburg

Carleton

4 teams will go. Individuals not on qualifying teams will be: Ruon, Tobben, and Wately in front of Greeno.

Tobben

Greeno

Bauer

Sathre

Moser

Eckstrom

Haglund

If 4 teams make it, and you predict St. Olaf is 3rd, Ruon will be on a qualifying team.

The seven individuals are listed at the bottom. I mentioned Ruon and Watley, along with Tobben as runners finishing ahead of Greeno.

Ah, my mistake of not carefully reading.

I agree that the region will most likely get 4, 5 if we're lucky.

Predictions:

Nebraska Wesleyan

Luther

St Olaf

Grinnell

UST - better day than conference but will probably just miss out; too bad Tommies!

Hamline - probably won't replicate their conference performance

SJU - better than conference, but not good enough

Augsburg - they've peaked

Coe

Wartburg

Some individuals to note:

Ruon - has a good day, nice weather will help him, Oles make a big jump

Greeno - he's looking very good, qualifies individually easily

Haglund - will bounce back after a bit of a disappointing finish at Miac, will qualify

Bauer - keeps the momentum going, runs with Haglund, also qualifies

Wow, almost exactly the same as mine.