Arkansas Runners- McDonnell Era

I was just going to mention that Cragg was a transfer. Not sure how the old timers feel about him but that boy dominated the NCaa like few have.

Was Ryan Wilson a transfer??

Thanks Welsh.

As I was mentioning to PT earlier today. It was an honor for me to simply be accepted by the team, run in a jersey and contribute.

I still remember everyone telling me how I wouldn't last 4 months running with you guys, and I figured there was only one way to find out.

The rest as they say is a very fun 2.5 years.

Rings on the mail, I think the price of gold has gone up, so I'll insure them for a bit more than they cost back in 1993 (Unless that will get me reprimanded by the NCAA)

Schiefer

Schiefer, what did you run before transferring? Where did you go again? Utah seems to stick out but that's just weird.

How was Coach Mac towards you as a newcomer?

Also, the current Razorback star is also a transfer but I am assuming you old guys aren't supportive of the program anymore, though I could be wrong.

Vinny the Microwave wrote:

Schiefer, what did you run before transferring? Where did you go again? Utah seems to stick out but that's just weird.

How was Coach Mac towards you as a newcomer?

Also, the current Razorback star is also a transfer but I am assuming you old guys aren't supportive of the program anymore, though I could be wrong.

I ran at the University of Utah. It was the only place that offered me a scholarship. I ran 4:19 for 1600m, but not until may of my senior year. We had an awesome assistant, who took me from 20 miles per week to about 70, and some real steady work.

Coach Mac was absolutely phenomenal when I called him. He was very clear that he had no money, but he was already talking about having me run at NCAAs in the mile and 4x800m. He had me sold. Coach McDonnell made no distinction between me as a transfer and the guys who came out of HS with 4:08s.

What coach did do was reinforce that you needed to be tough. If you couldn't push yourself and tolerate pain, then it was going to be a long haul, and you'd hear about it.

I will always be supportive of Arkansas, but my loyalty is to Coach Mac.

At the end of the day, I'm just a guy who wanted to try to do something I otherwise thought impossible.

My first year, yes, there were guys giving me a hard time because I had a rough start, 4:17 at the first mile of the indoor season, missed the second meet due to the case of the "sniffles", then a 1:56 800m at Nebraska.

I had to stick to my guns, because while Coach Mac wasn't on me, the guys, and one alum in particular was. I stuck with it, and 2 weeks later ran 4:01.90 (Yes, i'm in the sub 4:01.91 club), and got 4th at NCAAs in the mile.

I was a small cog in a big machine, insignificant by historical perspectives, and I love every minute of it.

Good for you, man. Life is short- way to take a chance. Similarly, I always wondered how the ducks treated Gurry when he transferred back to U of

That last bit should have ended with "U of O".

Vinny the Microwave wrote:

I was just going to mention that Cragg was a transfer. Not sure how the old timers feel about him but that boy dominated the NCaa like few have.

Was Ryan Wilson a transfer??

Ryan Wilson a transfer? No, he arrived in the fall of 1993, and it was entirely possible he could have made the NCAA XC team as a true frosh if it weren't for his sprained ankle at the home meet.

Welsh and Hanley. Quietly - logging points, in both the 5,000m and 10,000m

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb4HtlcypH4

Gulp it down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4fCwt_g9yY

Bruton was a badass. Why did he retire?I had heard he works for asics now. Do you have the last lap of Falcon on film waving his arms in the indoor 3k?

Yo Sheefoo,

I never thought of you as anything other than a Hog! You're awesome. Only wish I would have stayed around a few more years, but I can't back I know. We were all young, a bit wild, tough as nails, a bit foolish, and fairly crazy back in those days!

I'm turning 40 in October of this year and have some designs for Master's competitions. Would love to see some of my old teammates get after it again and tear up the Master's age group in some races. Just a few years ago I did 4:17 for a road mile, 31:24 for a 10k road race, 1:08:20 for the Half Marathon, and 2:28:08 for the marathon. I know you've been cycling a lot. Are you running at all? Maybe some of us former Hogs could put together a 4X800 and set the Master's record which is somewhere around 8:10 I think.

Miner (Potsie)

Vinny the Microwave wrote:

I was just going to mention that Cragg was a transfer. Not sure how the old timers feel about him but that boy dominated the NCaa like few have.

Was Cragg an actual transfer? Wasnt there some time, like about a year or so, between he dropped out of SMU and joined McDonnell?

But,seriously people should quit beating up on the transfers. Loads of collegiate teams have had some of their greats come from transfers.

Good thread btw, enjoying the stories

Potsie,We ragged a bit too hard on your analysis of that time travel show we used to watch, and I did as well, but have since apologized.I'm going to be 40 in April. Would love to put together a masters relay. To answer your question, I am not running much as I'm still trying to get the IT band healthy. Those times are very good. I think with my current fitness, and with the status of the right leg, I'm able to pull off a masters 4x800m with you, perhaps 2012?I'm just doing huge base on the bike (starting back up again), and I think we could hone it down to a 2:02.0 as to give a cushion of 2 seconds for the other guys.Let's chat on facebook, and put something together. I just don't have the muscle integrity in the IT area to pull off anything long at this point, but the leg speed/power is the same.

While I did not compete today, like all of "you and your" team mates probably did, I got in a ride of 122mi and have a 138mi planned tomorrow at 7:30am. Beteween the 2 days, that is more hours of training in 2 days than 10 days at Arkansas, not to mention the other 246 miles during the week. I got to get ready to race my pal, Lance, in a few months.

If you or any of your team mates are in Tucson in the am, meet me at the Starbucks at the U of Arizona. We roll at 7:30- sharpe!

I'm going to have to skip the ride, I'm too burned out to even look at a pair of shoes. I''m all set for now, but will see you at the Tucson Bicycle Classic.

SHIF

sorry to burst your bubble,training with John was sensible:5 times 1 mile on grass,[ 16 times 400m] all at sensible pace.Long runs sunday mornings in the 80s were easy 12-14 miles at cross-country season.Team was a talented one: Anderson,Reinas,O'Mara,Carroll,Moloney,Barney,Taylor,Donovan,Harold Smith,Gary Taylor,Consiglio,Dave Swayne

My opinion of John Mc - I am a Missouri hs coach who followed John and the Razorback program since the late 70's. He was a master at coaching kids from all backgrounds and was the best motivator that I have seen.

Early, he had great success with mostly foreign athletes; later, he had great success with mostly American athletes (many were from Missouri and Texas). I heard him speak at numerous clinics and it did not seem to be extremely complicated, but as we know, as distance coaches, it often is how you motivate the athletes and bring them along (and keep them healthy enough to compete). Let's not forget that his success most likely came from being very perceptive and intelligent. He had a special ability to know exactly what his team needed to win the big championships.

Well said larswer. Being a Missouri boy myself I would agree. Coach Mac was a master at recruiting and motivating guys from a variety of backgrounds. When I was a freshman in High School I had the fortunate opportunity off seeing Chris Zinn and the studs from Arkansas totally dominate the college division at the Southwest Missouri State Invitational XC meet. I was sold on the program and made it my goal to be a Razorback stud when I graduated from High School. Those were magical times! By the way where do you coach? I probably know who you if you're a Missouri guy.

Dewayne Miner