GLIAC XC

Looking over last years outdoor performance list, it looks as though there is no standout (s) in Div II at the moment, unless Batt/Stevens from Adams or Dinzeo make big jumps in fitness. Baum's chances could be really good to be in contention.

Sorry but Baum is not a contender for a national title guys. One race 3 months from nationals against decent competition doesn't put him in the same ballpark as Batt, Stephens, Guy, and Biwott. Nobody can say anything for sure right now, but mark my words, the guys fighting for the win at Louisville will not involve Baum. MAYBE if it were an 8k or 6k, but not at the 10k distance. No way.

Baum is a contender for national champ. Along with the guys you mentioned, as well as Johnny guy. I would bet a lot of money he will finish top 5. He can run a 4:0x mile, and has the strngh for a 10k. Don't doubt. Him and Hall are a terrific duo. Along with Guy and Pence, and the great top three of adams state the best duo in D2.

Grand valley will win gliac with ease, and I believe have the depth to finish on top of division 2 this year. Only 3 seniors on the roster, with 1, maybe 2 contributes. Adams state transfer is the other.

Who will get 2-5 at gliacs?

I don't think Baum will even win conference..

I know he is more of a 5-6 guy, but did Drew Window run? I haven't seen his name in the last two races for AU. How is their depth looking? Judging by position they looked strong.

Yeah it was a nice day but times were a bit slower than normal for Spartan. It was soft and got a little bit faster as the day went on with the HS races but not near as quick as it ran last year. GVSU girls look pretty solid.

Were you at Spartan? How did GLIAC men look? Particularity Ashland, Ferris, and Hillsdale

Great win for Baum. As for being a national championship contender, we'll have see more. Three other GLIAC runners were within 9 seconds of Baum, Peterson only 5 seconds back in his first race/hard effort.

I expect the GV pack will move closer to Peterson in the next few meets. They showed great depth. Nationally, Adams has a great top 3 but GV is definitely primed for a great run against them. USI looking good to. Is this the year they have a breakthrough at nationals?

Does anyone have a list of gv top 8? With or without times?

I think Peterson will win GLIAC. Baum may not be the best on his team. Nick Hall. uSI may be in to good shape to early.

Impressive run by USI's Guy and Pence at UK. It looks like they had several missing from their top group yesterday also. Grand Valley, as usual, appears to be the deepest D2 team in the country.

How is it that Grand Valley has so much depth? I know they red shirt everyone their freshman seasons - What is the freshman training like while they are red shirted? This maybe their secret

GVs 'top 8' will likely vary from meet to meet. I think, Bradley, Luterbach, Selner, Cini, and Flores will be in their final top 7 barring injury (this isn't meant to imply their order). After that there are a number of runners I could see get in the remaining spot. Chris May would be a favorite but he ran unattached at MSU, possible redshirt season? After that you have Pageau,Perez and Duff that have been in previous top 7 squads for GV. At MSU, Orndorf, Hoffmeyer and Mach were also with/near the pack. Last year May and Flores were put in the top 7 at regionals and nationals due to other injuries and did well. Just tremendous depth.

Obviously I meant to add Peterson in the first group.

Yup Peterson. Is Selner enough to crack nationals crew for GV? I guess we could debate for days about who makes it, tough decision for Jerry. Great problem to have. Chris may and Mach both had great freshman track seasons.

For anyone who missed the finish, Peterson was 2-3 seconds ahead of Baum with 300 to go and he ended up winning by 3 and putting 5 on Peterson. There's a lot left in the tank for him.

Brian Sand bagger baum

Yes I was there. Didn't pay a ton of attention to the GLIAC guys in the race, focused more on the girls race and mainly followed the top pack of guys during their race. MSU guys didn't really push the pace until the last few K which was probably what allowed Peterson, Baum, Fink etc... to be with Rhynard near the end of the race. Probably due to racing at Oregon a week ago both MSU teams seemed more focused on running as a team and getting progressively faster. Baum had a crazy kick down the final straight and Rhynard only passed Peterson going up the small hill which is right(10 meters) before the finish.

Girls race saw a few girls take it out hard but O'Connor, Schulist and MSU pack had caught them all by 3k. Those 2 pulled away but GVSU top 2 girls hung pretty close to the MSU 3-4. GVSU had 5 in the top 21, Ashland's Delainey Phelps(GLIAC Freshmen of year 2013) was 16th. GVSU's 7th & 8th girls were unattached at around 22:50, one of which is Rhynard's little sister.

GVSU like most schools probably redshirts all freshmen they don't need but may take some kids if they can help them. Overall MSU girls looked tough, MSU boys look to be a bit better. Both GVSU squads look deep and tough, guys are really deep so should be a lot of inter squad competition.

Side note the HS guys Elite was a show with 3 guys at 15:12 or faster. Ben Hill from Royal Oak was 15:06, Jesse Hersha of Concord 15:07 and Ryan Roberson of Waterford Mott 15:12. All pretty solid times for this part of the season and not the fastest day at MSU(it still runs pretty well though)

Thank you for all that. Janeke, Winchester, and Foley all looked strong by the results. I don't think msu will make much of a splash on the men's side as far as national competition. Still good to see them working together and improving. Hopefully GVSU doesn't burn up each other by December 6 at nationals.

I agree on MSU boys, just simply think they are improving. Should have a good shot of qualifying as a team.