Will Katelyn Tuohy race the Olympic trials or not?

She didn't start running for NOP until Nov of her junior year. But just because she flamed out early does not mean she wasn't a generational talent. Talent can be easily squandered if not carefully cultivated. There are plenty of examples in sports.

Agreed. To be a "generational talent," you need to be doing things that nobody or nearly nobody has ever done.

Decker beat the reigning Olympic 800m silver medalist in an 800m race in the USSR when she was only 14. I think she broke her first world record at age 15 or 16.

Cain placed 10th in the World Outdoor Championships as a 17-year-old.

The closest thing we have to a generation talent right now is Addy Wiley. One of only two Americans ever to run sub-4 and sub-1:58 (the other is Decker). Only about 40 people have ever done this and she is the third youngest to accomplish it. Younger than Kipyegon, Tsegay, Hassan, Welteji, Muir, Ivan, and many other greats.

Youngest American to ever run sub-4 by a large margin, and as of yesterday she became the youngest to run five sub-4:05s.

Age at first sub-4
Wiley 19 years, 319 days
Slaney 22 years, 9 days
Simpson 22 years, 288 days
Johnson 24 years, 45 days
Houlihan 25 years, 107 days
Willard 25 years, 150 days
Andrews 25 years, 215 days
St. Pierre 26 years, 78 days
Cranny 26 years, 93 days
MacLean 26 years, 344 days
Mackay 27 years, 78 days
Hiltz 28 years, 271 days
Wurth-Thomas 28 years, 364 days
Rowbury 29 years, 289 days
Favor Hamilton 30 years, 0 days
Jacobs 39 years, 157 days

Gee. I wonder what details you are omitting? Lol.

Yeah, Decker was ranked 4th in the world in the 800 at age 14 and the only American in the top 10. She still holds the age 14 international record. Even today, in the age of super shoes and fast tracks, a 2:02 by a 14-year old girl seems astonishing.

But Tuohy is really good at the 3000. Or at least she was once during college before becoming a pro and entering the testing pool.

14:19.5 Alicia MONSON

Does she even try to hide it? Glad she is out of the trials. Now if only ESP would fess up, but she’ll just tell us to “drink milk” when she wins by a mile. Also, Courtney Rose Frerichs rearranges to “ornery steroi user”. Just a thought.

i didn't realize that there were criteria for being a generational talent but I've always believed that Tuohy objectively was one, at least where US distance running was concerned.

She won XC nats 3 times, and set every high school record from mile-2mile-5K. She was the talent of her generation, and had no contemporaries.

Agreed Mary Cain was a generational talent too.

You don't seem to know what a generation is.

you don't see to understand that as I previously posted different people have different definitions of this. So arguing over it is pointless (which may be right up your alley).

Unhinged posts like this are what Letsrun is all about. 10/10

Totally forgot that Tuohy won 3 national XC titles back in HS. I don’t think any other runner, male or female, has done that, but I could be wrong.

I usually rely on the English language and the dictionary definitions of words. That aside, Tuohy is slower than Valby who is the same age. You fail either way.

3 can play your game...tuohy remains fast at several events

She isn't the best of her generation. We were all wrong. Valby will beat her 3000 time next year if that is what you clinging to. Nut Tuohy is in the same generation as Schweizer and ESP also.

That is YOUR definition. For the 3rd time there are different opinions on the definition. There is also the mile/dmr time as well. And what may happen in the future is immaterial as for one thing it is not a sure thing.

When did she run faster in the mile than ESP?

You are the one who said valby is faster or did you forget?

Funny how when a certain toxic runner gets discussed, the voting system here goes haywire.

But Valby hasnt twice. We will just have to see how long the magic arc trainer act can last. Meanwhile Tuohy's is one of only a handful to succcesfully emerge at a young age and carry it through college. That puts her in rare company. Oh and ESP is 29.