<<<DII XC predictions>>>

I guess my question would be--are Donnan and Clark running for WSC? They have not raced yet...

So, you have Pennel at #1 (top 20 in '07 nationals) and then it looks like Brown at #2 (31:23 for 10k last spring)...Ahonen(14:59) and Wilbur(32:50)and Graham (15:39) kind of mixed up at #3-4-5...Rassmussen (90th at nationals in '07) was in their top 5 at the CSU meet...

A solid group but not very intimidating by any means. Now add Donnan and Clark---both top 15 last year and things look a whole lot better for the Mountaineers.

This is what i think will happen:

Pennel and Donnan will be top 20 for sure. I have seen Donnan train for 1 month and qualify for Nationals in indoor and outdoor track, the kid has some serious talent. I don't know how Clark handles injuries, but I would still say top 35 minimum for him. So your looking at roughly 40ish points right there( 10,11, 19 places. I don't know how or who the 4th and 5th man will be for Western but we are looking at roughly doubling that score or tripling it. I would say they finish in the 100s point wise at Nationals.

Based off of last years results, with that really rough guess, we are still looking at top 5 easy. Like 85 points to spare easy.

I would count western out, ever, really. It will take a natural disaster to make them drop out of the top 5 and even then they have lived in Gunnison for a long time so that probably wouldn't take them out either.

There is my two cents.

D2 is tough

Bauhs, Kirwa, Braun, Medigovich, Tanui, Mwei, Maina, Nyango, Gasore, Ngirakamaro

that's 10 guys

Kosgei, Crouch, Ogwaro, Sanca, Biwott, Weiss, Reagan, Mokaya, McNiff, Kazingo

that's 20 guys

Scanlon, Kern, Pennel, Donnan, Clark, Kiplagat, Marquez, Sang, Wagnew, Cheryuiot

that's 30 guys

That really puts the national meet into perspective...The field this year may be stronger than ever. When you look at that list it is hard to imagine that many strong runners not making the stage as All-Americans.

Dude WSC is in more than a down year, try down era. Last year was the last year they will be in the top 5 for a while. Look at the teams that dominated in the past, then look at this year. A 32min guy wouldn't have ven made the top 12 let alon the top 5 on an Aish driven team. I am not advocating that the coaching change is the reason that they are weaker, but the quality of runners just isn't there anymore. A lot of serious talent has either transfered or just quit running. Injuries is something that has plagued the team every year, but there has been the depth in place to keep the team rolling. There is no competition at the top, so it is just an average DII program now. It is a exaggeration to mention WSC in th same breath as ASC or ACU these days. Look at the results man they don't lie. They almost got perfct scored by ASC at the Joe Vigil meet. Granted Penel didn't run, but thats not the difference betwen winning or losing. Counting on 2 guys to be healthy and fit for an NCAA meet is a sure sign that the depth is in no way near the level required to be competitive come November. Instead of worrying about beating Adams this year Western needs to focus on Mines Chico and Grand Valley. There are plenty of runnrs that have run for Western that have never made the team due to a lack of toughness. Of course you need to be tough to run at 7000ft, but it takes a certain level of toughness to compete at the highest level and not settle for less than a title. I wish Western the best, but I am a realist and reality is WSC on the decline, it will take a natural disaster for them to finish in the top 5 this year

Wilbur has ran low 31 and Graham has ran 14:45. Not sure where you got your times. Rassmusen had a terrible race at nationals last year. That race is no indication of what he is capable of. Once the team is healthy ( from injuries and sickness) they will be rolling like always. They are a top 5 team easily come November. Keep doubtin'!

can't we all just get along? Who else is looking forward to the after party?

Heck Yeah!!!! Bring yo' fans down!!

chiz n beef wrote:

can't we all just get along? Who else is looking forward to the after party?

Hell yea brotha! That's my motivation(well at least part of it)

I am basing the times off of what WSC reported as the best outdoor times for their team in 2007:

Wilbur: 32:50 (at Mt. SAC)

Graham: 15:39 (Ben Brown Inv.)

They may have run faster in some other year, or road course or something.

Rasmussen may ran poorly at nationals because he is really a 1500 guy--even at the regional meet Adams put 7 guys in front of him and Mines 4th and 5th runners were seconds behind...If Western's hopes are pinned on Rasmussen running well for 10k, then they indeed may be in trouble.

...for times, I meant 2008

westernalum wrote:

Wilbur has ran low 31 and Graham has ran 14:45. Not sure where you got your times. Rassmusen had a terrible race at nationals last year. That race is no indication of what he is capable of. Once the team is healthy ( from injuries and sickness) they will be rolling like always. They are a top 5 team easily come November. Keep doubtin'!

Okay if you are really a WSC alum then you know the history of the program, and you know how the program used to be (I hope) but I will give you the bnefit of the doubt. Grahm Wilbur and Rasmussen have faster times than reported on the website. If you are still putting your faith in a 1445, and somwhere in the 31's guy. Not to mention guys that havent put on spikes because their bodies aren't tough enough to handle training (Donnian and Clark), then there is no hope for WSC at NCAA's. The talent isn't there this year. Maybe Jen and Paul Michael can do a better job of recruiting and actually training their athletes to not look like a club team next year after they get destroyed at NCAA's

why are we even talking about WSC? o and by the way, that list of two chico guys in the top 30 is wack. what about marquez who was second at NCAA's in the 1500 this year and ran a 14:18 5k, he's def a top 30 guy.

Marquez is on the list! Look a few spots behind scanlon!

scanlon and marquez in the 20's on a bad day

You guys are definitely missing some people from the the top 10 20 and 30, Ill let you figure it out though.

The point was....that Wilbur and Graham are much better than reported and won't be in the top 5. Anytime you have a 14:45 guy on a d2 team that isn't in the top 5 you are looking at a solid team. Not a national championship team, no, but a top 5 team for sure.

Who cares we should be talking about who is going to drink the most. It's about as relevant as this current conversation.

Got Rolled by adams states Nick Lara and he's and 800 guy so whats your point there!