Let's talk Ohio HS XC

Don’t think it’s a coincidence that Andy Wietmarshen, Cinci St. X and Tom Rapp, Mason were both coached by Bill Schnier (Andy - U.C.) (Tom - Troutwood Madison HS)

"Not surprised at all?
Dellasanta ran a 16:21, and he’s usually a solid sub 16. No one else on the team even broke 17, and they’re usually 16:20 to 16:30 guys.
Seems like everyone but Gabelman laid a massive egg. Probably because he’s good enough to overcome whatever mistakes the coaches made.
Very disappointed that I followed them all season, got excited, and then this."

Very sympathetic toward the kids, man. Truly touching!

PRs and experience at high pressure meets are relevant. If you've never run at these high pressure meets you cannot have the same insights as those that have. I don't know how you can argue against that. I also don't know how you can call my point dumb when I am calling out the fact that a lot of people on this site haven't actually accomplished anything themselves but like to tear down others when they slip up.

We are talking about high schoolers. Some of you people on here are carelessly posting on here about 14-18 year old kids in a negative light while remaining anonymous. Some of these runners have serious mental health concerns. Maybe don't post stuff online when you don't know anything that is going on behind the scenes.

There have been so many posts about the Kilbourne runners, North, Jerome, etc. with no thought for the repercussions that it could have on these individuals. Some of you need to take a long look in the mirror.

You have pretty thin skin. I was rooting for the school and just wish they could have run times they were running early to mid season.

And that’s not really a valid point about needing to be elite yourself to observe this. Ever hear of sports analysts? Are you saying they didn’t underperform relative to their performances earlier in the season? Or you just saying it’s wrong to observe that they underperformed?

There’s a huge difference between observation and putting someone down.

You should save your breath. This guy is just mad that you called him out for spending his free time commentating on teenage boys and getting mad when it doesn't go the way he wants. Glad someone is sticking up for the runners on this black hole of a website.

Hypocrite. What are you doing on this website, if not commenting on "teenage boys" (aka runners) and their running performances? I mean, go to LetsKnit.com if it's making you so triggered. Sounds like you're a couple dads whose kids didn't have a good race at state. Good thing they don't play football or basketball. You'd really have a lot of defending to do...

And to the other guys questioning credentials. I happen to be a former runner at one of these frequently discussed schools. And I've had a ton of success at many levels. But who cares? Does it really matter? Are you hoping that makes one sensitive? You either are or you aren't; PRs don't determine this.

And if you're on this site for mental health counseling, that's on you. Go see a therapist - I mean, have your son see a therapist - rather than browsing message boards online. And if it's posted on here, it means people are thinking it, feeling it, and discussing it offline. You can't stifle ALL criticism or spend your time censoring.

Or better yet, just run faster. It's the best way to silence the critics.

That's a great interview. It's hard not to root for Ben. Thanks for posting. I say he is your NXR champ. I mean, Kimmel nearly beat Cameron Todd earlier this year, and Ben has easily beaten Kimmel every time they've race. And Ricchuiti & McMahon beat the Michigan guys (Norder, etc) at MSU.

I think we'll be seeing Ben in Portland at NXN.

OK guy. If the common sports euphemisms “bombed” and “laid an egg” are too much for you to handle, I apologize. Probably should just play football, no one would ever say anything so harsh about a football team.

I was rooting for this team. They had a high ceiling, ranked as high as #2 during the season. Won Tiffin without their #1 runner. And then finished 18 out of 20 teams at states. Let’s not call that “bombing”. Now that I know such fragile egos are patrolling these boards, I’ll be sure to refrain from such harsh rhetoric.

Look, if you’re being honest and someone is genuinely upset about these comments, I do apologize. I really didn’t think anyone would care or be offended.

I think overall they had a great season, lots to be proud of, and they have some real talent. I wish their level of talent would have been displayed at states a little better, especially since others have said this has happened before. I think they had the talent to be a top 5 team, especially with the top runner in the state, and I’d just like the team to get that recognition at the state level. I’m sorry I said that I’m a not nice way.

You are sounding pretty thin-skinned right now.

This sounds more like what an alum should be posting. You can make your point without coming from such a negative place. To address your point- I was being honest. The runners read this thread and sometimes it’s just insult to injury.

Way too early 2024 Girls D1 XC Top 10 State Predictions (no order)

Loveland, Wadsworth, Perrysburg, Olentangy Liberty, Lancaster, Avon, Hilliard Davidson, Lakota West, St Joseph Academy, Mason. Honorable Mention: Shaker Heights and Dublin Jerome could be top 10.

Marysville may be my 3rd honorable mention..

Why Davidson so low when they only lose 1 in the top 7?

i just made a list..not in order of projected finishes

Boys Teams that I think will make it to the state meet out of the Pickerington region next year (in no particular order)

Olen. Orange (only graduates 2 guys, and returns 7 sub-17 guys. Took third at the state meet.)

Dub. Scioto (made it to the state meet this year and returns everyone but Day)

Wester. North (loses their top 2 guys, but returns 16:03, 16:05, 16:06, 16:31, and 16:49 (as a freshman)

Dub. Jerome (barely didn’t make the state meet for 2 years in a row, but returns 5 guys sub-16:30)

Olen. Liberty (Losing a lot of varsity guys but they return 4 guys under 16:18 and a 5th runner at 16:37. Some of the guys who didn’t run at the regional meet scored for their varsity at other meets)

———
Dub Coffman returns:
15:20, 16:26, 16:29, 16:35, 17:46.
If they find a 5th man to step up, they will be competing for a state meet spot.

Hilliard Davidson boys team is ranked 14th in the returners list in the Pickerington region according to Milesplit, even after losing only Boyd.

Any of these teams bringing in fast freshmen? That could be the difference since these teams seem potentially so close