He has a few workouts listed and he was running 400s in 55-56 and 600s in 1:29. Probably is a lot more fast twitched though.
He has a few workouts listed and he was running 400s in 55-56 and 600s in 1:29. Probably is a lot more fast twitched though.
Kick like a girl wrote:
Willis and the Michigan team helped him but he chooses to abandon them. Michigan is such a better school than NAU.
Yes you are right. The schools academically aren't even close. But we have no idea what type of student he is.
And the key thing is if you are HS kid, you most likely don't want to go to school where you grew up.
Guys and gals, I know it's late but I just got a text from Alberto. He asked that I share the following video with you all.
https://twitter.com/letsrundotcom/status/1358643443128545280
When someone takes only one step inside the rail, they are actually running longer than if they had not taken that one step inside. The wiggle to angle sharply right back onto lane one adds more distance. It's running two sides of a triangle vs. one side of the same triangle.
To actually cut distance, it would have be pretty blatant. Someone would have to run inside the rail with both feet for a considerable number of steps on the curve and preferably straight line like they were cutting a switchback (like Armstrong going off road to avoid the Beloki crash) instead of turning sharply right to get back on track.
No material advantage was gained, thus no disqualification.
It was a fantastic race to watch in terms of Kessler’s race. He held back in the first half and kept his cool going through the half in 1:59 and drafting at the back of the front group. Smart run all the way. His running form looks better than other top HS runners of this generation. He’s even built like a shorter Willis.
My only question in terms of going to NAU is whether he will realize his track potential there. NAU is not exactly known as a track school. Does anyone know if he was recruited by the mega-track schools like Oregon? Not that I want him to go there...just wondering how much Kessler has flown under the radar of the recruiters.
Internet Liar 3:59 wrote:
PS- Kessler was also Kramer’s original name on Seinfeld.
He could run the Kessler Reality Tour.
NAU had TWO of their guys run 13:16 in 2020.
2019 indoor mile champion.
2017 indoor 3000 champion.
What does it take to be “known as a track school” ?
Looks like an accidental step that didn't give him any advantage, so I say let him keep it.
As a side note, didn't Hunter step outside the rail or break before the cones ended or something during his mile record? I feel like I remember him doing that, and he still got the record, so I say let Kessler keep it.
rojo wrote:
Kick like a girl wrote:
Willis and the Michigan team helped him but he chooses to abandon them. Michigan is such a better school than NAU.
Yes you are right. The schools academically aren't even close. But we have no idea what type of student he is.
And the key thing is if you are HS kid, you most likely don't want to go to school where you grew up.
As Willis pointed out in the interview he is a nationally ranked rock climber(whatever that means). So probably more chances for rock climbing near Flagstaff, also not a bad place to train for a distance runner...
Indoor?? wrote:
rojo wrote:
Yes you are right. The schools academically aren't even close. But we have no idea what type of student he is.
And the key thing is if you are HS kid, you most likely don't want to go to school where you grew up.
As Willis pointed out in the interview he is a nationally ranked rock climber(whatever that means). So probably more chances for rock climbing near Flagstaff, also not a bad place to train for a distance runner...
Willis himself does a lot of training in Flag so I don't see him having a problem with it. NAU also does quite a bit of hill work in short intervals (which is something that Willis' coach is also big on) so that makes sense to me. Finally, his speed is clearly pretty good, aerobic development at altitude is going to do a better job bringing him to the next level than anything else. FWIW NAU had three guys run 3:39 in 2019, and all three of them are still around, so they have plenty of milers to challenge him.
Is it technically a 'stride' if both feet don't strike/land inside the rail?
hani saleem wrote:
Is it technically a 'stride' if both feet don't strike/land inside the rail?
Both feet did land inside the rail
Can someone post the rule? I can't find it. I would rather not provide an opinion without reading the rule. I have a feeling that hundreds of people are posting and tweeting opinions everywhere today based on what they think the rule should say or what their state high school rule says.
After looking at the timing of his commitment in September, it is surprising that NAU was interested unless he used those time trial videos and Willis confirmed the validity. The interesting thing to think about is that he is probably a walk-on whereby had he waited until today, he could have received a nice scholarship to any school in the country. But if he didn't sign, he also may be able to back out and accept a scholarship elsewhere.
Ron Warhurst coaches this kid and I talk to Ron weekly
He thought he could run under four but also could have seen the other side of four
The kid is very fast
Can turn 25.x on the end of a 600 in workouts
He had never run on a banked track
Ergo the step on the rail
It clearly did not help him as someone else said
This was not as big a surprise as any in the know would have see 4:00 or better coming
I think this is the applicable rule, USATF 163.5 which is very similar to the IAAF rule
Each competitor must keep in the lanes outside the line or curb marking the inside of the track, including the curved part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump. In races run entirely in lanes, each competitor must keep in the allotted lane from start to finish. In races run partially in lanes, each competitor must keep in the allotted lane from the start to the marked cut-in points. Unless a material advantage has been gained or the athlete is in violation of Rule 163.4, a competitor shall not be disqualified if he or she:
(a) Is pushed or forced by another competitor to step out of the lane, or
(b) Steps out of the lane on the straightaway, or
(c) Steps or runs outside of the outer lane line on the curve, or on any straight part of the diversion from the track for the steeplechase water jump.
Excluding the above exceptions, the Referee shall disqualify a competitor if material advantage is gained.
NOTE: Material advantage includes improving position by any means, including exiting from a 'boxed' position in the race by having stepped or run inside the inside edge of the track.
Note the nuance that the exception only applies to the straightaway.
It maybe that State HS rules ha e a 3 step rule.
I don't see why you wouldn't DQ the athlete. There are rules people. I've been DQ'd at state meets for the same thing.
Maybe, but the thing is.. virtually nobody was "in the know".
So for most, it was pretty damn surprising.
I guess his biggest problem this outdoor season will be that he is on a different planet than every other high school kid.
over the line! wrote:
I’m sorry, Smokey...
Sure looked like he took a few steps inside the rail to me...
And I saw the red flag go up. Surprised he wasn’t DQ
Disgusting. He should be DQ'd and possibly fined.