Nico Young IS NOT a 5k Runner (Does not make NCAAs in 5k)

He has to push the pace

Wild hot take here: takes more than 7 months of college training to see where a runner has the most potential and even then mike smith knows better than you where to put his athletes

A little concerning he was only able to close in 1:00 on a pace more than 30 seconds slower than his PR, a race where he closed in 58. I didn’t watch the race so can anyone shed some light on what happened here?

could be as simple as just an off day. time will tell

concerned fan wrote:

A little concerning he was only able to close in 1:00 on a pace more than 30 seconds slower than his PR, a race where he closed in 58. I didn’t watch the race so can anyone shed some light on what happened here?

As soon as I saw the pace was lagging, over 14 minutes, I knew Nico wouldn't make it. He has no closing speed. He will never win races if he doesn't develop his closing speed or learn to grind from a very far ways out.

He does not have the closing speed needed to be competing a 5k. He needs to move up to the 10k next year, maybe say screw the 5k completely because there are kids similar to his age who can throw down 54s like it’s nothing.

He's from the same school of Katelyn Tuohy... ran to death as a kid and is an aerobic monster but no big kick.

lke_4:25 wrote:

Wild hot take here: takes more than 7 months of college training to see where a runner has the most potential and even then mike smith knows better than you where to put his athletes

He was 5th place at NCAA XC. No reason he shouldn’t be going to nationals track.

CORRECTION! He was 4TH at XC. And not going to track nationals.

That was rough to watch from Nico Young, he closed 6 seconds slower that contenders. That was poorly thought out , executed, or just a bad day. I was shocked. Really shocked. I figured him to get in coasting.

king999 wrote:

That was rough to watch from Nico Young, he closed 6 seconds slower that contenders. That was poorly thought out , executed, or just a bad day. I was shocked. Really shocked. I figured him to get in coasting.

I wanna see him in a 10k. He paced Nur and Ferro beautifully and honestly looked so good I thought he might just finish it out.

He is very young and learning. Be patient.

I have to admit wrote:

He is very young and learning. Be patient.

I’m not trying to trash him, he’s one of my favorite runners to watch. I just think it’s a missed opportunity because I feel like if he ran the 10k he’d be on his way to nationals. I also don’t think you can just LEARN how to ball out in the last lap of slow races, you just kinda have it or you don’t.

The best frosh in the us is Graham Blanks. 13:27 tonight

His closing speed is decent, he was able to run 58 seconds for his last lap in the race where he ran 13:24. It seems like he’s either burned out or had a really bad day, there’s no reason he couldn’t have closed in 56 unless he got completely boxed in.

Isn't he the American jr record holder? Got out kicked by FASTER DUDES OFF A SLOW PACE , RAN DUMB.

Young never really in it. Grivalja and Hocke jogged the last 150m of a 54.mid kick. Dang -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYzwrBqQ320

Did you watch the race? He should have run his 13:40's easy and let anyone else get the time Q'er. Guys are closing that race in sub 55.0 not 60.3

He needs to hit the weights. I've seen 12 year olds that could beat the ever loving sh1t out of him.