GVSU// Co School of Mines- Best DII Squads Ever?

I wouldn’t read too much into XC times, but you’re right that their track times are very impressive. Wouldn’t be surprised if they both have 6 All-Americans each in XC this year.

In terms of best D2 teams ever, I’m not sure. Adams had 6 (or maybe 7?) men under 14 in a calendar year when Aaron Braun was there, none of those times were altitude converted if I remember correctly (also pre super shoe/spike) and also narrowly lost to OSU at the Jamboree the year OSU won D1 natties.

Ghost of Naimadu wrote:

Haven't heard much buzz about these two squads, but having been a fan of XC for many years, I can't remember two DII teams that were as stacked as these two. Check out Louisville results this weekend for GVSU, and Chili Pepper for Mines. Also, their depth on TFFRS Pr's is insane. This year's NCAA race should be one for the ages.

You haven't heard any buzz about these two squads because it is D2 😂😂😂

Film Rep wrote:

Ghost of Naimadu wrote:

Haven't heard much buzz about these two squads, but having been a fan of XC for many years, I can't remember two DII teams that were as stacked as these two. Check out Louisville results this weekend for GVSU, and Chili Pepper for Mines. Also, their depth on TFFRS Pr's is insane. This year's NCAA race should be one for the ages.

You haven't heard any buzz about these two squads because it is D2 😂😂😂

GVSU & CO Mines would kick the sh!t out of 95% of all D1 programs. GVSU might be the best program in Michigan and CO Mines is probably 2nd or 3rd in Colorado so get out of here with the D2 shtick

No. That means they would kick the s out of all but 15 teams even though Wisconsin easily beat them. They would possibly beat all but 25 teams but it would be close. So they would really only kick all but about 50 teams.

ncaa dude wrote:

No. That means they would kick the s out of all but 15 teams even though Wisconsin easily beat them. They would possibly beat all but 25 teams but it would be close. So they would really only kick all but about 50 teams.

Fair enough, I might have been a little overboard with the hyperbole but my point still stands, the would kick the sh!t out of the vast majority of D1 programs so saying stuff like WhO CaReS ItS D2 and BaBy NaTiOnAlS is just stupid

It's film rep. He is a sham, Unkle etc. quality poster. Just ignore him.

Read these boards. About 5 teams get a lot of attention and maybe 5 more get a little bit of attention. D2 teams would come into play around 20th which is why most of us don't care. They are comprised of men and women just like D1. It isn't like comparing age groups or male to female. How much attention has Utah State gotten? How about Gonzaga? These teams are likely better than any D2 teams but I would get no replies if I started a thread stating how great they are.

Ghost of Naimadu wrote:

Haven't heard much buzz about these two squads, but having been a fan of XC for many years, I can't remember two DII teams that were as stacked as these two. Check out Louisville results this weekend for GVSU, and Chili Pepper for Mines. Also, their depth on TFFRS Pr's is insane. This year's NCAA race should be one for the ages.

In 1992 Adams State xc, coached by the legendary Joe Vigil, won Nationals with a perfect score of 15

That should end this debate.

....But if you want to delve further, Joe Vigil was the greatest collegiate xc coach ever, men's or women's D2, NAIA, or D1 included.

435 All Americans in xc alone, 38 National titles (M & W)

CSM is no doubt the best xc in D2 today but until they're at that level for decades AND they throw down a perfect 15 score, they are not to be considered the greatest D2 team ever.

(Especially the comparison when including the women's teams also)

Yes, the GOAT, obviously.

Best coach ever, any sport

....Comments regarding Adams/Vigil in reference to XC only.

Some of the old ASC and WSC teams were likely better. Mines might be the best D2 XC team with only US athletes and the most intelligent team.

Considering the limits they have in terms of talent pool (only smart kids), hard school, expense of school, and limited scholarship $, Mines achieves impressive results,. There was going to be a "CO XC Championship" (in Laramie, WY) earlier in the year where CU, CSU & Mines faced off, but the geniuses in WY failed to look at the damn weather report and it got postponed. I could actually see them being victims of their own success in the next few years. The allure of DI + transfer portal will claim a few victims who don't understand that nobody cares about running, except runners and their families...

Ghost of Naimadu wrote:

Haven't heard much buzz about these two squads, but having been a fan of XC for many years, I can't remember two DII teams that were as stacked as these two. Check out Louisville results this weekend for GVSU, and Chili Pepper for Mines. Also, their depth on TFFRS Pr's is insane. This year's NCAA race should be one for the ages.

GVSU, and West Michigan schools in general, have always had solid XC/distance teams for their respective divisions (D2, D3, NAIA). Must be something in them Lake Michigan waters...

Fully Vaxxed COVID positive wrote:

Some of the old ASC and WSC teams were likely better. Mines might be the best D2 XC team with only US athletes and the most intelligent team.

Adams top 5 on their perfect score team were all US athletes, but their 6th guy was Healy from Ireland, who won D2 a year later and made the Irish Olympic team (1500m) in 1996. In order, they were from NM, CA, IN, TX, CO, Ire, and CO. Adams had some teams in the mid 80s that competed with and beat some of the very best, including podium-finishing teams in D1. All with US runners. Heck, most of their team was from Colorado and New Mexico in the 80s with a handful of athletes from other states.

That said, the current Mines team is awesome. Siemers has done a fantastic job building a powerhouse program that must draw from a much smaller pool of recruits than Adams, Western, Grand Valley, etc.