It's official NAU is a Dynasty

Maybe if Arkansas can come up with a few more Africans.

What's the last program to win 5 out of 6, or have a run comparable to NAU's?

Arkansas men’s 8 titles from 1990 to 2000.

They may work their way toward 8 titles over the next few years. They return everyone who ran today, plus merchant and prosser, both who have flashed moments of potential to be real contributors, plus very talented development guys in easton, nyoak, Gorgas.

And they add two of the best recruits in the country in Puffer and Sahlman. And are probably serious contenders to land nicos siblings.

They may not win every single year, as weird stuff happens, but that’s the framework of a group that could win 2-3 of the next 4.

wejo wrote:

They've now won 5 of the last 6. Flagstaff is the best place to train in the US and Mike Smith is a good coach.

Will anyone be able to stop them? They're going to have to get out recruited but I don't see who is going to do it and the Young twins might go there as well.

They also return their top 5 + at a minimum add Colin Sahlman. Not sure what other recruits they’ll get.

So Arkansas won 8 of 11. Is this the "best" dynasty in NCAA XC history?

If NAU wins 4 of the next 6 (extremely difficult, but clearly possible), they'll have 9 of 12. I suppose this would make them the best?

curious. wrote:

So Arkansas won 8 of 11. Is this the "best" dynasty in NCAA XC history?

If NAU wins 4 of the next 6 (extremely difficult, but clearly possible), they'll have 9 of 12. I suppose this would make them the best?

Yup. Somewhat also crazy to think about is Ferro & Luis (both top 10 last year) both had XC eligibility this season but opted to turn pro.

Runners turning pro could also hurt their chances in the future.

curious. wrote:

So Arkansas won 8 of 11. Is this the "best" dynasty in NCAA XC history?

If NAU wins 4 of the next 6 (extremely difficult, but clearly possible), they'll have 9 of 12. I suppose this would make them the best?

During the same 11 year span, Arkansas also won 9 indoor titles and 8 outdoor titles.

Nico Young is severely underperforming. He should've been the next Prefontaine. I guess that's what Connor Mantz is doing right now, but he's way too old so I'm not that impressed.

He's coaching American record holder Glen Ropp for a reason. Glen Ropp was better under Alberto Saladbar though.

No. 1: The Larch wrote:

curious. wrote:

So Arkansas won 8 of 11. Is this the "best" dynasty in NCAA XC history?

If NAU wins 4 of the next 6 (extremely difficult, but clearly possible), they'll have 9 of 12. I suppose this would make them the best?

During the same 11 year span, Arkansas also won 9 indoor titles and 8 outdoor titles.

Right. NAU doesn't have a shot at that sort of record unless indoor and outdoor mean indoor cross country and outdoor cross country

wejo wrote:

They've now won 5 of the last 6. Flagstaff is the best place to train in the US and Mike Smith is a good coach.

Will anyone be able to stop them? They're going to have to get out recruited but I don't see who is going to do it and the Young twins might go there as well.

How is it "official" and how exactly is it a "dynasty"?

Maybe refer to a dictionary?

Stanford will win next year. But NAU will bounce back in 2023.

I’ll bite. Why do you predict Stanford will win next year? Other than Hicks and Ky Robinson, they weren’t very good yesterday. Gavin sherry is a nice recruit, and I’m sure sprout clearly just had a bad day, but I’m not seeing it.

Cap. Stanford has been overhyped this entire season. They bank on having quality recruits, unlike other top schools that are good because of the coaching and culture. They will stay in the top ten but I would be hard-pressed to think they can threaten the win with how many other schools they would have to take down in the process.

So who exactly coaches the DISTANCE athletes? Is it Clark, Santos, or Addy? From her bio, Addy claims to have a hand in coaching some of their bigger names, like Hicks?

hyperbole police wrote:

...how exactly is it a "dynasty"?

Maybe refer to a dictionary?

I guess the question is what defines a long period of time in sports?

Merriam-Webster:

2: a family, team, etc., that is very powerful or successful for a long period of time

When you consider only 12 schools have won D1 XC titles in the last 50 years, NAU looks pretty impressive despite the timeframe being relatively short.

Arkansas 11 titles

UTEP 7x

Oregon 5x

Wisconsin 5x

Colorado 5x

NAU 5x

Stanford 4x

Ok. State 3x

Iowa State 2x

Tennessee 1x

Syracuse 1x

BYU 1x

How would you define a sports dynasty?

curious. wrote:

No. 1: The Larch wrote:

During the same 11 year span, Arkansas also won 9 indoor titles and 8 outdoor titles.

Right. NAU doesn't have a shot at that sort of record unless indoor and outdoor mean indoor cross country and outdoor cross country

NAU is enjoying one of the greatest streaks in the history of the sport in Division I, and at the same time they can’t even begin to hold a candle to peak Arkansas. There’s no comparison.

take it easy wrote:

They may work their way toward 8 titles over the next few years. They return everyone who ran today, plus merchant and prosser, both who have flashed moments of potential to be real contributors, plus very talented development guys in easton, nyoak, Gorgas.

And they add two of the best recruits in the country in Puffer and Sahlman. And are probably serious contenders to land nicos siblings.

They may not win every single year, as weird stuff happens, but that’s the framework of a group that could win 2-3 of the next 4.

Not just Nico's brothers Lex and Leo but also Aaron Sahlman in the same class, who is just as good. They could have 6 guys as good as Nico in Nur, Colin. Lex, Leo, Aaron.