what
a race.
Joe Waskom, Washington, 3:51.90, PR, Yr: SO
Brian Fay,
Washington, 3:52.03, PR, Yr: SR
Nathan
Green, Washington, 3:52.76, PR, Yr: FR
Kieran Lumb,
Washington, 3:53.83, PR, Yr: SR
Sam Ellis,
Unattached, 3:53.84
Luke Houser,
Washington, 3:55.98, PR, Yr: JR
Aaron Ahl,
Washington, 3:57.94, PR, Yr: SR
Aidan Ryan,
Washington, 3:59.55, Yr: SR
DNF. Sam Prakel, Adidas
DNF. Johnny Gregorek, Asics
1. Waksom –HS 2020 – 4:03/8:56
2.Fay -HS Irish (25) DublinCity 3:58.91 – 3:42.79(1500) – 1:50.28 – 13:44 – 8:29 steeple
3.Green -HS 2021 – 4:00.97/8:53
4.Lumb -HS CAN (25) BritishColum 3:57.41 – 3:38.21(1500) – 7:46 – 13:24
5.Ellis -HS 2017 Princeton 3:56.87 – 3:37.60(1500) – 1:48.32 – 2:22.26
6.Houser -HS 2019 – 4:08/ 8:57
7.Ahl -HS 2017 SimonFraser 3:57.95 – 3:39.97(1500)- 1:48.75 – 7:53 -
8.Ryan -HS 2017 Williams 3:56.88 - 3:45.18(1500) – 1:51.96-7:54-14:01
How does one school possibly put together EIGHT sub 4:00.00
in one race? This race perfectly encapsulates the “Perfect Storm” happening at
the collegiate running level right now.
Here is a quick list of ingredients :
1. Great University in relatively positive climate/setting for distance running; potentially valuable masters degree OR less challenging degree and greater focus on running
2. Very good coaches empowered to build strong group and elite performances; both Head Coaches and one paid assistant and two volunteers are distance based
3. Elite facilities including 307 meter track indoors, multiple anti-gravity treadmills, etc..
4. Time Trial Effect: TWO professional runners rabbiting for college athletes including one of their volunteer coaches; so many meets and multiple heats have great pacing these days. This race was conducted in perfect, at-home, practice conditions to allow athletes to ride
the train to 1320 and go for it. Also no outside competitors to mess up plan.
5. New “Super” spikes for racing
6. Prevalence of training in so called “Super” shoes for training benefitting both the consistency of pace/effort each workout and considerable recovery effect
7. COVID Eligibility / Transfer Portal: 5 of 8 runners are in at least 6th year post-high school (formerly know as BYU effect); 5 of 8 ran sub 4 BEFORE getting to Washington. Ivy and D3 in
particular will graduate A LOT of athletes with remaining eligibility after 4 years. NCAA probably at its "oldest" overall since first "age-limit" rules went into effect.
8. Scholarship Stretching / NCAA “Reform” / Talent Accumulation: Most NCAA Power-5 schools are providing all-meals, unlimited snacks and often cash per-diem when traveling on top of or in place of traditional “meals” scholarship; Alston Money, now providing almost $6000 extra a year if your school can afford it; at many schools Grad-school is a lower %
scholarship than undergraduate and there is possibility of TA or other grad-department stipend. This allows 12.6 and 18.0 to go much further than they ever did. JUST WAIT if someone really exploits NIL to the fullest.
9. Better than PRO!: NCAA Schools, especially the big ones have better support with nutrition, trainers, massage, chiro, mental health plus paid housing, food and travel that crushes all but the very best pro groups. Facilities, training rooms and weight-rooms too.
10. Deepest Recruiting Pool Ever. More High School sub 4, low 4, sub 9 and last year near
record 800s. Recruits from all over the world and international recruiting services growing like crazy at the same time COVID created ACT/SAT exemption that will continue allowing many athletes to be eligible more easily.
None of this is not a knock on Washington or their amazing night. Just listing some of the conditions creating our new world and mind-boggling NCAA lists. Things are dramatically different than even 5 years ago. Many programs are taking advantage of some or all of these opportunities.