To add on, NAU is probably the most secptible program to being transfered from especially grad transfers. Most of these guys aren't going pro, if they get an opportunity to transfer to a UNC or something and get that name on a degree, it makes alot of sense. The job prospects get alot better.
Mike Smith needs to play the game when he can to cushion the team from the subset of people who transfer away from the program.
Have they lost anyone recently to transfer? Seems guys going early pro like Nur and Kessler is bigger concern. Runners seem to like consistency of years altitude and coaching (and winning), so they stay.
NAU had Tristian Merchant transfer to Liberty after his freshman year, but I assume that had to do with personal reasons/religious preference rather than running. Coach Smith seems good at helping young people make decisions about their lives even when the decision doesn't benefit him (e.g. Kessler going pro).
Imagine the team this past year with Kessler, Nur, Young, Bosley, and Prosser/Hasty.
Losing Kessler was a big loss but they nonetheless won their sixth out of seven in xc with a tie-breaker. They don't rely on transfers (and Washington, Oregon, Stanford, Ok State all get major transfers) but get them occasionally. Their sub-4 miler out of Nebraska helped them to a couple of championships most recently. However, with Stanford adding Lex and Leo Young to a lineup that could potentially include Charles Hicks, the reigning NCAA xc champ, Cole Sprout--if healthy--Ky Robinson, who is as talented as any in the NCAA, and probably several other returnees, it'll be an uphill climb. On Stanford's part, they have to get people to show up at xc championships at full strength, which they have not been able to do since Vin.
Not sure if Hasty has used all of his eligibility. True I believe he had run four seasons of Cross Country, but one was the Covid season so he might still have one season left. that could make a big difference.
Not sure if Hasty has used all of his eligibility. True I believe he had run four seasons of Cross Country, but one was the Covid season so he might still have one season left. that could make a big difference.
"Buy them?" Really? you should take a long look at the runners Mike Smith has recruited out of high school and turned into XC champions.
also, a ringer? he finished 74th in last years NCAA XC Championships. he wouldn't even have made NAU's travel team.
and by your logic is Laurie Henes also a bad coach because Amaris Tyynismaa transfered there? or any coach that accepts grad transfers - by my calculation, that would include every Div 1 coach in the country.
Exactly, people love to start these troll posts. MANY Many schools have bigger success due to grad transfers, UW, NC State (also bringing in Seymour in addition to Tyynismaa), Stanford, etc etc. The key thing I've noticed is no one ever transfers AWAY from NAU. They don't lose top recruits or even walk ons at the rate of many other schools who have kids realize it's not a fit at all and leave before graduating, like OK st , Colorado etc.
They must be doing something right...
Mike Smith and the coaches before him have done a great job of retaining walk-ons. He cares about the whole team. He makes sure his entire team gets plenty of racing. George Kyte plus Dave Murray plus two out-of-state for double squads in x-c.
Multiple indoors meets at Lung Dome in winter, including whatever sub-elite Flaggers want some racing.
Packed buses for spring meets in Valley (whether ASU or GCU); even Tucson if necessary.
The walk-ons get plenty of racing opportunities unlike your school where the top 3 get all the attention, the next 4 are tolerated, the remainder don't exist.
Now go home and get your shine box; come back and clean my shoes.
Exactly, people love to start these troll posts. MANY Many schools have bigger success due to grad transfers, UW, NC State (also bringing in Seymour in addition to Tyynismaa), Stanford, etc etc. The key thing I've noticed is no one ever transfers AWAY from NAU. They don't lose top recruits or even walk ons at the rate of many other schools who have kids realize it's not a fit at all and leave before graduating, like OK st , Colorado etc.
They must be doing something right...
Mike Smith and the coaches before him have done a great job of retaining walk-ons. He cares about the whole team. He makes sure his entire team gets plenty of racing. George Kyte plus Dave Murray plus two out-of-state for double squads in x-c.
Multiple indoors meets at Lung Dome in winter, including whatever sub-elite Flaggers want some racing.
Packed buses for spring meets in Valley (whether ASU or GCU); even Tucson if necessary.
The walk-ons get plenty of racing opportunities unlike your school where the top 3 get all the attention, the next 4 are tolerated, the remainder don't exist.
Now go home and get your shine box; come back and clean my shoes.
Are you replying to me?? I literally said they are doing something right and they retain walk ons and don't rely on transfers like other schools tend to. ESPECIALLY the women I may add - look at their top 5 scorers from Nationals. No transfers that I' aware of and a non scholarship runner or 2 scoring.
I can assure you 100% that mike smith reached out to him first. The man ran 28:13 and was 26th at NCAA. He’s was 3rd at ACC XC at well and has gotten bronze and silver in track. Put some respect on him lol
The only legitimate way to build your xc program is to exclusively recruit in-state high school seniors with American passports. As long as they don't plan to use those passports for a mission of course.
I can assure you 100% that mike smith reached out to him first. The man ran 28:13 and was 26th at NCAA. He’s was 3rd at ACC XC at well and has gotten bronze and silver in track. Put some respect on him lol
So, you're saying that because he competes at a particular level, you can claim (100%!) that Mike Smith violated NCAA rules?