I wouldn’t call it ducking. Choosing FL is reasonable. For most runners NXR and FL aren’t on the same weekend so they don’t have a choice to make. NXR for most comes first and you take the bird in the hand, but anyone with NXR this weekend has to choose.
Dang, that’s a shame. I would have really liked to see those dudes challenge Simmons. Hopefully they all run the Brooks PR 2 Mile in the spring or something. Simmons may have a shot at Verzbicas’s record.
If Daniel Simmons runs his best race I don’t think there is anyone that can beat him. His 14:41 at NXR southwest was quite good and that field was very strong. He didn’t look in any danger and he beat Jourdon convinced me that he is the heavy favorite. Remember that Jourdon set the course record earlier this season to beat Noonan at Bob Firman this year.
Dang, that’s a shame. I would have really liked to see those dudes challenge Simmons. Hopefully they all run the Brooks PR 2 Mile in the spring or something. Simmons may have a shot at Verzbicas’s record.
Hopefully one of the PA guys comes to Arcadia. Pajak doesn't have his name in the entries for footlocker.
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If Daniel Simmons runs his best race I don’t think there is anyone that can beat him. His 14:41 at NXR southwest was quite good and that field was very strong. He didn’t look in any danger and he beat Jourdon convinced me that he is the heavy favorite. Remember that Jourdon set the course record earlier this season to beat Noonan at Bob Firman this year.
Id give Simmons a 95% chance and the field 5%
Probably no one can beat him on his best day but cmon son 95/5? His NXRSW was not a CR. He could lose to Fast Horse, who has run more or less equivalent to Colin Sahlman and Nico at Clovis.
If Daniel Simmons runs his best race I don’t think there is anyone that can beat him. His 14:41 at NXR southwest was quite good and that field was very strong. He didn’t look in any danger and he beat Jourdon convinced me that he is the heavy favorite. Remember that Jourdon set the course record earlier this season to beat Noonan at Bob Firman this year.
Id give Simmons a 95% chance and the field 5%
Probably no one can beat him on his best day but cmon son 95/5? His NXRSW was not a CR. He could lose to Fast Horse, who has run more or less equivalent to Colin Sahlman and Nico at Clovis.
NXRSW was a mud pit. Course conditions were terrible with runners wiping out left and right.
I wouldn’t call it ducking. Choosing FL is reasonable. For most runners NXR and FL aren’t on the same weekend so they don’t have a choice to make. NXR for most comes first and you take the bird in the hand, but anyone with NXR this weekend has to choose.
I think this is a better take. NE guys always have to pick either FL or NXN. Both Griffith and Pajak have chosen FL since 2021. Were they "ducking" the competition as sophomores too?
For additional context, the top PA runners have gone the FL route for 10 years in a row. Jake Brophy. Noah Affolder. Patrick Anderson. Robert DiDonato. Brian DiCola. All went FL, none NXN. (Gary Martin did RunningLane). That race just seems to have more pull with the top runners in our state. Drew and Ryan are familiar with FL qualifying and have specifically set up their whole seasons around that race. I'd say it is unfair to criticize them for that.
Dang, that’s a shame. I would have really liked to see those dudes challenge Simmons. Hopefully they all run the Brooks PR 2 Mile in the spring or something. Simmons may have a shot at Verzbicas’s record.
Hopefully one of the PA guys comes to Arcadia. Pajak doesn't have his name in the entries for footlocker.
It is surprising there is this degree of confidence in Simmons even though the speed ratings don’t suggest any degree of “that one kid is on a whole different level than everyone else.”
But I’m pulling for him regardless of my thinking it is closer than y’all seem to think.
It is surprising there is this degree of confidence in Simmons even though the speed ratings don’t suggest any degree of “that one kid is on a whole different level than everyone else.”
But I’m pulling for him regardless of my thinking it is closer than y’all seem to think.
Look beyond the speed ratings my friend. Danny has not pushed himself yet this year and has been head and shoulders above everyone in his class since last year.
It is surprising there is this degree of confidence in Simmons even though the speed ratings don’t suggest any degree of “that one kid is on a whole different level than everyone else.”
But I’m pulling for him regardless of my thinking it is closer than y’all seem to think.
Look beyond the speed ratings my friend. Danny has not pushed himself yet this year and has been head and shoulders above everyone in his class since last year.
People way ahead of their class generally have people bunch up on them by senior year, though. Cole Sprout was head and shoulders above everyone in his class until his junior year track season — broke sophomore 2 mile record (2nd at Brooks), was favored at NXN as a junior and took third behind two seniors, etc. Come senior year, though, a California boy that won Clovis in 14:29 crushed everyone. Could a CA boy that ran 14:32 at Clovis repeat that?
Nico Young made gradual progress and eventually overtook Cole despite Cole holding a ton of grade records, state and meet records, etc. it’s pretty common for boys to catch up to the early bloomers.
If Daniel Simmons runs his best race I don’t think there is anyone that can beat him. His 14:41 at NXR southwest was quite good and that field was very strong. He didn’t look in any danger and he beat Jourdon convinced me that he is the heavy favorite. Remember that Jourdon set the course record earlier this season to beat Noonan at Bob Firman this year.
Id give Simmons a 95% chance and the field 5%
Probably no one can beat him on his best day but cmon son 95/5? His NXRSW was not a CR. He could lose to Fast Horse, who has run more or less equivalent to Colin Sahlman and Nico at Clovis.
Simmon's 14:41 was the Coyote Run course record. Cole Sprout's 14:39 in 2018 was at Casa Grande, a much easier course.
If Daniel Simmons runs his best race I don’t think there is anyone that can beat him. His 14:41 at NXR southwest was quite good and that field was very strong. He didn’t look in any danger and he beat Jourdon convinced me that he is the heavy favorite. Remember that Jourdon set the course record earlier this season to beat Noonan at Bob Firman this year.
Id give Simmons a 95% chance and the field 5%
Probably no one can beat him on his best day but cmon son 95/5? His NXRSW was not a CR. He could lose to Fast Horse, who has run more or less equivalent to Colin Sahlman and Nico at Clovis.
Nope.
Cole Sprout ran his record NXRSW 14:39 at the pancake flat Casa Grande course in perfect conditions.
Simmons' 14:41 was run on a much slower course(Coyote run and Casa Grande aren't even in the same stratosphere), in terrible conditions. That mud was ridiculous and it was incredibly muggy.
People who look at raw times on milesplit without knowing anything about the course or conditions drive me crazy.
Pajak is signed up for FL-NE. Shame that NXR is same day, as it would be great to see Paul Bergeron, Gavena, and the PA guys in the same race with Byron Grevious, Joe Barrett, and Jimmy Wischussen (hoping Jimmy is healthy). Would especially like to see Byron, Drew, and Paul in the same race. I think Byron will be top 5 at NXN and may challenge Simmons; he is a fierce competitor.
I follow the NY xc scene. McGinn (FM) should be on the list of fringe contenders. He’s easily won every race he’s been in all season, including mcquaid invite and state champs. Don’t know much about the Nxn course but if it has some hills I would not be surprised if he ended up top 5.