I have to go with Thomas. She was as dominant in her events as Valby is, but her improvement - from having the >400th fastest time to the 1st - was far greater than Valby who went from the 1b runner to the 1a runner. Yes, Valby did set the NCAA record, but she had lower range than Thomas as she looked beatable in the mile / 1600 DMR leg.
I have to go with Thomas. She was as dominant in her events as Valby is, but her improvement - from having the >400th fastest time to the 1st - was far greater than Valby who went from the 1b runner to the 1a runner. Yes, Valby did set the NCAA record, but she had lower range than Thomas as she looked beatable in the mile / 1600 DMR leg.
Discounting the obvious difference, Valby completely dominated in XC as well. Could Thomas perform at ncaa champion level in a different stroke?
I have to go with Thomas. She was as dominant in her events as Valby is, but her improvement - from having the >400th fastest time to the 1st - was far greater than Valby who went from the 1b runner to the 1a runner. Yes, Valby did set the NCAA record, but she had lower range than Thomas as she looked beatable in the mile / 1600 DMR leg.
Discounting the obvious difference, Valby completely dominated in XC as well. Could Thomas perform at ncaa champion level in a different stroke?