UMAC Conference Thread

I don't know of Superior can score 17 points again as they did last year. Zach Reese is looking strong, but the rest of the group has been lacking. Look for Austin Carlson to potentially take the boys race and don't sleep on UMAC's most improved cross country runner Andrew Deedon.

I agree Bobocoon568 from what I've heard most of the Superior team is fighting off a deadly case of pussitis. I've also heard Carlson is faking a knee injury in attempt to trick Superior into a false sense of security.

Since this is the UMAC I am really hoping for some inclusion. Specifically in the All conference spots. I don't want to see Superior hog up half of the spots. Instead, it would be really cool if some of the other schools had some representation. Martin Luther is likely to have 2 all conference and Northwestern will for sure have 1 and possibly 2. I am really looking for Garret Converse to have a great race as he has been showing steady improvement and really started to break out during track last year and was rewarded with a 3rd place finish in the steeplechase. Maybe Morris could slip in their 1 runner. It is extremely unlikely that either Northland or Bethany Lutheran can get any all-conference runners. Maybe if Superior would man up and move back to the WIAC the UMAC could be back to its original glory.

Rumor has it Zach Reese busted his sorry *** on an easy run and is nursing his hip now

I really think that Deedon is coming. He has shown that he can compete in UMAC championships like he did in outdoor. I am sure this was his first season with actual cross country summer running as he was an Idaho basketball star and that is why he originally committed to crown. I wouldn't be surprised to see him up in 3rd with the inconsistencies of Superiors 2-6 runners. I would go as far as to say that he could win the entire race but that may be a stretch all things considered. But my sources are telling me that Austin Carlson may have a bum knee, and Zach Reese may not have that dog in him.

What happened to Michael Butterfield?

Heard he was in prime shape for a sub 15 5k during outdoor track last year and he was practicing magic, pulled a Houdini act and disappeared. Real shame considering he was sub 9 in the 3k and sub 26 in the 8k. Which might as well be witchcraft for the UMAC.

It's looking like some of the teams will be putting sprinters in to get a team score.

I would like to propose that some bottom tier MIAC programs should join the UMAC. I see no need for schools like St. Mary's, Augsburg (when Bati leaves) and Hamline to waste their time in the MIAC. The MIAC has 11 teams in it while the UMAC only has 8. I know that these schools have history in the MIAC but sometimes you have to do what is right for the kids and accept that you are getting destroyed and go to a conference and be competitive. This is why Superior left the WIAC, and their program has been thriving in the UMAC.

So would teams be relegated up and down?

Adding some of the bottom MIAC teams would be a good addition to the UMAC. The UMAC is also in desperate need of better officials to improve the experience and have marks actually be legit. The rebrand was a much needed update. It will be interesting to see how northland holds up.

What do recruiting standards look like for most UMAC schools for men's and women's xc?

If you can cross the line, you can run. I've seen some UMAC runners not break 40.

Refuse to believe these are real people and schools.

The academic standards and goals of the schools in the MIAC are pretty different from the UMAC. Other than Northwestern (which has wanted in the MIAC for over a decade) the MIAC schools consider themselves superior to the UMAC schools in academics and are generally larger in enrollment too.

Did conference shape up how you thought? What do you think was the most improved team/individuals? What surprised you about this year?

The race ended up a little different than expected. The course was not in the best shape because of the snow. It had blanketed most of the course the day before but melted before race time. Aidan Doherty came away with the individual title with a strong close to catch Zach Reese who may have gone out a little too strong. Nice to see seniors Micah Schibbelhut and Jacob Weddle have good races and both earning first team all-conference honors. Superior once again put 8 all conference. With the most surprising being Dominick Meisner who set a PR by well over a minute. Most improved definitely goes to Andrew Deedon who went from 23rd last year to 6th this year. Also, Dylan Uitto who ran only his second 8k of the season and dipped under 27 with over a minute PR. I think Martin Luther has a nice future ahead of them as they had the fastest freshman in the race as well as another freshman taking all conference. Overall, the course wasn't as fast as last year and although there were a few surprises, Superior continues to dominate.