NCAA XC 2024 is ruined

I think you’re just racist. There’s plenty of age cheats at BYU and other universities who are American, European, etc. why not call out those people as well? Seems like you specifically have an issue with black international athletes.

How do the BYU guys age cheat? Do they falsify birth certificates? Seems improbable.

sure, it's hard to find anyone relatable who you don't know anything about. maybe that's not entirely your own fault, but the fault of journalists and promoters who could help us get to know these kids more. because get this- a "random" kenyan kid actually has their own unique story and personality, just like a white american kid! also, get this- since they are human once we get to know them we'll likely find something relatable and worth cheering about. don't be afraid.

I’m actually looking forward to it and Blanks has a good chance of repeating. Competition is competition, anyways.

You’re 100% correct. What message does it send to kids in high school when you have only one kid that can basically hang with a bunch of east Africans. One of them is a 28 year old freshman. How does a 10th grader relate to that. Let’s hope Graham does it and the ncaa takes a closer look at the future of our great sport. cross country has made an impact in many lives. Let’s keep it going.

Their #1 guy is 27 years old (Oct 9, 1998)

First, you failed 4th grade math. He just turned 26. But are you claiming that his birth certificate is incorrect?

I agree

Name the top 5 (or 10) contenders without looking their names up. Nobody can.

It’s not racist. We could all relate to Nuguse and both of his parents are Ethiopians (well, his running ability is off the charts, so I can’t 100%, but you know what I mean). We can relate to him because we saw him progress in HS and then College. We also cheered for Ches and he’s not even an American.

Seems like there needs to be some sort of "prior experience" trade off

on eligibility - for example a 27 year old BYU / mission / redshirt senior is comparable to a 27 year old Kenyan - however that Kenyan (or anyone for that matter) should not be entering the NCAA as a senior - prior experience should "count" against eligibility - ie if running global major events; marathons, xc, rated road races - they count as eligibility years - 4 years - thats it. 28 year old Kenyan (in this case) olympian is now a NCAA frosh...I think we all agree thats not right

oops - "should not be entering as FROSH"

The worse year ever for Americans was 1981. Only 2 in the top 10 (6th and 9th).

This year could surpass that. We may only get 1.

You are right, of course. Familiarity might breed acceptance. Its a global fact that the more we know about athletes individually the more likely we are to follow them. I have never doubted my own feelngs about race, and have railed against racism for a long time. But then I started to make "friendly" jokes about the percentage of Black basket ball players on the floor and the very few whites. I thought that was just friendly irony ! Recently I found myself feeling disgruntled and mumbling wiseass comments about xc races and "the usual pack of Black Africans at the front and on the podium."
More info on individual African athletes--non-scandalous--just the dame kind of human interest stuff as white American athletes get would go a long way... It really is hard not to watch recent college xc for me and not be aware of and disheartened about the sport. Not as much as the whole drug business, which may be more insidious but more unfixable.

No evidence of "age cheating" or doping, but there is evidence of them being Kenyan.

Sounds like another racist rant.

The problem with them being kenyan is they have been training at a pro level since their youth. Their background makes the rest of the ncaa look somewhat amateur.

They're not age cheating. They're transparent with their age. The NCAA allows them to compete at that age. All the Kenyans are doing is playing by the rules in place. You would do the same thing if you were in their position.

I'm not trying to racebate you, but just in case you are not aware, BYU has white American runners who are past traditional college age all the time. Former champions Conner Mantz and Josh Rohatinsky were both 25 when they won. So accusing the Kenyans of doing what others do is a double standard.

If there is a problem with relating, it's because journalists haven't been following the Kenyans since High School like with the Americans and Canadians. The Kenyans have started their careers in another country, and the access to information about their past is limited due to the language barrier and other issues. Likewise, it's difficult to interview them because many of them don't speak or understand English well.

And I just also want to add, this is nothing new. It's been the case since the 70s. Think of Henry Rono, Bernard Lagat, King Ches, and countless others. There just happens to be more Kenyans competing at the top some years more than others.

Wolfe will not be the first UNC finisher. You need to pay attention.

An NCAA age limit, for eligibility, is what's needed.