She's something else. Did you see she won the Utah state championship and was a minute faster than the next fastest-athlete in any division? (The next-fastest athlete happened to be her teammate Lily Alder, younger sister of BYU's Carmen Alder.) Can't wait to see what she does in college.
Macchia has already been tested for drugs by USADA four times and she is still in high school. How is it possible that some 23-yo "professional" runners have never been tested yet? Why does USADA avoid testing certain runners and instead goes after high schoolers?
Macchia has already been tested for drugs by USADA four times and she is still in high school. How is it possible that some 23-yo "professional" runners have never been tested yet? Why does USADA avoid testing certain runners and instead goes after high schoolers?
weird that people are not really talking about this more. Hedengren laid waste to an elite field in this race to run that 15:50. I know that course is fast and cross country isnt about time but 15:50 is off the scale. yet its not getting nearly the buzz that Hutchins got when she went sub 16 on what was at least as fast a course. this almost caught people by surprise. even the commentators didnt mention anything about the record initially. my first reaction when she crossed the line was "wait how can that be right? is this a 3 mile course??" but the fact that she beat the national champion so badly has to tell you how impressive this run was and how high her potential is. if its decent conditions in Portland and she matches that effort there I dont see how anyone can beat her. she has no real history of running too fast early and burning out like Leachman last year so I dont see that playing a factor for her in this years race. of course I realize "if its decent conditions" is a big 'if' when talking about Portland in December but Ritz and others dont have the altitude advantage over her that they had last year so I think its fair to say, short of monsoon conditions, she has to be the favorite going into it.
she spent the first three years of her high school career injured or sick by the time the post season races came around. and shes mentioned how incredibly disappointed she was about that. maybe that run in Mesa was her way of saying Ive been waiting a long time for this. Im finally healthy. fasten your seat belts...
Watched the SW regional meet and was wondering how the Ventura superstar, Englehart would compare when/if they lock horns. An outsider that could hang and surprise but I dont think is ready for that bigtime matchup is the girl from Pella, IA. IF she can control herself and just cruise with no pressure, she could really set herself up for next year. Hutchins made her run look so easy. I mentioned her time to a few other people and it didnt even register with them. When she talked about going to BYU....yeah, the rich are going to get richer. I see a long stretch of trophies for them. NC State and NAU types better dig deeper.
This post was edited 3 minutes after it was posted.
Watched the SW regional meet and was wondering how the Ventura superstar, Englehart would compare when/if they lock horns. An outsider that could hang and surprise but I dont think is ready for that bigtime matchup is the girl from Pella, IA. IF she can control herself and just cruise with no pressure, she could really set herself up for next year. Hutchins made her run look so easy. I mentioned her time to a few other people and it didnt even register with them. When she talked about going to BYU....yeah, the rich are going to get richer. I see a long stretch of trophies for them. NC State and NAU types better dig deeper.
I think Sadie is incredible, but her strength is more middle distance. I think Jane is in a league of her own.
Watched the SW regional meet and was wondering how the Ventura superstar, Englehart would compare when/if they lock horns. An outsider that could hang and surprise but I dont think is ready for that bigtime matchup is the girl from Pella, IA. IF she can control herself and just cruise with no pressure, she could really set herself up for next year. Hutchins made her run look so easy. I mentioned her time to a few other people and it didnt even register with them. When she talked about going to BYU....yeah, the rich are going to get richer. I see a long stretch of trophies for them. NC State and NAU types better dig deeper.
Englehart and Hedengren are friends and run together in the offseason. They're pretty amusing kids when they do a podcast together, and I think they definitely enjoy pushing each other. Sadie is an excellent X-Ctry athlete, but I don't think she can compare to the top tier, especially this year. I'm excited to see NXN, since it's at my local golf course and will be my first time attending since I've been out of town every other time it's been run after I moved up here.
Funny that Jenna Hutchins name came up, as I did not see her name in BYU's team results from the NCAAs. Did they just hold her back? I recall when she ran the solo 5000m HS record during Covid.
Funny that Jenna Hutchins name came up, as I did not see her name in BYU's team results from the NCAAs. Did they just hold her back? I recall when she ran the solo 5000m HS record during Covid.
Evidently she had an injury issue, so didn’t run Natty’s.
I think Sadie is incredible, but her strength is more middle distance. I think Jane is in a league of her own.
There is always a tendency to belittle xc for a good miler or 800 runner.
If Sadie never ran a mile in her life, she would still be arguably best ever CA pure xc runner.
Going for 3rd straight CA xc title to join Lane, Baxter and Hasay. Course record holder at Woodward Park along side German Fernandez, and ahead of 3 ladies above.
So her strength is xc AND mid distance.
With Leachman banged up, Hedengren will be favorite at NXN, but this year a group of about 10 girls who could spring an upset.