Outkicks 3:48 guy NCAA mile record holder Ethan Strand 27.40 last lap to Strand's 27.59, to run a 3:50 DMR anchor (Strand 3:49). We knew he was fit from his 13:14 a few weeks ago, but he set a 3:57 pr only a month ago. Now he's running his 1600s as fast as Nathan Green and Gary Martin, and outkicking Ethan Strand. And he's only a sophomore!
I didn't think he had a chance at a title this season just because 13:14 is pretty far off the best guys, but I thought he was a 5k guy, so if he can outkick Ethan Strand at the mile, why not Wolfe in the 5k? Although he did run 3:58 in HS, so maybe he's more of a miler than I gave him credit for. I guess Birnbaum made everyone look like they didn't have a kick that year.
Rocky Hansen might be the best of his class. Those guys were amazing in HS but Hansen is amazing now.
Looking forward to next weekend's ACC meet when the distance races should be dominated by WF, ND, NC, Stanford, VA.
The Young brothers appear to be finally coming around as good college runners after being the stars of their hs class along with Birnbaum & Burns a couple years back. Rocky's better than them now but it could be a tight battle in a championship race.
After today, looking for Hansen to do the DMR/3000 double @ NCAAs presuming he has the 3000 Q -- which right now he does not have w/7:56 pr. Meaning ACC's 3000 could be an all-out time trial.
Rocky Hansen might be the best of his class. Those guys were amazing in HS but Hansen is amazing now.
It was a pretty elite era for HS running, but of that group, besides Hansen, only Birnbaum is running close to their potential...
Connor Burns - 3:58.83
Rheinhardt Harrison - 3:59.33
Connor Burns - 3:59.51 (indoors)
Rocky Hansen - 3:59.56
Simeon Birnbaum - 3:57.53
Rocky Hansen - 3:58.24
Tinoda Matsatsa - 3:58.7
Jackson Heidesch - 3:59.08
I think it's too early to judge how well they are doing. Those guys are all only in the middle of their sophomore indoor season. Grant Fisher didn't win his first title until his soph outdoor season, and many other very good runners did air until their junior/senior years, which is usually when athletes REALLY adjust to college and training.
Rocky Hansen might be the best of his class. Those guys were amazing in HS but Hansen is amazing now.
It was a pretty elite era for HS running, but of that group, besides Hansen, only Birnbaum is running close to their potential...
Connor Burns - 3:58.83
Rheinhardt Harrison - 3:59.33
Connor Burns - 3:59.51 (indoors)
Rocky Hansen - 3:59.56
Simeon Birnbaum - 3:57.53
Rocky Hansen - 3:58.24
Tinoda Matsatsa - 3:58.7
Jackson Heidesch - 3:59.08
Burns ran 7:48.47 last week, Rheinhardt Harrison ran 3:54.74 last week, Birnbaum 3:52.81, Matsatsa ran 3:54.15 on Dec 7 plus his 800m/1000m great performances.
I couldn't find results on Heidesch.
Overall this class is doing well. It's just gotten so fast out there that some of these performances seem underwhelming, but they've actually improved a lot.
Rocky Hansen might be the best of his class. Those guys were amazing in HS but Hansen is amazing now.
It was a pretty elite era for HS running, but of that group, besides Hansen, only Birnbaum is running close to their potential...
Connor Burns - 3:58.83
Rheinhardt Harrison - 3:59.33
Connor Burns - 3:59.51 (indoors)
Rocky Hansen - 3:59.56
Simeon Birnbaum - 3:57.53
Rocky Hansen - 3:58.24
Tinoda Matsatsa - 3:58.7
Jackson Heidesch - 3:59.08
Burns ran 7:48.47 last week, Rheinhardt Harrison ran 3:54.74 last week, Birnbaum 3:52.81, Matsatsa ran 3:54.15 on Dec 7 plus his 800m/1000m great performances.
I couldn't find results on Heidesch.
Overall this class is doing well. It's just gotten so fast out there that some of these performances seem underwhelming, but they've actually improved a lot.
Yeah Matsatsa one of the best 800 runners in the NCAA, I think he's an 800 guy who is so insanely talented he ran sub-4 in HS.
Didn't realize Burns and Harrison ran so well last week, that's great. They're only sophomores, and indoors isn't over, so not too bad all things considered. Ethan Strand was a 3:55/7:46 guy his sophomore year.
Birnbaum's 3:57 is also deceptive since he ran 3:37 too. His 3:52.8 is about as good as Hansen's 3:50 split though, and the gap between them was much bigger in HS. It's less that the other guys are underperforming, and more that Hansen is overperforming compared to his HS results. 3:50 outkicking the NCAA mile/3k record holder is a super impressive run.
I agree and think that he will ultimately be the best the class. He’s got great range and knows how to race. Never afraid to get in the mix. I think he shares similarities with a guy like Graham Blanks. As long as he is healthy I think he’s in a good position to win ncaa xc next year.
Outkicks 3:48 guy NCAA mile record holder Ethan Strand 27.40 last lap to Strand's 27.59, to run a 3:50 DMR anchor (Strand 3:49). We knew he was fit from his 13:14 a few weeks ago, but he set a 3:57 pr only a month ago. Now he's running his 1600s as fast as Nathan Green and Gary Martin, and outkicking Ethan Strand. And he's only a sophomore!
I didn't think he had a chance at a title this season just because 13:14 is pretty far off the best guys, but I thought he was a 5k guy, so if he can outkick Ethan Strand at the mile, why not Wolfe in the 5k? Although he did run 3:58 in HS, so maybe he's more of a miler than I gave him credit for. I guess Birnbaum made everyone look like they didn't have a kick that year.
Outkicks 3:48 guy NCAA mile record holder Ethan Strand 27.40 last lap to Strand's 27.59, to run a 3:50 DMR anchor (Strand 3:49). We knew he was fit from his 13:14 a few weeks ago, but he set a 3:57 pr only a month ago. Now he's running his 1600s as fast as Nathan Green and Gary Martin, and outkicking Ethan Strand. And he's only a sophomore!
I didn't think he had a chance at a title this season just because 13:14 is pretty far off the best guys, but I thought he was a 5k guy, so if he can outkick Ethan Strand at the mile, why not Wolfe in the 5k? Although he did run 3:58 in HS, so maybe he's more of a miler than I gave him credit for. I guess Birnbaum made everyone look like they didn't have a kick that year.
Worth pointing out he bosses the 13:14 from the front after the pacer dropped pretty much solo. There was more there.
Excellent young runner. Hansen was not the equal of Birnbaum in HS (he had a sensational prep career...1:47.96, 3:37.93, 8:34.10 (yards)...but he has closed that gap. Both guys are true Sophs and showing huge promise.
Hansen looks to be a 5000m guy (to me). Range all the way down to 1500m but better at 3k/5k. 3:50.22 1600m, chasing or not, is a big mark.
I’d agree but Birnbaum did run 3:52.8 recently which is up there with 13:14. That being said, there’s speculation he’s hurt again and you throw in the 13:14 was somewhat solo AND this monster leg, you have to think Hansen is ahead. His 3k ceiling might be close to 7:30-5 at the moment.
This post was edited 23 seconds after it was posted.
Outkicks 3:48 guy NCAA mile record holder Ethan Strand 27.40 last lap to Strand's 27.59, to run a 3:50 DMR anchor (Strand 3:49). We knew he was fit from his 13:14 a few weeks ago, but he set a 3:57 pr only a month ago. Now he's running his 1600s as fast as Nathan Green and Gary Martin, and outkicking Ethan Strand. And he's only a sophomore!
I didn't think he had a chance at a title this season just because 13:14 is pretty far off the best guys, but I thought he was a 5k guy, so if he can outkick Ethan Strand at the mile, why not Wolfe in the 5k? Although he did run 3:58 in HS, so maybe he's more of a miler than I gave him credit for. I guess Birnbaum made everyone look like they didn't have a kick that year.
Worth pointing out he bosses the 13:14 from the front after the pacer dropped pretty much solo. There was more there.
Yeah, I like Hansen's chances of mixing it up for a potential win in the 5k. He's a fearless racer, and are the leaders really going to create a 13:05 or faster pace that it might take to shake him? That's doubtful.. After this DMR close, I like his chances for the win.