Strand might have the most dangerous closing speed of any US middle distance runner right now. I know we say that about a lot of people’s ability to close but you can just see the rebound he gets from the track. Just pure power and speed. He can go toe to toe with anyone over the last fifty meters.
Strand might have the most dangerous closing speed of any US middle distance runner right now. I know we say that about a lot of people’s ability to close but you can just see the rebound he gets from the track. Just pure power and speed. He can go toe to toe with anyone over the last fifty meters.
It's good, but not better than Hocker's. Probably better than anyone else's though.
I think a lot of people will be surprised when he gets a chance to outkick Hocker. And Im saying this as someone who thought Hocker had a chance to win the Olympics if he was still there with 200m to go. Just look at the number of times Strand put his foot down during the last 100m. He almost fell over because he was going so fast.
I think a lot of people will be surprised when he gets a chance to outkick Hocker. And Im saying this as someone who thought Hocker had a chance to win the Olympics if he was still there with 200m to go. Just look at the number of times Strand put his foot down during the last 100m. He almost fell over because he was going so fast.
Lets not get ahead of ourselves here. Let me see him run 3:28 3:29 and have the kick at the end first before we talk of him beating the Olympic champ
Strand might have the most dangerous closing speed of any US middle distance runner right now. I know we say that about a lot of people’s ability to close but you can just see the rebound he gets from the track. Just pure power and speed. He can go toe to toe with anyone over the last fifty meters.
It's good, but not better than Hocker's. Probably better than anyone else's though.
Reigning 3k indoor world silver medalist would like a word with you
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This was such an interesting setup that I think told us so much more about Strands potential in the sport than just his pure athletic ability (which is clearly super high).
He really got beaten badly on Friday night - it wasn't just that he was basically wading through soft sand in that final 50m because a guy like him can easily bounce back in a physical sense within 24 hours, it was that Martin - the same guy who was going to be his main protagonist in that 3000m, beat him so decisively you wondered about his mental/emotional state and how/if that would play a role in the long wait until that 3000m final.
It was a classic Coe v Ovett 1980 like situation. And in the end, just as the great champion Coe did, Strand bounced back the way someone who is going to be a very good pro absolutely needed to. This may be slightly hyperbolic but I think that was a very important race in the career of Ethan Strand. Had Martin beaten him in that 3000m in a similar way to the night before, you just never know how the outdoor season goes.
But he didn't and Strand was not just good, he was superb. Showed that X factor or desperation to win in the same way Coe did in 80. Going to be an awesome outdoor season to follow.
He's only arguing closing speed, not beating him in a 3:28 race. One day soon the US/World/Olympic champs is going to be slow again.
Wasn't there a long post fairly recently, very well researched, showing that Hocker has one of the greatest kicks in history? So what you and the other poster are arguing now is that maybe Strand has the greatest kick in history?
I think it's a little premature for that.
But he certainly has some impressive closing speed.
Anybody can lose, a lot of you guys think Kessler, Nuguse, and Hocker are going to be a lock every year until 2030. If you watched enough track you know that's not the case, this is the 1500m, the finish can be random. Our top 3 guys are good but these other guys are good too, and are ready to take spots away.
UNC seemed to come back with some kind of magical day on Day 2. First off, that amazing save in the W 800m by Mikayla Page is legendary. Then Ethan Strand kicks Gary Martin for the 3K title, kind of predictable (Strand did have the record), but magical nonetheless. Good running and good strategy.
Reigning 3k indoor world silver medalist would like a word with you
You mean indoor 1500 gold? Beamish does have a better kick than Strand as well.
No I mean Yared in reference to US runners. I'd say him and cole have the best kicks. I do however think Geordie has the greatest kick in the world currently. A College guy possibly being in this discussion is wild
I watched most of Strand's races all the way back when he was in middle school. I coached a team that often competed against him. He was very talented but doesn't have any conference or even school records from then. But he had the best kick I've ever seen at the age and was the best tactician I've ever seen at that age. He had a good coach and obviously has good genetics.