Is Michigan the next US college running powerhouse?

michigan > oregon wrote:

I'm really moved by their results recently with Trent McFarland, Brendan Herger, and now Henry Dixon. All three guys are from Michigan, but I'm also impressed that they're doing this on a "regular" timeline (their eligibility actually aligns with their real class year).

Trent McFarland - "true junior" (class of 2023 HS)

- high school PBs: 1:50, 4:16, 9:14

- now: 3:35, 3:52, anchored 9:14 DMR

Brendan Herger - "true sophomore" (class of 2024 HS)

- high school PBs: 1:48.08 (very fast), 4:09

- now: 3:36, 3:54, 1:47, qualified for NCAA 1500 final as freshman

Henry Dixon - "true freshman" (class of 2025 HS)

- high school PBs: 1:51, 4:10, 9:03

- now: 3:38, 3:56, 1:49

Also -- true freshman Luke Alverson (class of 2025) ran 8:02, 13:54 indoors this year.

Really impressive development, especially considering it's a bunch of guys from in-state. Thoughts?

bigmig19 wrote:

My thoughts are well known, why cant the women's program get right? But indeed the Maize and Blue have always had their guys from the Webb/Willis/Sullivans to the Flanagans/Ferlics and Bradys. Its been a minute since we won a big race, I think Flanagan is the only one (10,000) since Willis/Sullivan dominance. Ferlic in SC too though.

michigan > oregon wrote:

I'm really moved by their results recently with Trent McFarland, Brendan Herger, and now Henry Dixon. All three guys are from Michigan, but I'm also impressed that they're doing this on a "regular" timeline (their eligibility actually aligns with their real class year).

Trent McFarland - "true junior" (class of 2023 HS)

- high school PBs: 1:50, 4:16, 9:14

- now: 3:35, 3:52, anchored 9:14 DMR

Brendan Herger - "true sophomore" (class of 2024 HS)

- high school PBs: 1:48.08 (very fast), 4:09

- now: 3:36, 3:54, 1:47, qualified for NCAA 1500 final as freshman

Henry Dixon - "true freshman" (class of 2025 HS)

- high school PBs: 1:51, 4:10, 9:03

- now: 3:38, 3:56, 1:49

Also -- true freshman Luke Alverson (class of 2025) ran 8:02, 13:54 indoors this year.

Really impressive development, especially considering it's a bunch of guys from in-state. Thoughts?

A squared wrote:

bigmig19 wrote:

My thoughts are well known, why cant the women's program get right? But indeed the Maize and Blue have always had their guys from the Webb/Willis/Sullivans to the Flanagans/Ferlics and Bradys. Its been a minute since we won a big race, I think Flanagan is the only one (10,000) since Willis/Sullivan dominance. Ferlic in SC too though.

Weird to lump Willis and Sullivan together. Sully won his first individual chip 10 years before Willis did. Brannen would be better to pair with Willis because they actually ran together.

Their winning ways go back a long time even before Sully. Scherer, Diemer, McEwen, Hume.

bigmig19 wrote:

A squared wrote:

Weird to lump Willis and Sullivan together. Sully won his first individual chip 10 years before Willis did. Brannen would be better to pair with Willis because they actually ran together.

Their winning ways go back a long time even before Sully. Scherer, Diemer, McEwen, Hume.

Yes you can certainly go back farther, yes. Sully is the "next" guy on the list before Willis only 5 years apart for all american/ chips. Sully 1st in 98', Willis shows up all american in 2003, winning by 2005. I don't consider them generations apart. I guess technically Webb never did better than 4th at UM, but he's amazing so i included him as talent we recruited..