Aurora Scott Predicts Victory at FL Nationals

Beast From Da East! wrote:

When I look at Kroeger's and Scott's interviews next to each other, I see one girl who has the desire to be a champion and one who is just out there having fun. You can say that in high school sports it should be about having fun, but if you're talking about a national championship, you have to want it more than "I'd like to improve my place and time". Krorger does not have the mental toughness to win a national championship. Whether she wil later on remains to be seen.

What the hell are you talking about? She implied that all she wanted to do was safely qualify for the national championship, which is exactly what she did. How can you tell if someone has the mental toughness to be a national champ through one interview by milesplit or whatever it is called. I didn't think Scott's interview was bad at all. She was confident but not arrogant. I'd say both girls have a great shot at the national title (along with 2-4 others).

runnerguy wrote:

What the hell are you talking about? She implied that all she wanted to do was safely qualify for the national championship, which is exactly what she did. How can you tell if someone has the mental toughness to be a national champ through one interview by milesplit or whatever it is called. I didn't think Scott's interview was bad at all. She was confident but not arrogant. I'd say both girls have a great shot at the national title (along with 2-4 others).

"my legs were hurting at the end"

"I tried to stay with Aurora, but she pulled away in the last mile and I just hung on for second."

"It be really awesome to improve my time and place from last year."

I don't ever recall Michael Jordan saying, "I just want to do a little better than last year." or Tom Brady or whoever you want to use. They would tell you: "I want to win." I realize Kroeger is trying to be humble, but it seems like she doesn't believe she can win it as much as everyone else does. As she matures, maybe she will become the kind of athlete who has the kind of hunger we associate with champions. Speaking of hunger, get that girl a sandwich!

Hey beast, maybe she wants to understate her goals for the National race. Could be she wants to go for it, but doesn't want anyone paying any attention to her.

As opposed to Scoot, who now has a target planted firmly on her back. Or will it be on her hat??

well, you're wrong. That's not it at all. Scott already has a target on her back by being a monster who eats up grass and hills like Ritz crackers. People love to play the "I want to be under the radar" thing, but most of the time that results in people not taking note of a poor performance. And Kroeger can't get away with that anyway. Everyone knows she's good. The fact is, it doesn't matter what Kroeger says, because Aurora won't be paying attention to her at nationals, because she is in her rear-view mirror. I gotta believe some other poor sap is gonna try and set a pace to break Aurora in San Diego, and then after 2 miles she'll still be there, chillin', and ready to show them a clean set of heels.

What hills does Scott run on? Mt. Virginia Beach? She's has her hands full, there are some pretty good people in that race.

I had no problem with the interview except the second to last question.

Is Aurora Scott African-American (black)?

I don't think you can judge mental toughness from an interview. Kroger qualified for FL nationals as a freshman and smashed Keogh's record. obviously, she is pretty tough mentally regardless of how she may present herself in an interview.

Did anyone watch the pre-meet press conference for NCAA nationals where Sally Kipyego, Julia Lucas, Arianna Lambie, Frances Koons, were interviewed? All were pretty reserved, modest and refrained from making bold statements. (I actually found the interview rather awkward and boring!)

Talking tough in interviews is not necessary to be mentally tough. Most great distance runners have a sort of silent determination and don't always openly express their intense desire to win.

for the record, i didn't think aurora scott's interview showed any "attitude problem" at all. maybe she could have acknowledged other runners, but she didn't put anyone down or say anything offensive. i think she was just pretty upfront about her goals.

Kroeger obviously does have what it takes to succeed because she has come this far already. There is nothing wrong with being outwardly modest as long as you truly have confidence in yourself from within. I know I always go into races with the intent of winning and the confidence to do so, but when people ask me if I think I'm going to win or something to that affect I don't tell them yes because I don't want to seem like an arrogant asshole. There's nothing wrong with modesty- some people just aren't comfortable boasting about themselves.

Not to knock Aurora Scott though, or call her boastful. I give a lot of credit to her for her confidence and amazing runs thus far. She just has a different approach than Kroeger.

yeah exactly

STRANGE that Aurora Scott says she plans on winning Footlocker Championships and many here consider her cocky; however, Hicham El Guerrouj's most famous quote (When I run I often think of many things, who will place 2nd, who will place third) recieved rave, positive comments, and applauds.

If a runner is one of the best regardless of what level they compete, then they have the right to think they can and will win. She said NOTHING negative about the girls she will face at Footlocker, other than she planst to run her race against them and plans on winning!

hey whoathere

Yes Aurora Scott is African-American.

Everyone complains about the Kenyans whooping up on Americans. You finally find a kid that has been developed over time and some accuse her of being driven to hard.

Make up your minds people. Should we or should we not develop our runners?

Aurora did an outstanding job along with Kroeger. I have found from experience and from reading these forums people talk about you regardless. It's best to be yourself and be confident in who you are.

GO SOUTH!!!!

pre lives wrote:

Is america a bunch of pussies? For god sakes whats wroung with someone being confident? How about you guys grow a little balls and let people talk some shit from time to time. Or are we too afraid of hurting somones feelings? Who cares, train hard and if you get the chance to kick everyones ass then you should be aloud to run your mouth off, even though scott didnt but everyone on these boards gets soo offended when someone is cocky, people need to grow some balls and start running and quit worrying about hurting someones feelings.

Sorry, but let's not elevate trash talking to a virtue by worshipping Pre. There is nothing redeeming about trash talking. It's done by trashy people, pure and simple. Yes they may be talented, but they are trashy nonetheless. All champions are confident. They don't have to talk trash to prove it. Think of someone like Roger Staubach - clearly a champion and class act all the way. When people remember him they will remember the type of person he was more than the player he was.

I also think of other cultures. Cocky trash talking is anathema in a place like Japan. In that culture you show nothing but respect to your opponent. Are Japanese athletes not mentally tough? I'd say their women marathoners are pretty darn tough.

Trash talking is a disgusting by product of trashy American culture, I'm sad to say. Just look at many of our sprinters. We should discourage it, not encourage it.

All that said, I don't think Aurora Scott was trash talking. She just could do herself some favors by openly acknowledging her competition in a graceful and respectful way.

Beast From Da East! wrote:

well, you're wrong. That's not it at all. Scott already has a target on her back by being a monster who eats up grass and hills like Ritz crackers. People love to play the "I want to be under the radar" thing, but most of the time that results in people not taking note of a poor performance. And Kroeger can't get away with that anyway. Everyone knows she's good. The fact is, it doesn't matter what Kroeger says, because Aurora won't be paying attention to her at nationals, because she is in her rear-view mirror. I gotta believe some other poor sap is gonna try and set a pace to break Aurora in San Diego, and then after 2 miles she'll still be there, chillin', and ready to show them a clean set of heels.

OK Mr. Scott, you can stop posting now.

muppet babies wrote:

Kroeger obviously does have what it takes to succeed because she has come this far already. There is nothing wrong with being outwardly modest as long as you truly have confidence in yourself from within. I know I always go into races with the intent of winning and the confidence to do so, but when people ask me if I think I'm going to win or something to that affect I don't tell them yes because I don't want to seem like an arrogant asshole. There's nothing wrong with modesty- some people just aren't comfortable boasting about themselves.

Not to knock Aurora Scott though, or call her boastful. I give a lot of credit to her for her confidence and amazing runs thus far. She just has a different approach than Kroeger.

I never said she doesn't have what it takes to succeed, I said she doesn't have what it takes to win a national title. Her claim that her goal is to finish better than last year, though it may be a sneaky diversion tactic as some one pointed out, seemed to me like she was not all that sure she has what it takes to try and win it. I'm sure she'll give it a good effort, but I don't think she's there yet. I just don't see the point in having to be so modest. If someone asked e what my chances were in a race I felt I coud win, I would say "I think I have a decent shot, so I'm gonna try to win and see what happens". Does that make me an arrogant asshole? I hope not.

The Truth Doctor wrote:

OK Mr. Scott, you can stop posting now.

Exactly what I was thinking.

After listening to two weeks of that, his daughter is probably going to fall apart at FLN.

I'll give her even odds to either not finish or else finish no better than 7th.

Vipam wrote:

STRANGE that Aurora Scott says she plans on winning Footlocker Championships and many here consider her cocky; however, Hicham El Guerrouj's most famous quote (When I run I often think of many things, who will place 2nd, who will place third) recieved rave, positive comments, and applauds.

If a runner is one of the best regardless of what level they compete, then they have the right to think they can and will win. She said NOTHING negative about the girls she will face at Footlocker, other than she planst to run her race against them and plans on winning!

Vipam, your (mangled) quote is Morcelli, not El Guerrouj. Your point, however, is a good one and I absolutely agree.

She said she is planning to win. She should, and so should anyone who is near the top. It seems like she gave a nice interview and said all of the "right" things. Some of the folks here maybe have an axe to grind and are trying to put something into her words that just aren't there.

So she's not a limp-wristed panty-waist. Good for her.

so now we are offended when a GIRL has some goddamned panache

political correctness has softened the lot of you

your pussies are tighter than hers...