Matt Withrow is not currently listed on the official Wisconsin Men's Track roster. I believe he had 1 season of track eligibility remaining. Has he left Madison to join former Coach Schumacher in Portland? I read in a recent article that Stuart Eagon, with eligibility also remaining for the Badgers, is now living and training in Portland with the Schumacher group. Anyone have any knowledge of Withrow's situation?
I don't know why he would. He hasn't done much since his phenominal freshman year, excluding a few good xc performances. I hear he's lacking in motivation.
I really hope he gets back to true form though and finally meets his potential. The kid has more talent than Rupp, and isn't nearly as girly.
If ever a runner needed a change of scenery more, its Withrow. Take our cross country and he has been completely stagnate since great freshman year. Watching hime come back to double at indoor conference last winter was sad to watch. Nice team move, but it was an Olympic year and Matt has that kind of talent. Hear him and Jerry and core guys on team didn't really hit it off that well, but he would be best to head out to Mammoth or another individual coach (for the attention he deserves). What he doesn't need is to be whored out for the stupid conference meet again this year. Hope he got his degree and has left!
What Ive heard is that Matt is going to go back to his high school coach
Yes, I heard he was kind of the outcast on the team. I don't know why. He really is one of America's greatest talents right now though. It'd be great to see him return to true form.
Wisconsin has a long team tradition and there are those that don't fit in and can feel left out. Some people don't mesh in with the team social dynamics and humor, etc.
The team is everything there and those that are perceived as being "different" can be nearly shunned.
At least that is how it was when I was there.
Withrow is a great talent but struggling in that environment where even the 8th best runner probably could beat you in a practice on an off day was probably getting to him and(I'm guessing but I probably shouldn't)that he's lost some enthusiasm. That's going to show up in running results.
He could very well rebound in a new environment. I predict he will.
I strongly believe that Matt needs a coach and will take some time with him as opposed to needing training partners. He needs to look at potentially Chapman with Indiana Elite, Rob Gary at Ohio State, Kansas State (Christian Smith) coach - type. Perhaps Joe Vigil would come out of "retirement".
However, I would be shocked if Wisconsin didn't get another couple conference meets before any of this.
I think he might be best off coaching him self and having a person or two to advise him. Going into the group environment will just burn him again. he should go solo, he will have a longer and more succesful career. He would be smart to base him self in his home town for a while.
professionalss wrote:
I strongly believe that Matt needs a coach and will take some time with him as opposed to needing training partners. He needs to look at potentially Chapman with Indiana Elite, Rob Gary at Ohio State, Kansas State (Christian Smith) coach - type. Perhaps Joe Vigil would come out of "retirement".
However, I would be shocked if Wisconsin didn't get another couple conference meets before any of this.