I was making way up to the stands after our team's 4 x mile performance at Penn when this race went off so I missed most of the first leg. The guys seemingly jogged for 2 laps and then let it rip.
The splits for the race are up on the Penn site and they are unreal.
Here are the split. My thoughts on the race follow afterwards:
1 Kenya 9:22.04 Frederick Musyoki Ndunge (2:57.53), Thomas Musembi (46.10), Jackson Kivuna (1:45.62), Josephat Kithii (3:52.79) KEN
2 Canada 9:22.05 Matthew Lincoln (2:56.64), Tyler Christopher (45.34), Gary Reed (1:45.73), Nate Brannen (3:54.34) CAN
3 USA White 9:23.65 Christian Smith (2:57.51), Kelly Willie (45.84), Matt Scherer (1:45.79), Lopez Lomong (3:54.51) USA-w
4 USA Blue 9:24.43 Leo Manzano (2:57.40), Xavier Carter (44.94), Khadevis Robinson (1:44.04), Evan Jager (3:58.05) USA-b
5 Australia 9:36.64 Craig Huffer (2:58.39), John Steffensen (45.20), Nick Bromley (1:49.12), Ryan Gregson (4:03.93) AUS
6 France 9:50.66 Jamel Aarass (2:58.73), Bruno Naprix (46.89), Driss Yousif (1:55.43), Nouredine Smail (4:09.61)
My observations.
1) Matt Lincoln of Canada was very good. I think they were like 203 at 800 so a 53-4 last lap. That seemed unbelieably impressive to me at the time until I saw the anchor legs.
2) Lost in the shuffle of Evan Jager being a bit outclassed on the anchor for the USA Blue may have been KD's 1:44.04 split. All I can say is "ARE YOU SERIOUS?"
3) The anchor leg was unreal. The PA guy said it was Lincoln when in reality it was Brannen. But Nate Brannen looked great. He nearly held off the Kenyan, Josephat Kithii. They went through the 1200 in 3:01. Kithii ran 51.9 for the last lap and Brannen was basically the same. Nate Brannen put up a HELL of a fight.
4) But hats of to Josephat Kithii. 3:52 with a 51.9 last lap!!! Who the hell is Kithii you ask? The guy looked to me like he was some B teamer who was falling off the back and then he unleashes a sick 51.9 to complete at 3:52 split. GIVE ME A BREAK. He is just 18 years old and coming into Saturday had a pb of 3:41 in the 1,500. Of course he did run a 2:20 in the 1k. Remember his name as he could be a STAR.
5) Talking to Lopez Lomong's coach, John Hayes, he's done no speed work. He didn't look sharp compared to Brannen but to open up in 3:54 is very impressive. Contrast this to the struggles of Webb...
6) Not sure what to make of Manzano. I've been hearing how he's unreal shape. His leg to day didn't prove anything to me either way.
7) A shame that Ryan Gregson didn't run the 1200. In Amman, he told he he'd be leading off. He anchored and when he got it they were out of it. 5 seconds back or so.
8) A great race and my hats off to Canada for handing it to the US. I'm sure no one was expecting that.
Men's USA vs. World DMR At Penn Was Sick! - My Thoughts on KD, Brannen,Lincon,Manzano,Lomong and the new star Kithii!!!
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I also watched this in person. The last 200 was unreal fast. They kept saying it was Lincoln on the anchor but when he started kicking I knew it had to be Brennan. I had his last 200 in around 25. It's too bad they mixed up the US teams poorly. If they switch lomong for jager then maybe the US wins. Isn't this great evidence that the dmr needs to be an Olympic event?
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Damn F***in Straitttt
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Is there a video of this anywhere?
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Big mistake putting Evan Jager on the USA Blue team. They would have won with Lomong.
Ha ha. I see you just had to use the word "sick". What a troll. -
What a waste putting Lomong and Christian Smith on the 1200 leg (especially since they only ran 2:57 (that definitely hurt the US)
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OOops I meant Leo Manzano and not Lomong
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Nice run for Scherer, also.
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The Rocket. wrote:
OOops I meant Leo Manzano and not Lomong
Do you run in DIII? How dumb are you?
You really know [email protected]# about running!!!! -
You Must be SLow wrote:
The Rocket. wrote:
OOops I meant Leo Manzano and not Lomong
Do you run in DIII? How dumb are you?
You really know [email protected]# about running!!!!
Im not Dumb, I'm Just GAY :). Remember gay means "Happy" -
The Rocket. wrote:
OOops I meant Leo Manzano and not Lomong
Dad is that you? -
The Rocket. wrote:
OOops I meant Leo Manzano and not Lomong
He handed it off in 1st. What are you smoking? -
Manzano got dropped by Lincoln! Man...
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rojo wrote:
2) Lost in the shuffle of Evan Jager being a bit outclassed on the anchor for the USA Blue may have been KD's 1:44.04 split. All I can say is "ARE YOU SERIOUS?"
Great to see KD running strong again. He also ran a 1:44.5 split in the 2006 Penn Relays DMR:
http://pennrelaysonline.com/results.aspx?en=230
AR USA Blue 9:15.63 2006 Chris Lukezic (2:51.7), James Carter (45.6), Khadevis Robinson (1:44.5), Bernard Lagat (3:53.8) -
Actually a few things:Saw it all live.
Manzano looked very average and is weeks away and that is fine.But he did try to move and compete, just did not have usual pop, when 1200 should look like a light it up for him.
Lincoln drilled folks coming in.
Lomong ran gamely and is probably ahead of most of his years.
Brannen has way less under him than any one out there and still looked sharp another testament to Warhurst's ability to train big time 1500/milers, Nate was injured as recently as two months ago.Looked very fast last 300.
From where Brannen is right now assuming good health, he may go 3:32 this year or better, off to fine start.
KD huge leg, Christian Smith? 1200 should be his killer distance he ran 2:19.x 1000M, looked flat poorly positioned whole way, the works. he is a 1:45 guy and a legit 15 guy at some point.
Kenyan? if he is truly in his teens, wow, tons of giddy up last 150.
Jager? Actually good spot for a developing guy, he has some major talent.Why mak a big deal out of being banged down by Olympians. -
2:57 for a 1200, what were these guys running? Most of the milers were faster pace than that...
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teamsaswell wrote:
2:57 for a 1200, what were these guys running? Most of the milers were faster pace than that...
For those who actually read the first two lines of the very first post, the following is a repeat:
"The guys seemingly jogged for 2 laps and then let it rip." -
announcer kept referring to brannen as lincoln on espn 2.
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who is evan jager?
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Can you have the same guy run the 1st and last leg or does the rules say you need 4 guys?
