A Duck wrote:
cmurph wrote:so many trolls in this thread
I don't think there's any "fanboy" stuff going on here, that was a damn impressive string of races any way you cut it. The 5k I think is the most impressive. If he could run 13:46 after 3 races he should be able to get in the 1320s fresh. Does he have outdoor eligibility for next year?
Thanks, I was so busy when AJ was in high school that I didn't even know of him.
Really just tuned into him this year, knowing about his injury recovery, and personal travails that were in the press last year.
Seems like he has now gotten some consistent long term training, injury free, and is turning the corner.
Good to see him, hopefully, on the rise again.
The redshirt may really work out for him.
I've followed Acosta loosely over the years and I was first impressed by his indoor mile race at NCAA's this year. He stuck his nose in it and fought hard for team points even while a freshman teammate on the rise with no pressure and a great kick went by him late in the race.
His outdoor season has just piggybacked off of that, with the only exception being the 9:32 steeple, which can hardly be taken too seriously when he probably raced it off of 1500 work and a few hurdle drills.
He seems to have matured a lot this year and that is probably making the big difference combined with being healthy.
I think Acosta will be a Bethke type runner over his remaining eligibility. Maybe not a favorite to win, but a fine runner with decent range. Also wouldn't be surprised if he steps up for the team in cross next fall (assuming he has a season left) and scores some key points. Good for him. Many a foot locker champ has been left in the dust, Acosta is rising from it.