Who is Maegan Krifchin, 71:04 debut at Philly Half?

Then leave them all at 30-40k then. Either way, she is in rare company. So Adam Goucher gets attention on front page for being 7 seconds under the trials qualifier (deserved, congrats), but a debut chick at 3:56 under the standard, first American, and two minutes ahead of Dot McMahan doesn't get a mention? seriously sad. Also, what was Desiree's debut half?

Don't know about the rest but Molly Pritz (23 year old, 71:05 this year, US 25k Champion) has no sponsorship whatsoever. She pays full price for shoes at the local running shop, runs in t-shirts she gets at races, and pays for treatment. And before any of the Molly haters start, this isn't about whether you like her or not. Just shows that young women running fast times are not necessarily getting the support that would help them get to the next level.

Molly Pritz and Maegan Krifchin (among others) are our future. It's a shame we aren't supporting them.

Why would there be any reason to sponsor Megan with a huge sponsorship before this half marathon or even now, without more races showing similar results? Don't get me wrong, it's exciting to see her improvement, but sponsorships are based on not one great performance, but many, consistently great performances. Give it time.

Let me back up...

Running a 71 half is certaintly smoking your 1st time at bat, I was just pointing out that her PDR performance is not going to keep the top 3 ladies up at night. This puts Maegan around the middle of 2nd tier, but there a clear seperation when you talk about Shalance, Denna and Kara, etc. The top U.S. ladies would have been in that PDR race to win it.

...with that said, when I look at the list of other U.S. 71 types who are getting money, they are also accomplished at other distances and paid some dues. The fact that she is getting minimal sponsorship up to now makes sense becasue this is her 1st legit performance and unless you run really fast early on, you have work your way into the system like Devalia did.

In response to those spouting about Molly. Is that you Kevin and Keith? Or do you have your little snakes in the grass trying to attract with your red carpet? To Maegan Krifchin. The worst error one could make is to go that route. It is obvious by your improvement that you are sitting on a golden ticket. One day, it will pay off. Let the little people lure with the money and fame. Put in the time with one system, and obviously one that is working for you, and well, take hold. Keep your head out of the contracts, and go make the Olympic Team! Your paycheck will come. To some, those who are pure of goal, the money matters not. You will be remembered by the championships you have won, not the short term bank account you have accumulated. The very best of luck to you, and your team.

Molly Pritz is NOT a good example of an unsponsored hard worker. She's unsponsored because she's blown her chances and shown a pattern of being unable to stick with any program she's in. Not coachable or reliable.

Molly chose her college for academics and was a very reliable friend and teammate on the cycling team (to me). She has worked to make herself go from an 18:40 5k runner to a 1:11:05 half marathoner in 4 years. Show me a race performance of hers that doesn't show consistent improvement. Yeah, not a hard worker at all... You're great, Moll!

Ray Bucknell wrote:

Molly chose her college for academics and was a very reliable friend and teammate on the cycling team (to me). She has worked to make herself go from an 18:40 5k runner to a 1:11:05 half marathoner in 4 years. Show me a race performance of hers that doesn't show consistent improvement. Yeah, not a hard worker at all... You're great, Moll!

way to take my quote out of context. i never said she didn't work hard...i'm sure she does. you don't run that fast without working hard.

she was being touted as an perfect example of the UNSPONSORED athlete working hard and scraping by. All I am pointing out is that it's her own fault she's unsponsored. Because, you know, she's effing crazy.

I think that depends on just how well the girl does with the Arises. Nike likes these guys or theyd not have supported them. If she one day stops improving and can improve by going to Alberto (doping excluded if in fact happening) then that would be an intelligent decision and one to consider. If she is doing as good or better with the Arises in a few years,, then dont' really think Nike would want a move, nor would the runner. Unless you are saying Nike forces their best to go to OTC or Alberto, and that is un wise. Because it is possible that his runners could do better with other coaches. Who knows. But one of these days there will be new US coaches who will create better than the best the US has to offer right now.

Ray Bucknell wrote:

Molly chose her college for academics and was a very reliable friend and teammate on the cycling team (to me). She has worked to make herself go from an 18:40 5k runner to a 1:11:05 half marathoner in 4 years. Show me a race performance of hers that doesn't show consistent improvement. Yeah, not a hard worker at all... You're great, Moll!

Good for Molly making her own choices.

Personally I am more impressed with those with the strength to run independently.

I do like Salazar, because he is open about the training they are doing, and he shares it with the rest of us. Canova does the same thing, and Antonio.

She went thru 10k in 33:42. Her PR at the 5k upon leaving Syracuse was 16:55. The girl went through 10k, 15k, and half marathon, at a pace equivalent to her 5k best from less than a year prior. If people aren't seeing this as big news, her race on Sunday, then they will soon. This is making the making of a great one. If she was able to basically quadruple the distance she could race at 17:00 5k pace, in less than a year with her new situation I can make sense of her quadrupling her 10k best from right now in a few years. This is and should be bigger news than it is being credited for. this isnt an experienced NCAA champ were talking about. She is a decently talented runner with obvious untapped potential. And she just went from also ran to big tme. Remember the name Maegan Krifchin.

Can anyone produce a list of debut 1/2 marathons for us women in the past twnety years?

Mad Briller wrote:

Her teammate Brad Miller was 13th American at the CVS 5k Champs in Providence this weekend. Mixed it up with some good pros.

You might be thinking of Brad's brother Craig.

No it was in fact brad, who crushed his brother by 25sec and was just ahead of zachary hine

I am surprised that Stotan went with Nike actually, they just don't support groups like the other running corporations seem to do. And I'd be surprised if Adidas, NB, or Brooks doesn't offer to pick them up, coaches and runners. They seem to provide support in ways that Nike doesn't or won't. At least outside of the state of Oregon. What happens when other Stotan runners equal Krifchin's run from Philly? There will be offers undoubtedly for contracts and Nike only goes for the best. Or maybe they will make a move like Mammouth did and not have an affiliation, so that they can coach contracted runners of all kinds. At some point it will be limiting, unless they can produce support to keep their improving runners.

Solution is simple, all they have to do is set up another entity. Stotan can continue with Nike support and they can coach the best of their team under a separate business corp, and they would no longer be a part of Stotan.

I do like Salazar, because he is open about the training they are doing, and he shares it with the rest of us. Canova does the same thing, and Antonio.[/quote

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Hey Ray, ask Alberto what's in the refrigerator, maybe he will share that too?

I'm just surprised the announcer managed to pronounce her name

Just saw Stotan picked up Leah Andrianos from UCONN and Mike Heymann from Plattsburgh State? Both are very talented. Heymann is made for the marathon. Not sure which direction Leah will go but she did run 4:22 in her last race at UCONN. A few other guys they picked up that had Joslyn's credentials coming out of college. Might be a new show in town in a couple years, children.

not so sure about this one - a few of the guys listed on the Stotan website are subpar at best and drag the quality of the group down. Dan Ramsey, in particular, whose mediocre collegiate career was blown out of proportion and glorified by d3 atlantic region followers. sad to see "athletes" like Ramsey drag down the collective acheivement and talent level of the Stotan group. look for Ramsey to be all talk, no blow, just like in HS and at St. Lawrence.