In reply to the linked article: Close the door, Vinnie. Why would he pursue triathlon as an amateur, and then come back to U of O? Triathlon is all about sponsorship, and his elligiblity won't last 5 minutes.
Moreover, although I see Lukas' reasoning, his inability to make a clear decision from the outset is indicative of an underlying personality trait that may end up hampering both careers, if he tries to bounce back and forth. Just do triathlon, Lukas, and we'll check out your results when they are available online.
maybe he got discouraged 62nd in his first college race, then 23rd in a smaller race, after being hands down the top runner at the high school level.
even before he chose college he said he was unsure as he saw all the africans winning the running races, and he himself said his prospects in the triathlon seemed much better post college.
he did say he would devote the next 5 years to running, as a fan i was hoping he would, to see how good he could have been in running, oh well.
College studying likely had an impact as well. College is a lot of work. LV seems to be after what makes him the most comfortable. Competing in a sport he really likes, and not worrying about class work and tests. There is nothing wrong with that. Hopefully he will do well with his choice.
Why did Ritz transition so much easier into college running, but Verzbizcas can't? Verzbicas is no doubt a great running talent than Ritz.
I sure as hell would not "welcome him back". I'd pretty much say don't let the door hit you on the way out, chump. Guy could not finish out his last two months of the semester to help his team out? Would not even have to pass his classes to finish cross season. Its one thing to quit at the end of the season, it is pretty unforgivable in my book to quit on your team in the middle of the season. I for one will be pulling against him in any race, track, cross or tri that he enters in the future. Looking at the guys history and character, seems he may have reached his high point.
I hope he goes to Colorado Springs to join the OTC Triathlon Developmental Team (forgot the name of the program)-- those kids have everything they need at the OTC AND they're getting an education at UCCS.
I thought the whole Triathon thing was going to be an issue. He never ran for his HS but ran when he wanted to at a few meets. His performances there obviously were unreal. But you had to wait see what was going to happen.
The curse of the deuce HSR strikes again!
hope he chooses this wrote:
I hope he goes to Colorado Springs to join the OTC Triathlon Developmental Team (forgot the name of the program)-- those kids have everything they need at the OTC AND they're getting an education at UCCS.
While I agree with another poster that it's a selfish move for him to leave Oregon before the end of the XC season, one has to remember that he is joining two of his best friends at the Elite Triathlon Academy in Colorado, as well as his high school triathlon coach (who heads the new triathlon program). Here's a bit more info:
http://www.usatriathlon.org/news/articles/2011/11/111011-verzbicas.aspxdouglas burke wrote:
he did say he would devote the next 5 years to running, as a fan i was hoping he would, to see how good he could have been in running, oh well.
We have seen the best he could do.
bguyj2009 wrote:
Why did Ritz transition so much easier into college running, but Verzbizcas can't? Verzbicas is no doubt a great running talent than Ritz.
Lukas' issue doesn't stem from the transition.
As far as his tweets go, he was very very happy at Oregon.
His issue is the result of the fact that he wasn't able to choose whether to pursue the Triathlon or running.
Remember that he committed to Oregon in Spring 2011. That was BEFORE he spent the entire summer training for the Triathlon and BEFORE what was arguably the greatest success of his athletic career in Beijing
This shows that he does not have what it takes to be a top runner.
After getting crushed in his first 2 races, he wants to choose the easier path. Listen, triathlon is a sport that is much easier to succeed at because it takes out the poorer countries of the world as competitors. It started gaining popularity when the Africans started to dominate distance running.
It is a made sport to allow the white middle class First World athletes to have a chance.
I have so much respect for a guy like Galen Rupp who goes out and challenges the best in the world rather than become a candy-ass triathlete who ducks top competition. Man-up Lucas!
Putting into perspective. The triathlon
The sprint is LV's current forte.
Sprint
(0.47 mi) 750 m
(12.4 mi) 20 km
(3.1 mi) 5 km
The next to are possibly tailor made for LVs. Please
note the marathon distance -
ITU-Long Distance
(O3) 4.0 km
(2.49 mi) 120 km
(74.6 mi) 30 km
(18.6 mi) So-called triple Olympic Distance
distance of the ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships most years including 2011.
Full
(2.4mi) 3.86 km
(112 mi) 180 km
42.2 km (26.2 mi)
So now LV has insurance in the marathon and stage
cycling racing (ala Lance Armstrong), or at least
that's whats in my crystal ball. I mean now the LVs'
left Oregon it wasn't like "so long suckers!"
Sorry couldn't resist the snideness.
Tough guy1 wrote:
It is a made sport to allow the white middle class First World athletes to have a chance.
1) All sports are made up
2) Triathlon has been popular since at least the 1980s.
well put. LV, what a quitter!
Tough guy1 wrote:
This shows that he does not have what it takes to be a top runner.
After getting crushed in his first 2 races, he wants to choose the easier path. Listen, triathlon is a sport that is much easier to succeed at because it takes out the poorer countries of the world as competitors. It started gaining popularity when the Africans started to dominate distance running.
It is a made sport to allow the white middle class First World athletes to have a chance.
I have so much respect for a guy like Galen Rupp who goes out and challenges the best in the world rather than become a candy-ass triathlete who ducks top competition. Man-up Lucas!
Lukas wouldn't be targetting a "Full" triathlon or the ITU long-course traithlon... He's focusing on the ITU Olympic distance 1500 m swim, 40k bike, and 10 k run. The thought of pursuing any distance longer won't be something he's going to look into for years...
Would going pro in Triathlon make him ineligible for NCAA track and cross? I thought there have been some guys who played minor league baseball, and then NCAA football, or something like that. This seems like it could be a similar situation.
A Skeptic wrote:
Tough guy1 wrote:It is a made sport to allow the white middle class First World athletes to have a chance.
1) All sports are made up
2) Triathlon has been popular since at least the 1980s.
And your point is.........
The ITU races are draft legal wich means that if you can hang with the leaders in the swim then sit in and draft on the bike it comes down to a 10k race,. With LV's running talent he should do well in these events including the olympics