Robbie Andrews has got to be in Shock right now...

Track Sweeper wrote:

Bruce Willis in Pulp Fiction wrote:

Is it possible track is dirty? If he was that close to Wheating (Nike, U of O), does anyone think he "threw the fight?" I've seen some head scratchers in the other races so it makes me wonder.

Nothing like a good consipiracy theory.

Especially when everyone who supposedly loves track hates Nike, the company that gives more to track than any other.

RRRR wrote:

5th in the nation, in the most important race we've had in 4 years is pretty good at the age of 21. Also, I believe this was the first time he's run rounds in a championship 1500m at the pro level...is it really that surprising that he didn't have the same trademark kick at the end of them that he would need to run down a 3:30 1500m runner, 1500m Olympian, and world championship bronze medalist?

Totally agree. Andrews is good, but way too over-hyped. I see him making the team in 4 years though.

Should have stayed in Virginia? How would that have helped him? Pad his NCAA resume and ego? No, he's out grown the NCAA. He's doing a good thing by challenging himself with better athletes and a longer event. It would be a mistake to postpone his realization of the next level another season. Better to have run this way when 21 than 22.Here's hoping he sees how much more he can improve his aerobic strength to hang with the worlds best 800 and 1500, and then use his kick.

Track Sweeper wrote:

I don't know if Andrews is in shock. He had to know his chances of making the Olympic team were 50/50 at best. In fact I would venture Leo's chances were 50/50 too.

It was basically a crap shoot and the dice was rolled and Robby Andrews lost. He should of stayed at Virginia and had the experience of collegiate racing and the full experience of college. He will never get that back.

The chances of him ever making an Olympic Team is probably slim to none. Big gamble. Big loss.

Azaleas wrote:

I don't know that he "blew his chance"...the guys who beat him all have faster PRs, and two of them (Centro and Manzano) are known for being great kickers...

Wheating is not known as a kicker? When did this happen?

Is he? I've never really thought of him as a "kicker", but I suppose he does have good 800 speed and probably would have a decent kick.

Regardless, Andrews had a tough road to the Olympics. If you watch the race video, you can see the exact moment where he would have gotten 1st or 2nd if he had the fitness, but he didn't, and gave up a little once Wheating moved away. I think his early move definitely cost him something, but I'm not sure if he would have made the team anyway.

In addition to bad tactics, I'm sure Andrews has never had to run 3 1500s in 4 days before. Running fast once in a one day meet is not the same as championship racing with rounds.

"remind me how Jock did."

==

The Charles Jock situation was completely different than Robbie's problems. Jock is hooked up with that Southern California mentality and coaching that ends up with fast time trial races, but past peak for the big races.

Oakie Sooner wrote:

"remind me how Jock did."

==

The Charles Jock situation was completely different than Robbie's problems. Jock is hooked up with that Southern California mentality and coaching that ends up with fast time trial races, but past peak for the big races.

First, Los Angeles athletes are expected to perform great at all times.

Second, even if your assertion was true, it's still better than Oklahoma's "we suck now because we're focusing on the championship race" mentality and then sucking there too.

amazing how everyone out there acts like Andrews is the best kicker in the world or something. I guess they learned otherwise today. The guy is inexperienced at the 1500 and it showed.

I had a good angle on the final turn, and Robbie had moved wide at ~200 to go and was accelerating and moving up on the chase pack. I thought for sure he had a spot for London. Then suddenly Wheating also moved out wide forcing a little contact, and Robbie went even wider for a couple of steps before he had to slow and tuck behind. It totally changed his race.

He'll be fine in the long run but I think it would have been wiser for him this year to run the 800m at the trials and several high-level 1500m races this summer.

I guess he can still try to get those 1500m races...

Trollist wrote:

Oakie Sooner wrote:

"remind me how Jock did."

==

The Charles Jock situation was completely different than Robbie's problems. Jock is hooked up with that Southern California mentality and coaching that ends up with fast time trial races, but past peak for the big races.

First, Los Angeles athletes are expected to perform great at all times.

Second, even if your assertion was true, it's still better than Oklahoma's "we suck now because we're focusing on Cross Country" mentality and then sucking there too.

--Fixed.

Everyone Calm The F*** Down wrote:

Robby does need to drastically improve his tactics and develop more aerobic strength. Maybe not making this Olympic team will serve to make him a better runner because adjustments will be made.

He needs to improve his form as well. His arm carriage is terrible. No way you are going to succeed at the WC level with inefficient form. Centro, Wheating have superb from the head down.

i hate the way robby andrews races. yes, he has a great kick and he was darn close to qualifying but really? sitting back in 11th for the first 1200 meters? ya, he was within a second of the leaders but when you're in a race where its the best in the US and it's a 1500 rather than an 800, people aren't gonna slow down/die. it's frustrating to watch because he could have had a great shot if he put himself in a better postion.. even if it was around 6th or 7th at 1200. that would leave 4 or 5 less guys to go around while trying to close in 53ish

kevin durant wrote:

i hate the way robby andrews races. yes, he has a great kick and he was darn close to qualifying but really? sitting back in 11th for the first 1200 meters? ya, he was within a second of the leaders but when you're in a race where its the best in the US and it's a 1500 rather than an 800, people aren't gonna slow down/die. it's frustrating to watch because he could have had a great shot if he put himself in a better postion.. even if it was around 6th or 7th at 1200. that would leave 4 or 5 less guys to go around while trying to close in 53ish

He doesn't currently have the strength to run with the leaders or even in the middle of the pack. He's been running 30-50mpw his whole career up until maybe the last couple of months.

And I might add, that's not going to cut it at this level.

I thought Andrews used up a lot of energy from 300 to 200 to go try and get in position.

At this level, you get one big move, and I think he used it there.

So he a) could have been in better position with 400 to go

or b) not gone quite as hard from 300 to 200. Realize you're out of position but gradually move up.

Wheating stepped out 200 to go and stopped Andrews progress as well.

I thought Andrews should have gone pro. The money is too good. However, he could have used the experience of racing at NCAAs in the 1500. He just is totally inexperienced at 1500.

However, if he stayed in the NCAA system he would have to have a totally new ooach.

Going pro was the right decision. If his goal was just to make the Olympic team I think he should have run the 800 as well.

Sometimes things just don't work out. 1 of 4 guys was going to go home unhappy today and it was Robby.

It was not a shock to casual track and field fans, because he came onto the scene so quickly. He should go to Europe and cause some damage. Remember, what Tom Byers did in 1982.

Section O wrote:

I had a good angle on the final turn, and Robbie had moved wide at ~200 to go and was accelerating and moving up on the chase pack. I thought for sure he had a spot for London. Then suddenly Wheating also moved out wide forcing a little contact, and Robbie went even wider for a couple of steps before he had to slow and tuck behind. It totally changed his race.

Very good post - if not for that move Andrews would have pasted Wheating and it would have been a dogfight.