Biggest Surprises at 2012 NCAA XC Nationals

Even though she's hardly close to great form, it's good to see Brasovan running several races this fall. Hopefully, will continue to progress.

Abbey D'Agostino was clearly ahead of Hasay.

http://cmsimg.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=D2&Date=20121117&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=121117009

Peter Griffen wrote:

Dave Rooney is an inspiration. Being the first non african finisher at NCAA has been seemingly overlooked, how many men can say that?

Are we still calling Girma an African even though he's an American citizen?

clearly aheaad wrote:

Abbey D'Agostino was clearly ahead of Hasay.

http://cmsimg.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=D2&Date=20121117&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=121117009

D'Agostino did beat Hasay, but this picture isnt very good proof of it. The finish line was the first blue line, and they are both well past it. If someone really believed Hasay had gotten second, they could just say that she slowed down immediatley after the line, while D'Agostino ran throught the second sensor.

Fair enough. Perhaps it was a bit bold to say how Abbey might have won. I agree that, had she competed in Wisconsin, she would have had a better chance to take the race to Saina and Hasay.

Lane Werley UCLA, 25th. Seems this young "GIANT" has made the adjustment to big time college running.

Aric Van Halen. He never gives up. Last year he did not make squad. This year he is Colorado's number two.

It's always nice to see California HS studs run well in college, because so many times that has not been the case.

I too was (once again) surprised and impressed by Abbey D'Agostino.

Sources told me she missed about 4 weeks of running and was only on the bike. In the middle of XC season, that's A LOT of missed training time.

There were points in the race where it looked like she might get dropped (those girls were hammering the pace) but she is sooo tough and despite the reduced fitness still clung to them till the end.

Abbey is a very inspirational runner and I look forward to seeing what she can in track this year.

Novan wrote:

clearly aheaad wrote:

Abbey D'Agostino was clearly ahead of Hasay.

http://cmsimg.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=D2&Date=20121117&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=121117009

D'Agostino did beat Hasay, but this picture isnt very good proof of it. The finish line was the first blue line, and they are both well past it. If someone really believed Hasay had gotten second, they could just say that she slowed down immediatley after the line, while D'Agostino ran throught the second sensor.

The placing is determined by finish line photos, not the chip timing. DA must have won by a small amount as they are both given the same time. Point-wise it did not matter.

One of the most improved might be:

7. Mareike Schrulle SR Iowa 19:43.3

2011 -- Cross Country - placed 38th at NCAA Midwest Regional (22:10-6,000 meters) and 39th at Big Ten Championships with a collegiate-best 21:12 (6,000 meters)...