Villanova Gets Another Aussie

Tiernan is a big time talent. Remember Blincoe recruited Sam Mcentee off a 3:47 & 8:20 PR - within 18 months he had run 3:36. Gibney was another whose potential exceeded his track times coming in (1:51, 3:45) then went on to 3:37, 4th @ NCAA's, 2 Penn Relays wins.

Letsrun message boarders often rely too heavily on H.S. times, and dont realize the research done in the recruiting process.

Blincoe went to visit Tiernan, and saw similar potential to that of McEntee, albeit the longer distances. Add him to Ben Malone and Villanova have a great class again - this after signing Williamsz (1:47, 3:36) in the fall.

And Ellison, who went from decent Pennsylvania sprinter to All-American half miler in a similar span.

I actually think the next big stink may come with foreign additions to Ivy League rosters. The Ivies have *no* athletic scholarships--not even the nudge-nudge, wink-wink kind--but it really doesn't matter, because their need-based aid (NBA) is so good.

If that NBA is available to internationals as well--it may be, but most likely on a school-by-school basis--then the lure of an Ivy education for close-to-peanuts has got to be very attractive.

Ivies absolutely have clandestine athletic scholarships..

Thoughts on his 8:11 3km at the armory a couple of weeks ago?

Pretty good for first race? Should come close to sub 14 outdoors?

By way of an update: Patrick Tiernan yesterday set a collegiate course record at the Main Line Invitational (on the Haverford 4 mile course). He went 19:09.48. Villanova runs this meet virtually every year, so some strong runners have come through the course. Bobby Curtis, no slouch to be sure, had a best of 19:16 on this course in 2007, and that was when he was a 5th year senior and almost 23 years of age. Tiernan turned 19 two and a half weeks ago. He should get better as the race distances get longer (8K and 10K).

http://villanovarunning.blogspot.com/2013/09/tiernan-leads-villanova-men-at-main.html

A little perspective -- Curtis and Blincoe were both NCAA outdoor champions. Tiernan's 19:09.48 is impressive.

Jordy Williamsz (2012): 19:15.30

Bobby Curtis (2003): 19:33

Sam McEntee (2011): 19:35.91

Mathew Mildenhall (2009): 19:51.17

Adrian Blincoe (2000): 20:14

Matt Kane (2008): 20:37.14

O'Sullivan came through as a non american at Villanova as many of their best athletes and teams have over the years. The coach is judged on the win column bottom line. They have a budget to work around to get the best team possible with the limited dollars they have. Naturally they will get the best pop for the buck and in many cases its going to be a non american.

Lots of good programs competing for a few good americans that can help score points. The fall back is out of the US , plain and simple.

excattyguy wrote:

A little perspective -- Curtis and Blincoe were both NCAA outdoor champions. Tiernan's 19:09.48 is impressive.

Jordy Williamsz (2012): 19:15.30

Bobby Curtis (2003): 19:33

Sam McEntee (2011): 19:35.91

Mathew Mildenhall (2009): 19:51.17

Adrian Blincoe (2000): 20:14

Matt Kane (2008): 20:37.14

Blincoe never won an individual NCAA title in any season. Runner-up 3000 indoors one year.

Obviously it is not fair if a 17-18 yo U.S. H.S. senior is being compared to a 20+ yo athlete.

If I am not mistaken wrote:

excattyguy wrote:

A little perspective -- Curtis and Blincoe were both NCAA outdoor champions. Tiernan's 19:09.48 is impressive.

Jordy Williamsz (2012): 19:15.30

Bobby Curtis (2003): 19:33

Sam McEntee (2011): 19:35.91

Mathew Mildenhall (2009): 19:51.17

Adrian Blincoe (2000): 20:14

Matt Kane (2008): 20:37.14

Blincoe never won an individual NCAA title in any season. Runner-up 3000 indoors one year.

He did take it in 2002. He ran great indoors that year 3:58 and 7:47, and NCAA 1st 3000m and 1st DMR

TrackCoach wrote:

Obviously it is not fair if a 17-18 yo U.S. H.S. senior is being compared to a 20+ yo athlete.

ITS NOT FAIR FOR A SEA-LEVEL SCHOOLS TO COMPETE AGAINST ALTITUDE SCHOOLS. WE NEED A SEPARATE NCAA SEA-LEVEL XC CHAMPIONSHIPS!!

(see how stupid it sounds)

TrackCoach wrote:

Obviously it is not fair if a 17-18 yo U.S. H.S. senior is being compared to a 20+ yo athlete.

Tiernan just turned 19.

There are plenty of U.S. born college frosh who are turning or have already turned 19 prior to December of their frosh year, trust me

There are plenty of U.S. born college frosh who are turning or have already turned 19 prior to December of their frosh year, trust me

______________________________________________________________

That is true but there is not a lot of US born sophomores turning 22 at the end of their soph years, trust me. (Jordy Williamsz)

Jordy Williamz will be 23 when he graduates with three months before he would tunr 24

certainly not nearly the first guy for that to be true of, plent of 5 tear red shirted guys are 23 and change before they leave college

He is a year old really, than the older side of U.S. kids

he was also running 3:36 when he was 20, U.S. 20 year olds whould be at the very top of that U.S. age group if running that fast

Miles Batty was almost 25 when he was still on BYU team

Ryan Hill 23 and 5 months

etc etc and so on

He's pretty good no matter what year he is in. Most foreign runners usually are about 1 year older then the majority of american teammates. Some stay back a year to improve their chances to get scholarships. Not saying this is true with this years team. Williamz would have attracted scholarship money when he was 17.

What about it wrote:

TrackCoach wrote:

Obviously it is not fair if a 17-18 yo U.S. H.S. senior is being compared to a 20+ yo athlete.

ITS NOT FAIR FOR A SEA-LEVEL SCHOOLS TO COMPETE AGAINST ALTITUDE SCHOOLS. WE NEED A SEPARATE NCAA SEA-LEVEL XC CHAMPIONSHIPS!!

(see how stupid it sounds)

How is it remotely fair for someone in their late teens to compete against someone else for a scholarship who is perhaps 21 years old. Btw, your above statement is stupid, comparing age to sea level vs altitude. Somethings you can't do anything about like your race, gender and age; sea level vs altitude is a variable.