The West is never an easy region, and this year will proably get even tougher. Who's gonna make the dance?
My guess is:
Stanford - as if it were a question.
Portland - Good team, good returners.
Cal Poly - Did you see the recruting class?
Oregon - Quack quack.
Arizona State - Gettin older and stronger.
Arizona - Did Prindivle graduate yet?
It is summer still, so I suppose its a little early, but who's got something to say?
ASU- Should have a shot at top 10 at nat. Fasil is capable of top 5.
UofA- Won't make it to nat. But i heard Lagat little brother is running.
Stanford- Till someone beats them.
Fasil is capable of top 5 in the west or at nat's. Surely you do not mean nationals?
Lagat's little bro is running for Zona? Damn I didn't know that man. Is his sister still running xc for wazzu? Thanks in advance for the input...
- McGuire
Portland should be down a little this year they raduated their top 3 from last year and rumours say they are redshirting some also.
Cal poly did get a good recruiting class but they need to improve a lot to be competitive.
The west is always strong and will be again this year. On paper - Stanford is ridiculous, but that is a given. Conover will do a good job with Poly - and they should be watched carefully. Oregon will be solid, as will Portland and Washington could always sneak into the mix. Due to my bias I think Arizona St. will be strong. I know the depth and talent in XC this year and I believe Fasil has as good of shot at top 5 as anyone. I guess we'll see. I'd be happy with another top 20 performance. On paper we're pretty decent:
Fasil Bizuneh - 13:51, 28:46
Juan Reyes - 13:54
Ronnie Buchanan - 14:12
JJ Duke - PAC 10 XC Freshman of the year 2001
Aaron Aguayo - 9:07 in HS 2002
Jeremy Rasmussen - 8:49st
Roger Cahill - 9:12 in HS
Kris Alexander - 7th PAC 10 steeple in 2002.
Nobody thinks Stanford can be beat out west, but as I tell my guys - Stanford may have 50 blue chippers, but only five score in XC - so anything can happen. It's gonna be a fun year regardless of what happens.
Stanford could pu together 3 totally different teams that are good enough to qualify for nationals. Good thing they can only enter one :-D
Louie, whats up? Still putting in the consistant miles.
Kyle
No Everyln (Lagat's lil sis) isn't running for us anymore, in fact Lagat and our coach (Li) moved to AZ this summer where he will be coaching next year.