I can't believe there is no Letsrun.com home page love for Drew Windle, sophomore from Ashland University, who completely dominated the Division II field to win in 1:48.75. This kid was a 1:51.9 guy less than two years ago at the very end of his senior high school season, and has already run a faster indoor time than the 1980s great Jay Fabian who in the same year ran 1:47.3 outdoors.
A Division II, true sophomore, NCAA champion and American-born 1:48.75 indoors deserves some love.
I've read your message a few times and can't quite figure out what is so extraordinary. I mean it sounds really good, but to be surprised it's not on the home page is the surprising thing.
would be impressive for a high school sophomore
The fact that it's an NCAA title is enough for coverage, and it would have been 6th at NCAA DI championships. If we're operating under the mission that we want to forward the sport, this is exactly how you do it - my promoting great accomplishments outside of just Division I.
This individual also ran 1:17.4 in the 600m this year which at the time, and might still be, 3rd all divisions for the year.
ashland_alum wrote:
This individual also ran 1:17.4 in the 600m this year which at the time, and might still be, 3rd all divisions for the year.
You're trolling right? That wouldn't have even been 3rd in the Big 10 championships.
That's why I said "at the time" - it was run long before Big 10.
I know you who are, ashland_alum.
Also, congrats to Drew on a good run and hopefully he keeps improving.
And big props to coach Mack who is doing an awesome job at an expensive school with a non-existent budget.
Probably wouldn't have won if Berian from Adams was running this year.
ashland_alum wrote:
That's why I said "at the time" - it was run long before Big 10.
And followed it up with "and still might be". Do you pay attention to track and field at all?
lrcdc wrote:
ashland_alum wrote:That's why I said "at the time" - it was run long before Big 10.
And followed it up with "and still might be". Do you pay attention to track and field at all?
My mistake. Either way it doesn't negate the fact that he ran 1:48.75 indoors as a sophomore and that just because he's D2 doesn't mean he shouldn't receive and props.
Lots of people have run 1:48 this year. Most of them don't deserve threads
What's with American's and your silly names
Would would call their kind Drew when their surname is Windle
Mentioning Jay Fabian reminded me of the great 4x800 team from the 70's. Can anyone name the other 3 members of that team (without looking it up).
Barry King for sure. 4x national champion in the 800m.
Steve Foster was also a stud in those days - but I believe he was right after in the early 80s.
That 4x8 ran around 7:26 indoors if I remember correctly.
Steve Foster was already in Gainesville, FL in 1976. Ran 3:55 eventually.
Fourth guy's first name was Bob.
ashland_alum wrote:
The fact that it's an NCAA title is enough for coverage, and it would have been 6th at NCAA DI championships. If we're operating under the mission that we want to forward the sport, this is exactly how you do it - my promoting great accomplishments outside of just Division I.
This individual also ran 1:17.4 in the 600m this year which at the time, and might still be, 3rd all divisions for the year.
Are you this kid's mom or dad? You are nuts if you think LetsRun is going to write an article about the winner of any event at D2 nats that isn't a spectacular performance. (and no, 148.75 for a sophomore in college isn't spectacular)
Who cares about Division 2. Bunch of hobbyjoggers.
Seeing only about 1 in 10 high school runners who go to DI ever do anything (make major improvements or make championships) I would say DII or DIII is not a bad option for a lot of high schoolers and gives them a chance to develop; just hope high school athletes and coaches see the opportunities that are being missed pushing mid level high school runners to DI programs that are not developing talent or even solid programs.
Yes we all know DI is better we know that but at least II and III are not completely over run by foreign athletes (are some in DII but not many) taking away chances and scholarships from American student athletes. How many 'Nick Symmonds'' are out there waiting to be developed?
How about Will Leer? D3.
Also - Drew Windle was selected at the DII Athlete of the year Indoors. If anyone wants even further validation.
Anyone like me, when they read the thread title they thought sophomore meant - sophomore in HS.
"Wow that's really good for HS. I'm surprised I hadn't heard of that," was my honest reaction.
1:48 is good period but's not going to generate a big thread unless the kid is in HS or the athlete's name is Caster Semenya.