i was the first to remark on his strength. i did this because i feel he is a natural 800(maybe between the mile and 800) runner. for a HS 1:50 guy, i feel that 16:10 on a difficult course (state 3200 champ last year only ran a little faster last year) is showing a good amount of strength.
i also based my strength comment on his ability to evenly split his 800, which he led completely like his mile pr.
my comment on strength was very relative- he has great strength for someone running 48/1:50, which contributed to his 4:09. will he blaze a marathon? no. but he has considerable strength for a 1:50 kid.
i believe that last year we saw an 800 bair use strength to run that 1600, rather than what is being argued here- a pure miler not racing as well in xc.