Cranny 4th, Efraimson 6th in WJ 1500

sc42 wrote:

Efraimson may have faded in the last 100, but she went for it. As for all the know-it-alls suggesting that she does not understand racing at a high level, do you recall that she won a high level collegiate race while still a junior in HS? I presume all you guys saying that 'she doesn't get it' were doing that at the age of 12? Ugh.

Pretty sure that was a low-key early season meet. Still very impressive but lets not overstate it.

NOP Skeptic wrote:

Stop the presses wrote:

I hope she doesn't go pro just yet. I don't think she's quite ready.

No, she's not ready at all

Will college get her ready? I doubt it. She'll be ahead of nearly all of the competition even at the college level.....maybe get a little physical at NCAA's in two years???....or just go now and use the next few years to 'get ready'.....high school competition isn't going to get her 'ready', neither is college. If she can make some money, have school and travel paid for......and get some real experience, she should. Seems like a no-brainer. Why compete against high school runners or go the NCAA completion route?

Been There Many Times wrote:

PIL wrote:

Got manhandled by Ethiopian winner right before the bell. Alexa again ran in lane two most of the race and then got pushed around by an athlete that weights 30lbs less than her.

There's more to being fast in trying to win a medal at the championship level. Great runner but obviously hasn't been taught the first thing about high level racing. Ran 1520-1530 meters and didn't even try to defend her position with 420 to go. Got passed again on the inside with 250 to go, got bumped outside again with 200 to go. With better tactics she medals.

1) Not knowing how to race is a common problem with kids who are very good in high school. You never actually have to deal with other runners if you are always out in front.

2) Racing is not the sort of thing that can be "taught." You have to learn by doing.

Maybe if Ms. Efraimson could find enough high school boys to race with, she could learn. Otherwise, it will have to wait until college.

Clear view wrote:

Efraimson is a 17 year old junior in high school and will be eligible to return to this meet in two years.

I wouldn't count on here competing in Kazan in two year's time. What do you imagine her focus will be: the US Olympic Trials or qualifying for the juniors again?

this is a good point. i think efraimson is sorta in no man's land between ncaa and pros. i think she should run in college. jenny simpson stayed (i think) all 4 years at colorado, even when she ran sub4 and 15 flat. in an interview after she nearly broke the ar this summer, she mentioned how the ncaa experience was important and that it really taught her how to race and even blatantly said "don't skip college" http://www.flotrack.org/video/748348-Jenny-Simpson-after-JUST-missing-the-AR-in-Paris. efraimson won't be THAT far ahead of the competition in ncaa. if at the very least, shell have cranny

mhm wrote:

this is a good point. i think efraimson is sorta in no man's land between ncaa and pros. i think she should run in college. jenny simpson stayed (i think) all 4 years at colorado, even when she ran sub4 and 15 flat. in an interview after she nearly broke the ar this summer, she mentioned how the ncaa experience was important and that it really taught her how to race and even blatantly said "don't skip college"

http://www.flotrack.org/video/748348-Jenny-Simpson-after-JUST-missing-the-AR-in-Paris

. efraimson won't be THAT far ahead of the competition in ncaa. if at the very least, shell have cranny

Seems like she'll still be racing.....and learning to race. If I were Jenny.......I'd want Alexa to wait too. ;).

The NCAA experience worked for her.......but I don't think she was in the same boat as a High school jr.

Either way.......I'm looking forward to seeing how she does.

"If she can pop a 3:59", reminds me of the saying If, if's and but's were candy and nuts, everyday would be Christmas." Cain wasn't in the race, so doesn't matter. Give credit to Dawit, she deserves it. If Cain wants a piece of Dawit, I'm sure Big Al can find where Dawit's racing next.

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