Top non-African in World Junior 5k Justyn Knight headed to Syracuse...Why?

Here is an article where he talks about why he chose Syracuse:

http://athleticsillustrated.com/editorial/justyn-knight-commits-to-syracuse-university/

“I chose Syracuse because, for me, it’s the right blend of academics and athletics. Syracuse has a strong academic support system for student athletes which I feel will ensure my success both on and off the track. Coach Fox and his team of coaches, along with the support of the Athletic Director, Dr. Daryl Gross, continue to improve the school’s position in the NCAA rankings and have built a solid competitive track and cross-country program.”

The statement ^ is odd. How many would cite the AD by name? Looks a bit prepared rather than off-the-cuff.

I was talking to a Syracuse co-ed at a Ma college about weather. She says it's no comparison. Syra. is much more wintery than So. NE which has a pretty severe Jan-feb. in its own right. So would I go there --a good program no doubt-- for distance training ...No.

He is well-spoken. I have interviewed him twice over video and once written, as well as communicated with him for articles and this is how he speaks.

He is thoughtful and mentions names, calls people "Sir" and Mr. ____________.

Not a lot different than a younger Cam Levins, Mo Ahmed etc etc. Maybe it is a CDN thing....dunno.

CAMMMMMMMMM

How does Syracuse have a strong academic support system for athletes? Doesn't every (or nearly every) school have tutors and study hall for athletes?

I never understand when recruits choose this as a reason for picking a particular school.

DUH!

http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/05/living/princeton-review-party-schools-syracuse/

Syracuse got lucky wrote:

I mean seriously, who would choose Syracuse in the face of offers from Universities like Wisconsin, Oklahoma, NAU etc?

I can think of lots of reasons someone from the Toronto area would choose Syracuse over any of those schools. That's so obvious in comparison to Oklahoma State and NAU that it is hardly worth getting started on.

As for choosing between Syracuse and Wisconsin, consider that if you go to Syracuse, your upcoming xc schedule takes you to Boston, Princeton, Charlottesville and Van Cortlandt Park, in addition to a trip to the Wisconsin Adidas meet.

If you go to Wisconsin, your 2014 xc schedule consists of two home meets, two meets in Iowa City and two in Indiana. Then you get Wisconsin winter, which isn't any better than Syracuse.

That's just one way of making the point that going to an Eastern school puts you in a different world than going to a Midwest school, and a lot of people might prefer that.

You can fulfill your potential anywhere. Nick Symmonds is proof of that. And Syracuse won its regional and was top ten at Terre Haute in 2013, so it's hardly a stranger to top level competition.

Syracuse got lucky wrote:

I mean seriously, who would choose Syracuse in the face of offers from Universities like Wisconsin, Oklahoma, NAU etc?

How good is Chris Fox's program over at 'Cuse anyway? Can anybody give a good rundown on it?

Are you serious? I get the question you are asking but why would you include 'Oklahoma' as a powerhouse program.

Syracuse makes NCAAs ever year and was top 15 last year. Oklahoma didn't even go to the meet.Go and look up how many Big East crowns syracuse had in the last 5 years and compare that to Gtown. It may not be a name but it should be.

A few more things.

1) Chris Fox is a good dude.

2) Are you aware of the location of the school? It's less than a 4 hour drive from Knight's hometown. Maybe he wanted to stay close to home.

3) Syracuse often does good stuff but just doesn't get the fanfare. In addition to winning all those big east crowns, a few years ago, Fox, Bell and company coached a kid who won the US junior xc champs - Jace Lowry. it didn't get noticed as the kid decided to give up running and return to the family farm.

There are lots of good coaches out there. Syracuse has a good program and that is close to his home. Why in God's name would he go to Oklahoma where the coaching staff just changed?

And in terms of money, a stud likely could get more money perhaps at a syracuse than a wisco.

I'm glad he is not going to a public school. American universities should be giving scholarships to Americans. At least at a private school, it's private school money when they recruit carpetbaggers.

rojo wrote:

Are you serious? I get the question you are asking but why would you include 'Oklahoma' as a powerhouse program.

Was talking about Oklahoma STATE. You know, that team that placed third at NCAA XC last year? Thought that was obvious...

This is no mystery Lt Colombo.

1) Close to home.

2) Excellent coach.

3) 'Cuse (9.6%) is not lily-white like Wisconsin.(2.0%)

4) Good academic support that he won't likely find elsewhere.

5) Scholarship money.

Seems like a real good fit to me.

Syracuse has always been a great school for athletics.

You obviously knew he was talking about Oklahoma state. Good job rambling on and on about a typo. You look stupid for this. Now that said Syracuse is a good XC school. You should have stuck to that argument and your post would have been very respectable. Instead you look like an idiot who doesn't know that Oklahoma State has a good XC team, which obviously you do know.

The guy said OKLAHOMA. Not Okla State - that is not a typo, it is missing information. I thought he meant Oklahoma (where Burcham went), and wondered why. This is called communication - people can't read the minds of posters. Maybe people need to be a little more careful before posting.

He may want to compete next year as well - don't recall Troy Smith running for Wisco this year, certainly didn't compete for a place at World Juniors.

Knight has a huge upside. 1.52 by himself says he has better speed than Mo Ahmed, and even his 8.07 looked impressive, given the little training background prior to this past year. The 3.47 was also solo. He ran with the Africans at World Juniors through 3k (~8.15), which is 13.45 pace, before the wheels fell off - I thought that showed some guts as it would have been easier to run with the American, or run even pace towards 14.00.

Hopefully Knight gets the opportunity to take down the Canadian Junior 5000m record (13.43 - Bruce Kidd from 1962!!), as it is about time that record was erased. If Palamar can stay healthy enough (3.38 last year as a freshman, age-group Junior - took down Kevin Sullivan's record) then there is some good young talent to see in coming years - although Levins and Ahmed (unless Mo moves to the marathon)should be around for a while.

syracuse and coach fox have a great program. as a former hoya, it may pain me to say that...but those boys and gals run hard and know how to take care of business. he will do fine up there and develop well i presume.

My observation is the Syracuse program continues to be on the rise under Chris Fox's leadership.

Chris was one hell of a competitor Back in the day. Every time I raced him, I knew it would hurt.

These athletes will develop well under Coach Fox.

As one of 'Cuse's main head-to-head competitors, I give major props to Rojo for the nod. He saw them often and I'm sure got to know Fox and Bell. Rojo's been in the trenches he knows what it's like to work `12-14 hours on campus come home and then call HS kids for 2-3 hours. I don't care what school you go to...I give all coaches major props for that.

Fox and Bell are not looking for major recognition or fanfare...just good ol' TCB.

There is huge commitment to the distance running program at SU from the Athletic Dept. Meaning full # of scholarships for X-C and Track however Fox wants to use them.

Back in the 90's and early 00's SU was a doormat. Fox

turned that program around virtually overnight.

I also like that he's not pandering to the local CNY stars.

If they want to come...great. If not, SU will still be competitive as well.

Go 'Cuse. You'd be a fool not have them from finishing 7-10 this Nov. at NCAA.

Thanks for the overview.