First, congrats to Kate Avery for running a smart race and one that suited her strengths out there on a tough day. But, the question lies, since she was so close to Sally's record, does this mean she can do similar things that Sally is doing now, given time and good health? Does anyone else see as much potential in her as I do? If I'm correct, Sally's record race was run in much better conditions than today's.
Does Kate have another year of eligibility in cross?
reader of the forums wrote:
Does Kate have another year of eligibility in cross?
Yes
By the way, it was windy out there today (especially the finishing stretch) and Avery was running alone for the majority of the race. I think she was capable of low 19:20s under ideal conditions today.
The gals chasing here were not in much of a group either. Maybe that work in front was taking a toll because Disanza made up 10 seconds on her from the time that they go straight (where you can see the 7/9km markings if you curve to the right and towards the camera). She was 18 seconds behind at that point and finished 8 down.
All those women had some pretty good horsepower today in a race that did not develop like the mens race did.
A British take on Avery's performance here.
26mi235 wrote:
The gals chasing here were not in much of a group either. Maybe that work in front was taking a toll because Disanza made up 10 seconds on her from the time that they go straight (where you can see the 7/9km markings if you curve to the right and towards the camera). She was 18 seconds behind at that point and finished 8 down.
All those women had some pretty good horsepower today in a race that did not develop like the mens race did.
Kate said in an interview that the wind really pushed her back on the homestretch. And now that you've mentioned the gap closing, I believe it.
runjunkie wrote:
First, congrats to Kate Avery for running a smart race and one that suited her strengths out there on a tough day. But, the question lies, since she was so close to Sally's record, does this mean she can do similar things that Sally is doing now, given time and good health? Does anyone else see as much potential in her as I do? If I'm correct, Sally's record race was run in much better conditions than today's.
(emphasis added)
Not taking away anything from Kate Avery and she's got a great shot at doing wonderful things in her own way. But, having been around in the Sally Kipyego era, I would have to say no. And, you can guess by my name that I enjoy Kenyan runners and culture, but back then, Sally Kipyego was so dominant, in both XC and track, and cleaned up so hard and so bad, I felt, as an observer, borderline ill-at-ease/nervous that some people would be bitter and Kipyego might become a posterchild/rallying cry for American backlash against foreign athletes competing in the NCAA. She was, in fact, as visible in interviews back then, very pleasant, smiling, honest and hardworking, going out for nursing, if I remember, because of a life/family experience of emergency.
As I was saying, it was just so dominant, like a teacher whooping her students in classroom games.
Your line of reasoning only goes so far, because Kate Avery has not dominated XC nor track like Sally Kipyego did in her time.