Neely Spence Gracey quits Hansons ODP!!

Won't get to train with Kara Jenny Emma. Got to be a Buff.

I wonder if Cranny took this into account when she choose Stanford over Colorado. Gave up the opportunity to run professionally under Wetmore. The dude churns out Olympians.

Fuzzy Wallet wrote:

Won't get to train with Kara Jenny Emma. Got to be a Buff.

I wonder if Cranny took this into account when she choose Stanford over Colorado. Gave up the opportunity to run professionally under Wetmore. The dude churns out Olympians.

Wetmore coaching post-collegians is a very recent thing. Think of all those who went elsewhere after college (or left early): Culpepper x2. Goucher x2. Torres x2. Ritz.

I can't believe all the made up info on here. You guys are kind of pathetic.

Not as pathetic as the credit the Hanson's get for being pricks

This is not a surprise. There are probably about 40-50 ex-Hanson ODP runners now. Athletes usually leave the program after about 1 year. Besides a couple diamonds in the rough with Sell and Davila (who probably would've been Olympians under any program) have any athletes there ever shown any long-term, significant improvement?

I just watched the USATF XC Replay... how out of shape was Neely heading into this race? She wasn't even in the lead and was falling quite behind Laura and Hall well before the 2nd circuit was over. If fit, she should have been able to continue for another lap, it's not like she kicked, took the lead, tried to win, and then stopped cold-turkey. It looked like she fell off the pace and then didn't even make the timing mat for the start of the last lap (watch the video and see her stopping, pulling off).

Much more was going on. I think she just had a bad day out there with the altitude. The bell excuse is pretty damn lame and somehow only effected her and no one else?

Does she not realize her Dad has great integrity and she could tarnish the family name?

Neely certainly was the one to quit the team, after a dispute largely centered on how and where she spends her winters (avoiding Michigan entirely). Neely just generally did her own thing, which, for most of Hansons history, has been a MAJOR no-no. Honestly, Neely simply used Hansons for the sponsorship perks. She never really wanted to ingratiate herself onto the team. I'm sure it was hard for her, however, given that she grew up as a big fish in a small pond, and was home-schooled.

This is not to say that Kevin is innocent. Kevin has alienated and frustrated more athletes than I can count. Yes, the monetary support system is amazing for many runners coming out of college. But Kevin has a way of really turning his back on an athlete, especially when they're injured. Asking to revise the schedule or skip a workout due to a physical ailment WILL lead to an accusation of a "bad attitude" or unwillingness to put in the work. Often, attempting to contact Kevin about some sub-optimal situation will literally elicit no response: he will ignore you. At some point, it's no longer worth it to be made to feel awful on a regular basis. Any former athlete will confirm this in private. Ask Neely.

Very informative. I appreciate the insight.

AZstud wrote:

This is not a surprise. There are probably about 40-50 ex-Hanson ODP runners now. Athletes usually leave the program after about 1 year. Besides a couple diamonds in the rough with Sell and Davila (who probably would've been Olympians under any program) have any athletes there ever shown any long-term, significant improvement?

If you honestly believe that Sell would have "probably been an olympian" under any other program then you are by far the most ignorant person on this board.

I have no ties to the Hansons program, but I just wanted to take a moment to defend the group.

The Hansons are two extremely passionate coaches. They are always excited to work with their athletes and bring an enthusiasm to the sport that I find rare in a lot of other jaded coaches. They are tough on their athletes because you have to be tough to make it. Some people can't handle that. There's a few athletes who couldn't follow team rules or buy in to the program and some of them have even been mentioned on this thread so naturally they get weeded out.

Like every high-caliber coach, they get crucified on this board for doing what they love. These guys started a running group from the ground up (some of you young kids need to check out where they were at around 1999-2000 and where they are now). These are two knowledgeable coaches who went out on a limb and made a name for themselves. The best part about all of this is it hasn't changed them at all. Kevin still coaches at a nearby high school even (and a pretty successful one at that) and has for 20+ years.

The whole point of the program is to take athletes who would otherwise not have an opportunity to run at the pro level and give them one. Most of these athletes are talented, but relatively unheralded coming out of college. Some athletes pan out and some don't but the point is the opportunity is there for them to work their butt off with peers and try to make the dream come true. These coaches know what they're doing and I consider every day that they spend with the program another donation to the small charity we call running.

Neely is a charismatic and wonderful person. She works hard and wants to make it. If she doesn't feel that the program was right for her, then it wasn't. It's all about buying in and hopefully she finds a program she can sink her teeth into. The hansons have said that she is one of the most talented runners they have had as a part of their group and I'm sure someday that statement will be proven right.

Just wanted to give my two cents.

Hansons was a curious misfit of a choice for Neely to begin with. It just took the parties longer to realize than the rest of us. Godspeed to both.

This does not bode well for Cally Macumber.

The Hanson's may have done it for the love of the sport in 1999, but its all about the Benjamin's now. Brooks pays a price to be involved.

This is obviously the fault of the Hansons (or Obama)

She is overweight, Hansons fault

She miscounted laps, Hansons fault

The flu at Clubs, Hansons fault

13th at World Cross, Talent

32:15 Zatopek Champ, Talent

Gas prices creeping back up, Hansons and Obama

Global warming, Hansons and Obama

Between the lower tier of athletes and the brutal Michigan weather, I would expect a high turnover, even if Kevin was a charismatic dude.

I will stand by what I said. Sell probably would've made the Olympic team in '04 under a better coach. The fact that there are so many ex-Hanson athletes speaks volumes about the "quality" of the program. If the group was so great then why do you think the turnover is so high?Why do you think Davila escaped to train in Kenya again?

The fact that there are so many ex-Hanson athletes speaks volumes about the "quality" of the program. If the group was so great then why do you think the turnover is so high?

Why don't more 10 minute 3200 meter runners become D1 All Americans? Same answer

The real question should be why are the Hansons willing to invest millions on athletes that have such a small chance for major success?

They are good for the sport and I am thankful for their investment in the sport.

They don't invest millions. They get $ and free product to sell from brooks. Willing to bet my hairpiece theyve been in the black on the program since about 2008.

This thread is priceless. Everyone seems to have some sort of inside knowledge. I just want everyone to remember that they are talking about human beings. Someone's daughter, father, wife, etc. Whether it's Neely or the Hansons.

This is why the sport will never be anything. Because the community like this is downright horrible. Seriously, calling a 23 year old overweight? I'm sure that's great for her psychi if she reads this. And I'm sure if the Hansons were reading this they would be upset too.

So it wasn't a great fit. Maybe Neely made mistakes, and maybe the Hansons did too. But regardless it didn't work out. The two parties have decided to go onto separate ways. You can gladly comment on the matter. But to personally attack the parties on some message board is downright wrong.