Big Sky XC 2016

Just listed it based on Wisconsin. I highly suspect that there were be other teams mixing in by then. All the number 1's from the 3,4,5,6,7 teams will start showing up. For example. Idaho State's top guy was 12 sec off SUU's Liam Kennell last week at the SUU meet.

Here's how I have the men's race shaking out:

1 NAU

2 SUU

3 Idaho

4 Weber

5 Montana St

6 Idaho St

7 EWU

NAU men are obviously very good. I seen a lot of very good NAU teams in the past, but this one just has so much depth is ridiculous.

I am intrigued on the results of the women. Weber beats NAU women by 2 points. NAU´s 5th runner is almost a minute back of their 4th. That big gap leaves them very vulnerable and a huge advantage to Weber.

Weber has a very good top 2 but their 3rd,4th and 5th are further back and beatable but still much better than NAU´s 5th.

There is good news for NAU that might be a game changer for them. Paige Gilchrist who is an all conference runner for NAU did run at Wisconsin, but did so individually in the open race. Her time was a 22:26??? or something similar which would have made her NAU´s 5th runner. She is coming off a major injury and the question is whether she will be healthy enough to run at conference. With only 2 weeks remaining, will she have enough time to get back into good enough shape to help her team at conference? If she runs well, NAU could upset Weber. Without her, Weber takes the title.

Don´t count the Idaho women out though. They are talented and will be running on their home course. Huge advantage!

Did not see that....

That would give NAU 16 less points and the effectual victory over Weber. This is big news. Gilchrist was 34 seconds ahead of their current 5th.

On another note, what is this guy's deal:

http://www.flotrack.org/video/997209-new-nau-coach-mike-smith-on-transition-to-flagstaff-watching-nau-men-win-wisconsin-invite

I like what he says, but what is with his communication skills?

Bizarre.

Lol. Seemed like a white Obama but talked as if he'd turn to stone if he looked at the interviewer.

Women's update after Wisco, Prenats, Inland Empire:

1. Weber

2. NAU (very close to Weber)

3. Idaho

4. Montana (closing in on Idaho)

5T. EWU

5T. MSU

7. SUU

You'll be quite surprised on Oct 28 if you think SUU's women will finish 7th. You know they've already beat EWU? They just won Santa Clara pretty easily as well.

SUU women : I almost Said way tie with MSU and did not see Santa Clara results. I agree that things are tight enough that a team could swing 3 spots depending on who has a good day. SUU could well be above 7th.

I just looked at Bronco Invite results and I agree that SUU has made a ton of progress.

Revised (final) BSC women's prediction:

1. Weber (skin of the teeth over NAU)

2. NAU (if Gilchrist is OK, too close to call)

3. Idaho (another win this week)

4. Montana (closing fast on Idaho...2 weeks to go)

5. SUU (huge progress in one year, see #4 above)

6T. MSU

6T. EWU (hmm, what has changed...?)

EWU's coach has changed.

SUU women will beat Montana.

Montana is improving, but they won't beat SUU or Idaho for that matter.

Huh?

What are you taking about?

someofyouareclueless wrote:

SUU women will beat Montana.

Montana is improving, but they won't beat SUU or Idaho for that matter.

Bold words. SUU women finished 10th at home last year. 7th would be a step up.

Hate to say it but I agree, 4th-6th would be a major coup for the T-Birds. 7th wouldn't even necessarily be a bad race.

People are starting to get carried away on the SUU and UM bandwagons. UM was crushed by Idaho and lost to MSU in the last two weeks. SUU running in really bad meets.

Billybop wrote:

People are starting to get carried away on the SUU and UM bandwagons. UM was crushed by Idaho and lost to MSU in the last two weeks. SUU running in really bad meets.

Idaho 17:20 team average, UM 17:29 team average. Two point something sec/mile difference, so that was clearly a close race. Both beat EWU by a pretty big margin (17:56 team average). I agree that SUU has raced a weak field yesterday but they do look competitive this year.

Only runner UM beat Idaho at was #3.

Just look at the times from SUU at Santa Clara, which is yes a very fast course, however they look to be as though they will be very competitive at the conference meet. Still giving them the fourth spot from everything I have seen.

The big show is this Friday in Moscow, ID!! Honestly pretty excited for this. Rumor is that there will be a live feed as well.

My things to watch :

1. Will NAU sweep the men's race?

2. Will anybody outside NAU/SUU place top 10 individually?

3. Will Weber's "untouchable" women fall? If so, to who??

4. How close places 3-7 in the men's team race will be

5. Reiter vs. Whetten vs. ?

6. Will the mud throw everything out the window!?!?