WILL BIG BEN BLANKENSHIP CONTINUE ON AS A MILER?

He will continue getting in the way of other runners to make up for his lack of a kick.

He's not 27 yet, and has been on a big rise the last couple years. He wasn't that far off in the olympic final, and he's a good racer. Another few years of improvement and he could be a 3:31 type and a contender in the 2019/2020 finals.

Devil Dog wrote:

He's not 27 yet, and has been on a big rise the last couple years. He wasn't that far off in the olympic final, and he's a good racer. Another few years of improvement and he could be a 3:31 type and a contender in the 2019/2020 finals.

Agree. Next year will usher in some amazing players tho. Centro, Andrews and Ben will be formidable as usual. But Clayton Murphy and Colby Alexander will arrive as MAJOR talent.

Devil Dog wrote:

He's not 27 yet, and has been on a big rise the last couple years. He wasn't that far off in the olympic final, and he's a good racer. Another few years of improvement and he could be a 3:31 type and a contender in the 2019/2020 finals.

Agree that he's a spectacular racer, but there's no way Blankenship EVER runs 3:31. Doubtful that he makes it through another 4 year Olympic cycle either. Who will coach him now that Rowland has left Eugene?

Goalss wrote:

He will continue getting in the way of other runners to make up for his lack of a kick.

This is obviously wrong. Blankenship has a mean kick that's only gotten better in the last 2 track seasons, as he has been able to sustain it longer and longer without fading from ~200m out. For example, he passed Asbel Kiprop into 1st position at the 2015 Emsley Carr mile with 180m to go, but then faded to like 5th in the last 100m. He has only gotten better since.

Tn-runner wrote:

Goalss wrote:

He will continue getting in the way of other runners to make up for his lack of a kick.

This is obviously wrong. Blankenship has a mean kick that's only gotten better in the last 2 track seasons, as he has been able to sustain it longer and longer without fading from ~200m out. For example, he passed Asbel Kiprop into 1st position at the 2015 Emsley Carr mile with 180m to go, but then faded to like 5th in the last 100m. He has only gotten better since.

This is correct. Ben has a kick or he wouldn't have been able to make it out of two sit and kick heats and qualify to the final in the Olympics. Also he wouldn't have been able to finish within a second of the win in the final without a great kick.

Agree that he's a spectacular racer, but there's no way Blankenship EVER runs 3:31. Doubtful that he makes it through another 4 year Olympic cycle either. Who will coach him now that Rowland has left Eugene?[/quote]

Can you provide a link or some sort of proof that Rowland is no longer coaching OTC? If not, shut up.

Affirmative... wrote:

Devil Dog wrote:

He's not 27 yet, and has been on a big rise the last couple years. He wasn't that far off in the olympic final, and he's a good racer. Another few years of improvement and he could be a 3:31 type and a contender in the 2019/2020 finals.

Agree. Next year will usher in some amazing players tho. Centro, Andrews and Ben will be formidable as usual. But Clayton Murphy and Colby Alexander will arrive as MAJOR talent.

Don't forget Sir Eric Jenkins.

He ran like Sir Roger Bannister past Centro (who was doing his John Landy impression for Kyle Merbot).

Oh well.

Affirmative... wrote:

Devil Dog wrote:

He's not 27 yet, and has been on a big rise the last couple years. He wasn't that far off in the olympic final, and he's a good racer. Another few years of improvement and he could be a 3:31 type and a contender in the 2019/2020 finals.

Agree. Next year will usher in some amazing players tho. Centro, Andrews and Ben will be formidable as usual. But Clayton Murphy and Colby Alexander will arrive as MAJOR talent.

Clayton Murphy and Alexander have already arrived as major talent. We all know what Murpy did. Alexander ran 3:34 and also beat Ben and a great field at Tracktown. Also beat Ben at NY road mile. And almost beat Centro in NY and ran a 3:50 in the process.... I'd say he's already arrived.

I like Yorks. Could be a good one.

Proof or not true wrote:

Agree that he's a spectacular racer, but there's no way Blankenship EVER runs 3:31. Doubtful that he makes it through another 4 year Olympic cycle either. Who will coach him now that Rowland has left Eugene?

Can you provide a link or some sort of proof that Rowland is no longer coaching OTC? If not, shut up.[/quote]

I love here in Eugene, tough guy. It's pretty close to common knowledge. Hate to be the one to burst your bubble that not everything in this world will have a link.

Devil Dog wrote:

He's not 27 yet, and has been on a big rise the last couple years. He wasn't that far off in the olympic final, and he's a good racer. Another few years of improvement and he could be a 3:31 type and a contender in the 2019/2020 finals.

Does that make him sub-elite?

rjm33 wrote:

Affirmative... wrote:

Agree. Next year will usher in some amazing players tho. Centro, Andrews and Ben will be formidable as usual. But Clayton Murphy and Colby Alexander will arrive as MAJOR talent.

Don't forget Sir Eric Jenkins.

He ran like Sir Roger Bannister past Centro (who was doing his John Landy impression for Kyle Merbot).

Oh well.

I think Jenkins has some Pure Hate flowing through him.

I love here in Eugene, tough guy. It's pretty close to common knowledge. Hate to be the one to burst your bubble that not everything in this world will have a link.[/quote]

So according to your insider sources who will be taking over OTC? Are they staying in Eugene?

As has been pointed out, there is some real talent coming up the ranks in the 1500 here in the USA. Thus, it is my belief that IF Blankenship were to move up, it wouldn't be because he's not continuing to improve in the 1500 to the point of being able to win against the best of the world. Rather, it would be for the simple reason that the field here is becoming saturated to the point that it may end up being the luck of the draw that determines if one gets an Olympic spot or not, and not because the top three are clearly the best three.

Does anyone know of the future plans for vets like Manzano? Is Andrews going to give it another go in the 1500 for 2020? Is Centro serious about moving up to the 5k for 2020?

Rowlands contract was through 2016.

Jock, Mead, and Blankenship not enough to excite Vin Lananna/Nike. Lananna is currently looking for his replacement. Not sure who would be candidates?

Andy Powell - Just not sure Vin would want to replace Oregon University coach

Ian Dobson - Ran for Vin.

Gags returns?

Pete Julian -an NOP'er but ready for own group?

NSA CIA Eugene Insider wrote:

I love here in Eugene, tough guy. It's pretty close to common knowledge. Hate to be the one to burst your bubble that not everything in this world will have a link.

So according to your insider sources who will be taking over OTC? Are they staying in Eugene?[/quote]

Lol why should we even believe you when you're claim has no credibility?

Affirmative... wrote:

Devil Dog wrote:

He's not 27 yet, and has been on a big rise the last couple years. He wasn't that far off in the olympic final, and he's a good racer. Another few years of improvement and he could be a 3:31 type and a contender in the 2019/2020 finals.

Agree. Next year will usher in some amazing players tho. Centro, Andrews and Ben will be formidable as usual. But Clayton Murphy and Colby Alexander will arrive as MAJOR talent.

This is balanced by Manzano's retirement this year.

Or did I just dream that and Leo didn't retire?