Is Molly Seidel deserving of a contract?

Run0978 wrote:

Really? They are not heavy, only heavy in comparison.

http://www.denverpost.com/2016/07/06/laura-thweatt-now-running-with-confidence-makes-second-push-to-make-u-s-olympic-team/

These are the best in the US and all probably weight 10++ more pounds then Molly.

Now, does Molly's struggle with disordered eating, which most of us know more then others can quickly spiral out of control, mean she is not deserving? I don't think so. I think that she has worked very very hard and deserves all the opportunities that come her way. That being said, if I was a company, whose main focus is $$, promoting the brand etc. would I sign her? Probably not today, due to her high risk of injury among other things. I would be open to watching her progress the next few years and see how she runs with an extra 10 pounds.

Agree completely. Some other examples of more durable, strong women: Emily Sisson, Abbey D, Colleen Quigley, Dom Scott etc.

^ This

She's smart, articulate, attractive and she's got the heart of a lion. I don't know if she'll make an Olympic team, but I would love to have her represent my brand.

Although it appeared Huddle dropped quite a bit of weight for her NYC marathon debut and some before that for Rio. But injuries are a trap for everyone as Goucher struggled throughout her career and was always on the stronger side. I guess if the best female collegiate runners aren't deserving of a contract then it's going to be tough to develop much for the future as they'd have to give up running and get jobs.

Definitely a strong girl! Adding more body fat may make many feel better about her, but she is not lacking strength.

the link actually has a great photo of Molly...not sure why the wrestlers show up when I copied that link!?!?

Too much muscle mass? She looks stronger than many guys that earn solid contracts and probably is.

She is hot. So yes, she does.

This.

johnny dangerously wrote:

She's smart, articulate, attractive and she's got the heart of a lion. I don't know if she'll make an Olympic team, but I would love to have her represent my brand.

If she isn't - please list class of 2017 prospects you would take in front of her.

i think she looks healthy and strong in that pic, but that pic is also from 2015 cross--i remember seeing her run (terrifically) at 2016 NCAA indoor and being bummed that it looked like she definitely crossed the line a bit a dropped a relatively dangerous amount of weight

PIcs can be deceiving, that pic was from early in the cross season 2015, here she is at nationals. That cross season is where stuff definitely became noticeable. But a lot of getting a contract is who you know, not how you run. Katrina Coogan got one with NB because her dad works there good ol nepotism. Aisling Cuffe got one and shes not as accomplished, but being from NY she was basically Molly Huddle jr, looked up to Molly a lot and rubbed elbows with her and now shes at Saucony. Personality matters too M. Seidel seems weird to me, like not sociable.

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/ca2c30a383450ee7a690a0e92c63ff2aa4bacf33/c=114-0-1887-1333&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2015/11/21/Louisville/Louisville/635837230447534894-11-21-15-NCAA-XC-Champ-11.JPG

Untrueism wrote:

Flag Staff wrote:

Molly already has an agent. He is going to lengths to make her marketable.

Maybe she will put together a track season. Maybe a post-collegiate coach will want to work with her. Maybe she will remain healthy.

This is 100% not true. Name her agent? Just because someone may have given her a little advice does not mean she has retained them as an agent. I can tell you that part of her problem is that Coach Matt does not have any connections in the industry. This is why UA is the only one asking. No Nike, No Brooks, No Asics, No New Balance, No Saucony.

The bigger issue is Coach Sparks wants to squeeze some more points out of her!

America is doomed.. wrote:

Personality matters too M. Seidel seems weird to me

Because she doesnt wave her ass around on social media? Because she doesnt have a 110% focus on running? To me she seems like a soft spoken girl who never let reality escape her. She's not caught up with het presence social media. She is not caught up on being a populist. She just is who she is! She is a tremendous human being. Kind to others regardless if they are runners or not. Not superficial at all. Loves her hometown. Enjoys the outdoors. Never forgets her roots and extremely loyal to her people.

Brojos and mods pick the people they want to abuse and want to be abused.

This girl is one of them,

It's abusive and it's time they get called on it.

Abuse.

GO MOLLY!

Oedipus Reximg wrote:

GO MOLLY!

I'm a big fan of Molly. Whichever brand signs her will get my support (unless it's Oiselle, but I don't see that happening).

My name is unimportant wrote:

I am curious what this board thinks. I was asked this question by a higher up at Under Armour and was very careful with my answer.

Thats a good question and relates to about 90% of the graduating potential coming out of college hoping to continue a running career.

For most its really charity pay, the won't win a big one, they won't have a prolific road running career, the so called return on investment is zero for most of these contacted athletes living in bubble of self imposed importance.

Its really getting paid to train for the most part.

UA's biggest problem is having shoes that you can actually train in. Have you seen the junk they attempt sell as running shoes. Try to find a running store that carries them.

Get the product right first, then think about promotions and athletes.

As an ND Alum, I'd love to see her get a contract. She has had an extraordinary college career.

But I think there is reason to think she wont progress at the next level. Whether that translates to being financially worth it or not for a company like Under Armour, I dont know.

Why don't I think she will progress?

She has no more muscle mass to lose.

Huddle had a solid career, but certainly did not perform to the level of Seidel. But Huddle was probably 10-15 lbs heavier in college than she is now. That weight makes a big difference when you are running 10ks and marathons.

IMO, Seidel is at optimal racing weight now. There is very little gains to be made in her physique. This was the key to Huddle's progression and I just dont see the same upside from Seidel.

Of course, she could very well be a very solid top American woman for 10 years, but will she be contending in olympic finals and in the NYC Thon. No.