The absolute state of South Eastern running

Southeast schools aren't good at distance running because it's always hot, which is fine for sprinting but sucks for distance running. Plus, they don't really have altitude training. Not to mention the SE is big on football, barbecue, and Jesus, and that kind of culture doesn't mesh well with most distance runners. This is also why the SE region is bad in high school too, it's a big region by population but it's usually the weakest NXN region on both girls and boys sides.

Aaron Templeton (Furman) is from Knoxville, which is pretty danged Southeastern. He ran 28:27 in Raleigh on Saturday.

Southeast is home to Loudoun Valley, VA, which has won NXN twice in a row.

Nice try, go home.

ThumpTrump wrote:

Aaron Templeton (Furman) is from Knoxville, which is pretty danged Southeastern. He ran 28:27 in Raleigh on Saturday.

Southeast is home to Loudoun Valley, VA, which has won NXN twice in a row.

Nice try, go home.

Jake Renfree also from Knoxville. Won indoor mile at Nats. Gonna kill it at Notre Dame. Massive talent

Stickers on the Bottle wrote:

Anyone else notice a lack of SE talent in SE schools, or a lack of good SE schools in general?

Big boy list:

-NC State? Wack. All foreigners or not from the SE

-Furman? see above

-Ole Miss? "

-Alabama? "

-Arkansas? "

-FSU? Actually kinda decent, lots of Florida boys. Probably the only good exception.

Schools on the up, doing the right things:

-Charleston Southern

-Wake Forest

As far as D2? All of them schools get boys from everywhere else. Only Augusta Uni actually takes a meaningful amount of boys from their own state, anyone else who does isn't worth a damn.

Another big thing is the lack of emphasis on XC in the SE. Lots of schools w/ small budgets and a lack of interest, despite steady stream of at least dozens of sub16 kids every year.

Where did the SE go wrong?

All those schools could be good if they tried. Look, Florida hired Solinksy, I'd say that's says something about their commitment. They aren't just blowing smoke. Not so sure about the other schools, but they certainly have the money, the facilities, and the population to chose from IF they ever decided they wanted to be good.

yes, it's hot, yes The South isn't really the first place you think of when you think distance running, but Ark did a fine job through the years. It can be done. It's just a matter of want to.