Matt Boling is overrated

lets be real wrote:

First off, the kid is already 19.

No he's not.

lets be real wrote:

Bolt is much taller. When he popped on the scene he had no mechanics and was a gangly teen with scoliosis who had a lot to gain from form correction and formal training.

Bolt is 6'5", Boling is 6'2". Is being 3 inches taller now much taller? What would 6 inches taller be? 9 inches? 12?

He will be 19 in 35 days

You never know how much more he will improve. I wish him the best. I hope he stays healthy. I just hope he doesn't get injured by running too many races to please all of these promoters who are trying exploit him to fill the seats at their venues while he gets not a dime for being the center of attention.

Dear ‘let’s be real’,

With all due respect,

He ran those times.

He deserves respect.

Your respect.

Not your treatment.

Grow up.

He would be one of the best runners and jumpers in the NCAA right now. I just worry about high schoolers pushing the limits on GNC type supplements that all of a sudden are not allowed when they get to college.

By "world-beater", if you mean future world-record holder...that's true...

But, if by "world-beater" you mean someone who is on the world-stage such as the Olympics and what-not...you're completely wrong!

Let me state some flaws in your post:

- Being physically mature does not necessarily mean you won't improve. If you saw Yohan Blake as a 19 year old, he had broad shoulders, was stocky, and was evidently physically mature. He hasn't grown since 19. However, Yohan's 100m PR @19 was 10.11. He eventually brought that down to an astounding 9.68. Living proof that being physically mature doesn't necessarily mean you won't get much faster.

- "His mechanics have already been worked on a lot". Wrong. If you saw his 9.98, his start was bad, and his drive phase wasn't too hot. These are things which can, and will, be improved on @Georgia.

- "He'll still be 4th to the American trio" - Assuming that the "trio" you're referring to is Coleman, Baker, and Lyles, I wouldn't be so sure about that. Based on Boling's current trajectory, I would say he has a fair shot @challenging Baker, as Boling ran a whole 0.42 seconds faster than Baker did in high school.

- The height - I think you're forgetting that before Bolt, the ideal height was 6'0"-6'2"...Boling's height is perfect. The majority of people who are 6'6" won't have the mobility to sprint at a high speed, Bolt was an exception.

"His mechanics have already been worked on a lot"

I'm guessing you're a distance runner? Or haven't watched his 100 races closely? His starts are pretty terrible. I'm betting his mechanics haven't been worked on much at all by an experienced, top level coach. How many high school coaches know how to get the most out of a very high level sprinter? Does his high school coach work with Olympians? Get him the correct guidance from a coach that knows exactly what to do and Boling can chop time just from his first 10 steps. Those same ideas apply to his training program.

I had juice this morning wrote:

Do high schoolers use any illegal substances? I have seen several high schoolers recently who have been national class but dropped off in college despite their dedication to the sport. Most recently, a high school girl ran 53 but hasn’t broken 55 after 3 years in college.

Letsrun.com …….where running 10.1 and 44.75...….in high school, is overrated. hahahahahaah

alright dude, we get it, your girl followed him then immediately liked his pics..

now you're worried your 1 DM away from, "sorry let's be real, I found a real alpha.." text message..

carry on..

Try 65 days... Plenty of people graduating high school right now will turn 19 in late July.

wayneb wrote:

"His mechanics have already been worked on a lot"

I'm guessing you're a distance runner? Or haven't watched his 100 races closely? His starts are pretty terrible. I'm betting his mechanics haven't been worked on much at all by an experienced, top level coach. How many high school coaches know how to get the most out of a very high level sprinter? Does his high school coach work with Olympians? Get him the correct guidance from a coach that knows exactly what to do and Boling can chop time just from his first 10 steps. Those same ideas apply to his training program.

This. His first 20 is no better than a 10.3 guy

His best event might be the long jump. How many 8.30 meter jumpers are American? The long jump seems to be relatively weak for American men now so he might have a chance to make an international team in that event.

I’m curious—where are you guys getting this detailed knowledge of his first 20m, or his start?

And speaking of details, how about giving some? Precisely what is it about his start or first 20 that is deficient?

Honest questions. I haven’t seen any very informative video.

Sprintgeezer wrote:

I’m curious—where are you guys getting this detailed knowledge of his first 20m, or his start?

And speaking of details, how about giving some? Precisely what is it about his start or first 20 that is deficient?

Honest questions. I haven’t seen any very informative video.

I saw him live. His start is pretty solid. Maybe some slight improvements with his arms out of the blocks, otherwise good. His reaction/explosion doesn’t seem to be world class from what I’ve seen, but not a deal breaker. Just very good, as good as his comp, but no better. His form past 20m looks very good.

IMHO

Boling looks good at this age, and there are plenty of areas he can improve in. I have no idea how much cross-training and overall body fitness he has, but overall he's strong. He quads look surprisingly not-that-muscular compared to his lean upper body. I hope he does great, and also hope UGA doesn't burn him out down there. I think with some additional work and smart training, he could definitely be winning NCAA championships.

Over-rated? Compared to what or who?

https://trackandfieldnews.com/texas-state-boys-matthew-boling-creates-new-legend/

Matt Boling is a teenager. Give him some time before you judge. You are only making guesses, and poorly informed ones at that.

OP - you're a distance runner aren't you...

I've not seen enough quality footage to comment on his technique, but the idea that technique and musculature are the only variables is naive. It's like saying that a distance guy is running regularly and is pretty lean, so they've maxed out.

Completely ignoring the tecnhnical progress that can be made, it's a very rare individual that maximises their neurological abilities at the age of 19 - several years of consistent max velocity running without any other notable physical changes and he will see progress. Given that he's not been focusing on short sprints, it's safe to say there is still a fair bit of unexplored up-side.

Speed may be slower to develop than endurance, but it is still a perfectly trainable quality if you do the right work.

Why is Matt going to UGA? Hopefully because Coach Kyprianou is probably the best coach in the country for training multis. And I for one am salivating over the possibility of Boling becoming a decathlete.

Just gotta teach him to vault and hurdle; the throws will come along on their own with time/age/maturity/reps.

For comparison, here are some PR stats for the best Decathletes of all time, the best of the past 10-12 years, and the best of current / upcoming crop (including the Australian kid who just set the U20 record, and who is just a few months older than Matt):

- - - - - - - - - - - - 100 - 200 - 400 - LJ - HJ

Kevin Mayer 10.55 - 21.76 - 48.26 - 7.80 - 2.10

Ashton Eaton 10.21 - 20.76 - 45.00 - 8.23 - 2.11

Roman Sebrle 10.64 - 21.74 - 47.76 - 8.11 - 2.15

Dan O'Brien 10.31 - - - 46.53 - 8.08 - 2.13

Bryan Clay 10.35 - 21.34 - 47.28 - 7.96 - 2.10

Trey Hardee 10.39 - 20.98 - 47.51 - 7.88 - 2.06

Damien Warner 10.15 - 20.97 - 46.54 - 8.04 - 2.09

Arthur Abele 10.67 - 22.41 - 47.98 - 7.57 - 2.04

Kai Kazmirek 10.62 - 21.42 - 46.75 - 7.69 - 2.15

Rico Freimuth 10.40 - 21.39 - 47.51 - 7.60 - 2.01

Maicel Uibo 10.99 - 23.62 - 50.18 - 7.82 - 2.18

Ashley Moloney 10.51 - 21.85 - 46.86 - 7.54 - 2.10

MATT BOLING 10.13 - 20.58 - *46.15* - 8.01 - 2.01

*400 PR in 2018; HJ PR was as a 16yo soph; Feb 2017

With minimal training in the other events not listed here, I believe Matt could medal in Decathlon in 2020, and probably win it all by WC 2023.

Come on, Petros. Let's do this.