By: Garrett Zatlin
With winter break just coming to an end, most of the big time meets have yet to start. However, there were still some solid performances that can be overlooked. Here are some of the notable runs this past weekend.
PSU Relays
Mile
The mile was won by the debut of Robby Creese in a 4:05 effort running unattached. Unfortunately, we won't see Creese this indoor season as all of his indoor track eligibility is gone. However, in second place was the sophomore transfer Timothy McGowan who ran 4:08. Not bad and certainly a nice start for him this season.
4x800
The 4x800 was won by the Nittany Lions as they held off an underrated Iowa State squad with a time of 7:25. ISU finished in a time of 7:29. That's a very solid time considering Penn State ran the facility record of 7:22 last season with Robby Creese. It looks like they are still holding onto the title of 800U. However, the biggest takeaway has to be the split from Brannon Kidder who cruised to an impressive 1:48-mid split. That is an excellent season opener when you consider how smooth he looked. It seems like Kidder is on the top of his game right now.
It's also important to note that Iowa State did a very solid job contending with Kidder and the rest of the Penn State squad. While the Nittany Lions did get wins over the Cyclones, it wasn't by much and the runners from ISU were not shaken easily. Watch out for the Iowa State to have some sleepers this season.
Ohio State Opener
3000
Sophomore Bowie Clayton of Ohio State gets the win with a time of 8:21. Not bad considering he was all alone. Not really too huge in the big picture of the season, but it shows that he has potential.
Princeton vs Navy
Mile
Stephen Schroeder (Navy) runs a very solid 4:05 for the victory in the mile. Schroeder has essentially been the face of this Navy squad for quite a bit now and a 4:05 this early is a great sign for the senior. I always felt that he was more of a longer distance guy but if he could dip under four minutes then that could easily change my mind.
Senior Luke Brahm of Princeton was second in 4:09.
Border Battle
It wasn't a meet of fast times, but some interesting names made a debut
800
Senior Will Teubel (Iowa) won the 800 over the underrated Will Crocker (Missouri), 1:53.24 to 1:53.40. Both of these guys have 1:48 PR's so look out for them to get some low-key wins this season.
3000
Alex Gold led his XC star teammate, Dylan Lafond, through the 3k to win in a time of 8:23. Lafond was 8:24 for second. I was kind of hoping for something better from Lafond, but the season is young and there is still plenty of time for him to prove himself.
Dartmouth Relays
3000
Dartmouth easily swept the event taking spots 1 through 4. Junior Julian Heninger took the win with a time of 8:19. His teammate Brian Masterson was second in 8:22.
Indiana vs Tennessee Duals
800
One of the biggest storylines this week is that Indiana sophomore Daniel Kuhn gave the nation it's first sub-1:50 open 800 time. The Hoosier won the event with a time 1:49.63. That is an awesome sign for Kuhn this early in the season. You have to imagine he'll improve from this point on which would continue to add to the ridiculous depth (nationally) at 800 meters this season.
3000
Austin Whitelaw of Tennessee gets the win over with a time of 8:18. It's not too quick, but it's a solid run. He's run 8:10 and 13:58 before, so hopefully he uses this race as momentum to get quicker throughout the season. He won't make NCAA's, but he could get some low-key wins like I mentioned with Will Tuebel and Will Crocker.
Abert's 4:11 mile at Penn State relays was very impressive for his first race.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive no doubt. Him and Dylan Mountain both were awesome (Mountain was 4:10). Good sign for Abert to potentially go sub-4 by junior or senior year.
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