WHAT TO EXPECT
As NCAA's gets closer, there's a few things I'm hoping to accomplish. They include...
- Establishing a podcast/RoundHouse
- Creating a spreadsheet of times with data from TFRRS
- NCAA predictions (when the time gets closer)
- Returning to "The Commit" series (after PA states)
- Discussing our PA alumni this season (most likely after NCAA's)
THE WEEKEND REVIEW
Mile
It took a few tries, but James Gowans is back under four minutes once again! The Cornell senior took to the flat-track and was able to run a 4:02 which converts to a 3:59. Eric Holt (Binghampton) was runner-up with a 4:07 which converted to around a 4:04.
Unless Gowans can run something faster at Heps, he won't make NCAA's. He currently sits at 26th in the nation.
PA ALUMNI
Griffin Molino, Sophomore, Syracuse: 4:20.43 (7th)
Dominic Hockenbury, Freshman, Syracuse: 4:26.13 (14th)
Mitchell Coakley, Junior, Lock Haven: 4:28.35 (18th)
3000
PA ALUMNI
Addison Monroe, Junior, Lock Haven: 8:54.31 (11th)
Dan Lorah, Junior, Lock Haven: 9:31.30 (23rd)
5000
PA ALUMNI
Jace Kreamer, Freshman, Lock Haven: 16:07.28 (8th)
Jonathan Buytenhuys, Junior, Lock Haven: 16:40.21 (9th)
DMR
Syracuse attempted a DMR with Hubbard, Tooker, and Palamer. You would think that a relay with those guys would be able to sneak under 9:40. Unfortunately, the Orangemen had no one to run with and they ended with a time of 9:58.
Illinois Orange & Blue Open
Mile
Running unattached was Illinois freshman Jonathan Davis who ran an excellent time of 4:01. However, this was on a flat-track which means that his time would (most likely) convert to a sub four minute mile! Not bad for the young guy.
3000
Dylan Lafond (Illinois) got himself a win with a time of 8:09. It was converted to an 8:04.
UCS Invitational
Mile
Henry Wynne (Virginia) took another crack at the mile again this past weekend. He was able to bounce back and earn himself a victory, but he failed to qualify for NCAA's as he ran a time of 4:00 (which was given a flat-track conversion from a 4:03).
Assuming he runs the mile at ACC's, Wynne has only one more chance to make nationals.
PA ALUMNI
Cooper Leslie, Freshman, William & Mary: 4:16.90 (6th)
3000
Todd Gunzenhauser, Sophomore, UNC-Charlotte: 9:21.65 (29th) <-- ran unattached
DMR
It was absolute madness in the DMR as we saw some of the best teams in the nation go head-to-head in the pursuit of a fast time. After the dust settled, Ole Miss emerged victorious with a killer time of 9:34. That time was given a flat-track conversion of 9:26.55! The Rebels now lead the NCAA and could be argued as the favorites to win the title. Shout-out to Alex Fox who has been high on this Mississippi squad for the entire winter season.
Arkansas was three seconds behind Ole Miss in a time of 9:37 which was converted to a 9:30. They were anchored by Jack Bruce who has shown to be a reliable and promising piece of this Razorback program.
The final team that is set to make the national championships was certainly a surprise. No one expected Villanova to run a converted time of 9:30! The Wildcats were anchored by redshirt freshman Logan Wetzel who must have split an incredibly fast time when you consider that his mile PR was 4:09 this season. The Wildcats now sit at 6th in the nation.
Alex Wilson Invite
DMR
The event of the weekend! I expected a lot of teams to run fast times at Alex Wilson, but I didn't expect this many to do so.
Let's start with the surprise winners: the Indiana Hoosiers. Historically, Indiana hasn't pursued the DMR all too often, so for them to run 9:28 is pretty darn impressive. It helps that they had a 1:46 man (Daniel Kuhn) on their relay, but a lot of credit needs to go to their redshirt freshman Kyle Mau who showed incredible poise and took the win! He's been improving a lot this season and has proven to be a winner.
Behind the Hoosiers was Stanford who was able to run 9:28 without McGorty and Fisher! Tai Dinger and Jack Keelan have been promising this season. They've run against the big names in the NCAA and have yet to have a poor performance. They may not have the name recognition of McGorty or Fisher on their relay, but they'll contend for a top three finish if they get Keelan close enough.
The final team to run under 9:30 was Oklahoma State who leaned on a big anchor leg by Josh Thompson. I'm a big fan of Oklahoma State in the DMR this year. I believe that if Thompson can get the stick close enough to the leaders, that he can close and earn the Cowboys the win. We'll see how that plays out at NCAA's...
Other notable performances included...
- Minnesota - 9:30 (NCAA #7)
- Georgetown - 9:31 (NCAA #11)
- LSU - 9:31 (NCAA #12)
- BYU - 9:31 (NCAA #13)
- Michigan - 9:32 (NCAA #14)
Keep in mind that only the top 12 relays qualify for nationals. BYU and Michigan will need to run faster at their conference championship to qualify. LSU and Georgetown should be nervous about where they sit in the standings.
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