OK, time for a new poll.
Abilene Christian pulled in two Europeans and at least one American to bolster their status as perennial contenders. The squad lost three of their top five finishers from Slippery Rock -- albeit missing one of their studs -- which lulled me into a false sense of their vulnerability.
But according to this Lone Star Conference press release, they've added Roman Rybicki of France (click here if you want to "friend" him), Craig Peters of Great Britain, plus Texan Spencer Lynn. Its unclear if New Yorker Colby Delbene will also be part of the squad; Delbene was a recruit of the recently departed head track coach.
- Peters, who is technically Welsh, is a 14:29 5k performer.
- Rybicki appears to be at least a 3:51 performer, who was 26th at the French short course champs this spring. (Note: My French sux, but I have run the Aix-les-Bains cross country course.)
- Lynn ran a 4:25 mile
These two internationals would appear to put the cross country contingent at the school's self-imposed limit of five foreign athletes, which includes Kenyans Maina, Sang and Tanui. (Not sure how the five-person limit works out for track.) Of course, the idea of limiting where a student-athlete comes from appears a bit ludicrous to me.
So I'll take back my comments about ACU appearing soft this year. Their recent lineup additions make me even more curious to see the outcome of their Alaskan adventure.
Delbene was recruited by fellow New Yorker Coach Burroughs.
ReplyDeleteExtremely doubtful ACU's full lineup will participate in Alaska.