Although, five teams will qualify for Evansville, the drama won't be at the front end. Western State might catch Adams State this year, but it's doubtful. The Mountaineers will likely have steadied their emotional ship, after the tragic death of an assistant coach and former WSC national champ.
I'm not exactly sure who Adams State will bring, but I know these three will be on it: Reuben Chebon-Mwei, Aaron Braun and Brian Medigovich. And I suspect Ryan McNiff and Edwin Cruz will make the trip, too. Two Europeans may make the top 7, but I'm unsure of the team selection criteria. I don't want to bet against any of these guys, but I'll take Mwei to win; he's had a great season. (I'm still thinking of that sub-25 minute effort in Denver.)
Western State, though, is no slouch. Led byTyler Pennel, Iain Donnan and Loren Ahonen, WSC won't just hand over the regional title to their rivals over the hill. And if they don't win in Wayne, nationals will present another chance. (It's happened before.)
Colorado Mines, too, is a cinch. Perhaps as a measure of their strength, All-American Ben Zywicki was only the team's No. 4 runner at the conference championships.
The real race is for fourth and fifth, where Metro State (Colo.), Augustana (S.D.), Nebraska-Kearney and Mankato State all have legitimate shots.
- Augustana really put it together to win the Northern Sun, besting Mankato State and keeping their top five pack at one minute. They also topped Mankato at the Griak, albeit by a point.
- >
But Mankato State was missing their stalwart No. 3 man, Denise Mokaya, at the NSICs. The squad,Mankato State is led by All-American James Krasja, was eighth last year in Slippery Rock. - Metro State has been rejuvenated by the presence of 800 outdoors champ Anthony Luna, who may or may not take a liking to 10,000 meters this weekend. (I am impressed by his range.) This is a squad that abruptly lost their coach just before the season start, and they've fared well.
- Nebraska-Kearney has a young squad, but I suspect they'll be on the outside looking in when it's over. Next year?
I'll take Metro State and Augustana. I'm looking forward to seeing how my picks unfold.
Mokaya was present at NSIC's. He was not included in Mankato's top seven because he was too slow. Below I've posted a sampling of placers 59-65. The results can found at if you are interested.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.northernsun.org/Sports/CrossCountry-Mens/Releases/09_10_24M-NSIC_CC_Champ_Results.html
59 50 Casey Jore, Fr 28:28.1 University of Mary
60 51 Matthew Peterson, So 28:32.7 Northern State
61 Denise Mokaya, Sr 28:35.0 Minn State Mankato
62 Lucas Windholdz, So 28:38.6 St. Cloud State
63 Luke Delaney, Fr 28:40.8 Minn State Mankato
64 52 Daniel Schield, Sr 28:42.5 Concordia St Paul
65 Joe Murphy, Fr 28:42.7 Augustana (Sd)
Also, another moot point, when you say "has become a dominate region," what exactly do you mean? Looking at the list of team national champions for the past 25 years, it's a rough guess as far as the math but I'd say 90% are from the central region. I'd say it's been a dominant region for a while.
ReplyDelete1985 South Dakota State Samson Obwocha, Texas A&M-Commerce**
1986 Edinboro Samson Obwocha, Texas A&M-Commerce**
1987 Edinboro Charles Cheruiyot, Mount St. Mary's (Md.)
1988 Edinboro, Mankato State Doug Hanson, North Dakota State
1989 South Dakota State Rob Edson, Keene State
1990 Edinboro Doug Hanson, North Dakota State
1991 UMass-Lowell Martin Lyons, Edinboro
1992 Adams State Phillip Castillo, Adams State
1993 Adams State Shane Healy, Adams State
1994 Adams State Charles Mulinga, Lewis**
1995 Western State Charles Mulinga, Lewis
1996 South Dakota State Alexandr Alexin, Central Missouri State
1997 South Dakota Elly Rono, Southern Indiana
1998 Adams State Yi Min Wu, Edinboro
1999 Western State Michael Aish, Western State
2000 Western State Alfred Rugema, Abilene Christian
2001 Western State Michael Aish, Western State
2002 Western State Alfred Rugema, Abilene Christian
2003 Adams State Celedonio Rodriguez, Adams State
2004 Western State Nicodemus Naimadu, Abilene Christian
2005 Western State Nicodemus Naimadu, Abilene Christian
2006 Abilene Christian Nicodemus Naimadu, Abilene Christian
2007 Abilene Christian Nicodemus Naimadu, Abilene Christian
2008 Adams State Scott Bauhs, Chico State
well, thanks for the correction, jim, and I'm fully aware of the history. at least I think the central region was in omaha in 1992?
ReplyDeleteand, good luck to your augustana squad
ReplyDeleteHaha, I know that you're more than aware of the history. Thanks for the great blog, and thanks for the good luck. Should be a great race.
ReplyDelete