After nearly one year of blogging about his absence, Micheal Crouch (Queens) reappeared with style at Stanford's Peyton Jordan meet. After knocking below the 14 minute mark, one wonders if the defending outdoors 1,500 champ will now focus only on the 5,000 at nationals. He's the favorite now in Charlotte, which is essentially home field advantage, although the mile field also appears to be anyone's race.
As promised, the Peyton produced some fast times:
- Reuben Mwei (Adams State) proved without a doubt that he's the man to beat in the steeplechase;
- Luke Cragg (Adams State) got close to the 29-minute barrier, making him a favorite (and fastest) for Charlotte;
- defending 10k champ Tanya Zeferjahn (Queens) again leads in that event, leading three D2 competitors to the top of the event performance list, including Sarah Porter (W. Wash.) and Kristin McGlynn (Adams State);
- Adams State frosh Alicia Nelson also leads the steeple (10:20).
The mile continues to confound: Chico State's Micheal Wickman had the best D2 effort, a very competitive second in the second-fastest heat. Unfortunately, only the first heat -- and the guy ahead of Wickman -- broke 3:45. And that's out of five heats.
Enough about the Stanford meet (of course, it's hard to ignore the men's 10k AR): Meets at Princeton and Ohio State produced good D2 times, including the fifth- (Amanda Radabaugh of Shippensburg), sixth- (Clare McSweeney of California, Pa.) and seventh-fastest (Stephanie Charnigo of Findlay) times. Charnigo had a fast 1,500, too (4:30).
Shippensburg will be a force to be reckoned with in Charlotte. Teammates Mary Dell and Abigail Huber both posted sub-4:30 (and auto) times at Princeton. Both were outdoor finalists in San Angelo and aim to get closer to Ms. Pixler.
Crouch will only run the 5k, no one form Queens ever doubles, and he will probably win because his top competitors are doubling.
ReplyDeleteThe 1500 is a four way battle in Charlotte because there's only four guys in the field that can close fast.
The 10k will be between Amos and Kirwa, no one else.
The 800 is Luna's to lose.
They might as well put Ruben's name on the steeple trophy.
man, you beat me to the punch. who are your 4 in the 1500? graham, wickman, ?, ?
ReplyDeleteGraham and Wickman, but only if they don't double. The other two are
ReplyDeleteRyan McNiff- converted 4:01 mile in indoor and 2nd to Aaron Braun (hasn't run nearly this fast at sea level) and 4th last year in the 1500
Mack McLain- 4:02 mile in indoor at sea level, 5th in outdoor 1500 last year, anchored '09 national champion DMR over McNiff as a freshman
It is worth noting that McNiff and McLain both ran their 1500 qualifiers this year in slower races without rabbits, both closing strong. Wickman didn't close strong at Sac or Stanford, while Graham did close well at Sac but looked awful the next day in the 800, same at Stanford, a good 800 followed by a slower 1500
nedlo and zeferjahn are from queens and will both double. crouch can't double since he hasn't run a 1500, obviously.
ReplyDeleteand Crouch does not double, a national championship is better than two all-americans.
ReplyDeleteThe real question is if Graham, Wickman, Mcniff, and Mclain will double