He lists his parents as most influential and his grandfather as his hero. His athletic idol is 800m world record-holder David Rushida. And he likes ping pong. Meshack Koyiacki can also be considered a favorite for D2 nationals in Louisville.
The Columbus State (Ga.) junior’s progress is remarkable. In Evansville last fall, he was ninth. Last spring, his best result was a 3:48 metric mile. At Chattahoochee Tech (a junior college), he ran a 9:18 steeple. Yet on the Tom E. Sawyer State Park course that will serve as the national championship route, he blasted a 23:20 to win the Louisville Open, besting decorated D2ers Michael Crouch (Queens) and Daniel Kirwa (Harding).
Koyiacki will likely lead Columbus State to its best-ever nationals finish for Coach J.D. Evilsizer. Last year was the team’s second appearance at nationals, where they finished 19th. Columbus State is ranked 2nd in the Southeast Region and should make the trip to nationals,
Until then, Koyiacki will meet Crouch this weekend (Oct. 16) at Queens’ Royal Cross Country Challenge. Then, for Koyiacki, it’s the Peach Belt Conference, Southeast regionals (again at Queens) and nationals.
SE Region gets 3 teams this year...
ReplyDeleteyes, my bad. the south and south central lost spots. thanks!
ReplyDeletemeshack koyiaki: a very talented dude. i predict he flops at nationals as most of the kenyans are overtrained/raced by their poor coaches, like Kirwa who has run worse every year he's been here
ReplyDeleteKoyiaki has won every race this year. He has not show difficulty in any race. So far, every race he has sat behind the leaders and out kicked them in the end. Koyiaki is a smart racer and has much more to show. We have not seen Koyiaki's best performance. As a local that watches his workouts from the side, Y'all have not seen anything yet. These races a simply tempo runs for him.
ReplyDelete