The wrap

That's all -- at least for now. Thanks for reading!

Top five moments of the 2010 D2 cross country season

Late summer, Indianapolis, Ind.: The NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement unwittingly had a role in the outcome of the 2010 NCAA Division II championships. In July, the committee granted Luke Cragg (Adams State) an extra year of cross and outdoors for seasons missed in 2006 and 2008 due to injury. The Leeds, England, product would finish 11th in Louisville as third man for the Grizzlies. Less than one second later, Craig Huffer would finish as ASC’s fourth man. Huffer, a much-heralded international performer of Australia, also had his NCAA amateur status restored by the committee in late summer. Without the duo, Adams would’ve (theoretically) barely won in Louisville, 94-95 over Western State.
Sept. 18, Carlisle, Penn.: She won indoor and outdoor titles earlier this year, but Neeley Spence (Shippensburg) only finished 43rd last year in Evansville. She won easily on this day at the Dickson College Invite, which turned out to be the first step toward a resounding victory in Louisville. As she recounted to Running Times, her dad and coach yelled as she neared the finish line in Louisville “to enjoy this, remember last year and enjoy it....I was so happy to be able to do that, because last year showed you can’t take anything for granted.” And she’s got one more year.
Oct. 2, Louisville, Ky.: Grand Valley State women race at Tom E. Sawyer State Park for the first time in 2010. Two more trips would follow, culminating in a first-ever school national championship. Credit should go to coach Jerry Baltes for allowing his team to get acquainted with the mostly flat course. And when the snow fell at nats in December, the squad rushed to the front and controlled the outcome.
Oct. 15, Charlotte, N.Car.: For the second time, Michael Crouch (Queens) was surprised by a D2 runner, the previously overshadowed Meshack Koyiacki (Columbus State). And while the first loss came in Louisville, this one came on Crouch’s home course. Koyiacki would win a third head-to-head meeting at regionals, but Crouch wisely used the longer-than-normal run-up to nationals to retool his kick. In the slush at Louisville, the pair entered the finish straight together, but the Queens man powered away for a shrewd win.
Nov. 7, Easton, Mass.: I’m not sure when he quit a part-time job to focus more on running, but this is when the D2 world first had an inkling of the most-inspiring individual performer of 2010. In two weeks, he would would win the East Regional and stun a national title contender -- Glarius Rop (American International). In a month, he would dictate the men’s race in Louisville, eventually finishing third. But on Nov. 7, Jeff Veiga (Mass.-Lowell) got within 8 seconds of Rop, nearly running him down. Coach Gary Gardner called Veiga’s run that day “unbelieveable.” A stunned Gardner would repeat those words again and again. “He had ultimate confidence,” Gardner told the Lowell Eagle-Tribune after nationals. “Since last March, Jeff did a lot of work. He really dedicated himself to this season.” Does that motivate ya’?

(Photo credit: University of Massachusetts-Lowell)

Other things noticed at Louisville: Chico's Chavez a future champ?

Lots of interesting info in the final results. Here's a few I have noticed (please add your own):

• Ex-national champ Daniel Kirwa (Harding) certainly struggled in the conditions, mustering only a 42nd place. Glarius Rop (American International) also didn't like the slop -- he finished 23rd. Apologies for the rhyme.
• Is Issac Chavez (Chico State, pictured) a future champ? The freshman was fifth. Yes, yes, I'm already looking toward next year. ('Cause I'll be there in Spokane.)
• Augustana and Shippensburg had the most-unexpected men's team finishes. Augie's finish ensures six Central region men's qualifiers in 2011.
• Michael Crouch (Queens) talked about timing his kick better for his fourth matchup against Meshack Koyiacki. Impeccable timing, I'd say, and great prep work.
• Ferris State is in Michigan. (That's an acknowledgement of completely underestimating their women's team, which finished eighth.)
• The Grand Valley women certainly seemed in control early. And that was apparently by design. “As much as the men chewed up the course, we thought it was imperative to establish position out front because I thought it was going to be really, really hard to maneuver through a crowd as muddy and sloppy and slippery as it got,” coach Jerry Baltes told NCAA.com.
• Western State's David Flynn might not be done with cross this season. The soph was named top alternate to Ireland's under-23 team for worlds. Flynn was 40th in Louisville.
• 37 national cross titles for Adams State now. 37! The men made it look easy. And the women rallied from a slow start to a strong third, nearly nabbing their Western State rivals. Long live the ASC-WSC rivalry!

Championship Day: Adams, Crouch; Grand Valley, Spence

8:11 a.m. (MST): Well, 80 percent chance of snow or rain. That could make things interesting. In other news, can you believe that the Grand Valley State women's soccer team also made the final game? They play this afternoon. It would be some day if they won a couple of championships. That might actually remind the school they are more than a football school.

8:29 a.m.: Nice interview on Flotrack with Queens coach Scott Simmons. He says it's "all coming together" for his team. His top runner, Michael Crouch, expects a team finish between fifth and seventh and, perhaps, a win for himself. Sounds like he worked on his finish.

8:40 a.m.: A team reports says "snowy and slushy." 20 minutes until the gun.

9:35 a.m.: In about two inches of snow, Adams State has won its third straight national championship. Appears that Western State was second, just ahead of Grand Valley State. (The 1990 hat worked!) Individually, Michael Crouch (Queens) turned the tables on Meshack Koyiacki (Columbus State), as the two duked it out for the fourth time this season. Crouch wins this one! While he ran a great race, Mass.-Lowell's Jeff Veiga made this race, going out early and finishing with the leaders. Inspiring.

9:41 a.m.: Also inspiring, Brandon Birdsong (Adams State). A top-six finish for a guy I would've picked to be perhaps top 20. That's also inspired racing. You know who wasn't particularly inspired? Unfortunately, Amos Sang (Abilene Christian). Would've been interesting to see him leg it out at the line. ACU doesn't do well in snow, though.

9:51 a.m.: Time now for the women's race. This outcome is perhaps a little more uncertain than the men's. Judging from how the men race in a tight pack for a large portion of the race, that tendency could make for a very fluid situation in the women's.

10:32 a.m.: Grand Valley State wins its first-ever D2 title -- and it wasn't even close. The Lakers put seven in from of Western State's and Adams State's fourth runner. Those schools had won every (mostly Adams) title since entering D2 in 1992. Congrats to Jerry Baltes and the Lakers! Neeley Spence (Shippensburg) survived an early challenge from Sarah Porter (Seattle PacificWestern Washington), to easily win the women's race. A first title for Spence, she's just a junior. That's it for now -- back to life. But much more analysis to come...

The Personalities: One tough Alaskan, Duluthian and other sorts

As you can tell from this blog, I believe a team championship is the more important part of the cross country championships. But, it is an individual effort, of course, so those outstanding few at the head of the race can’t be ignored.
While I suspect the men’s race will come down to a few individuals (like Amos Sang of Abilene Christian, Daniel Kirwa of Harding, Glarius Rop of American International, Michael Crouch of Queens and Neeley Spence of Shippensburg...well, just Neeley), I have to admit I’ll be watching the progress of these individuals.
Men
Meshack Koyiacki (Columbus State): There is something compelling about a guy who goes runs a 3:48 (metric mile) six months ago to repeatedly beating perhaps the best talent in D2 today (Crouch). And he does it at a school certainly not known for running. I’ll be interested to see if Coach J.D. Evilsizer’s preparation and Meschack’s obvious mental tenacity produce a national championship. That would be something.
Jake Parisien (Alaska-Anchorage): Sure, Anchorage has a lot of Rift Valley (or thereabouts) talent, but I’d argue the heart and soul of that team is homegrown Alaskan Parisien. 17th in 2008, he held himself out last year. Two weeks ago at the West Regionals, he fell twice, but rallied to finish seventh. This kid is tough. Coach Micheal Friess knows he has a good one. "Our Alaskans definitely feel like they are better runners and better performers because of our international athletes,” he told the Anchorage Daily News.
Jeff Veiga (Mass.-Lowell): Who is this guy? I mean really? The junior has a pedestrian 5K PR of 14:58 -- and then crushes a guy who nearly won the title in Evansville last year (Rop)? He’s a true local to boot, graduating from Lowell High. I love this guy's story. If Mass.-Lowell is going to make a run at some hardware, Veiga will again have to amaze.
Adam Volkert (Pittsburg State): He’s from Lee’s Summit (home of Mark Curp, I believe, a 1980s badass runner) had a quiet career for the Gorillas. Until now. He was one minute behind South Central regional winner Sang, but the promise he has showed this season bodes well for an All-American finish. He’s a sophomore, so he has time to develop. To me, he embodies the best of collegiate running -- far exceeding your high school performances and perhaps your own expectations.
Women
Megan Maceratini (Grand Valley State): After leading the Lakers all season last fall, she finished a distant 156th in Evansville (sick? injured? bad luck?). And her team barely lost to Adams State. That experience might crush a lesser athlete, but Maceratini appears to have ignored it and has again led the team in 2010. The senior has run outstanding times on the track and has achieved All America status twice. Again, as Maceratini goes, so goes Grand Valley State.
Morgan Place (Minnesota-Duluth): As a former resident of Duluth, I’m familiar with the Bulldogs cross country and track program. Disappointingly, her team didn’t qualify for the big show this fall. Place has been a stalwart on that team and has a garish total of 7 All America performances. Her worst finish at cross nationals is seventh. She has won 19 of 26 collegiate races. Can she beat Spence?
Alexis Skarda (Mesa State): It might be easy to be overlooked if you don’t run for one of the powerhouse D2 programs that comprise the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. But the Boulder native has made herself know, becoming the school’s first-ever All-American.
I admit I’ll be closely watching the progress of 14 certain runners from Adams State, too...

Fan Gear: 1990 or 2010?

I'll be sporting some alma mater gear this Saturday. The question is: Which is bound to bring better luck, the 1990-vintage cap, featuring the windshield-sized front, or the sleek, 2010 version? (I won't burden you with an image of moi in my old jersey.) The 1990 cap brings back those fond memories of a fleeting youth. The 2010 cap would fit into any crowd, but is it worth it being anonymous, if you're a true fan?

The Favorites: Adams, Western, Grand Valley

In my mind, there are three tiers in the men's and women's NCAA II championship field. Here's how I see it:

The Contenders
Men: Adams State, Western State and Grand Valley State. I really don't know how you beat this Adams State team. After losing three top runners last year, coach Damon Martin reloaded and developed talent (see Calmes, Keegan and Huffer, Craig). If anyone can pull the upset, it's Western State. They love to beat Adams and won't quit trying to do so until they're in the finishing chute. Grand Valley State will either astound us or leave us wanting. Coach Jerry Baltes is so close to a best-ever finish, the ex-D1 runner might be tempted to don a singlet and toe the line himself. Adams State wins its third straight and 19th overall (NAIA and NCAA).
Women: Adams State, Western State and Grand Valley State. Gee, sound familiar? This race is not clear cut. Western upset Adams at conference; Adams returned the favor two weeks later. Adams thrives when they're not the favorites (see "Evansville, 2009"). But will Grand Valley run away with it? A narrow loss last year should provide plenty of motivation. Led by Megan Maceratini, Grand Valley State wins its first-ever D2 cross title Saturday.

The Elite Eight

Men: Why is finishing in the top eight important? Because it gives your region an additional spot at the next year's nationals -- which might benefit your team. So, in addition to two teams from The Contenders pool, I expect Colorado Mines, Alaska-Anchorage, Chico State, Queens, Lock Haven and Mass.-Lowell to finish well. Of these teams, I would be least surprised if coach Michael Freiss' Anchorage nosed up into a top three spot. Can you believe the school's best-ever finish is 11th? Won't be after this weekend.

Women: Shippensburg, Pittsburg State, Alaska-Anchorage, Chico State, Tampa and Augustana. Shippensburg could be a top three team.

The Field

Well, this is everybody else. Make no mistake: Qualifying for nationals isn't easy. 253 men's and womens teams try, but only 24 each succeed. For some, qualifying is the ultimate prize. But there are a few teams I could see rising out of the pack, finishing well, and -- who knows? -- creating a future D2 cross power. This could be teams like Bellarmine, Drury or Western Oregon. Alaska-Anchorage and Colorado Mines have certainly "arrived."