Early conference read: Adams men; Augie and Western women impress

It is hard to know what performances mean at conference championships.
For example, it appears that Adams State men will get the best of Western State this year. Adams recorded a decisive 30-42 win at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference meet in Las Vegas (uh, New Mexico). If anything, the Adams team appears to be in churn, with Edwin Cruz and Keegan Calmes impressing, while Luke Cragg perhaps had an off day. And I'm kinda wondering where Matt Bond is. Another indication of depth?
Western State's top five were the same quintet that had the awesome pack time at the Fort Hays State meet. But a 25-second gap between Ryan Haebe and Tyler Rasmussen wasn't enough for the win. Again, Tyler Pennel didn't run (and apparently won't??).
Western State's women came up big, besting their rivals by 11 points. Is that only because steeple champ Cassie Mitchell wasn't at the front for Adams? (Correction: Steeple champ Alicia Nelson didn't run.)
And, yes, fair readers, No. 18 Augustana women's win over No. 10 Mary and No. 7 Minnesota-Duluth did not escape me. More on that to come...

Reinstatement of Adams’ Huffer no surprise

While Adams State’s margin of victory over Western State at last weekend’s Rocky Mountain Shootout was a bit deceiving -- Western was without Tyler Pennel, Tyler Rasmussen -- a much-debated recruit made his ASC debut.
Australian Craig Huffer was third man for the Grizzlies, eighth overall. (And the 3:36 performer says he’s not good at cross!)
Huffer, olderyounger brother of ASC’s Dean Huffer (73rd at the Shootout), has been criticized for making money on the track, and subsequently entering the “amateur” world of the NCAA. A school press release said Huffer “had to go through a lengthy NCAA reinstatement of amateurism process.” Huffer also said "the conditions of my reinstatement will place long-term financial strain on me and my family.” It appears he wants to run with his brother and for Adams State.
I hadn’t heard of the NCAA’s reinstatement process, although I had heard of Georgia wide receiver AJ Green earning reinstatement after selling jerseys. He repaid about $1,700 and was benched for awhile.
But reinstatements apparently are common.
The NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatment apparently hears 1,000 similar requests each year, with “99 percent of these requests result[ing] in the student-athlete being reinstated.”
What isn’t debatable is the impact Huffer will have on the D2 world -- and Adams State’s chances of winning an eighth D2 title and 20th overall national team championship.

Poll newcomers: East Central, Midwestern State, Dallas Baptist

Very little changed on the most-recent USTFCCCA poll. But the coaches appeared to recognize an emerging picture in the South Central Region:
Abilene Christian and East Central (Okla.) appeared in the top 25. ACU’s appearance is no revelation, but East Central is only one of two South Central region teams ranked.
Midwestern State and Dallas Baptist climbed from the unranked and are among five region teams in the top 25 women’s poll.
******
I have to (again) amend my earlier post about when the nation’s top three men’s teams will race this year.
Adams State didn’t race this past weekend, thus not racing (an apparently deep) Colorado Mines. But Adams, Mines and Western State are scheduled to run Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Shootout Oct. 2 -- the same day that many top teams will race in Louisville (including what will likely be Mines’ “A” team). And Mines and Western State are scheduled to race at Fort Hays State Oct. 16. All three will finally race at conference (and presumably at full strength), but it doesn’t matter until the Central Region race in November.

Shadow boxing: Scheduling Adams, Western and Mines

When you’ve got the top three men’s teams (and the No. 1 and No. 9 women’s) in D2-land in one conference, expect those teams to be familiar with each other. Although they know each other’s runners and performances, No. 1 Adams State, No. 2 Western State and No. 3 Colorado Mines won’t toe the line together much until championship season starts. Here’s when they do meet:

• Sept. 18: Adams, Mines at Colorado College

[Note to “anonymous”: Blame me and the media staffs at Oklahoma State, Western State, Adams State and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference for confusion over who is racing where on Sept. 25 or Oct. 2.]
Gamesmanship? Familiarity breeds contempt? Regardless, the teams will see each other three straight meets to end the season. And, per recent history, the Central Region race will be arguably the most-important D2 meet outside the two at Louisville (preview and nationals).

NCAA's Cragg betters odds of Adams State three-peat

An NCAA appeals committee granted Luke Cragg (Adams State) an extra year's eligibility.

Cragg petitioned the NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, which recognized injuries in 2006 cross country and 2008 outdoor track seasons. He also redshirted in 2005-6, obstensibly while at Leeds University (England) in his hometown. Cragg will get a season of cross and outdoors, but not indoors.

For a team greatly depleted by the loss of last year's top three (Aaron Braun, Brian Medigovich and Reuben Mwei), it is a huge gain. Cragg was 11th in Evansville.

Although Adams State returns Anthony Gauthier (10th in Evansville), Nate Sellers (19th), middle-distance stud Andrew Graham and Edwin Cruz (5,000 and 10,000 outdoors qualifier), I don't expect 23 points in Louisville this fall.

d2cross indoor men's champ: No surprise

Hold the drumroll. It's not news to anyone that Adams State hogged the distance points in Albuquerque. (Not all points were concentrated in the four events, as they got eight from the high jump and long jump.)

In fact, because the points were so concentrated with one team, it left precious few for other teams and doesn't make a good measure of other team's strengths.

According to our d2cross indoor men's championship protocol, the runners-up would be Mankato State. The school's second-ever "half-mile" title went to Denise Mokaya; the school also grabbed a coupla points in the distance medley relay.

The top few:

Adams State 81

Mankato State 12

Missouri Southern 10

Queens (N.C.) 8

Saginaw Valley State

and Colorado Mines 7

--photo credit: ascgrizzlies.com

ABQ indoor men's 5000: Medigovich a good bet to beat Adams teammates

As you know, I'm an Adams State alum. But I've never seen anything quite like the men's 5,000 field: half of those guys are Coach Damon Martin's athletes. And they've won the fastest five times.

Forgive me, but I think I'm crazy if I don't pick Adams' Aaron Braun, Brian Medigovich or Reuben Mwei for the crown. We all know tactics could slow the final and make it anybody's race, but I'll take those three for gold, silver and bronze.

But who will win between the three? All are running the mile. All have good closing speed. I'm going to go with Medigovich, the guy who would be any other school's No. 1 runner, but is surrounded by some serious talent. A win in ABQ would be (I believe) his first national title in his last race for Adams State. And that would be sweet.

Who are the best bets to knock the Adams juggernaut loose? I'll stick with altitude guys, namely Ben Zywicki (Colorado Mines) or Iain Donnan (Western State). This is gonna be one fascinating race.

ABQ indoor men's mile: Braun best of Adams State pack

It would be easy to say someone from Adams State will win the men's mile. Runners from that school occupy six of the top nine spots on the D2 performance list. But I'll pick someone: Aaron Braun.

Now I've picked Mr. Braun for at least three titles since this blog was started, and, conincidentally, he hasn't won those races. Hopefully I'm not a curse.

But he has had an incredible winter (as has Brian Medigovich), running stellar mile, 3,000 and 5,000 times. This will be his final meet for Adams State. I bet he wants to cap his career with a win.

I will, however, take the easy road with my silver and bronze picks. It'll be Ryan McNiff, Keegan Calmes, Reuben Mwei, Brian Medigovich or Aaron Gauthier. What an embarassment of riches.

The best bet to break up the ASC party? Mack McLain (Colorado Mines). He knows the ASC posse and he's an altitude runner.

ABQ indoor men's 800: Adams' Graham will take advantage of Luna's absence

For a reason I'm not privy to, Anthony Luna (Metro State) won't defend his title in this race. That gives Drew Graham (Adams State) a chance to win a title at a distance he was runner up indoors and outdoors last year.

But Graham isn't the fastest man in the field. Saginaw Valley State's Tony Filipek dipped under 1:51 at that very, very deep GLIAC meet. Teammate and fellow senior Charlie Richards was third last year.

Owing to the altitude (trust me, it hurts over 800), I'll take Graham just ahead of Filipek and Richards.

Poll says: Adams State men favorite for Louisville

It's hard to argue with the 46 percent that picked Adams State to three-peat next fall -- and that's not because I'm an alum.

In spite of losing their 1-2-3 punch (Aaron Braun, Brian Medigovich and Reuben Mwei) and their No. 5 man (Luke Cragg), they'll return a deep squad. Remember this bunch had different 5-6-7 runners at regionals. Assuming everyone returns healthy, Ryan McNiff, Edwin Cruz, Anthony Gauthier, Drew Graham, Keegan Calmes, Brandon Birdsong and someone else I don't really know about, will be a formidible force.

Their biggest threat? According to the poll, it's Colorado Mines. If the Orediggers can improve their 1-6 just a bit, they could be threats for RMAC, regional and national crowns. In Evansville, third place was their best showing ever.

Voters picked (to be) junior-heavy Grand Valley State as third-best bet to win. I suspect Tyler Emmorey and company were a bit disappointed by their fifth-place finish in Evansville. They were fifth in Slippery Rock, too. The school's best-ever finish is fourth. A first-ever national title would be greatly received in that athlete-rich school.

For posterity's sake, here's the early Louisville men's (women's is coming, promise!) results:

Adams State 22

Colorado Mines 7

Grand Valley State 6

Western Washington 4

Abilene Christian, Western State 3

Some other team 2

Here we go again: Adams State puts 5 below/near 14-minute mark

Aaron Braun is on a tear. After running a then-national collegiate leading 3k, he rips a 13:43 (adjusted) 5,000 at the very fast University of Washington track. It's Braun's last competitive season in Adams State green, and he's making it worthwhile.

It's also Brian Medigovich's last run. He ripped a 13:51, finishing just behind teammate Reuben Mwei.

And ASC had Luke Cragg and Ryan McNiff at 14:04 and 14:07 respectively.

Are Adams State's national title hopes getting stronger? In addition to their mile, 5k and DMR dominance, they've got the No. 2 long jumper and No. 4 high jumper.

Elsewhere in D2 cross-land: Missouri Southern shakes off blahs from last fall and rips (that'll be the third time I've used that verb in this post) a 9:51 DMR. That time is second to -- you guessed it -- Adams State.

Adams State dominates men's mile list; Metro State rises

Six of the top 10 are Adams Staters, thanks to a quick (altitude-adjusted) mile at, you guessed it, the University of New Mexico.

Aaron Braun was officially given a 4:01 mile, edging teammate Ryan McNiff. Reuben Mwei and Brian Medigovich recorded 4:04s. If they do dominate the mile at nationals, it'll be interesting to see how the points stack up against sprinter-heavy St. Augustine's. Braun, McNiff, Mwei and Medigovich are likely candidates for the 5,000, I suspect. It's too bad one of those guys can't toss the 35-pound weight about 65 feet, too.

Metro State (Colo.) athletes had a fine weekend, too. Rick Bogotay was third in the UNM mile; Shawn Lindbloom leads the D2 nation in the 800m. These two figure to be part of Metro's national championship-vying distance medley relay. And they might collect titles of their own, if they can get past their fellow Coloradoans.

Meet Adams State's next generation

Remember these names (if you don't know them already): Anthony Gauthier, Keegan Calmes, Drew Graham.

Gauthier, an Adams State junior, and Calmes, an ASC freshman, nabbed auto qualifiers in the mile at the University of Adams State New Mexico indoor meet. Gauthier (of France) also recorded an 8:28 over 3,000 meters.

Graham, indoors 800 runner-up last year for Adams, is hardly an unknown, and sits No. 3 on that list this year.

I suspect we'll see these three at the starting line in Louisville this fall.

But it's not like Adams' "old-timers" have disappeared.

Didja see that 3000 from the University of Washington? The one where Aaron Bruan nearly stole the race from Galen Rupp and ex-D2er Scott Bauhs? 7:51. Damn fast. And teammate Brain Medigovich was only four ticks back.

That performance gives Braun the national lead for all collegians, albeit the distance isn't a D2 event. Now that's a topic for another post.

2009 men's indoors: Clearly, Adams State

With nationals 2 1/2 hours down el valle in Albuquerque, Adams State has a shot at winning an indoor title.

Multiple-time national champions Aaron Braun and Reuben Chebon-Mwei lead a team that also returns hoss Brian Medigovich and 800m indoor runner-up Drew Graham. Most of their schedule involves trips to Albuquerque.

St. Augustine's, however, returns a raft of young sprinters. (They don't have a stable of distance runners.)

For our purposes, Adams State is the clear favorite to win the d2cross indoor crown. Colorado Mines, Queens and Western State are best bets for runners-up.

In 2009, Adams ran away with the most points in the four distance events (800m, mile, 5000m, DMR): Adams State, 50; Colorado Mines, 18; Abilene Christian, 16; Harding, Metro State, 14; SW Baptist, 11; Queens, 10; Western State, 8; W. Oregon, 4; Saginaw Valley, Lock Haven, 3.

Next post: Meets to watch.

d2cross interview: Adams State coach Damon Martin

On eve of the D2 national championships, Adams State head coach Damon Martin took a few minutes to answer four questions I posed.

Q: How do you prepare yourself to contend for a national title year after year?

Martin: I have been very fortunate to work at a institution that cares about the sport of cross country/track and field. At Adams State the expectations to win and do well is always extremely high. This legacy that was built by my mentor Dr. Joe Vigil and contributed to by so many great student athletes. These student athletes gave their all to make the program what it is today. I believe these expectations are the driving force for both the coaching staff and current student athletes to prepare their best the upcoming seasons.

Q: What's different about this team, compared to some in the past?

Martin: This years teams have been an absolute joy to work with. On the men's side we have had great leadership from a steller group of seniors (Braun, Medigovich, Mwei, Cragg). This years men's squad has also been very deep in talent and preparation. I look forward to watching the compete at NCAAs as this has been their focus all year. On the women's side it has been a great experience as well. The girls have progressed nicely throughout the year and have handled themselves extremely well. This has been quite a feat for them as I said earlier the expectations are high and we have so many new contributers to the program. I am excited for them to put out their best performance of the year as well.

Q: What was this team's defining moment so far this year?

Martin: For the men, I would say their were two moments. The first was at Oklahoma State where we wanted to have a good showing, and felt we missed that opportunity by just a little bit. The second would definitely be the three senior men (Mwei,Medigovich,Braun) coming in together at the regional meet. I didn't witness it (I was watching my daughter run at Colorado state meet), but just hearing about it got me fired up. On the women's side of things I believe we have not had that kind of performance yet for the entire team could be extremely happy with. We have had great races out of several individuals at different races. McGlynn, Roy, Nelson, and LeMaster have run solid all season.

Q: What's your favorite workout for the team?

Martin: Being from Colorado, I just love everything about the mountains. My favorite run is a loop that a former athlete and assistant coach (Dan Caulfield now at California (Pa.)) of mine set up. We call it the Waligunda (name of one of the street that has the steepest hills). I wouldn't say it is the toughest workout that we do, but it is somewhat hard as well as beautiful. The run starts just outside Fort Garland and winds through the hills outside of town at roughly 8,000 to 9,000 feet altitude. The course is relatively flat at the beginning and has several very difficult hills towards the end. The men run between 10-13 miles and the women 7-11 miles. When the team is done, they will sit around talking about the different hills and what hill was toughest for them, almost always "Waligunda".

Disclosure: Martin recruited me to Adams State.

Adams State will win in Evansville.

I won't predict 15 points (if it wasn't for Daniel Kirwa bringing along his team, it might've been possible), but this is one of the best Adams State teams. Ever. I know one member of the 1992 team that wouldn't have wanted to race them.

The top four (Aaron Braun, Ryan McNiff, Brian Medigovich and Reuben Chebon-Mwei) are solid. I figure three of them are in the running for the individual title. Mwei might be especially motivated, as he missed out on last year's trip due to a mishap. I'm not sure who's running in the Nos. 5-7 spots, but they won't disappoint. Adams has proven themselves, including a front-end finish at the Oklahoma State jamboree, which, ironically, might've been their lowliest effort of the year.

Four years ago, Western State turned the screws on the Evansville hills in the late miles and won a convincing national team championship. It'll take that -- and some bad luck for others -- for history to repeat itself. It would be stupid to write off Western, so while a win might be an upset, it wouldn't be without precedent. Returning All-Americans Tyler Pennel, Iain Donnan and Loren Ahonen lead a formidible team. If they run at the front, as expected, this team will finish well. Like last year, though, it'll likely be for team silver.

I think a national title is a year or two off for Grand Valley State. But not third place this year.

Tyler Emmorey was 24th last year and is running faster this year. (And the guy's only a soph!) Grand Valley State was defeated only by the likes of North Central (No. 1 D3) and Michigan; they held their own again D1 nats qualifier Michigan State. The top four members (including Nathan Knisely, Ross Faasse and Anthony Witt) were within 20 seconds at the Midwest Region. That will serve them well in Evansville. What won't, however, is a fifth man too far adrift.

The only thing between Chico State and perhaps second place is, again, that fifth man. Chico took on D1's best (Stanford) this season and, well, lost, but went down swinging. They are led by transfers Jimmy Elam and Brent Handa (who didn't run against Stanford). Beau Gradone-Rogers has been solid all year. Here's what bugs me: A program this strong deserves a national title. Maybe, if the stars, planets and the Electoral College align, it'll happen this Saturday. My prediction is fourth.

Mass.-Lowell impressively won the New England collegiates and held off rival Stonehill at regionals. Ruben Sanca is gone, but the team will improve on their 13th place finish. Angus MacDonald will likely become All-America. In fact, how MacDonald goes, Lowell goes. My bet is fifth, but second or third as a team is realistic.

Western Washington -- the West Region's No. 2 team -- has high goals for Evansville.

"The men are very capable of being in the top five, but they need to run better than they did at regionals," said coach "Pee Wee" Halsell, according to wwuvikings.cstv.com. The team has a strong lead foursome of Bennett Grimes, Blake Medhaug, Anthony Tomsich and Jordan Welling. But cross country fans know that the fifth runner is the crux, and that'll likely determine if the team reaches its goal. What is for sure, is that the team will top its best-ever 10th place team finish at sixth.

I overlooked Missouri Southern at regionals, but I won't do that again. This team rocked the South Central, displaying remarkable pack running (31 seconds for 1-5) in the country's second-toughest regional. They've run some big meets this year, including their own, a dual against Arkansas and the Okie Jamboree, which wasn't kind to them either. Josh Mathis led the team at regionals; he, their Flying Finns and Nick Niggeman are on a roll. A tight team pack will do them well in a big nationals field, perhaps as high as seventh.

Colorado Mines would win any regional meet -- except the one they're assigned to. Led by that ol' burro racer Oscar Boes (hey, I remember watching him!), this team has only been beaten by Adams and Western. This includes a win over a slew of D1 teams at Nebraska. And the team isn't just Ben Zywicki (19th in Slippery Rock); Aaron Swift, Tyler Curtis and Sean Gildea all contribute. If Zywicki goes nuts, look out. For now, I've penciled them in at eighth.

Top 10ers:

Shippensburg came out of "nowhere" to win the Atlantic Region. Bryan Beegle led a scoring pack that spanned only 46 seconds. There was little to indicate this team's surge (22nd at Paul Short, 3rd in their conference.

Queens needs Michael Crouch to finish in the top 8. If he shows, knock one of the above off.

Southwest Baptist had a fine showing at the Griak meet. Led by Michael Pierce -- a frontrunner -- they could push for a top 8 spot, too.

Wolf pack

It occurred to me after the Central Regionals in Wayne, America, that a cross country team is kinda like a wolf pack. There's some biting, scratching and barking that you don't see when the pack is on the hunt.

Case in point: Making Adams State's top seven. An important race was run before the women's and men's finals last weekend. For some ASC runners, it was a time trial, as the squad still has some spots on the nationals squad up in the air. And -- from what I understand -- the regionals team might not be the nationals team, although I'd expect the Three Frontrunners (Brian Medigovich, Reuben Chebon-Mwei and Aaron Braun) and Ryan McNiff to make it. But, as one ASC runner put it, "I was seventh last year, and this year I'm 14th." Another measure of amazing depth.

Different teams likely do it different ways. I remember a complicated points-earning scheme. And, like the current team, a thankfulness to those who don't make those travelling teams but yet push you in workouts and slap your back with "attaboys" when it's over.

However teams determine their Magnificent Seven, they nearly always work together when the race -- or hunt -- begins.

Central: Adams State, Mwei

I've checked the weather forecast, and it should be a nice day on the Great Plains. Wayne State (Neb.) plays host to the Central Region, which has become D2 dominant region.

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.

Week 5 performances: Medigovich, Adams State do well

Brian Medigovich, the sometimes overshadowed distance ace for Adams State, had quite a performance Saturday at the much-ballyhooed Cowboy Jamboree.

The 13:40 performer dipped under 24 minutes over 8,000 meters and a set of stairs, finishing seven ticks behind Northern Arizona's Jordan Chipangama, who was Juco 1,500m champ last year.

And the online chatter about Adams State's 14th man running 25:20 is well deserved. This is a deep, deep team. They put 14 ahead of meet winner Northern Arizona's seventh man!

But they only score 5 at nationals, which is about all the solace others may take. Of course, there's only a field limit in track. Will they all break 14 minutes or 30 minutes?

Adams third, after Okla. St. holds out runners

Adams State's Brian Medigovich turned in a solid runner-up performance at the Cowboy Jamboree this morning. The Grizzlies were third, behind No. 5 Northern Arizona and No. 13 William & Mary. No. 2 Western State was fourth.

The scores were close; if ASC's usual No. 1 runner -- Reuben Chebon-Mwei - had finished up with teammates Medigovich and Aaron Braun, Adams might have come away with a win. Of course, had No. 2 Oklahoma State run German Fernandez, it might have been different.

Medigovich and Braun dipped under 24 minutes. Add these two to the contenders for the D2 throne. Western State put its 1-2 punch of Iain Donnel and Tyler Pennel ahead of Mwei, so expect the conference and regional battle between these two to tighten up.

Elsewhere:

• No. 3 Grand Valley State was upended by DIII power North Central at the Notre Dame Invite. 'Twas close, but I had GVSU winning that one in my mind.
• No. 4 Chico State narrowly won the Willamette Invite over Boise State.
• Michael Crouch was fourth and his No. 5 Queens team well back at the Greater Louisville Open.
• No. 10 Edinboro was a distant 17th at the Paul Short Invite hosted by Lehigh. Fellow D2-ers Shippensburg was 22nd and Lock Haven was 26th.

Comments are open for other results...