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...

Statement races by Augustana, Central Mizzou, Minn.-Duluth

A few teams showed why they might be factors in (or getting to) Louisville.
Women: No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth won at the Griak, but No. 21 University of Mary (N.D.) was right behind. UMD is led by national title challenger Morgan Place. Place appears to have an adequate supporting cast. Will they upend Adams State?
U of Mary is more experienced and should move up in the rankings and improve on their 18th-place finish in Evansville. Freshman Nocona Frame is the major new face on the squad. Their No. 2 runner is Dakota Wolf. Awesome name.
The Abilene Christian women are making progress. The team was a solid eighth at the Cowboy Jamboree, led by Anais Belledant of Lyon, France.
The No. 5 Chico State women faced about every D1 program in California at the Stanford invite, finishing a respectable ninth.
Men: No. 9 Augustana handled D2ers and NAIAers at the Roy Griak meet in the Twin Cities. Augie has the unenviable (or perhaps eargerly anticipated?) task of breaking up the RMAC triplets at regionals.
Unranked Central Missouri was a hard-fought fourth at the Cowboy Jamboree. Last year, the Mules had one guy (Laban Sialo) at nationals. He was their No. 2 man last weekend. That meet almost served as a dress rehearsal for the South Central region -- Pittsburg State at eighth (the previously mentioned Adam Volkert was 22nd), No. 22 East Central at ninth, No. 18 Abilene Christian (minus a few pieces) at 10th. I believe only two nationals spots are up for grabs this year. It’ll be fierce.
Brent Handa led No. 5 Chico State to a sixth-place finish at No. 1 (d1) Stanford, dipping under 24 minutes over 8 kilometers. Three of the top 15 D1 teams ran that race.

Women run fast at Northern Sun champs

The Northern Sun wasn't a typical, pedestrian conference championship.

A solid 1,500 (4:32) was followed by Morgan Place's (Minnesota-Duluth) distance double. Place took the 5k and the 10k, running 17:02 and (an auto qualifying) 35:27. And Kyle Blakeslee (Augustana, S.D.) nabbed an auto qualifier in the steeple (10:43).

In fact, Place and Blakeslee were the only notable times this last weekend. It'll be more conference championships this weekend, selection Monday, and on to Charlotte.

Getting to know the women's field

My daughter got an introduction to college cross country at the Central Regional in Wayne, Neb. Here some Augustana (S.D.) runners demonstrate typical enthusiasm.

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.