Sang's wins best of Charlotte; men's steeple standard should tighten

As cross season looms, I'm finishing up some loose ends from outdoors, namely the best performance in Charlotte, as chosen by you, the voters.

Amos Sang (Abilene Christian) swept both long races, including a stirring battle against local fave Michael Crouch (Queens) in the 5,000. Sang is my early favorite to win nationals in Louisville, although doubtful he'll be bringing a team with him.

Next best were Adams State's steeple duo, namely Reuben Mwei and Alicia Nelson, who handily swept both titles. Nelson returns, after Mwei graduated.

The final results for best performances in Charlotte:

• Sang's double win 18 votes
• Adams State steeplechasers 9
• Puc's 2:04 5
• Zeferjahn's win at home 3
• Crouch's 4:12 last mile 2.

In a related poll, voters picked what qualifying standards should be tightened. The votes:

• Men's steeple 17 votes
• Women's 5,000 15
• Women's steeple 7
• Women's 10,000 5.

The big news from Charlotte

After two days of great racing and some wild weather, the 2010 national championships are in the book. Here's what I learned:

1. Amos Sang (Abilene Christian) was the meet's top distance performer (especially with Jessica Pixler's no-show in the 800). After his surprise win in the 10,000 over defending champ Daniel Kirwa (Harding), he ran down a Prefontaine-esque effort by Michael Crouch (Queens) in the 5,000 with a Viren-esque response of his own. Crouch is to be lauded for his effort, ramping up the pace in the final mile, including 4:12 for the final four laps and a 57-second for the last lap. And yet Sang got him in the final 50. Sang is to be congratulated -- it turns out the ACU sports information department was right!

2. What Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team won the most individual men's titles? You'd be forgiven for guessing Adams State or Western State. But Colorado Mines took two titles home -- the 800 courtesy of Mark Husted and the 1,500 thanks to Mack McLain -- and in fine fashion. Husted desposed d2 half-mile king Anthony Luna (Metro State), his rival from across the Denver metro, and other conference foes. Mines still might not have the depth to compete against ASC or WSC in 'cross....but now that I've said that, I've set the stage for them to prove me wrong.

3. A national record is a big deal, even in an event without a long history like the women's steeple. But Alicia Nelson's effort not only won Adams State a national title, but the freshman's time puts her close to the top 10 for any collegian and the second-fastest D2er ever. (Add that to nation-leading Reuben Mwei, and you've got quite a pair of hurdlers in Alamosa.) Nelson is poised to be the "next" Pixler.

Other than some competitors at USATF nationals in Des Moines, that's a wrap on the outdoors season. Anyone ready for 'cross?

A different Day 3

I assume it was the weather (I'll check), but day 2 at Charlotte was pretty much nixed. Also were rounds in the 800 and 5,000. I assume this means bigger fields for the longer distance, and timed sections in the shorter. A big 5,000 field probably doesn't mean much, assuming everyone keeps their feet at the start. But timed sections will make for some crazy results in the half mile. It definitely the fast runners, not the fast finishers. I still like Jessica Pixler (Seattle Pacific) and Anthony Luna (Metro State) 'cuz they're fast.

About that 10,000

I wrote it but didn't post it! Somehome my 10,000 picks went missing. As far as I can remember, I had Kirwa, Sang and Cragg for the men, and Zeferjahn, Nedlo and Tyler. So one winner and four of six placers, not bad.

Hats off the Amos Sang (Abilene Christian), who reminds everyone that ACU is a D2 distance force. And one wonders if the loss will inspire hard-to-beat Daniel Kirwa (Harding).

Queens' Tanya Zeferjahn's and Megan Nedlo's 1-3 had to be a popular finish. Congrats to all.

Heats: Few surprises there, although I was bummed to see late qualifier Carl Arnold III (Metro State) not make it through the 1,500 round.

Precious little from the local media (excepting a mention of Zeferjahn's win), but the Charlotte Observer had this nice photo gallery.

The Abilene Christian sports info folks called Sang's win an "upset," (I'll buy that), and labelled him "favorite" in the 5,000. If the 10k is any indication, they know more than I about that 5k field!

A final word before the starting gun

First, good luck to all runners in Charlotte. Enjoy yourselves -- at least afterwards. Competing in a national championship meet is an honor that sometimes gets lost in the nervousness and expectations.

And to those of you lucky enough to be there, have fun. If you're like me, watching others run brings back familiar, stomach-tightening feelings.

I'll follow up with my top-three predictions (which were posted in order of when the final is run) during and after the meet. Strangely, I'll be on the road yet again this year, filing remotely from South Dakota and Iowa. I hope to make it to Kentucky this fall, but that's a fur piece from here in Montucky.

I look forward to reading your insights. Live results will be available here.

5000: Crouch and Spence

I suspect Micheal Crouch (Queens) will be plenty motivated in Charlotte. With Daniel Kirwa (Harding), Reuben Mwei (Adams State) and Amos Sang (Abilene Christian) in the field, he's not a clear-cut favorite. I'm trusting that the lightly raced Crouch will be peaking correctly: 1. Crouch, 2. Mwei, 3. Marko Cheseto (Alaska-Anchorage).

Is there reason to believe Neely Spence (Shippensburg) won't dominate outdoors in this event like indoors? Not really. And that leaves Monica Kinney (Grand Valley State) in second, and Tanya Zeferjahn (Queens) in third.

800m: Pixler (again) and Luna

I know Jessica Pixler (Seattle Pacific) will win, and indoor champ Anja Puc (Nebraska-Omaha) will finish second. Although I'm less certain, for third I'm taking Andria Nussey (Angelo State). Amazingly, she'll also compete in the long jump at Charlotte.

Anthony Luna (Metro State) disappeared this winter, but returned with a vengeance this spring. Will he win again? Yep. I'll take indoor champ and old warrior Denise Mokaya (Mankato State) for second. For third, why not mile relay man Daniel Anderson (UC-San Diego)? This event is a crapshoot (see "Mwangi, Nelson"), so not much would surprise me.

1500: Pixler and Graham

I know there are some doubters about Andrew Graham (Adams State). But I'll take him to win. It's before the 800m final, he can make it fast over the first three laps or scoot in the final 300. Granted, there are no obvious favorites. Micheal Wickman (Chico State) is experienced, and I like him for second. That puts rolleur Ryan McNiff (Adams State) as my third-placer, as he focuses solely on that event.

When Jessica Pixler (Seattle Pacific) graduates, I'll have to think harder about this event. Not this year. She'll lead teammate Jane Larson over the line. I like Michelle SanCartier (Minnesota-Duluth) for third; she ran fast times at low-key meets, after running three relay legs at Drake. Mary Dell (Shippensburg) must recover a steeplechase before this final.

Steeplechase: Adams Staters will win both races

Men: This is easy. Reuben Mwei (Adams State) -- the sixth-fastest D2er ever -- will win his thirdsecond steeplechase title. I like Grand Valley State's Tyler Emmorey's finishing speed to carry him to second. For third, I'll take consistent Micah Chelimo (Alaska-Anchorage). Western State will have four in the final, and perhaps one in the top three.

Women: Well, this won't be easy. Mary Ballinger (Southern Indiana) returns to defend her title. But freshman Alicia Nelson (Adams State) has been consistently faster, including at Mt. SAC. Megan Rolland (Humboldt State) was better there, too. Mary Dell (Shippensburg) has 2:12 (800m) speed. Cassie Mitchell (Adams State) clocked a 2:14 (adjusted). In light of all that, I'll take: 1. Nelson; 2. Dell; 3. Ballinger.

Four storylines for Charlotte

The studs: Jessica Pixler (Seattle Pacific) in the 800 and 1,500; Reuben Mwei (Adams State) in the steeple and 5,000; and Daniel Kirwa (Harding) in the 5,000 and 10,000. These three will win at least four national titles between them. Little surprise that poll voters picked the men's 5k as the "race to watch." Throw in Micheal Crouch (Queens) and it could be special.

The Home Team: Queens won't be on campus, but they'll be a 15-minute drive from the track at Johnson C. Smith University. That could produce some local national champions (Johnson C. Smith has a shot in the relays). Don't be surprised if Crouch, Tanya Zeferjahn (5k and 10k), Meagan Nedlo (5k and 10k) or Simon Stuetzel (1,500) win.

The Last Lap: The men's 5,000 isn't the only event likely to come down to the last lap. The men's 1,500 is wide open, with fast finishers Micheal Graham (Adams State) and Michael Wickman (Chico State). Anthony Luna (Metro State) will ensure a hectic finish in the 800. Will Zeferjahn rise up against Neely Spence (Shippensburg)? Could the entire field be together on the last lap of the women's steeple?

The Schedule: Isn't my favorite. After opening night 10k finals Thursday, there's nothing until Saturday, excepting prelims. Mwei has a tough double. Good thing he's plenty tough.

First glimpse at Charlotte championship fields

Hot off the World Wide Web, the NCAA national committee (or subcommittee) has announced the championship fields for next week's championships in Charlotte.

At first glance, the (sub)committee was a little more generous on the women's side, taking 19 in the 800, 1,500 and 5,000 and 18 in the steeple and 10k. (Last year in San Angelo saw one bigger field, as 20 advanced in the 5,000.) They reached deep, too: Sofia Monroe (Adams State) was 32nd on the 1,500 performance list.

The men have three fields of 17 and two of (the minimum) 16. Iain Donnan -- finalist indoors and Western State's top finisher in Evansville -- won't be in Charlotte. Neither will indoors half-mile runner-up Nelson Mwangi (Queens).

Looks like more men than women will be doubling in Charlotte. It would be interesting how the (sub)committee arrived at its field sizes...

Selection Wednesday

Although the NCAA handbook doesn't say it, championships fields will be posted at noon (EDT) Wednesday.

I am anxious to see if the national committee (which includes D2 subcommittee members from St. Augustine's, Minnesota State-Moorhead, Adelphi, Central Mizzou, Grand Valley State, Clayton State, Florida Southern and Cal State-Stanislaus) picks any athletes on the fence.

Specifically I'm wondering about the fate of Iain Donnan (Western State) in the 5,000. ; Tim Guerin (Mass.-Lowell) in the steeple; and Alexis Skarda (Mesa State), also in the 5k. All are quality performers -- however all are 17th in the declared performance list.

(Guerin and Skarda have auto qualifiers. I forgot what the heck I was doing for a bit. In fact, there will be 22 in the women's 5k, including Ms. Skarda.)

The NCAA handbook calls for a minimum of 16 athletes per event. The committee also gets some wiggle room to include more if: a) an athlete has qualified already in another event, b) the championships field hasn't exceeded 310 per gender.

Last chance meet of the week: UWL Eagle Open qualifies four in 800

Last-ditch efforts might not produce future national champions or All-Americans, but it's exciting to watch motivated athletes succeed. Some "unknown" names will now be toeing the line in Charlotte.

At Wisconsin-La Crosse, two Northern Sun athletes recorded only the third and fourth 800 auto qualifying times. Previously unknown Aduo Omot (Augustana, S.D.) nipped indoor champ Denise Mokaya (Mankato State), as both got under 1:50. Dan Allen (St. Cloud State) and Brian Werner (Augustana) also ran fast enough to book a trip to Charlotte. Awesome race.

Elsewhere:

• At Georgia Tech, Harding's Daniel Kirwa erased all doubts about his tenuous position on the 5,000 list, becoming only the sixth d2er to break 14 minutes.
• At Colorado Mines, Adams State freshman Keegan Calmes and Carl Arnold IIIBrian Allen (the 3rd, of Metro State), ran coverted times good enough to land them fourth and fifth on the performance list.
• Gutsy efforts from Jen Harpp (Slippery Rock) and Tina Yi (Edinboro), as earned each auto 10k times in their conference meet. (That ain't easy.)
• In Louisville, Southern Indiana's Michael Jordan and Bellarmine's Nate Dotterweich nearly each broke 9 minutes in the steeple. They'll join d2's arguably deepest field -- can you believe 9:08 won't go?

Today is "selection Monday." Check back for analysis of that (and let me know of any interesting coaches' "challenges"). Form charts to follow.

Could Kirwa be out of the 5,000?

Last year, 17 qualifiers made the 5k and 10k fields in San Angelo. As of May 5, the defending champ in both events -- Daniel Kirwa of Harding -- is 17th in the 5,000. Kirwa ran the 10,000 at Mt. SAC, but didn't run at Drake (for obvious reasons). The Bison have no more meets on their schedule, as the Gulf South Conference doesn't appear to sanction a conference meet.

Although the NCAA sets minimum fields at 16, Kirwa might get through on a provision that allows the next-fastest competitor "if that student-athlete has been accepted into the meet in another event."

And the likely candidates to pass him either run conference meets at altitude (Brandon Birdsong of Adams State, Sean Brown of Western State) or in iffy spring weather (James Krasja of Mankato State, Angus MacDonald of Mass.-Lowell).

But if he isn't in the 5,000 at Charlotte, look out in the 10!