Koyiacki 2, Crouch 0

No, they didn’t play a game of soccer. Or best-of-three ping pong.
But Meshack Koyiacki (Columbus State) was able to beat Michael Crouch (Queens) for the second time in three weeks -- on Crouch’s home course.
How does Crouch close a 5-second gap? It’ll come down to coaching, and whether each (Columbus State’s J.D. Evilsizer or Queens’ Scott Simmons) can peak his man at the right time. On paper, Simmons has deep experience doing so, but we’ll see. After Saturday's meet Simmons had this to say: "We approached the race as a workout, starting out slowly and moving up mile by mile."
Crouch will have an extra mile to erase that gap in the first weekend of December.

Introducing....Meshack Koyiacki of Columbus State

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, even though the region gets only two qualifying spots this year. and the region gets three spots this year.
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.

Will it take a sub-29 minute effort to win at Louisville?

The finishers at the Greater Louisville Open confirmed what many had guessed (or known): The race course at Tow E. Sawyer State Park is fast. Damn fast. To wit:

• Meshack Koyiaki (Columbus St.) 23:20
• Michael Crouch (Queens) 23:28
• Daniel Kirwa (Harding) 23:34

Add to that Marko Cheseto of Alaska-Anchorage ripping a similarly fast time at Willamette (23:18; it’s fast, I know, I’ve run it). And don’t forget outdoors double-winner Amos Sang (Abilene Christian). It will be some horse race come NovemberDecember(!).

South East: Queens, with or without Crouch

A Southeast Regional without Michael Crouch (Queens, N.C.) would be unfortunate. Little birdies have told me he's hurt, but I don't have definitive word.

With or without Crouch, Queens will punch its ticket to Evansville. Without Crouch, teammate Oscar Ogwaro is my favorite to win the region.

Thanks to the Royals' seventh-place finish last year, three teams will come out of the SE. Look for Columbus State to return to the national stage. I'll have to rely on the coaches' poll for the third team: Mars Hill.