A new start

Note: This first appeared on March 9, when I launched this blog. I thought it would be appropriate to reiteriate why I'm doing this.

I left a career in journalism for a job with a state legislature. The troubled economics of newspapers led me this way.

But through this blog I want to take my experience as an online editor and apply it to an old love: college cross-country.

I'm an Adams State alum and feel that the fiercely competitive spirit of Division II distance running deserves attention. A smaller mainstream media means more focus on sports or larger institutions we already know about. But modern online tools allow for (I hope!) a nationwide, niche audience.

This isn't an apologea for small colleges or my alma mater -- or an invitation to bash Western State! I'll use traditional media; college sports information; and your contributions, input and suggestions.

Mt. SAC

For those living in the Midwest or West, the Mt. SAC Relays are a highlight of the collegiate track season. (That Stanford invite is pretty sweet, too, I've heard.) I've seen guys break through the 29-minute barrier in the 10,000, and I've seen a season's worth of work go by the wayside. It's kind of a crapshoot, but if you get in a fast heat, you'll roll.
For D2, it looks like Adams State is absolutely loading up the 5,000 meters (five under 14 minutes?!?!); Abilene Christian has four quality 5k runners; Western State has quite a small (but quality) squad; Mankato St. has a big squad; Harding brought a pair of fast 10k guys; and do my eyes deceive me, but is that THE Willie Gault entered in the 100m? (You can read all the entries at www.mtsacrelays.com.)

Christmas cross?

The NCAA just can't get enough of its "festival" concept, which they appear intent on saddling D2 schools with the honor. The next festival -- mark it on your calendars! -- is fall of 2010.

What's interesting is the festival will run from Nov. 30 through Dec. 4. That's a late date for nationals -- and a good week beyond DI's. So much for kicking back and pigging out at Thanksgiving.

Here's a list of my concerns:

• How will teams respond to such a late championship date, i.e. "peaking"?
  
• Will conference and regional championships be pushed back to accomodate this Jingle Bell special?
  
• How will this affect schools in the northern tier (read: snow belt) of the country? (Bring your crampons for regionals!)
  
• Whose idea was this?
  

indoor nats...from a distance perspective

Adams State certainly cleaned up in the distance events at the D2 nationals...er, festival at the University of Houston this weekend. Lessee: 2-8 in the 800m; 1-4-5-7 in the mile; 2-4-8 in the 5,000m (plus a DQ).

But the biggest win might have been Colorado Mines win in the distance medley relay, taking a tight one from Southwest Baptist. It is amazing that four of the top five relays squads hail from Colorado (Mines, Adams, Metro St. and Western St.). While certainly not a predictor of off-road running, there should be some great matchups this fall.

So just how big was that festival? An NCAA official calls it an "unique attribute." But a search of chron.com -- the Web site for the Houston Chronicle and one of the most-trafficked news sites in the United States -- yielded a couple of features stories. It appears the "festival" is taking an off year next year. Not a bad idea.