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.

Mwei, Western State shine, as 5 d2ers dip under 9

Good stuff from Mount San Antonio College last night.

In the invitational race, Reuben Mwei dipped just under 8:40 in the steeple, putting him on form to win his third outdoors title in the event. (He also nabbed a school record in the process. Congrats!)

He may have to contend with Western State's Loren Ahonen, who finished 10 seconds back. Grand Valley State's Tyler Emmorey was a further seven seconds on arrears.

But the race for a national title won't come down to those three.

In the men's university/open race, Western State packed three guys under 9:02, led by Glen Watts (8:59). In the Olympic development race, Micah Chelimo (Alaska-Anchorage) ran an 8:49. Tim Guerin (Mass.-Lowell) might've had an off night (9:09). (Don't look now, but Simon Fraser put one under 9. They comin'!)

Mwei remains the prohibitive favorite in DurhamCharlotte. But Ahonen, Emmorey and Chelimo might surprise.

Women's Mt. SAC steeple: Lots of parity

Add Hillory Davis' name to Western State's stable of long-distance hurdlers. She edged Alicia Nelson (Adams State) for second and 10:26 in the university/open race and was fastest D2er of the night. Davis wasn't in the steeple field in San Angelo last year, but was Western's top finisher in Evansville. Cassie Mitchell (Adams State), Sarah Lyle (again, Western State) and Karie MacDonald (Grand Valley State) all finished within 10 seconds of Davis.

Over in the fast university/open heat, Humboldt State's Megan Rowland (10:30) and Southern Indiana's Mary Ballinger (10:34) finished well.

In all, an amazing 10 women got under the auto standard (10:46) with a couple very close. It's anybody's race in DurhamCharlotte!

Don't write Western State off

After Adams State's exploits this spring (remember those 5k times?), one can be forgiven by thinking this fall's 'cross trophy should be mailed to Alamosa now before postal cuts take place.

But ASC's arch-rival Western State bolstered its roster with two European additions.

England's Glen Watts will arrive in Gunnison for one season. He's around a 9:00 steeple performer.

And Ireland's Dave Flynn has donned an Eire jersey many times and recorded a 9:21 steeple this spring. He'll come with four years' eligibility.

Update: I inadvertently had Watts' name twice. Flynn's the Irishman!

Steeplechase: Chebon-Mwei will win again

Daniel Maina (Abilene Christian) is last year's champ. Reuben Chebon-Mwei (Adams State) outpaced him at this year's Penn Relays. I figure the men's steeplechase title should come down to these two -- and Chebon-Mwei gets the nod, mostly based on the Penn performance (both will likely run the 5,000 final 3 1/2 hours later). But anything can happen, and that's where Alaska-Anchorage's David Kiplagat comes in.

1. Reuben Chebon-Mwei (Adams State)

2. Daniel Maina (Abilene Christian)

3. David Kiplagat (Alaska-Anchorage)

All-Americans: Loren Ahonen (Western State); Nate Preston (Wayne State, Neb.); Matt Schneider (Wayne State, Neb.)

Sweep-stakes

There is something cool when you see a school sweep an event. And why does it NOT surprise me when one school dominates a distance race. Steeplechase, with its peculiar skills, is a good example. In their respective D2 conference meets last weekend, these four schools turned in these four performances:
Chico State: 1-2-3
Grand Valley State: 1-2-4
Southern Indiana: 1-2
Emporia State: 2-4-5.
In an individual sport like track and field, I like the idea of a group of guys willing each other to perform.

Wayne State waders

It escaped my notice initially, but Wayne State (Neb. not Mich.) had two fine efforts from its steeplechase crew at Drake Relays recently.

Nate Preston and Matt Schneider -- both in-state recruits -- dipped just below the D2 auto qualifying mark of 9:09.

That means that Wayne State of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference has more auto steeple qualifiers than any other school.

Chebon-Mwei top D2 finisher at Penn; Abilene sweeps 10k

A windy day in Philadelphia put an end to any hopes of a fast pace in the Penn Relays steeplechase.

Arkansas' Scott Macpherson won in a solid, but not spectacular 8:44. Chebon-Mwei dipped under 8:50 at third, besting Abilene Christian's Daniel Maina by about 2 seconds. The pair certainly appear fit (Chebon-Mwei ran sub-14 one week ago), and it's too bad the conditions conspired against them. With conference meets coming up, finals and then all the "last chance" meets before nationals, I'm not sure what opportunities they'll have (this year) to rip another. Maybe in San Angelo?

Here's what I saw in Thursday night's action at Drake and Penn relays:

• Daniel Kirwa (Harding) ran a 29:42 in warm, breezy conditions in Des Moines. Teammate Artek Kern DNF'd in the same event.
  
• Chris Clark (California (Pa.)) nearly won the 5,000 in Philly, finishing with a 13:59. Yet another fine performance for Coach Caulfield's charges. And he joins what is becoming quite a nationals field.
  
• Abilene Christian swept the 10,000 at Franklin Field. Amos Sang (29:34) won, with teammate Cleophas Tanui coming across the line 8 seconds later. Jeff Weiss of Slippery Rock missed the "magical" 30-minute barrier by 14 seconds.
  
• Queens (N.C.) standout Michael Crouch was a notable no-show at Penn. Any ideas why?

Relays begin in earnest at both sites. Unless I read the start lists wrong (and judging by some of the no shows, a lot can and has changed), D2 doesn't have much of a presence in either venue.

My legacy

I'd be willing to bet my legacy will be erased from the Adams State record book this spring. Reuben Chebon-Mwei debuted with an 8:55 (altitude adjusted) steeplechase on a windy Pueblo, Colo., day. Fifteen more seconds and the (my) school record will be his. It's about time: Mine has stood for nearly 17 years, escaping a few close calls -- most notably from Carl Blackhurst. I had hoped Carl would get it; good luck to you, Reuben!