WTH is his last (or middle) name? Why should it change? It's confusing to us Americans.
In Spain they commonly have two surnames. First one is their father's surname and the second one is their mother's surname. When using only one surname they use their father's name in this case Garcia.
For example their famous cyclist Alberto Contador's full name is Alberto Contador Velasco.
3:35 to 3:30 PR in one race are you kidding me?? Now the top 1500 guy on his pro team!
That was nuts. If he was American the boards would shut down. He just went from having a 3:35.43 PB (set in round 1 where he was only 5th) to running 3:30.20 and getting 4th in World.
As an Ole Miss T&F supporter, I've watched Mario grow and improve...sad to see him go, but glad he's moved on to a pro career — and what a way to start with a 3:30 at World's after long indoor and outdoor seasons. He and Ryan had a special connection at Ole Miss, that's for sure. Hopefully, Ritz can take him to the next level.
Centro finished in 50 point. What’s your definition of quick?
Mario ran 3:30.2:
-in a world final
-after navigating heats
-at age 23
-at the end of a long college season
-cutting 5 seconds off his PR in the process
Meanwhile, Centro ran 3:30.4:
-at 26
-in a time trial
-at Monaco
-Over 4 years, he improved by 1.4 seconds, and with that PR, he cut two tenths off his PB. That was likely all he was capable of.
Anyway, quick and fast are synonymous in my book. Mario is a faster 1500 runner.
I would also not be surprised to see Romo run 3:29 in fall. That will also be quicker than Centro.
To be fair, Centrowitz ran that 3:30 carrying around the extra weight of the two World medals he had already won at that point in his career. Garcia is less burdened in that respect.
Or he may not PB for a few years, or ever again, even if he's fitter.
Sometimes you just get a perfect day. Look at Wheating.
This is true. People think that someone's PB is what defines them - he's a 3:30 guy! But that's not right, that's just what someone did on their very best day. Look at what they are doing regularly in the big races and when it counts. This isn't a knock on Garcia, he's young and it's impossible to say what kind of runner he will be. He has the talent to win medals for sure. Consistency is key. First and foremost, he, and others, need to be able to run sub-3:35 on demand
Mario is a gamer and got it done in the champ race, in the pro circuit you’ll see him run plenty faster than 3:35
That was my first thought: What does Ritz do with this? Not a lot of downward room from 3:30.
Obviously there's some, but he could train his butt off for years and not improve much, being at this level.
If he improves one second and becomes a 3:29 guy he’ll probably get some medals in the next few years, which would be a pretty good career. He doesn’t necessarily need to improve a lot time wise. He just needs to be able to summon 3:29-3:30s consistently at the right times like he did yesterday
Not even close to being the CR record holder. One, he is not a Collegian, two, it would have been out of season anyway, and they only ever counted "In Season" Marks.
If he improves one second and becomes a 3:29 guy he’ll probably get some medals in the next few years, which would be a pretty good career. He doesn’t necessarily need to improve a lot time wise. He just needs to be able to summon 3:29-3:30s consistently at the right times like he did yesterday
Probably should likely be possibly. Working in his favor is his tactical sense. Working against him is the landscape of the 1500/mile features no fewer than 8 guys who can likely run 3:29 or faster and all are 28 or younger: Jakob, Jake, Hoare, Kerr, Kipsang, Katir, McSweyn, Tim. So outside of Jakob who might be able to run 3:27, it's tough to say anyone is a good bet for a medal. Hoare, Kipsang and Tim will all go back to the drawing board tactically (Kipsang maybe also schedule-wise). McSweyn/Tim could get healthier and better. Kerr should be closer to 2021 fitness in the future. This is going to be the least predictable event for some time, unless there's another jump to come from Jakob into the Kipyegon zone.