This thread is about the 800 not 1500. It’s already understood that he is a strong favorite to make the 1500 team. The question is could he make the 800 team. The answer is a resounding No.
You’re the one being stupid. You listed his 3000 times in support of his chances to make the team in the 800. His 3000 times are irrelevant for predicting his chances of making the team in the 800.
He ran a 1:45.07 in the b heat of the LA Grand Prix.
Hobbs might has more talent in the 800m than the 1500m. Clayton Murphy was viewed as more of a 1500m runner before winning an Olympic medal. I think Hobbs could / should do the same thing.
Kessler is clearly not an 800 runner. A 1500/miler, for sure. Has range up to 3000 and down to 800m.
Who criticized Kessler for not going to college??? It was an obvious choice to me and most people I know. Maybe do a Sydney and go for one year, but college would have been a mistake.
Kessler looks ready for Trials. I expect him 3rd in 1500m. Not making the team would be a failure at this point.
Scotty, I tend to be a lurker; but King999 is correct regarding poster's comments regarding Kessler's decision to leave NAU. The first year after Kessler left NAU (and he had a relatively "mediocre" year dealing with injuries,etc), there were a high percentage of posts related to the topic arguing that Kessler should have stayed at NAU and been coached by Smith.
As a former Michigan guy, it's great to see the VNTC having a great spring with Flanagan, Kessler, and Beadlescomb running some good times. Ferlic with a reasonable opener. University of Michigan also seems to be on the upswing in the mid-distance/distance with the freshman/soph class really running well.
King999...any insight on if Brady and Foster are going to continue to run post-collegiate and possibly stay and join the VNTC?
No. If he makes the 1500 team there is no reason to take another spot in an event he currently has no chance medaling in. His one and only goal should be to make the 1500 team and try to place as high as possible in the final. The kid is 21 years old and has a world indoor bronze in the miler. He’s a 1500m/miler who can also run a pretty quick 800m and probably 3k. If he doesn’t make the 1500m team, he can give the 800m a go maybe.
If he makes the team in the 800m, he’s better than the guy who finished 4th, and that person would also have no chance of medaling. The 800/1500m double has no negative effect on either distance and Kessler should definitely go for it.
Scotty, I tend to be a lurker; but King999 is correct regarding poster's comments regarding Kessler's decision to leave NAU. The first year after Kessler left NAU (and he had a relatively "mediocre" year dealing with injuries,etc), there were a high percentage of posts related to the topic arguing that Kessler should have stayed at NAU and been coached by Smith.
As a former Michigan guy, it's great to see the VNTC having a great spring with Flanagan, Kessler, and Beadlescomb running some good times. Ferlic with a reasonable opener. University of Michigan also seems to be on the upswing in the mid-distance/distance with the freshman/soph class really running well.
King999...any insight on if Brady and Foster are going to continue to run post-collegiate and possibly stay and join the VNTC?
There were, indeed, some fools who criticized Kessler for skipping college. However, they were people who simply do not understand the sport and where Kessler was at that time (in terms of performance level). Almost everyone I know felt it was the right move. He might have done a Syd McG and gone for one year. Anything more would have been a mistake.
Full disclosure, King999 and I are close personal friends for 20 years. We talk all the time.
1500 runners typically can run fast 800s, but there's a difference between just being able to run ~1:43-1:45 and competing in the 800 rounds. We have enough evidence that he's a better 1500 runner.
Who criticized Kessler for not going to college??? It was an obvious choice to me and most people I know. Maybe do a Sydney and go for one year, but college would have been a mistake.
Kessler looks ready for Trials. I expect him 3rd in 1500m. Not making the team would be a failure at this point.
I don't like NCAA athletics used as a free minor league for many professional sports. One and Done is a joke. M.L.B. have a great cooperative agreement. A young man either goes to M.L.B. and their minor league system out of highschool or a young man goes to college for four years. Going to college is no guarantee of by-passing minor league ball.
1500 runners typically can run fast 800s, but there's a difference between just being able to run ~1:43-1:45 and competing in the 800 rounds. We have enough evidence that he's a better 1500 runner.
I don't like NCAA athletics used as a free minor league for many professional sports. One and Done is a joke. M.L.B. have a great cooperative agreement. A young man either goes to M.L.B. and their minor league system out of highschool or a young man goes to college for four years. Going to college is no guarantee of by-passing minor league ball.
That is one way of thinking. Sydney spent a year in school and set the NCAA record of 52.75
I'd have been fine with her skipping school altogether as well. Matters little. My point is that Syd and Kessler clearly should not have spent 4 yrs inn college. They were very advanced athletes leaving HS.
This post was edited 2 minutes after it was posted.
There were, indeed, some fools who criticized Kessler for skipping college. However, they were people who simply do not understand the sport and where Kessler was at that time (in terms of performance level). Almost everyone I know felt it was the right move. He might have done a Syd McG and gone for one year. Anything more would have been a mistake.
Full disclosure, King999 and I are close personal friends for 20 years. We talk all the time.
At least one year of college racing would have been good for him so he could develop racing skills. He had the 3rd fastest time in the US last year but only finished 6th at the US championship. Why? Poor racing skills. In contrast, a collegian who sharpened his racing skills in the NCAA made the team.
There were, indeed, some fools who criticized Kessler for skipping college. However, they were people who simply do not understand the sport and where Kessler was at that time (in terms of performance level). Almost everyone I know felt it was the right move. He might have done a Syd McG and gone for one year. Anything more would have been a mistake.
Full disclosure, King999 and I are close personal friends for 20 years. We talk all the time.
At least one year of college racing would have been good for him so he could develop racing skills. He had the 3rd fastest time in the US last year but only finished 6th at the US championship. Why? Poor racing skills. In contrast, a collegian who sharpened his racing skills in the NCAA made the team.
I am a little worried about Kessler becoming the next Alan Webb in terms of championship mettle and acumen. This is a big year for him. I do believe he is the best US 1500m runner outside of Nuguse at the moment, and I hope to see him have success. That 800-3000 range is outstanding.
He ran a 1:45.07 in the b heat of the LA Grand Prix.
Hobbs might has more talent in the 800m than the 1500m. Clayton Murphy was viewed as more of a 1500m runner before winning an Olympic medal. I think Hobbs could / should do the same thing.
I really liked Hobbs’ post-race interview. He was very contrite and honest about that last 100m and his own goals. It shows a nice bit of respect and sportsmanship to see that he was genuinely apologetic about his move on Lopez. At the same point, he didn’t want to finish the race knowing he’d given less than his best from an effort perspective. I appreciate his transparency in describing a tough situation. And he also touched on how he wants to be a great all-around runner, not just 1500m guy. To me, the engine is there and he will just need to continue to improve the tactics. I think stalking Nuguse is his best move. Hocker is going to run on the inside in 5th or 6th before getting his way up to 1st or 2nd with 200 to go and trusting his kick. Hobbs would be best served by being even with Nuguse at the point and making sure he has plenty of room to run/the others have to go wide to beat him.
I really liked Hobbs’ post-race interview. He was very contrite and honest about that last 100m and his own goals. It shows a nice bit of respect and sportsmanship to see that he was genuinely apologetic about his move on Lopez. At the same point, he didn’t want to finish the race knowing he’d given less than his best from an effort perspective. I appreciate his transparency in describing a tough situation. And he also touched on how he wants to be a great all-around runner, not just 1500m guy. To me, the engine is there and he will just need to continue to improve the tactics. I think stalking Nuguse is his best move. Hocker is going to run on the inside in 5th or 6th before getting his way up to 1st or 2nd with 200 to go and trusting his kick. Hobbs would be best served by being even with Nuguse at the point and making sure he has plenty of room to run/the others have to go wide to beat him.
Wow, I agree a very fair and objective view of what happened, I think if this was an NCAA or U.S. final he might have been pulled down. I said it at the time.
but he was pretty open and honest about it
He was very live in the deep stretch but had run himself into kind of a bad spot
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