CHRIS DERRICK APPRECIATION THREAD

He is an easy guy to root for, positive, hard working, etc., but this was clearly not his Olympic year, like he said: "it's not like I got leaned-out at the line or anything." There were three guys who were racing in a different category.

Agreed. 9 seconds off your PR in a championship race in the rain is a great race and I think confirms he has moved up to the next level. It would have been hard to see him beat teg or ritz when they are in good form, which they were. He really isn't far off rupp's level at the same age, the national level competition is just a lot better.

Not to mention that he was less than 4 seconds off the Olympic Trials Record of 27:36. I suspected he's been injured but he was too classy to offer it up as an excuse, but he finally addressed it last night when he was seen limping after (plantar fascia). There's different degrees to that, but no matter how much his training had to be compromised, his performance is unprecedented for anyone who is not 100% healthy. Dude is a f-in' warrior, and now he has the responsibility to get healthy and peak again for August just in case anyone else on the team gets hurt enough to withdraw. Anyone who says he doesn't deserve this thread is officially a triple a-hole.

everyone needs to watch this interview

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/248612-2012-US-Olympic-Team-Trials-Track-Field/video/643356-Chris-Derrick-after-4th-place-finish-at-2012-US-Olympic-Trials

i want to marry chris derrick so hard right now.

Ritz has missed a lot of Championships due to injury? Hmmm, who knew.

Quaker Oh!s wrote:

Stay fit Chris, Ritz is made of glass.

Not wishing injury upon him of course, but you can't argue with history.

Great race Derrick. You were right in the mix up the final steps. Hope to see you hit the marathon in the future.

If he had run this time at any prior trials, he'd be on the team. This is just a strong year.

And for a guy who has been holding down a full load of classes at Stanford (graduating on time) and not had the advantage of training at altitude, his performance is remarkable.

The dude is one hell of an athlete. It's always nice to see a white dude/non mormon succeed in the longer races

TrackfanZ wrote:

a white dude/non mormon

non mormon

wait -- whut?

chris derrick #1 fan wrote:

i want to marry chris derrick so hard right now.

So your state must allow that?

yoyomama wrote:

Don't forget that Ritz was hurt at the World Champs, but didn't withdraw and ran poorly with the injury.

When was this? Examples plz.

That was the 2004 Olympics. He was injured and hobbled around the track. Seems like he should have let someone else compete.

In the 2009 World Champs, I believe Rupp had some injury issues that slowed him down. Ritz ran quite well for 6th in 27:22.

gonchar wrote:

What a jackass you are Quenton. Chris will have his day, 2016, 2020, 2024. The world is at your command Mr. Derrick.

Not a jackass, just honest. It's not that Derrick is a bad runner nor is it that he hasn't won anything it's just that he doesn't win big races all that often. Usually he's coming in second or third or, in this case, fourth. Again, not a bad result, but Christ Derrick just doesn't really seem like a winner in the sense that he hasn't won anything.

On the world stage you could say that about every American distance runner since 1976 except for Bernard Lagat. It is what it is, but this should be our deepest 10,000 team we've had in a long time.

I am confident that once Derrick is uninjured and with a good coach, he will be winning some big races soon enough.

Fastnbulbous wrote:

I am confident that once Derrick is uninjured and with a good coach, he will be winning some big races soon enough.

You mean a better coach than the one who helped him run 27:30 and 13:19 (i), and place 4th in the OT as a 21 year old?

Dang dude, what do you want? Not sure the year could've gone any better. Dunn should be lauded for his work with Derrick.

chris derrick is a boss. he deserves a whole $hit ton of respect.

damn foreigners have screwed so many American kids out of there rightful place in college history, one of the many reason fans are tired of watching college running. International competition is good, that's why we World, Olympics, and international competition, why we ruin college championships in be-on me.

Someday they will start doing to the same thing toHigh schoolers like Footlocker and NXN, and then they will lose another fan there to....oh my the way....I don't believe in foreigners making us better! BS! We had great programs way before they were here or interduced!

Great Job Chris....I wonder how many Americans have beaten you over the years in college?

Quenton Cassidamius wrote:

Maybe Ritz will get injured again? Seriously though Chris is great but he just is not a winner. There are some guys with that killer instinct who will not lose and he is not one of those guys.

He is only what, 22? He'll be back.

Chris needs to run reckless, like Fam! Seriously, chris reminds us all of Fam, if we are honest and allow ourselves. Chris, look to Fam for guidance and inspiration!