Look Vin is one of, if not the most egotistical coaches in the NCAA. He loves himself and thinks he's the smartest guy in the room (and yes I know him). BUT UVa is doing very well as their team title shows and Vin has guys in the NCAA. Just because Gary Martin underperformed just a little doesn't mean that Vin is past his prime. He is actually doing a very good job. Gary Martin should stay at UVa and continue to improve.
Gary should be at the school that makes him happiest. My guess is that is UVA. Last night's race not withstanding, he had a decent spring season. He has a chance to prove his fitness Sunday at the Portland track festival too now in Heat 2 of the 1500.
Runners who know they can't close faster than others shouldn't put themselves in sit 'n kick situations. That's weak, cowardly, and dumb. I see it all the time.
Take the lead and push it.
This post was edited 3 minutes after it was posted.
ATLANTA, Ga. (theACC.com) – After three days of competition, the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships have drawn to a close at the George C. Griffin Track & Field Facility in Atlanta, Georgia.
There's obviously a guy or two here that hates Vin for whatever reason and is just trying to take him down. He's gradually progressed Virginia's men's track program to a high national level with all the guys they qualified for NCAA's. Gary Martin has excellent 800m speed, and so it is just a matter of time before he gets his 1500m close figured out. It takes time to adapt to the NCAA, no matter your talent level, if you're 18-20 years old. Just look at Colin Sahlman, Rheinhardt Harrison (who just ran 3:38.7 still with the epstein-barr virus reading a very high level (this virus causes mono among other things)), and many other top freshmen and sophomores historically. Many of the qualifiers for finals were upperclassmen.
Gary Martin is not going anywhere and has gotten pretty good, despite his jump off point from HS. I will say this, for an 8:45 HS Two miler, and now a 13:31 guy? his cross is especially soft so far.
I talked to Gary Martin at a UVa XC meet this fall.
To say I was impressed is an understatement. If he is the kind of student athlete UVa is producing, well UVa is a resounding success. Only on Lets Run could this guy be cast in a negative light.
Saw this tweet by Jonathan Gault. UVA's Shane Cohen went 1:46 yesterday, and went 1:45 a couple weeks ago. He toiled at DII University of Tampa for 4 years with a best of 1:53. A great case study on how he improved dramatically under Vin.
I talked to Gary Martin at a UVa XC meet this fall.
To say I was impressed is an understatement. If he is the kind of student athlete UVa is producing, well UVa is a resounding success. Only on Lets Run could this guy be cast in a negative light.
I think you have misunderstood. There are a couple of guys on here that hate Vin and trash him any chance that they can.
Gary Martin is well liked here on Letsrun.com as far as I can tell.
He has progressed at every distance and we might just see another big drop in the 1500m this year if he competes in post-season meets like many do whose last tough sessions don't quite translate to NCAAs because they are still heavy-legged.
800m
2022 1:48.59 UW Husky Track, Seattle, WA (USA) 15 JUN 2022 2023 1:47.74 UVA Lanningan Field, Charlottesville, VA (USA) 15 APR 2023 2024 1:47.46 UVA Lanningan Field, Charlottesville, VA (USA) 19 APR 2024
1500 Metres 2022 3:47.81 Armory, New York, NY (USA) (i) 29 JAN 2022 2023 3:39.53 UVA Lanningan Field, Charlottesville, VA (USA) 21 APR 2023 2024 3:37.66 Cougar Athletic Stadium, Azusa, CA (USA) 13 APR 2024
Mile 2021 4:04.93 Renton Memorial Stadium, Seattle, WA (USA) 02 JUL 2021 2022 3:57.89 St. Louis University High School, Saint Louis, MO (USA) 02 JUN 2022 2023 3:56.83 Boston Univ. Track & Tennis Center, Boston, MA (USA) (i) 11 FEB 2023 2024 3:56.15 The Track at New Balance, Boston, MA (USA) (i) 24 FEB 2024
3000 Metres 2024 7:47.49 Ashenfelter Indoor Track, State College, PA (USA) (i) 27 JAN 2024
2 Miles 2021 9:02.93 Virginia Beach Sports Center, Virginia Beach, VA (USA) (i) 27 FEB 2021 2022 9:04.65 Virginia Beach Sports Center, Virginia Beach, VA (USA) (i) 15 JAN 2022
5000 Metres 2024 13:31.51 Paul Derr TF Facility, Raleigh, NC (USA) 28 MAR 2024
May want to read what he tweeted afterwards clarifying. Cohen was a 1:48 runner who had a stress fracture last year and struggled to get back to form (thus the 1:53's). He's obviously healthy and thriving at UVA.
Gary seems like a down to earth guy. That’s just my observation. We have to remember Not everyone wants to be the best or has that dedication to win. Lananna is not a do everything to be great coach. He just gets talent and lets them be. Maybe Gary is just happy being 2nd or 3rd team All-American. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the ride and having fun