I would call dropping 10+ seconds on the opposition in the last 400m of THEIR strongest event pretty much a "crush". Sorry if Efraimson wasn't dancing up and down at the end, but she at least wasn't carried off like Baxter was.As for "hungry", that is an impression based on competitiveness (she did what Cain was unable to do the year before) and her lower profile and lower-key demeanor. Mary comes off as "This is all so great, so fun, everybody's wonderful", with her personal professional coach and unlimited resources and opportunity. Whereas Alexa is more deadpan and understated, and just shows up and steps up to her competition. It's called different styles, no one is "picking on" anybody. This is what high-level sports is about, contrasting personalities and styles going head-to-head. For further study, see Coe v. Ovett....
living in reality wrote:
Enough with the hyperbole. Alexa is absolutely amazing. Her performances speak for themselves. FWIW, she was behind with 400m to go at NXN and kicked like crazy. A great, great win, but she was spent afterwards. Definitely the best HS XC runner this year, but "crushed NXN" might be over the top. She is "hungrier" than Cain?! Where did you pull this sh*t from? Why are so many people picking one or the other? Both are incredible runners and will hopefully have long, exceptional careers.