I think Nuguse went out a little bit too hard, maybe I'm seeing things but he did not look super relaxed mid-race. Either way the best possible team did make it through!!
A lot of people who insisted that Kessler couldn't race tactically, that he'd get out-raced by savvier NCAA guys or journeymen or whatever, need to eat a lot of crow--you know who you are.
Tbf, that was about as easy as it gets tactically. The only big decision he had to make was get near the front early. But he ran a great one.
A lot of people who insisted that Kessler couldn't race tactically, that he'd get out-raced by savvier NCAA guys or journeymen or whatever, need to eat a lot of crow--you know who you are.
All of Hocker’s big pb’s come from championship races. He absolutely brings it when the pressure is at its highest. He is a winner. Since day 1 his goal has been to win gold and he is not afraid to state that publicly.
52.6 final 400 in a 3:30 race for Hocker, absolutely a medal threat. Nuguse 53.17 final 400 is no joke either, especially with how much he led. Awesome race
Has to be a gold medal contender after that. Josh closed in 53 last year right?
Kerr closed in 52.77 last year in a 3:29 race. And he looks better this year. But Hocker and Nuguse are both medal threats no doubt, could win gold if everything breaks perfectly, but Kerr and Jakob are still the favorites at the moment imo
the US talent split between the 15 and steeple is way too unbalanced and I think Coop would be the best candidate to make the switch. Basically a lock for team USA every year. Worked out for Beamish, didn't even hurt his 15 abilities.
Cooper would be excellent in the steeple and he’s too talented of a runner to be missing teams. Unfortunately, he’s not beating this 3 in the 1,500 ever again.
Nuguse did all the work though. So much easier to sit and kick like that.
Interesting comment for the finals. Nuguse will not be running from the front in the Olympics and can likely get a better time...he still has to deal with Jakob and Josh at the bell though.
he has won diamond leagues against some of the best in the world. What have cole done thats so much better? It was a good strategy by nuguse today since the important thing was to be top 3. Great performance by Cole today, but to win in Paris Cole will probably need to run the last 300m atleast this fast in a 2-3 second faster race, and much harder heats and semis.
That might have been the greatest race I've ever seen. Not necessarily due to how it was run, but Cole Hocker showing all his doubters that he's legit (as he always was, no clue how people discounted him after getting 5/6th at the Olympics at 20 years old and then getting in the finals last year off a massive injury), and ma boy Hobbs barely getting in.