After Asekol transferred, I mentioned that I thought Florida would be #2 in the regional and could challenge FSU for the top spot. I'll revise my prediction: Florida is hands-down the best in the regional and could challenge for the NATIONAL title.
After Asekol transferred, I mentioned that I thought Florida would be #2 in the regional and could challenge FSU for the top spot. I'll revise my prediction: Florida is hands-down the best in the regional and could challenge for the NATIONAL title.
It depends, if all athletes are healthy and Tuohy returns I think NC St and CO are 1/2 and very close, with FL a notch back. CO with strongest potential 5th runner right now, while NC St top 4 look very good. FL would need a little more at #5 imho to really challenge those 2. But there are health questions and will Tuohy return?
It depends, if all athletes are healthy and Tuohy returns I think NC St and CO are 1/2 and very close, with FL a notch back. CO with strongest potential 5th runner right now, while NC St top 4 look very good. FL would need a little more at #5 imho to really challenge those 2. But there are health questions and will Tuohy return?
What makes you say, "NC St top 4 look very good"? They may have looked good last fall but they did NOT look good the spring. Looking at places from last season (and adding Valby as a "team scorer") wo;; make NC State be 1, 3, 14, 25, and 75=118 while Florida will be 2, 12, 20, and 34=68 missing their #5. If they can find someone to make the top-50, they are right there. And I would not just assume the Tuohy and Chmiel are going to take 1/3 next season. Odds are that those two will score more points than this year. There is literally nowhere to go but down. I think Valby and the Gators could win individual and team next season if they find a solid #5.
Regarding NIL, NCAA prohibits from international student athletes from getting NIL. Florida have a workaround? No way a track team like Florida is sitting on this heavy of available scholarship money to pull, arguably, the best three distance transfers from the portal in short order - AND - all international as well.
Regardless, great work by Will Palmer. This is a podium team immediately. Has a coach ever coached two separate schools to the podium in consecutive years?
Amazing how quickly things can change. I suppose NIL has something to do with this.
NIL is definitely a big deal. Some schools use it well and others are missing out. For example, Texas A&M has lost many track athletes to the portal because their head coach is opposed to it.
Amazing how quickly things can change. I suppose NIL has something to do with this.
yup there must be some creative tuition assistance
I'm sure there is some NIL involved... and I would guess MD & Thorner wanted to stay together for their last year... they could potentially be part of both a NC in both XC & Track. I wouldn't be surprised to see one or two other UNM athletes going there as well.
It depends, if all athletes are healthy and Tuohy returns I think NC St and CO are 1/2 and very close, with FL a notch back. CO with strongest potential 5th runner right now, while NC St top 4 look very good. FL would need a little more at #5 imho to really challenge those 2. But there are health questions and will Tuohy return?
What makes you say, "NC St top 4 look very good"? They may have looked good last fall but they did NOT look good the spring. Looking at places from last season (and adding Valby as a "team scorer") wo;; make NC State be 1, 3, 14, 25, and 75=118 while Florida will be 2, 12, 20, and 34=68 missing their #5. If they can find someone to make the top-50, they are right there. And I would not just assume the Tuohy and Chmiel are going to take 1/3 next season. Odds are that those two will score more points than this year. There is literally nowhere to go but down. I think Valby and the Gators could win individual and team next season if they find a solid #5.
NC St returns 1, 3, 9, 14 (team scoring inserting Valby into team score). You forgot about Tynnismaa. I added the caveat "if all athletes are healthy"
It depends, if all athletes are healthy and Tuohy returns I think NC St and CO are 1/2 and very close, with FL a notch back. CO with strongest potential 5th runner right now, while NC St top 4 look very good. FL would need a little more at #5 imho to really challenge those 2. But there are health questions and will Tuohy return?
What makes you say, "NC St top 4 look very good"? They may have looked good last fall but they did NOT look good the spring. Looking at places from last season (and adding Valby as a "team scorer") wo;; make NC State be 1, 3, 14, 25, and 75=118 while Florida will be 2, 12, 20, and 34=68 missing their #5. If they can find someone to make the top-50, they are right there. And I would not just assume the Tuohy and Chmiel are going to take 1/3 next season. Odds are that those two will score more points than this year. There is literally nowhere to go but down. I think Valby and the Gators could win individual and team next season if they find a solid #5.
NC State has Tyynismaa now. She will be top 10 at least.
NC State still is a serious favorite unless Florida can find a #5. Hard to win without a decent 5th, especially since NC State is still likely stronger through 4…
What helps both NC State and Florida is that transfers have hit last year’s 2nd-4th teams so hard. New Mexico loses their 1 & 5 from nats, Alabama’s lost their 2 & 3 from nats, and Oklahoma State has lost Nat from nats. Really opens the door for NC State to dominate and Florida to contend for 2nd.
NC State still is a serious favorite unless Florida can find a #5. Hard to win without a decent 5th, especially since NC State is still likely stronger through 4…
What helps both NC State and Florida is that transfers have hit last year’s 2nd-4th teams so hard. New Mexico loses their 1 & 5 from nats, Alabama’s lost their 2 & 3 from nats, and Oklahoma State has lost Nat from nats. Really opens the door for NC State to dominate and Florida to contend for 2nd.
and 3! But your main point is right on. Also, take a hard look at CO if they can get and stay healthy.