I know most people don't want to know much about NJCAA, but from a coach's point of view, should someone recruit from high school or NJCAA, i heard there are a few fast foreigners out there right now, but can someone give me an idea on what's going on out there. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.thanx
Some of the best JC Runners attend Spokane CC, but sorry they are all white.
Are you looking for D-I, II, III or NAIA?
You would think College coaches would look for NJCAA runners more than they do, because you already no they can survive the general college environment. Many kids coming from high school cannot take the adjustment of college life. Studies, parties, practice, the dorms...ect. But junior college running at least on the east coast is a joke. There were more people in attendance at my high school dual meets than at all four NJCAA national meets I attended combined. And the times at NJCAA meets are slower overall.
Look at the South Plains College distance squad. They have excellent talent floating around the campus. Miles and Miles out in that little west texas town. Once the guys leave they have a solid foundation and are ready to be the leaders of other D.1 programs powerhouse or not. The contact man is coach David Conder 806-894-9611.
Hey, SPC-ex, e-mail me. jmorris@spc.cc.tx.us
Even though many on this board might look down on the JUCO system, it has produced many star performers: Morceli, Abdi, Derrick Brew, Nathan Leeper, to name a few. Besides the stars, there are several good prospects in JUCO. Yes, many events at the JUCO nationals are won in slow times, but that is because the star runners are usually running as many events as possible to score points. Sit and kick races are prevalent. Personally I think JUCO runners are under-recruited.
As a former JUCO head coach, I can only guess that you are speaking of distance events when talking about how slow they are at nationals.
Having been in the KJCCC of the NJCAA, I can attest to 3 reasons why the distance events are a little slower than what they are capable of being.
1) The NJCAA meet has been in Odessa last couple of years. Basically 100 degrees and no shade. Not great for a distance runner obviously.
2) Doubling and tripling, plus there's a 4x800 event that some might also run at nationals.
3) There's not a lot of depth in JUCO. Usually the top 3-4 in most events are DI calibar but after that it falls of quickly. So, a distance runner doesn't necessarily have to run his personal best to win. Sit and kick is the appropriate situation.
Yours in Track,
Mike Cunningham
Asst. Women's Track
Ball State University
If you are looking for JUCO runners to recruit then you should look at some of the JC guys in California. There are many talented runners throughout the state that are more than capable of competing at the colligiate level, at any division. It would be great to see some more move on and succeed at the higher levels of competition.
Umm, Coach Conder is no longer coaching track at South Plains. The contact is Coach Lance Bingham, 806-894-9611 ext. 2227.
. They have several top recruits for D-II and NAIA coming out in the Spring.