For those of you who actually read my blog for something other than the cross country analysis, I am going to start with something other than cross country analysis.
This week was test week. My first test of the semester in three classes, none of which would I consider a cakewalk. I feel that I rose to the occasion, however. I know I managed an A- in Nutrition, and I'm thinking As are also going to be the result in Intro to Exercise Science and Fundamentals of Fitness. I'm thoroughly enjoying everything I'm learning in these classes, and I think it is fairly easy to say that I chose the right major. Occasionally, I wish the classes were a bit more in depth in the physiology area, less in the clinical fitness area.
Also, I decided to get adventurous with food today. I went to Noodles and Company, a restaurant I would recommend to just about anyone, and ordered some Pad Thai. Now, some of you, I'm sure, are looking at this and wondering what in the world Pad Thai is. Some of you are probably wrinkling your noses. Allow me to describe it. Think lo mein in a a sweet sauce, cooked up with red and white cabbage, carrots, peanuts, sprouts, and (here it comes) scrambled eggs. I assure you, it is delicious. It does smell pretty funky, however. I was almost disgusted by the smell, but as soon as I began eating it, I was satisfied with my order.
Also, I may have bitten off a bit more than I can chew this week. I contacted the WSU SGA with the topic of a potential smoking ban on campus. Now, while I usually take a fairly "hands off" type of attitude towards government, I feel like this is something that should be looked into. What I want is a compromise; a specific area on campus smokers can go to light up that won't bother the rest of us. However, with no one to enforce these rules, it is all or nothing- you can smoke just about anywhere, or nowhere. I would prefer nowhere. If I'm sitting on a bench birdwatching, reading, or doing nothing, I'm not bothering anyone. If I'm sitting on a bench smoking, I'm bothering people sitting around me or walking past me, especially if they have allergies. I am very tired of long walks across campus stuck behind someone smoking, choking on it the whole way from Ahlberg to Heskett. I respect their freedom, but I think my freedom to breathe trumps their freedom to smoke. I would like you guys to weigh in, as I will be writing a report and potentially garnering student body support for the issue when it could potentially appear before the student senate.
Now comes the cross country part!
This week, many teams will truly be tested for just what they're worth. The Rim Rock Classic goes on at Lawrence, and I expect to see some truly great battles across the board.
But first, let's review last weekend.
Baldwin Invitational
Holy cow... so much to say about this meet. I think the proper place to begin is with the most obvious: Alli Cash is something special. 13:16. Fastest time I have ever seen in Kansas for a girls' 4K. She led her team to a 2nd place finish behind the juggernaut that is St. Thomas Aquinas. All 7 runners under 16:00? I think I see the best team in 5A. Also worth mentioning is Baldwin. They seemed far stronger than they did at Wamego, and I see 4A getting very interesting, assuming Maize South (who performed very well at their meet this week as well) stays in 4A. On the Boys' side of things, Aquinas and Baldwin both looked stronger than they have in their other performances this season, but Baldwin doesn't have as much depth as I think they need to win 4A.
Bonner Springs Invitational
THIS is the meet I was really excited to blog about. Can you say DeSoto? Considering I was given confirmation that the course was meticulously measured, we can say that these times are at least somewhat reliable. These guys won't go that fast at State, which is what matters, but I think they have massive potential for stud power to work some miracles with Angel Vasquez and Luis Murillo up front. Keep in mind that Murillo is only a freshman... I don't know that I've ever seen a freshman in Kansas run 16:16 on a legit course. Also looking strong was 5A team Mill Valley. They've been gradually improving over the years, and I think they'll eventually be a strong contender. In the girls' race, I am almost entirely going to skip Mill Valley, despite the fact that they won by 4 over Hayden. Those girls looked very strong, and backed up their performance this week at Tonganoxie. Throw in St. James Academy and Paola... plus the Baker twins of Lansing... and you had one heck of a solid meet.
Southeast Invitational
In other news, I found that Wichita North FINALLY looked like the team everyone claims that they are. The course is a little easier than last week's, but not that much faster (if faster at all) than the RAFT. So, I see that they are improving, which is another key to success in 6A. I think they are close to something special here. I also want to add that Maize looked less than spectacular compared to their showing last week at Emporia. On the girls' side, I was disappointed that Maize was unable to run with Bishop Carroll. Not that I want Carroll to lose, I merely wanted an interesting race.
Now, on to some Rim Rock preview.
Boys' Blue Division
I look forward to seeing how Andale's Jacob Wallace fairs on this tougher-than-average course, and what kind of race he has against Drew Baum of Labette County. The battle between 3A contenders Wellsville and Wichita Independent is worth keeping tabs on, too.
Boys' Red Division
Mulvane, Wamego, Topeka Seaman, and upstart Mill Valley, plus individuals Brandon Lewis (Derby), Cory Donley (Sacred Heart), and Oscar Carmona (Dodge City) look to impress as well.
Boys' Gold Division
All the big dogs come out to play- Baldwin, Bishop Carroll, Aquinas, Wichita North, and DeSoto are the teams that particularly interest me. Although, I can't help but wonder why the heck Winfield is competing in that division...
Girls' Blue Division
Ellinwood, Norton, and individuals Elise Larson of Andover and Michaela Ozier of Labette County are really all I am watching in this division.
Girls' Red Division
Maize South, DeSoto, Mill Valley, Valley Center, and the Baker twins? Yes please!
Girls' Gold Division
Aquinas. Carroll. Baldwin. Shawnee Mission West. Clash of the Titans? Almost. I'm also interested in seeing how Garden City performs and just how fast Alli Cash will run. But again... how did Winfield make that field?
Well, that's all folks. I'll be waiting for the results to come in from the big meet this weekend, and I'll be looking for your opinions on the WSU smoking issue. Hit me up with comments, please!
Au revoir!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Here We Go Again
Before we get started today, I just want to say that there will only be one meme in today's post.
But lots of cross country! That's right, the season has begun again!!!
I'm not sure where to start... this week featured one of the great speedways of Kansas cross country, the Hesston Invitational, and this weekend was huge with the Wamego Invitational, Wichita Wild Wind Cross Country Festival, and the Emporia Invitational. All of these meets showcase teams that I think will make a big impact this year. I'll begin with the little guys.
2A
Ellinwood boys and girls looked very strong, although that Hesston course is very, very fast.
3A
Douglass girls looked strong yet again this year. Norton looked solid as well, competition-wise, but given the time performances, I don't think they will have a shot of matching up with the Bulldogs. I'll need to look at it a bit more this year, but I think Douglass rolls to a repeat.
Wichita Independent boys looked decent... 3A isn't usually very strong in boys XC, so it isn't easy to determine, especially this early in the season, just how good they are.
4A
Here's where I have my heyday. This is my area of expertise! Let's cut to the chase and talk State favorites. You've got to say Wamego is the favorite to repeat on the boys' side. They looked phenomenal at their home meet. They put six runners under 18 minutes, which is awesome for that course at this point in the season. While Jordan Routh is a worthy number one, he isn't of the same caliber as the number one of men many teams that have won state titles over the years. That makes the team Rick Patton has put together that much more impressive.
But, the question arises... who is the next best team in 4A? Well, based on the Wamego Invitational... it's a toss-up. Mulvane appears to have risen back into redemption form after not qualifying for State last year. Ren Bean contributed a time that would have won most years, but the 16:04 that individual favorite Angel Vasquez put down sets Mr. Bean in the runner-up position. DeSoto looks stronger than they have in a couple of years, and the stud effect will certainly help them. Hugoton, Baldwin, and Andale all three look very strong, but they lack depth, meaning no number five. This places them on a different tier than the other teams that I've mentioned.
On the female side of things... the enrollment figures will play as much of a roll in deciding the State champion as the actual performance. Maize South has to be the favorite this year, but the catch is that they were one of the largest 4A schools, and have a good chance to make 5A this year. That would make 5A a madhouse, of course, but we'll get to that later. Should the Mavericks join the 5A ranks, I think Baldwin becomes your favorite. Later in the season, Topeka Hayden and St. James Academy could make a case as well, but right now, they aren't deep. The Wildcats will hopefully not suffer the same epic choke that they endured at last year's Regional meet, and St. James tends to pull something out of their proverbial hat from time to time. So, we'll see what happens as more runners get into shape. Honestly, right there with these two teams is surprise team of the year, Wichita Trinity. The only issue with the Knights is that if there is a single injury or illness, they are done for. They only go 5 deep. Paola also looks like they could make the battle for top 3 very interesting, based on the way they raced Hayden in Week 1.
5A
Bishop Carroll looks good again, what else is new, but I don't think their ladies win this year. Saint Thomas Aquinas looks like your definite favorites on the women's side of things. The Golden Eagle men, on the other hand, probably will be repeat champions. Valley Center looks especially strong on the girls' side this season as well. Look for them to compete well down the stretch. Also, the amount of returning individual female medalists is noteworthy... 10 from the Wichita area alone.
6A
Wichita North boys looked better this week, but still don't impress me much. There is a lot of local media hype surrounding them, and they call themselves the "Fab Four..." that's all the deeper they go, in my opinion. Four good runners. That doesn't do much in 6A.
Manhattan girls looked strong at the Emporia Invitational, as did Maize. They both look to place highly at State this year. In fact, both boys' teams look very good as well.
Alli Cash's performance at the Greg Wilson Classic is also noteworthy... 13:46... that is a phenomenal performance, and I don't think the question is if she will win State, but rather how fast she will go in doing so.
All in all, that's my blog for the week. On my way out, I want to leave you with this lovely image.
But lots of cross country! That's right, the season has begun again!!!
I'm not sure where to start... this week featured one of the great speedways of Kansas cross country, the Hesston Invitational, and this weekend was huge with the Wamego Invitational, Wichita Wild Wind Cross Country Festival, and the Emporia Invitational. All of these meets showcase teams that I think will make a big impact this year. I'll begin with the little guys.
2A
Ellinwood boys and girls looked very strong, although that Hesston course is very, very fast.
3A
Douglass girls looked strong yet again this year. Norton looked solid as well, competition-wise, but given the time performances, I don't think they will have a shot of matching up with the Bulldogs. I'll need to look at it a bit more this year, but I think Douglass rolls to a repeat.
Wichita Independent boys looked decent... 3A isn't usually very strong in boys XC, so it isn't easy to determine, especially this early in the season, just how good they are.
4A
Here's where I have my heyday. This is my area of expertise! Let's cut to the chase and talk State favorites. You've got to say Wamego is the favorite to repeat on the boys' side. They looked phenomenal at their home meet. They put six runners under 18 minutes, which is awesome for that course at this point in the season. While Jordan Routh is a worthy number one, he isn't of the same caliber as the number one of men many teams that have won state titles over the years. That makes the team Rick Patton has put together that much more impressive.
But, the question arises... who is the next best team in 4A? Well, based on the Wamego Invitational... it's a toss-up. Mulvane appears to have risen back into redemption form after not qualifying for State last year. Ren Bean contributed a time that would have won most years, but the 16:04 that individual favorite Angel Vasquez put down sets Mr. Bean in the runner-up position. DeSoto looks stronger than they have in a couple of years, and the stud effect will certainly help them. Hugoton, Baldwin, and Andale all three look very strong, but they lack depth, meaning no number five. This places them on a different tier than the other teams that I've mentioned.
On the female side of things... the enrollment figures will play as much of a roll in deciding the State champion as the actual performance. Maize South has to be the favorite this year, but the catch is that they were one of the largest 4A schools, and have a good chance to make 5A this year. That would make 5A a madhouse, of course, but we'll get to that later. Should the Mavericks join the 5A ranks, I think Baldwin becomes your favorite. Later in the season, Topeka Hayden and St. James Academy could make a case as well, but right now, they aren't deep. The Wildcats will hopefully not suffer the same epic choke that they endured at last year's Regional meet, and St. James tends to pull something out of their proverbial hat from time to time. So, we'll see what happens as more runners get into shape. Honestly, right there with these two teams is surprise team of the year, Wichita Trinity. The only issue with the Knights is that if there is a single injury or illness, they are done for. They only go 5 deep. Paola also looks like they could make the battle for top 3 very interesting, based on the way they raced Hayden in Week 1.
5A
Bishop Carroll looks good again, what else is new, but I don't think their ladies win this year. Saint Thomas Aquinas looks like your definite favorites on the women's side of things. The Golden Eagle men, on the other hand, probably will be repeat champions. Valley Center looks especially strong on the girls' side this season as well. Look for them to compete well down the stretch. Also, the amount of returning individual female medalists is noteworthy... 10 from the Wichita area alone.
6A
Wichita North boys looked better this week, but still don't impress me much. There is a lot of local media hype surrounding them, and they call themselves the "Fab Four..." that's all the deeper they go, in my opinion. Four good runners. That doesn't do much in 6A.
Manhattan girls looked strong at the Emporia Invitational, as did Maize. They both look to place highly at State this year. In fact, both boys' teams look very good as well.
Alli Cash's performance at the Greg Wilson Classic is also noteworthy... 13:46... that is a phenomenal performance, and I don't think the question is if she will win State, but rather how fast she will go in doing so.
All in all, that's my blog for the week. On my way out, I want to leave you with this lovely image.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Otter Chaos
This edition of ALTF shall be
Why? Because I have very little to write about, but I feel like posting something. I guess I could talk about school, but it is so mundane... I enjoy WSU quite a bit, and I love my major, but the downside is that I haven't had homework very often, so when I have been assigned some, I haven't been very motivated to finish it. Ah well.
I think a better use of this blog would be posting memes... why? Because I can. I think I know what you're thinking.
To which I respond:
And by now, you're probably thinking:
Okay, okay. I'll get back on topic. Cross country season has begun!
I attended last weekend's JK Gold Classic at the RAFT near Augusta. The high school meet wasn't as competitive as it has been in past years, but I did see two things especially worth mentioning:
Maize South girls kicked some butt. I think they might be the 4A favorites this year, assuming they stay classified as such (5A isn't much of a stretch). It's really hard to tell how good the other teams in 4A are until Wamego (next weekend) and Rim Rock, but they ran as a very solid pack, and could easily improve throughout the season.
Wichita Trinity girls surprised me with their second place finish. I think that they could be a potential surprise team, possibly even (dare I say it?) a state qualifier. Again, it is early. It's hard to say how much they'll improve throughout the season, or what kind of injuries may occur, or what other teams in their region might be good.
Wichita North boys ran well, but I don't think they look quite as strong as they did last season. Although, like I said, it is very early in the season.
I want to give a shout-out to Wichita State University, who performed very well. I also want to thank Casey Nightengale, whose hairstyle and beard allowed me the opportunity to utilize this meme:
I'm hoping to watch a few more meets in person this year, so maybe there will be more substance to the ol' blog this year. I don't have a lot more to talk about, really, umm...
And on that note, I bid thee farewell.
Why? Because I have very little to write about, but I feel like posting something. I guess I could talk about school, but it is so mundane... I enjoy WSU quite a bit, and I love my major, but the downside is that I haven't had homework very often, so when I have been assigned some, I haven't been very motivated to finish it. Ah well.
I think a better use of this blog would be posting memes... why? Because I can. I think I know what you're thinking.
To which I respond:
And by now, you're probably thinking:
Okay, okay. I'll get back on topic. Cross country season has begun!
I attended last weekend's JK Gold Classic at the RAFT near Augusta. The high school meet wasn't as competitive as it has been in past years, but I did see two things especially worth mentioning:
Maize South girls kicked some butt. I think they might be the 4A favorites this year, assuming they stay classified as such (5A isn't much of a stretch). It's really hard to tell how good the other teams in 4A are until Wamego (next weekend) and Rim Rock, but they ran as a very solid pack, and could easily improve throughout the season.
Wichita Trinity girls surprised me with their second place finish. I think that they could be a potential surprise team, possibly even (dare I say it?) a state qualifier. Again, it is early. It's hard to say how much they'll improve throughout the season, or what kind of injuries may occur, or what other teams in their region might be good.
Wichita North boys ran well, but I don't think they look quite as strong as they did last season. Although, like I said, it is very early in the season.
I want to give a shout-out to Wichita State University, who performed very well. I also want to thank Casey Nightengale, whose hairstyle and beard allowed me the opportunity to utilize this meme:
I'm hoping to watch a few more meets in person this year, so maybe there will be more substance to the ol' blog this year. I don't have a lot more to talk about, really, umm...
And on that note, I bid thee farewell.
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