Saturday: We left the mad city at about 2:15 in the afternoon and reached Terre
Haute about 8:30 in the evening. The city itself was relatively small, yet there
were cars everywhere and the hotels were filled. Jake Klym, who was covering
video portion of the national meet for Tracksharkmedia.org, a couple of his
buddies, my teammate Sam Jackson and I decided to explore the town and obtain
exclusive footage on what the locals of Terre Haute thought about the race.
Most locals did not know much about cross country, outside of the fact that
it involved running. Others basically said it sucks and they wouldn’t
do it….typical responses from non- runners.
After going to the campus area we heard the best college scenes were at the
bowling alley and the bars. Our first mission involved heading to the bowling
alley, which was a bowling alley, large pool hall, and bar in one. What more
could you ask for? The people there were great and were glad to talk on camera.
One kid managed to give his cell phone number and e-mail address in case any
girls wanted to contact him…sketchy? Yea I would say so. The bowling alley
was quite redneck so we decided to venture on to a gas station where we met
a couple more unique individuals.
We needed some real excitement so we headed to the bars for more interviews
and to get a feel for the home of Indiana State University. We first hit up
the Temple, which was a good place to chill and enjoy the scene. We met some
other cross country fans and members of the Indiana State cross country team.
It was a good time. At 1 we decided to move on, after hearing the “”””
was the place to go for late-night. There were two main areas. The bar area
was in one room, and then a large dance area in another. The dance area was
basically a large tent with heaters, dj equipment and porta potties. We were
all impressed to see porta potties in a dance club. The girls were good looking
for the most part, and the music was good, so of course we all enjoyed ourselves.
We got a couple more interviews, and chilled with some other xc fans we met.
We all made some pre-race predictions and the general consensus was Stanford
would take the men’s title. Wisconsin, Colorado , and Arkansas would be
the two, three, and four teams according to the fans out there on that cold
Saturday night. Individual predictions were split between Kimani, Torres, and
Boaz.
Sunday: Went to the course and did an hour run. No big hills, but nevertheless would be taxing on your legs from all the turns, footing, grass, and gradual uphills. After that went to the Holiday Inn where all the media stuff was. Talked with JJ and Fasil (ASU) awhile and caught up on old times. Went back to the hotel and took a short nap. Planned on doing homework but never got around to it. That night we partied with Minnesota and Notre Dame guy’s and girls. It was a good time. Some fun trash talking...typical runner stuff. And of course late night IHOP to close the night.
Monday: The big showdown. It took forever to get to the course as there were
so many cars trying to park. We probably had to wait over 20 minutes because
the cars were backed up so far. The course was packed with fans.
The girl’s race went out fast. Brianna Shook of Toledo took it out very
hard…maybe too hard as she eventually faded to 24th, which is still an
awesome job. Shalane Flanagan (UNC) ran a smart and tough race. When she made
her move about a third into the race, it was over. She looked confident and
just ran away with it. She was not going to lose. The Stanford pack of Alicia
Craig, Lauren Fleshman and Sara Bei got out very well and were all among the
top pack. For much of the race it looked like Stanford would win as there front
pack rolled. Pre-race favorite BYU ran smart, as always. They knew what they
had to do and did it led by Michaela Manova and Kassie Anderson in 5th and 7th.
Stanford had 2 runners in before BYU’s 1st with Craig and Fleshman in
3rd and 4th, and they had there 3rd in before BYU’s. BYU won it with their
4th and 5th runners. Notre Dame stepped up big to claim 3rd while Georgetown
and CU rounded out the top 5.
The men’s race was to be full of surprises, as it usually is. The race
was still together at 3k, with no big break aways. Shortly after 3k the race
started with Cragg, Kimani, Boaz, Torres, Lincoln and McArdle separating themselves
from the pack.
Stanford’s big names stayed in the lead pack and did not go with the big
move, which was a good idea. Some of the breakaway group would be coming back
eventually. At about 4k it was Boaz, Torres, Kimani, and Cragg throwing down
up front with Lincoln and Mcardle a ways back but still well ahead of the pack.
Stanford top 4 were all in that lead pack running relaxed and together. Arkansas
as a team was out well. Wisconsin had Tegenkamp in the lead pack with the Stanford
boys and then their pack of 4 running together in about 50th place.
The battle up front was great. Torres and Cragg were throwing in small surges
but Boaz and Kimani were right there. Finally the first of the lead pack fell
off the pace. It was Boaz. Shortly thereafter Kimani dropped off as well. Cragg
was hanging on and was probably the toughest runner in that lead pack. He was
taking everything Torres threw at him and running with that famous Hog toughness.
Finally in the end Torres had taken the kick out of Cragg’s legs and won
by a second. Kimani and Boaz were slowly getting caught by the lead pack as
were Lincoln and Mcardle. The Stanford boys were still all together coming into
that last k. Wisconsin has their pack of 4 in around 30th place with 2k to go.
Tegenkamp was in that main lead pack with all the Stanford guys. In the end
Stanford destroyed everyone, which was not a surprise to anyone considering
they had 5 guys, which were 2nd or 3rd at footlocker nationals in high school.
Wisconsin ran a great race to finish 2nd, 58 points ahead of Eastern Michigan
who stepped up big to claim 3rd. Colorado took the last trophy with a 4th place
finish.
• Stanford had 4 in the top 9.
• Stanford returns everyone next year.
• Top American freshman was Bobby Lockhart of Wisconsin in 23rd.
• Best freshman was Iona’s Richard Kiplagat in 15th.
• University of Michigan middle distance phenoms, Nate Brannen and Nick
Willis took 22nd and 28th to lead Michigan to an 8th place finish.
• Biggest Individual surprise may have been Mark Tucker of Butler placing
4th.
• Props to David Kimani and Boaz for hanging tough after they knew they
couldn’t win.
• Stanford had a 49 second spread.
• Wisconsin had a 45 second spread.
• McArdle and Lincoln went for it and had the look of death on their face
with 3k to go, but sucked it up and finished in the top 15.
• Wesley Keating of Texas PanAm was 25th.
• Nef was wearing a Stanford sweatshirt.