Recruiting 2017

[sebastianc]

Let's start a clean thread for the 2017 class.

Nice reports, thus far. VU is in the mix for two outtanding runners - Kate Murphy and Brandon McGorty. Doesn't get too much better than that.

This is a great year for women. There are just so many. I would pay close attention to Rachel McArthur (Va). Think she has more speed than Murphy. So you get both ...

VU is in the hunt for Sydney McLaughlin. Spoke with people at Penn Relays who know the family. [If you go to the Relays regularly, you become friendly with people who sit near you. Same people every year.] Dad is the person you have to convince.

For the men, Kevin McGrath (IRL) - 1:48.9 (800), 3:46.1 (1500). A little on the short side, but obviously he can run.

There are more and I even have some sleepers for both men and women. Will hold that. And maybe VU can find their own Clayton Murphy?

 

[excattyguy]

In an interview, Kate Murphy said it's down to three: Villanova, Oregon, and UVA. She also said Oregon has been on top since her sophomore year.

 

[LSU-Nit]

I'd be shocked if Sydney McLaughlin competes in college. I'd expect that she'll sign a pro contract for big dollars. After being the focus of a media lovefest in Rio, she'll go pro, I'd bet.

 

[LSU-Nit]

Well, Kate Murphy just committed to Oregon. Not good.

http://www.milesplit.com/articles/1...&utm_content=Article&utm_term=KateMrphy101216

 

[Or1on]

Murphy prob' had her mind made up long ago. I haven't heard much about
http://usatodayhss.com/2016/gatorade-new-york-girls-track-field-aoy-sammy-watson-2
as a possible alternative to McLaughlin?

With the paucity of Srs. capable of running under 18 min's for 5k CC you really have to get into actively seeking transfers. I know it's only a short-term fix but really there's only about a half-doz. girls in the East that I'd really want.

 

[LSU-Nit]

Not sure if Sammy Watson is being targeted by Villanova, to be honest. Based on the 1st linked story below, she might wind up at Oregon as well.

Villanova might well be interested in Rachel McArthur (Nokesville, VA), runner-up to Watson in the mile at the 2016 Penn Relays (see 2nd link below). McArthur was 2016 Virginia 6A state champion in the 800m (2:06.55) and finished in 3rd (1 place ahead of Villanova's Sammy Bockoven) in the 1500 (in 4:26.66) at US Junior Nationals last summer.

Link #1 (Watson): https://blogs.uoregon.edu/sojctrack/2016/05/27/sammy-watson-wins-girls-400-at-pre-classic/

Link #2 (McArthur): http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=5984031#/L0

 

[Or1on]

Villanova might well be interested in Rachel McArthur (Nokesville, VA),

Big get in McArthur:https://twitter.com/_rachelmcarthur

Irish update: Mulcaire and Saunders M/F junior CC champs have yet to
run at OkSt and Florida. Mulcaire isn't on the roster?

 

[sebastianc]

Great sign of Rachel McArthur. Love it. Child has speed and you cannot coach that. Congrats to VU staff on this one. Women have moved their game to the next level. There are more young women with serious talent still out there. Is VU still in the hunt? Men ...???

 

[LSU-Nit]

Brandon McGorty just committed to Stanford. Villanova, Oregon, and Penn State were the other finalists.

http://www.milesplit.com/articles/1...content=Article&utm_term=BrandonMcGorty102116

 

[sebastianc]

Over at Run Nova, LSU-Nit has posted some more news about runners who have signed elsewhere - the latest being DelGizzo (NJ) to G'town. As I said in an earlier post, there are just so many outstanding females out there. Even if you could afford it, there is just not enough roster space for how many there out there. Just make sure you pursue the right ones. VU has already signed one of the promising ones in MacArthur. There are more still out there.

For example, Jessica Lawson (NY) had great battles with Bella Burda two years ago. Does that mean anything? Are they in touch? Whitecat that is your area of the country.

A semi-sleeper is Olivia Arizin (Cardinal O'Hara, PA). That would be an outstanding sign for so many reasons. She came out of nowhere to win state 800, last year, which suggests she is just beginning to blossom. Has great range from 400 to XC (go checkout her times). She attends a local Catholic school, which usually bodes well for VU. And the biggest reason you sign her is she is Paul Arizin's granddaughter. Guess I am a romantic of sorts, but that would be a wonderfully inspiring story. Who is Paul Arizin you ask? Do a google and then you will understand.

 

[truffy]

Pitchin Paul.

 

[Or1on]

Alex Harris Nova commit: http://usatodayhss.com/2016/soccer-wasnt-harriss-thing-but-wow-running-sure-is


Jessica Lawson
Supposedly down to ND and Stanford.

 

[LSU-Nit]

Alex Harris Nova commit: http://usatodayhss.com/2016/soccer-wasnt-harriss-thing-but-wow-running-sure-is


Jessica Lawson
Supposedly down to ND and Stanford.

Jess Lawson is from same area as Emily Lipari's prep rival Aisling Cuffe (who went from Corning, NY to Stanford). Not sure if that will impact Lawson's choice, but Stanford is hard to resist on virtually every front.

 

[LSU-Nit]

Two bits of fresh news:

(1) Jess Lawson (Corning, NY) just committed to Stanford (over Georgetown, Notre Dame, and Providence)



(2) Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic, NJ) seems to be on an official visit to University of Kentucky today. Kentucky?

 

[sebastianc]

McLaughlin family seems a little peculiar: With her talent, why Kentucky? There is no there there. There are so many better programs that combine superior academics and athletics - e.g., Villanova, even Stanford (they are everywhere ...)... But then brother, Taylor, went to Michigan supposedly over Princeton...? And Villanova is even better in basketball. More important, Procaccio and O'Sullivan will take care of her and she will have a long and productive professional career with a diploma that has value. Look what Procaccio is doing now. See that Women's 4x1500 at Penn Relays - 3 frosh and a soph. Remember the line from "On the Waterfront": "... I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody ..."

Lawson looked at the other Catholic schools and not Villanova? Again, odd. Stanford I understand - especially now. It is like the California gold rush of 1849: Silicon Valley and instance riches producing tchotchkies for very gullible investors (remember dot.com?) and buying public.

It appears that Stanford might be gathering all the top XC talent. But that is nothing new. The rest go to Oregon. In contrast, Villanova has been relatively quiet. McArthur was great. Harris, nice. However, discovered that VU might be courting their own version of Clayton Murphy in Kevin Fox (Moorestown, NJ) – 49.8 (400), 1:52.6 (800) – who is looking at G’town, Notre Dame and Villanova. Does XC. Future miler?

https://moorestownsun.com/moorestow...at-cherokee-challenge-40d08ad52fa6#.bqipb752b

 

[LSU-Nit]

Seb Coe above held out hope that Villanova might get Olivia Arizin (Cardinal O'Hara, PA) -- the Philly native and granddaughter of Villanova hoops legend Paul Arizin. Well, she just committed to Georgetown. She just finished 10th individually to lead Cardinal O'Hara to the PA AAA state XC team title.



http://pa.milesplit.com/articles/195943-olivia-arizin-chooses-georgetown

 

[sebastianc]

Over on Run Nova, one discovers that Sidney McLaughlin has signed with Kentucky. Really...??? It is times like this when one is reminded of the George Bernard Shaw quote: "Youth is wasted on the young." What was she thinking?

Arizin signing? It is what it is. Would have been a nice story, but child wanted Georgetown.

It is still faily early and there is still a lot of premier talent out there. Sammy Watson...??? Men, however, need an awful lot of help

 

[LSU-Nit]

I still think it's less than 50-50 that Sydney McLaughlin ever wears a college singlet. I can imagine her next spring in outdoor track running wild, going to USA Nationals and being the phenom she is. She'll then could pull a Drew Hunter and sign a pro contract in summer and that will be that. But why a program like Kentucky? Not a traditional power, but last May the women's program was ranked #1 in the country and the program is based on sprinters and hurdlers (her specialty). Maybe she's on to something? Time will tell.
http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/other-uk-sports/article75221262.html

 

[LSU-Nit]

Canadian stud Victoria Tachinski (2:03.58 PR) has committed to Penn State. She came 6th in the 800m at the IAAF World U20 championships last summer in Poland. She was on Villanova's radar early on in the process, but not so much at the end. Big talent.

 

[LSU-Nit]

Villanova inks the 2015 & 2016 Virginia 6A state pole vault champion, Emily Harrison. PV PR = 11' 6"

http://www.milesplit.com/videos/122306

http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=7148300#/L0

 

[sebastianc]

The men have not been idle. See link for Michael Troup (NJ)
http://www.lawrenceville.org/news/vsv/index.aspx?LinkId=13098&ModuleId=53

 

[Or1on]

Euro Cross over the weekend:
http://www.european-athletics.org/c...ionships/history/year=2016/results/index.html
I would think Carla Sweeney-- #31 U20's--of Ire may be of interest with those track times?
http://www.european-athletics.org/athletes/group=s/athlete=136658-sweeney-carla/index.html

 

[LSU-Nit]

Villanova just got a commitment from sprint / hurdles / LJ specialist Sarah Jones from Bishop Eustace in Jersey.
PRs look to be 8.51 (55H), 14.20 (100H), 17' 5.75" (LJ)

http://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=7118353#/L0



http://www.suburbanfamilymag.com/images/article/th_GirlsTrackSM.gif

 

[LSU-Nit]

Villanova just signed Amir Brock (Egg Harbor Township High School, NJ). He's a 200/400 specialist with PRs of 22.17 and 48.48. He came 2nd in the 400m at Eastern States Indoor Championships in February of this year. He dropped his 400i PR by 2.3 seconds from 2016 to 2017.

https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=6227655#/L0

 

[sebastianc]

Villanova just signed Amir Brock (Egg Harbor Township High School, NJ). He's a 200/400 specialist with PRs of 22.17 and 48.48. He came 2nd in the 400m at Eastern States Indoor Championships in February of this year. He dropped in 400i PR by 2.3 seconds from 2016 to 2017.

https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=6227655#/L0

Nice sign. Like his 200 speed. This is encouraging - especially now that they have begun working Sterling Pierce at 400. Does this have any impact on recruiting Martin Booker, Jr, whose dad ran for Villanova? Now how about premier 800 and milers - 400/800, 800/mile, mile/5K. There are still some quality ones out there. This is a good start for men. Any Clayton Murphys coming ..?

 

[LSU-Nit]

Villanova just signed Keegan Hughes (Bishop Shanahan, Downington, PA) to its 2017 recruiting class. Hughes is a 200/400 guy, with better results at the 400. He was 6th over 400m as a junior at the PA state outdoor meet, and was 6th again earlier this year at the PA state indoor meet. His PRs are 22.20 and 48.48. Looks like Penn State was also recruiting Hughes (he took an official campus visit there last October).

Hughes was part of Bishop Shanahan's 2017 PA indoor state champion 4x4 relay. Bishop Shanahan also won the PA indoor meet team title.

Virtually identical PRs as Amir Brock (Egg Harbor Township HS, NJ), who they've also signed for 2017 (see post above).

https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=7180383#/L0

 

[LSU-Nit]

Villanova men just inked Jacob Kelly (Longmeadow High School, near Springfield, Massachusetts) to its incoming 2017 class. Kelly is a high jumper with a 6' 7" PR just set (which prompted Villanova's interest).

http://highschoolsports.masslive.co...ision-i-villanova-university-for-track-field/

 

[LSU-Nit]

Villanova has gotten a verbal commitment for its 2018 recruiting class from Texas 6A 2017 state high jump champion Sanaa Barnes (Byron Nelson High School, near Grapevine, Texas). At the Texas state meets, Barnes was 3rd in 2016 as a sophomore, and 2nd in 2015 as a frosh. Barnes has a 5' 10" PR (by way of comparison, the Big East outdoor meet last week was won with a jump of slightly less than 5' 7", admittedly in poor conditions) . She's also participated in LJ and on the 4x100 and 4x200 relays for her team. At Villanova she intends to be a two-sport athlete in both T&F and volleyball.

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/keller-citizen/article150798982.html

 

[Or1on]

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/oth...ics-a-tale-from-stillwater-oklahoma-1.3005716
Mulcaire was injured before entering Okst. Why he entered: that isn't made particularly clear?
Of further encouragement is that Síofra Cléirigh Büttner, our most successful athlete this indoor season, is still thriving on that US scholarship

 

[LSU-Nit]

Villanova women have added javelin specialist Taryn Ashby (Pittston Area High School, PA -- halfway between Wilkes-Barre & Scranton) to its 2017 incoming recruiting class. Ashby was 5th at last weekend's PIAA 3A outdoor state championship meet. Her PR is 138' 10" -- to put that PR in context, it would have placed her 2nd in this year's Big East outdoor meet.

Ashby was a multi-sport athlete at Pittston, including basketball, soccer.

http://psdispatch.com/sports/local-sports/54707/pittston-areas-taryn-ashby-choose-villanova-will-concentrate-on-track-and-field

 

[sebastianc]

Martin Booker, Jr. (NJ) apparently has won state 200m. Is he on VU's radar? Would make a great story: son follow father's footsteps (at Villanova U.) ...But then there have been other potential great stories that did not pan-out - e.g., Myles Marshall (Harvard) & John Marshall, ... But, on the other hand, there has been Ken Schappert and Nicole & Stephanie. Would be nice.

 

[LSU-Nit]

Villanova has added Brian Faust (Marist high school, Atlanta, GA) to its 2017 incoming recruiting class. Faust won the 2017 Georgia 4A state championship at both 400 meters (47.51) and 800 meters (1:54.68). His PRs are 22.52 (200m), 47.51 or 47.16 (400m), and 1:53.93 (800m). His 22.52 over 200m would have placed him 5th at the state meet. By way of context, the 47.51 Faust ran to win 400m at the Georgia state meet would have placed him 2nd at this year's Big East outdoor championships, slightly ahead of Harry Purcell's 47.57 in that race.

https://www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=5869285#/L0

 

[LSU-Nit]

Villanova women have just added just-turned 19-year old Australian international Lauren Ryan (Melbourne, Australia) to its incoming recruiting class.

Ryan is a 1500/3000/XC specialist with PRs of 4:20.99 (1500) and 9:21.21 (3000). In January of this year Ryan won the 2017 Australian Juniors World Cross Country Selection Trials (21:39 over the 6K course) and competed this spring at IAAF World XC Juniors in Kampala, Uganda (where she came 44th). She competed as well in both the 1500 (where she advanced to the final) and the 3000 at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Earlier this year in February she won the Victorian U20 1500 title.

In April 2016 at the ISF Cross Country World Schools Championship in Budapest, Hungary, Ryan came 2nd overall (10:48.8 over the 3600m course).

In June 2015 she won the Victorian U18 Cross Country championship (13:42 over the 4000m course)

Looking at her current PRs, she compares now to Villanova's Bella Burda in the 3000 (9:21.21 for Ryan; 9:20.15 for Burda) and close to Nicole Hutchinson in the 1500 (4:20.99 for Ryan; 4:18.50 for Hutchinson). Very intriguing in cross country.

 

[excattyguy]

don't understand how men can recruit only one very good mid-distance runner in 3 recruiting cycles and expect to compete at Penn.

 

[MalWhit]

Excattyguy, you are more right than you realize. There is something not right with the VU men’s middle-distance recruiting. Wetzel is the last “miler” the school signed and that was 2015. Before that it was Malone in 2013. That makes only 2 decent milers in 5 recruiting classes. Go figure. The 800 guys? They all run good high school times. If it weren’t for the women, Penn Relays would be embarrassing.