Recruiting 2018
- Thread starter Hermes7
- Start date
Women seem to do alright recruiting. They already have an outstanding distance runner from Delaware, Lydia Olivere, and a high jumpers from Texas, Sanaa Barnes. They had three winners, last season – McArthur, Harris & Ryan. Men? A serious work in progress. They still haven’t figure it out. Last year, they went for McGorty, but had no alternative strategy. That seems to be the recent pattern. However, they did get some very good 400 men; Faust and Young are potentially outstanding at 800. But VU hasn’t been doing anything at the mile for a long time..
Hoey just signed with Oregon. He might be a year older than his class. Okay, but realize there were 4 outstanding mile prospects at last Penn Relays – Hoey, who finished 4th to Dalton Hengst (McDonogh School, MD) in the mile; Sam Affolder (Calisle, PA) and Alex Scales (Bellarmine, CA), in the DMR. All were underclassmen. Affolder was a soph and probably has a bright future. Smooth runner. Scales ran a great anchor to win DMR over Carlisle; had faster split than DJ Principe (who VU wanted, but is at Stanford – what else is new) and has great range from 800 to XC. Hengst might be a better bet because he is closer. Doubt VU will pursue Scales because they just do not think that way. Don’t know why. And there are three guys in Ireland who should be on their radar, but … They seem to be dysfunctional, at the moment.
Lots of outstanding women. Best might be Caitlyn Collier (FL). Attends a private prep school, Bolles, which seems to appeal to Villanova. Best middle distance women are in Britain.
Hoey just signed with Oregon. He might be a year older than his class. Okay, but realize there were 4 outstanding mile prospects at last Penn Relays – Hoey, who finished 4th to Dalton Hengst (McDonogh School, MD) in the mile; Sam Affolder (Calisle, PA) and Alex Scales (Bellarmine, CA), in the DMR. All were underclassmen. Affolder was a soph and probably has a bright future. Smooth runner. Scales ran a great anchor to win DMR over Carlisle; had faster split than DJ Principe (who VU wanted, but is at Stanford – what else is new) and has great range from 800 to XC. Hengst might be a better bet because he is closer. Doubt VU will pursue Scales because they just do not think that way. Don’t know why. And there are three guys in Ireland who should be on their radar, but … They seem to be dysfunctional, at the moment.
Lots of outstanding women. Best might be Caitlyn Collier (FL). Attends a private prep school, Bolles, which seems to appeal to Villanova. Best middle distance women are in Britain.
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Just read that Dalton Hengst has signed with Ole Miss ... Why? Had heard he was very much interested in Villanova, prior to this Fall, but VU wasn't even one of his top 5 schools. Was it grades? (Academics are big with Marcus.) Anytime one signs with Ole Miss that is an obvious consideration. Besides, in today's environment, why would anyone choose to voluntary live in Mississippi...? Oh well, the fates keep eliminating possible future milers that might help the program. Keep hoping VU has their eyes on another Clayton Murphy ... (One can dream ...) The three young guys in Ireland keep looking better.
Always interesting to see how those on the other side of the tracks live:
http://www.gostanford.com/news/2017/11/22/track-field-frosh-class-rated-no-1.aspx
Stanford usually gets the blue chip high school stars every year. They recruit everywhere - in VU's backyard, Canada, Australia, ... But the little engine that could (female version) has prevailed at Penn Relays. Men have some work to do.
Note: Beside getting Hoey, Oregon also signed Sabrina Southerland, who transferred from G'town. Would have thought VU might have made a play since she initially was in a quandary between G'town & VU. She wanted to be closer to her aunt in DC. Guess she grew-up.
http://www.gostanford.com/news/2017/11/22/track-field-frosh-class-rated-no-1.aspx
Stanford usually gets the blue chip high school stars every year. They recruit everywhere - in VU's backyard, Canada, Australia, ... But the little engine that could (female version) has prevailed at Penn Relays. Men have some work to do.
Note: Beside getting Hoey, Oregon also signed Sabrina Southerland, who transferred from G'town. Would have thought VU might have made a play since she initially was in a quandary between G'town & VU. She wanted to be closer to her aunt in DC. Guess she grew-up.
Run Nova has a piece on Sophie O'Sullivan receiving an award from her mother, Sonia. Last month, Sophie ran 2:06.3 for 800. Maybe only Siofra and Rachel McArthur have run faster (?) The question always is she eventually heading to Villanova? She just turned 16, in December, and it is hard to determine when she will graduate. Australia school year ends in December. But Villanova has not had great success in recruiting children of former greats. Maybe that changes in 2019 or 2020?
Over at Run Nova, there is a link to the Villanovan with a focus on Purcell. He says there are two coming from Ireland, this Fall. We know about Charlie O'Donovan. Who is the second? If true, there are a couple of possibilities: Kevin McGrath [1:48.89 (800), 3:46.14 (1500)] and Daragh McElhinney [3:48.05 (1500), 8:20.89 (3000)]. McGrath would be an ideal fit for the team since it needs a premier 800/1600 guy.
Or1on, found this link on Flotrack; https://www.flotrack.org/articles/6245445-2018-floxc-countdown-11-villanova-women
VU women are expected to be 11th in XC. One of the women is transfer from UNC, Caroline Alcorta.
Bad news: Sterling Pierce has transferred to Rutgers. Guess Villanova is not a good home for sprinters ... Where have you gone Frank, Paul and the Mighty Burner?
VU women are expected to be 11th in XC. One of the women is transfer from UNC, Caroline Alcorta.
Bad news: Sterling Pierce has transferred to Rutgers. Guess Villanova is not a good home for sprinters ... Where have you gone Frank, Paul and the Mighty Burner?
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More bad news. There is no Alex Harris on the 2018 XC roster. A loss. That strongly suggests she has left the program - i.e., transferred. Why? It also suggests that Harris does not have good feelings about the program. She was a team mate of Katelyn Tuohy in HS. Thought that would have been an advantage in recruiting. No longer. Harris probably has nothing good to say about the program to Tuohy.