Soph Women's Class?

[sebastianc]

What happened - particularly with the runners?

One should have patience in such matters. Studies can take a toll - and VU is one of the better academic institutions. Injuries can be a factor. But what happened to Courtney Chapman and Megan Venables. They seemed like the gems of the class. They were outstanding in high school, but there has been no improvement. In reality, they seem to have gone backwards. Chapman ran 4:23 (1500) in 2011 - 5th in nation behind Chapus, Cain, Cuffe & Meier (good company) ; latest 1500 is 4:36 at Raleigh Relays. She did finish 2nd in 3000 at Colonila Relays. Is that a good sign?

Schappert has been the surprise. She will have a role at Penn Relays, this year. And I think Veronica Johnson is progressing well. She might be a better posibility at 400? And Walden has been good. The rest?

 

[TheFoyeEffect]

Not uncommon for a female runner to have the best season of her career at 17 or 18 years old.

 

[Or1on]

Every program has a few of these and you have to hope it's limited. I was talking to someone from an ACC school who says a couple of girls from upstate NY haven't done much at all after being highly rated. I also heard from a BE school with two Fr. on full 'ship that didn't score a point all CC season and were beaten by walkons at times.

You can't make a mistake with distance kids as they aren't helpful to the team in other areas. I'm thinking about visits for Sept. and there's a girl from NY that I'd offer to but it could be one of those iffy situations? She could be very good or not so hot and she'll likely expect a full boat. I still like to look at speed. stride, stamina, power/weight but it's tough to find recruits that have it all.

 

[LSU-Nit]

Seb Coe -- you're especially right about Venables -- she's the real shocker to me. I know that she got hurt, but. . . I agree also about Stephanie Schappert (she's the Nicky Akande of the sophomore class -- Gina P. picked a diamond in the rough in both cases).

Andrew/Foye -- your comment brings back memories of Aislinn Ryan from Warwick Valley, NY -- she won Foot Locker XC in 2004 and was 3rd in 2005. Was a 19-time prep All American and won 5 prep national titles. Villanova (and Oregon and Providence, etc) went after her hard, but she opted for Colorado. And then did exactly nothing. Burnout? Over-training? Who's to say? I wonder if variation from prep career is more pronounced among men or women?

 

[TheFoyeEffect]

Sydney Harris, who finished fifth on the team at Nationals has a chance to be a valuable XC runner.

 

[novaclassof90]

Women distance runners can be very hard to figure out. They can have a whole variety of physical and mental issues over their careers.