Head Coach:
Daniel Ireland (1st Year)

Last Year:
1st HEPS 

2nd Northeast Region 

25th NCAA

Probable Top Five:

SR Daniel Everett (8:01 3k; 13:57 5k; 9th NE Region XC '13; 213th NCAA XC '13)

SO Jack Boyle (14:32 5k; 29:35 10k; 20th HEPS XC '13; 171st NCAA XC '13)

FR Mike McClemens (4:13 1600m; 9:09 3200; 3 NXN (14th, 76th, 61th)

JR Ben Golestan (8:20 3k; 14:40 5k; 21st HEPS '13; 241th NCAA XC '13)

JR Tait Rutherford (8:17 3k; 14:33 5k; 32nd HEPS '13)

 

Impact Freshman/Recruits:

Mike McClemens - Christian Brothers, NJ (4:13 1600m; 9:09 3200m; 3x NXN (14th, 76th, 61th)

Tal Braude - Torrey Pines, CA (4:13 1600m; 9:00 3200m; CA XC State Champ '13)

Spencer Haik - Glendale, MO (4:05 Mile; 9:05 3200m)

Dylan Tarpey - Freehold Twshp, NJ (4:13 1600m; 9:12 3200m)

Tyler Otterstedt - Granville, OH (4:13 1600m; 9:22 3200m; 1:52 800m)

Ryan Thomas - Albermarle, VA (4:12 1600m; 9:24 3200m)

 

Analysis:
In days gone by, if you heard someone say, “They were the Ivy League Cross Country Champions," the yawns would be heard all across the country. Not any more.

 

Columbia beat a good Ivy League collection of teams to win in 2013 and would love to add a repeat to aid new coach Daniel Ireland in his initial year at the helm.

 

The Lions are young. Senior Daniel Everett had a disaster last year in the NCAA with a 213th place finish, which was not a true indicator of his talent. He was 9th in the NE regional and his track times show he is much better than that.

 

Be that as it may, he will need to bring that 3:42 1500m talent to the grass and help his young, talented teammates with his leadership and front running.

 

There is an interesting trend going on with many seniors of late. More and more of them seem to gravitate to high profile, big time academic institutions where they believe that their degree will pay big dividends after their running days are over. Hard to argue with that if you have the academics to get it done. That, and the lure of New York City make Columbia a darn appealing place to take your talents.

 

Columbia is loaded with newbies. With six incoming freshman with 1600m times of 4:13 or better and three big timers in the mix, Columbia might be able to make up for the loss of Nico Composto and Johnny Gregorek. However, can they do it in 2014?

 

But before we get ahead of ourselves, let us not forget Jack Boyle. The sophomore is their leading returner from the NCAA last year, and his 20th at HEPS is a good effort. He followed that up in the spring with a 29:35 10k. Bodes well for better things for Jack this fall. Ben Golestan, a junior, was only one spot behind Boyle at the HEPS. Not bad.

 

Now to the young Lions.

 

Mike McClemens followed his buddy Jack Boyle from Christian Brothers Academy in New Jersey, a powerhouse cross program. McClemens was a three time Nike Cross National participant (was 14th in 2013) and has a 4:13 1600m and 9:09 33200m to his credit. McClemens is a proven cross talent. He will help right away.

 

Tal Braude seemingly came out of nowhere and won the renowned Mt Sac Cross Country Invite in Walnut, CA. To prove it was no fluke, he backed it up by winning the California State Cross Country Championship, defeating some bigger names in the process. While his track times of 4:13 and 9:00 are good, they don’t compare with his efforts on grass. He could be a great one for Columbia.

 

And don't forget 4:05 miler Spencer Haik of Glendale, MO. He shocked a lot of people with that time and certainly can run faster than his 9:05 3200m state meet where he was just running to win.

 

Columbia depth should be solid. It will need to be to get out of the Northeast Region with Syracuse, Iona, and others to deal with.  Terre Haute in November looks good, even to the Manhattan boys.

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