XC Countdown 2014

XC COUNTDOWN: #15 Arkansas Men

XC COUNTDOWN: #15 Arkansas Men

Aug 18, 2014 by FloTrack Staff
XC COUNTDOWN: #15 Arkansas Men


Head Coach:

Chris Bucknam (7th Year)

Last Year:
1st SEC
1st South Central Region
12th NCAA
 
Probable Top Five
SR Stanley Kebenei (8:24 3k Steeple; 13:42 5k; 29:33 10k; 6th NCAA '13)
SR Gabe Gonzales (29:04 10k; 13:59 5k)
FR Alex George (3:46 1500m; 8:18 3k)
JR Patrick Rono (1:46 800m; 3:46 1500m; 18th SEC; 153rd NCAA '13)
JR Cale Wallace (15th SEC; 3:50 1500m; 8:21 3k)
 
Impact Recruits/Freshman:
Alex George - Gloucester, UK (3:46 1500m; 8:18 3k)
Austen Dalquist - Keller, TX (4:05 Mile; 8:57 3200m; 14:48 5k)
Ethan Moehn - Monroe, WI (4:09 Mile; 9:10 3200m; 1:51 800m)
 
Analysis:
Gone are the days when the charisma of legendary coach John McDonell brought a flock of Irish and English runners to Fayetteville, winning championships on a consistent basis. It is difficult for a coach to replace a man who has half of the Arkansas sports complex named after him, but hats off to Chris Bucknam. In his 7th year at Arkansas, he has molded a fine team sans the Irish, as last Irishman David Flynn is now graduated.

Stanley Kebenei is a great card for Bucknam to play. Sixth in last year’s meet with fine track credentials, look for Kebenei to not only lead his fellow Razorbacks, but perhaps challenge for the championship.

Gabe Gonzales proved to be a nice transfer last year, and his 29:04 for 10k makes him a very solid number two. Patrick Rono has certainly proved himself in the middle distance events, but his cross performances have not quite caught up to his track efforts. But he has the talent to be a possible dark horse come this fall.

Freshmen Austen Dalquist, Alex George, and Ethan Moehn will provide some interesting young energy to this team. Dalquist was the Texas 5k cross country champion and also won the Lone Star state 1600m and 3200m in 4:07 and 8:57, respectively. You also must not forget his 5k on the track, clocked in at 14:48. Alex George is British, so Bucknam is keeping that pipeline alive. He has run 3:46 for 1500m and 8:18 for 3k. Moehn is a Wisconsin guy with good range: 4:09 for 1600m and a nice turn of speed with a 1:51 for 800m. So you see why Bucknam could be excited about his new charges.

SEC returning champions and 12th in last year’s meet spells consistency, and that is what we can expect again. A great front runner in Kebenei to grab that low stick should be enough to keep the Arkansas crew in the top 15.

#15 Providence Women
#16 New Mexico Men