XC Countdown 2014

XC COUNTDOWN: #2 Stanford Men

XC COUNTDOWN: #2 Stanford Men

Aug 31, 2014 by FloTrack Staff
XC COUNTDOWN: #2 Stanford Men


Head Coach:
Chris Miltenberg (3rd Year)

Last Year:
3rd Pac-12
1st West Regional
19th NCAA 
 
Probable Top Five:
SR Jim Rosa (3:47 1500m; 8:04 3k; 13:50 5k;  28:57 10k; 5th NCAA XC '13)
SR Maksim Korolev (4:02 Mile; 7:51 3k; 13:42 5k; 29:13 10k; 3rd NCAA XC '13)
JR Joe Rosa (4:01 Mile; 8:04 3k; 13:31 5k;  29:16 10k; 7th Outdoor 5k '13)
SO Sean McGorty (3:44 1500m; 7:59 3k; 13:37 5k; 161st NCAA XC '13) 
SR Mike Atchoo (3:39 1500m; 7:54 3k; 14:06 5k; 100th NCAA XC '13)
 
Impact Freshman/Recruits:
Blair Hurlock - De La Salle, CA (4:08 1600m; 8:58 2 Mile; 8th Footlocker Finals '13)
Steven Fahy - La Costa Canyon, CA (4:13 1600m; 8:53 3200m; 6th CA State XC '13)
Patrick Perrier - O'Fallon, IL (4:06 Mile;  9:00 3200m; 2x Footlocker Finals, 37th, 19th) 
 
Analysis:
It is hard to argue with the fact that Stanford’s 19th place finish last year in the nationals was an enormous disappointment for all who love the Cardinal. We have them as runner up this season and with very good reason.

The Rosa twins have finally found themselves, and that is bad news for every other team. Superstar high school runners from New Jersey, James and Joseph Rosa have reached senior class status. Last year, Jim took the 5th place spot at Nationals and followed that up with a 6th place finish in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.  Joe showed his class on the track with a 13:31 for 5k and 5th place in the National Indoor 5k and 7th in the NCAA 5k in Eugene. They are hard to tell apart in appearance and getting as difficult to distinguish in performance.

They are joined by no less than the third placer from last year’s title race, Maxsim Korolev, who found his way across the country from Harvard to finish his final season. Korolev, born in Kazakhstan, but sporting a slight  Missouri accent, thrives on courses like last year’s quagmire in Terre Haute. He can only hope for the same this season. He has run 13:42 for 5k and 29:13 10k on the track. Korolev is a very nice pickup for Miltenberg to say the absolute least.
 
Sean McGorty proved himself to be the best junior cross country runner in America last year, winning the National Junior Meet in Boulder last year, running away from everyone. He then went on to win the NACAC race, and while he didn’t star in Terre Haute, he did run 13:37 for 5k last spring. Look for him to better his 161th from last year.

Miler Michael Atchoo has a 3:39 1500m to his credit and he can roll at the finish with anyone. They will need him to be a little better than last year’s 100th spot. Three very good freshman will likely make up the 6th and 7th spots and look to be future stars for Miltenberg. Patrick Perrier from Illinois ran a very good 4:06 for 1600 last year. Blair Hurlock from the Bay Area was 8th at the National Footlocker race and clocked 8:58 for 3200m. Steven Fahy had the best 3200m of the three with an 8:53 and was a proven factor in all the California cross country meets he was entered in, including a 6th in the CIF meet.

And, no, we didn’t forget Sam Wharton. He did not run for the Cardinal on the XC course last fall, but he did win the Nike National Cross championship as a senior in high school. It shows the incredible depth that Stanford has that the Ohio prep star is doubtful to get a top five roster spot.

It is no big secret that you have to be pretty smart to get into Stanford. It is getting almost as hard to make their cross country team. No 19th spot this year for Miltenberg’s boys.

#2 Michigan Women
#3 NAU Men