Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #21 California Men
Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #21 California Men
Probable Top Five:
SR Chris Walden (7:55 3K; 13:59 5K; 17th NCAA XC ’14)
SR Thomas Joyce (3:39 1500; 8:00 3K; 13:34 5K)
SO John Lawson (14:03 5K)
JR Leland Later (4:01 Mile; 8:09 3K; 14:06 5K)
FR Robert Brandt (4:08 1600; 8:51 2 Mile; 13th NXN ’14)
Impact Freshmen/Transfers:
Robert Brandt via Los Angeles, CA (4:08 1600; 8:51 2 Mile; 13th NXN ’14)
Kai Benedict via Reno, NV (4:09 Mile; 8:59 3200)
Analysis:
The Cal men haven’t been to the NCAA Championships since 2010 where they finished dead last. However, five years later the Golden Bears are now in position to not only return to the big stage but be a top 20 contending team. A mixture of veteran leadership, rising young stars and impact freshmen formulate this 2015 squad.
The key to a top 20 run is having low sticks and Cal has two of them. Redshirt senior Chris Walden returns after finishing 17th overall last year. Walden who has great PBs in 7:55/13:59 will be matched with senior Thomas Joyce who made a name for himself this past outdoor season with a 3:39 1500 and a 13:34 5K. Despite Joyce having zero NCAA XC Championship experience he is an All-American talent no question. This senior duo of Walden and Joyce gives Cal their best 1-2 punch in recent years.
Key returners in sophomore John Lawson and junior Leland Later are formidable 3-4 runners. Lawson is solid having run a 14:03 5K and Later adds speed with his 4:01 Mile. Lawson and Later won’t be asked to be the studs of the group, however having Walden and Joyce up front will help their development from being 14:00 type runners to 13:50 type runners.
And, the last piece for a top 20 run will be in their 5 star incoming freshman Robert Brandt. Brandt coming out of Los Angeles, CA was 13th at NXN but more importantly has run 4:08 for the 1600 and an 8:51 2 Mile. If Brandt can take it to the next level his first year under coach Sandoval he could be that 5th man that brings the Golden Bears back to the NCAA Championships.
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