Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #18 Washington Men

Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #18 Washington Men

Aug 30, 2015 by James Cameron
Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #18 Washington Men




Probable Top Five:

SO Colby Gilbert (3:44 1500; 7:49 3K; 14:05 5K; 195th NCAA XC ’14) 
SO Fred Huxham (3:45 1500; 8:06 3K, 13:50 5K; 216th NCAA XC ’14)
SR Tyler King (3:47 1500; 8:06 3K; 14:00 5K; 28:58 10K, 40th NCAA XC ’14)
SR Izaic Yorks (3:57 Mile; 159th NCAA XC ’14)
JR Blake Nelson (3:43 1500)
 

Impact Freshmen/Transfers:

Andrew Snyder via Kennewick, WA (9:05 3200) 
Charlie Barringer via Bothel, WA (4:14 1600; 9:05 3200)
Connor Morello via Clovis, CA (1:51 800; 4:13 1600)
 

Analysis:

For the past few years, the Huskies have been led by some great low-sticks. But until last year, the last time a team of Husky men were represented at the NCAA meet was 2009. The 2014 Huskies proved strong throughout the season, even though running a very young and inexperienced race in Terre Haute. This year, the Huskies will not have an experienced low stick like 2x All American Aaron Nelson, who has exhausted his cross country eligibility. But they return the a stronger and more experienced squad who got a taste of the action last year.

Sophomore Colby Gilbert, who had a breakout season on the track last winter, will assume the lead in 2015. The 2014 U.S. Jr. 5K Champion ran 7:49 for 3000m on the track and flirted with the sub 4 barrier a few times as well. As a red shirt freshman, Gilbert ran at the NCAA XC meet last year, running well below what he was capable of. This year, with some great credentials on the track and a chip on his shoulder from Terre Haute, Gilbert will be the Huskies’ best shot as a strong low stick.

Joining him up front, Senior Tyler King and Sophomore Fred Huxham will be key strength for the Huskies, especially in such a tough conference and region. King, a 2014 XC All American, will bring much needed experience and maturity to the young crew. Fred Huxham had a great freshman year on the track, running 13:50 and 3:45, so he will have great momentum as he transitions back onto the grass. The PAC12 1500m champion Izaic Yorks and Blake Nelson, who was injured last year, will round out the probable top 5 for the Huskies. Yorks and Nelson are fantastic middle distance runners and can really do some damage off a slow, tactical race. If this team can stay healthy and run consistently throughout this season, they can easily surpass their preseason #18 ranking.