FloAwards Part 2, 10.23.08

October 23, 2008

Well, it's about that time again. Here's (a belated) Part 2 to the 2008 FloAwards & Rankings list. For this go around we've added a new number to all those names. They refer to how many 1st place votes an individual or team received from our pundits.

There was quite a contrast to our first published preseason list and this second edition we're posting today. Despite many changes a few athletes have firmly planted their name (and picture) on top of the charts.

On the Men's Individual side, I'm sure everyone can now agree that Sam Chelanga is for real. This kid can run, and when we say run, we mean outkick and disappear from any field after a few turns. It's difficult to catch what you can't see and 267 Men's White Race runners found this out first hand in a matter of seconds. It's going to take a 'Superman-like' effort to take an individual title from his kick at next months XC National Championships. (It's a bird, it's a plane, no it's just Sam Chelanga) Chelenga's performance at Pre-Nats last weekend was something you had to see to believe. Speaking of which, that performance in all its glory and his post race interview are only two clicks away. Looking for something more impressive than Sam's 1st place finish? How about a 2k split of 5:29 and a 5k split of 14:12.

Just as impressive on the Women's side were the performances of Susan Kuijken and Brie Felnagle. Both cruised to victories in their respective White and Blue races, with Florida State's Kuijken setting a meet record of 19:48.2 and UNC's Brie Felnagle posting a solid 20:02.4. The real question is, do either of those times mean much when Sally Kipyego is in the equation? We'll find out ... but if history is any indication, another 17+ second victory (she ran 19:30.9 last year) might keep Sally's undefeated XC career intact.

On the team sides, Oregon's Men and Women's team dropped down to second via our pollsters. So why the drop? For one thing, since the Ducks took double-wins at the Bill Dellinger Invite earlier this month, both teams have essentially closed up shop to eyes around the country. One of the only teams not to attend Pre Nats, and instead stay close to home, the Ducks 'visibility' factor may have played a role in falling to #2.

The rumblings around the country the past few weeks have all been attached to the same two teams. Dave Smith's Oklahoma State men's team and the University of Washington's women's team. Symbollic of last years historic High School Senior class, both teams have received huge bursts of energy from true freshman. Without German Fernandez and Colby Lowe the Cowboys aren't sitting in great position for nationals and aren't atop our team rankings. Likewise, if the Lady Huskies didn't have their own freshman leading the charge, that 36 spot and combined overall top place team finish at Pre-Nats never happens. Canadian Kendra Schaaf and Southern California native Christine Babcock have helped propel Washington to a National ranking of #1. But where do we have them ranked?

The battle for Flotrack's Freshman of the Year Award marches on. The ladies top spot is up for grabs between those two teamates we just mentioned. Stanford's Laurynne Chetelat has a chance to surpass both in a showdown looming at Pac-10's on Halloween.

We really enjoyed all the feedback last time in our PreSeason poll. So once again, it's up to the viewer at home (or work) to chime in. Tell us why our pollsters were right on the money or dead wrong. Who knows, maybe a little outside influence on your part might lead to some changes in Part III.

So, without further adieu ... all the votes have been tallied and the results now sit below (and if you missed Part 1, you can rewind to it here).

MEN Individual	WOMEN Individual
1 Sam Chelanga (14)	1 Sally Kipyego (14)
Liberty Attention all athletes hoping for an individual title at Nationals. Sam has you in his sights, or as others have called it, his rear view mirror.	Texas Tech Still undefeated in her XC career, Kipyego led her Lady Raiders to a surprising victory at Arkansas' Chile Pepper Invite.
2 Galen Rupp	2 Susan Kuijken (2)
Oregon Still hasn't run this season, and won't this Saturday at Beaver Classic. Rupp will make his '08 debut at Pac-10s.	Florida State Setting a meet record and establishing herself as a viable candidate for this years individual national champ, Kuijken breezed to victory in 19:48.2 at Pre Nats.
3 David McNeil	3 Brie Felnagle
NAU This weeks Big Sky XC runner of the week, McNeil showed up big at Pre Nats, running 23:30.7 to take 2nd in the Blue Race.	UNC Eight times Felnagle has run the course in Terre Haute. She bested 2nd place last Saturday by 11 seconds to take the win in 20:02.04 at Pre Nats.
Sleeper German Fernandez	Sleeper Alex Kosinski
Oklahoma State Fernandez won the open race at Pre-Nats finishing 1st with his teammates going 2,3. Experience only thing holding him back.	Oregon Kosinski took her first collegiate XC win at the Bill Dellinger earlier this month. Top freshman at N.C.'s last year / 13th overall. May sneak in for N.C. top 5 finish.
Others Receiving Votes: Tyson David (Alabama), Ryan Vail (OSU), David Kinsella (Portland), Andy Wheating (Oregon), Andrew Ledwith (Iona), Shadrack Songok (Texas A&M), Ben True(Dartmouth), Chris Derrick (Stanford), Andrew Bumbalough (GU), Habert Okuti (Iona)	Others Receiving Votes: Kendra Schaaf (UW), Jenny Barringer (CU), Lindsey Scherf (Oregon), Sarah Bowman (Tennessee), Melissa Grelli (Oregon), Lesley Van Miert (FSU)
MEN TEAM	WOMEN TEAM
1 Oklahoma State (9)	1 Washington(9)
Cowboys Cowboys avoided the pressure of team competition at Pre Nats & ran the men's open race with resounding success.	Huskies Dawgs are barking loud and clear. Top ranked Women's team in the country. Freshman paving road to success. Pac-10s next up.
2 Oregon (4)	2 Oregon (5)
Ducks Ducks expected to put full team together at the Pac-10 Champs on their home course Oct. 31. Ranked #1 in National Polls, they drop to #2 here.	Ducks Duck's don't mind being number 2. In fact, they feed off of it. No doubt the most experienced team in the country, Oregon should be a contender for the team title.
3 Stanford	3 Florida State
Cardinal First place finish in Men's White race at Pre Nats. Big test comes at Pac-10 Champs vs top seeded Oregon on Halloween.	Seminoles Kuijken leads FSU in building upon a 3rd place '07 team finish. Another experienced team, FSU needs big performances from young talent to sneak up farther.
Sleeper Alabama	Sleeper West Virginia
Crimson Tide Still sitting at the sleeper position in our poll, Bama needs help from their 4,5 if they have a shot at a team title.	Mountaineers Currently sitting with the highest team ranking in school history, 5th in the nation. Big East Champs finish out Oct. 31.
Others Receiving Votes: Portland, Wisconsin, Colorado, Michigan, FSU, Auburn	Others Receiving Votes: Princeton, Arizona State, Villanova
FLOTRACK FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR	FLOTRACK FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
1 German Fernandez (12)	1 Kendra Schaaf (9)
Oklahoma State Fernandez ran wild in the Men's Open race at Pre Nats and finished 1st in 23:34.7. Might be the closest thing to a lock in 'Part 2' not named Sally.	Washington Finishing 3rd in the Blue Race at Pre Nats as a freshman boosted Schaaf to the top of the charts. Huskies looking to snatch Pac-10 from Ducks.
2 Chris Derrick (1)	2 Christine Babcock (4)
Stanford The Cardinal dominated the Men's White race at Pre Nats and Derrick was a big reason. Finished 7th overall when combining the times of 543 runners.	Washington Finished 4th behind Schaaf at Pre Nats with a time of 20:15.2. Huskies youth means Babcock & Co. will play pivotal roles in conference and national title chase
3 Luke Puskedra	3 Laurynne Chetelat
Oregon The newest "Luuuke" at Oregon, Puskedra led the Ducks to victory over Alabama and Portland in the Bill Dellinger Invite three weekends ago.	Stanford Picking up where 5 seniors left off in '07 Chetelat lead the Cardinal to 7th in the Blue Race at Pre Nats, and finished 28th overall.
Sleeper Colby Lowe	Sleeper Ahna Lewis
Oklahoma State Ran 23:57.5 in the Men's open race at Pre-Nats. Might a pressure free Lowe surge OSU to a team title?	West Virginia Placed 8th at Penn State Nationals last weekend as Mountaineers took the team title. Team ranked 5th overall.
Others Receiving Votes: Ryan Sheridan (Iona)(1), Chad Hall (UCR), Kyle Dawson (PSU)	Others Receiving Votes: Carly Seymour (Duke)

Post a Comment

#10	Michael Bolland November 15, 2008 at 11:05pm Does anyone know if OSU shut German down today because Hassan and Chris Rombough beat him? reply
#9	Iona Fan October 26, 2008 at 6:04pm sheridan should definitely be ahead of colby lowe. he's going to do work this year at nationals. btw why isn't iona ranked on the top teams list? reply
#8	FU October 25, 2008 at 5:35pm Get your fact right "flotrack" Shadrack Songok is going to win the xc nationals. and sam will take 2. reply
#7	Robby Nelson October 24, 2008 at 7:27pm My bad reply
#6	Christopher Romo October 24, 2008 at 1:06pm lol ya i'm not crazy. thanks kevin reply
#5	kevind October 24, 2008 at 12:31pm The first draft did. For some reason it didn't save his 'box of info'. Romo was on it, partially. :-p reply
#4	Robby Nelson October 24, 2008 at 10:26am Where does it say anything about German's performance at Footlocker? I couldn't find it... reply
#3	Anonymous Coward October 24, 2008 at 12:21am i like McNeil's pic reply
#2	Dan Suher October 23, 2008 at 11:25pm I am confused what that has to do with anything reply
#1	Christopher Romo October 23, 2008 at 9:38pm You guys made a mistake I'm pretty sure German got 3rd at footlocker last year. reply