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Full NCAA XC Results | 2011 FloAwards Winners
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Kennedy Kithuka (Texas Tech), NCAA Champ  Many people doubted that Lawi Lalang could be beat, however, Kennedy Kithuka was not one of the many. After winning the Big 12 Championship by over a minute three weeks earlier, Kithuka said that his plan was too run hard and try to run away from Lalang and that is just what he did. After the trio of Lalang, Sambu and Kithuka hit the 4 mile mark in 18:03 (yes, 4:30/mile pace), Kennedy decide it was time to take off. He opened up a huge gap going through 8k in 22:37 and breaking the Arizona duo. Kithuka celebrated with a big smile as he ran in over the last 100 meters as he realized he had not only taken down two of the best runners in NCAA history, but he also set a 10k course record of 28:31 (ten seconds faster than Sam Chelanga's 28:41 course record in Terre Haute). As we look towards the track, chances are you didn't notice Kithuka's Mt. SAC last year where he ran 28:18 (finished second to Sambu) and the next day rolled a 13:28 5k! Looks like we're in for some epic battles with Kithuka and Lawi over the next two years. |
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Betsy Saina (Iowa State), NCAA Champ  This past spring Betsy Saina went quietly unnoticed as she redshirted during the outdoor track season and ran what would have been the fastest 10k time in NCAA history, 31:15 (three seconds faster than former teammate Lisa Koll's NCAA record). Yesterday in Terre Haute there was nothing quiet about Saina's performance at the NCAA Championships. Saina, who had been running consistent and relaxed all season, faced her first big test since the Wisconsin Invite over a month ago. Running poised and with experience, Saina sat with the leaders late in the race which included 2011 NCAA XC runner up Jordan Hasay, NCAA 5k Champ Abbey D'Agostino and NCAA 10k runner up Aliphine Tuliamuk. Things changed over the last 250 meters as the group become charging for home and Saina did something we wouldn't have guessed...she outkicked the kickers! Betsy took down Hasay and D'Agostino over the final 50 meters in a memorable finish that we won't soon forget. The Cyclone will now look to finish off her career at Iowa State on the track by hopefully soldifying the 10k record she unofficially broke last year and adding a few more titles to her belt! |
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Oklahoma State Men - Coach Dave Smith Its hard to imagine that after a 120 point win in 2010 that Dave Smith would have his best team ever. But that's exactly what he stated for the meet and echoed it after. The Cowboys came in with pressure of being the overwhelming favorite by returning three returning All-Americans. Ok State threw out old tactics of sitting back and coming on strong as they led the race from the being keeping their point total under 100 at every point after 2k. Oklahoma State has now won three out of the last four championships, they have been on the podium five or the last six years (more than any other team during that time) and has finished no worse than 10th since 2005. One their current squad they return all but #1 runner, Girma Mecheso. Without Girma this year, OK State would have still finished second in the meet by only 16 points. As we look ahead to next year we could have the makings of an epic battle with Ok State being deep again along with Colorado (losing only 2 of top seven but returning Moussa who didn't run) and NAU (returning all of top 7). Before we get too far ahead we'll let Dave and the Cowboys enjoy this one as they stamp their program down as one of the best over the past decade. |
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Oregon Women - Coach Maurica Powell The Oregon women and the return of coach Maurica Powell rank right near the top of come back stories for the 2012 season. The Ducks, who hadn't won a title since 1987, had come close in 2007 and 2008 where they finished runner up both times. On paper, with Jordan Hasay being the only returning member of the team to have run at a cross country championship, 2012 didn't look to be the year they would find the pieces to make it happen. However, things changed quickly. After giving birth to her second child almost two years ago, Maurica Powell stepped away from colleigate coaching after experiencing much success with the Oregon women's distance program. She was gone for a year and a half, until new director of track and field Robert Johnson, convinced her to come back. Throw a transfering fire cracker named Alexi Pappas and a red shirt freshman phenom in Allie Woodward and all of a sudden something special was happening. The Ducks and Hasay started the season somewhat underrated, but that all changed after coming within 15 points of #1 ranked FSU at the Pre-National Meet. From that point on Oregon never looked back as they dominated the deepest conference and region in the country by over 20 points each. Come nationals everyone's eyes were on the Ducks and they did not disappoint. They won the meet by 69 points over Providence, which ranks tied for the 5th biggest margin of victory in women's NCAA XC history (#1 is the 1990 Villanova squad who won by 90 points). Pretty ironic as the margin of victory for the Oregon titles in 1987 and 1983 only averaged 3 points. It's tough to say what the future holds for the Ducks as they loose four of the top six next year, but for now we're pretty sure things feel real good in Track Town. |
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Futsum Zienasellassie (NAU) - 31st overall Of all FloAwards winners, Futsum Zienasellassie might have been the only one you would have predicted before the start of the season. The high school national champ (NXN) came in as the top prep 3200m runner (8:47) and was voted at the top of the poll since day one...and he filled the shoe with out a problem. Three out of the five meets he ran this season he finished in the top four overall and 31st at the remaining two...Wisconsin Invite and NCAA Championships. His 31st spot at the national championships gives him All-American honors while his time of 29:52 left him only eight seconds outside of the top 20. He was a major part of an NAU team that may have been the biggest team surprise on the men's side as they took 4th overall for a podium spot. They will return everyone next year and another fun fact you might not have known, they also had the #2 overall true freshman in the race with Nathan Weitz who was 80th overall. Futsum is a part of a great foundation that was laid at NAU this season, look out for towards the top the next few years! |
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Laura Hollander (Cal Poly) - 9th overall Laura Hollander came onto the scene in a big way in mid-October when she took down the best field in the country at the Wisconsin Invitational. Her time of course record time of 19:33 was 26 faster than 2011 NCAA XC Champ Sheila Reid and also beat Betsy Saina by two seconds, which made us wonder...does Hollander have a shot at the national title?? She remained undefeated until the West Regional meet where she was past over the final 1k by Jordan Hasay. All in all the frosh has broken three course records, was named Big West runner and freshman of the year and had one of the most successful seasons in Cal Poly history. Hollander was virtually unknown before this season as she came in from Marina HS in California as 4:48 (1600m)/10:10 (3200m) high schooler and finished 27th at NXN in 2011. She now becomes one of eight true freshman since 1999 to finish top 10 in the NCAA and listen to the company she's with...Lauren Fleshman, Erin Sullivan (Lane), Shalane Flanagan, Sara Gorton (Slattery), Molly Huddle, Christine Babock and Allie McLaughlin. She's been a welcomed surprise to the 2012 season and we look forward to seeing a lot more from Hollander over the next four years. |
boandjo i honestly don't think any of the flo award winnners.. ever stressed them selves out about getting a "flo award" i think there were other things they were focused on... like the actual awards...
boandjo, some thoughts for your comment
kithuka - undefeated, dominated all competition, ncaa champ
saina - only beat by one person all season, dominate conference, ncaa champ
ok state - #1 ranked all season, undefeated season, dominated the ncaa meet, four all-americans
oregon - one loss at pre-nats to #1 fsu, dominated the ncaa meet and had nearly four all-americans
futsum - best frosh all year, top true frosh at ncaa meet, all-american
hollander - one of the best runners in the country all year, 3 course records, only athlete to beat betsy saina, top-10 ncaa meet as true frosh
which one of those was rewarded only based on their last race??
Flotrack is exactly like all the other running webs in the world. That is, you're only as good as your last race. Thus, whoever wins last, wins first in awards. It's ruining our sport. Someone needs to look at the big picture for a change.
Who at Cal Poly? I need to know. Their SID's need to know. Conover needs to know. You, annonymous, seem to be the only one who knows, so spill the beans man!
Cal Poly has had National Champions in D-2. Hollander had a great season, but not best in Cal Poly History.
Mohammed Amed is a Somali born refugee who ended up in Canada just before starting high school
I know Mo appears to be from Africa but he grew up in the Niagara Region of Southern Ontario Canada...so he is Canadian...not African
rofl, the men are all from Africa!
the ISU kid is not a TRUE freshmen
Henry Lelei?? Guess not... Wow it kills me they don't even throw him out as a dark horse! I know he is living it up in that spot under the radar though!
(((chucker 2 weeks ago
sooo many Africans! )))
SOOO MANY IGNORANT A-HOLES.
So what about the Indiana State FR that finished ahead of the Purdue FR???????
MAINE REPRESENT!!! McClintock is definitely going places, watch out.
Hollander won the Big-West conference meet not Big-Sky.
Typos......typos everywhere.
sooo many Africans!
Am I the only one who feels that Jordan Hasay is overrated? Food poisoning? Whatever, there's always an excuse. Why no love for Kathy Kroeger? I'm not sure Laura Hollander is a dark horse anymore. She's broken a course record in every race she's run this season. That 19:12 smashed the UC Riverside course record by 45 seconds, and this was a course that Tara Erdmann ran 20:01 on last year. This girl is unstoppable!
"low stick" = most overused term in xc to date
TAYLOR MANETT OF MICHIGAN FOR FLOFROSH!!
100% agree on that.
I 2nd the support for McClintock. He's the top returner at the Big 10 meet next year. Ran close to 24:00. He should be a finalist. Not just receiving votes.
I like McClintock receiving votes. That kid is so damn focused, he will do well in the NCAA in track and XC very, very soon. 8th at Big 10s is beastin' when you see who he finished behind...Mayhew and Bayer, the top 4 from Wisco. Mark these words: he is talent working very hard.
Jake Hurysz should be the dark horse, that kid is gonna slay mad competition the rest of this season. Kenyan fools besta watch out for da beast from da durty south
darren fahy of georgetown for flofrosh
yeah, Thaomas Graham. That's what I be sayin
22:26 lonely and 28:53..10k..that alot of effort kennedy is the champion !!!
CALLING KENYANS DARK HORSES IS RACIST!!
22:26 lonely and 28:53..10k..that alot of effort kennedy is the champion !!!
Good that Thomas Graham (Stanford) is recieving votes for frosh. Just went 24:14 or something at Prenats
Natasha Rodgers has been injured for the last one month, so count her out