Chris Derrick » Men's College 8k Wisconsin Invite 2011

this is the best race video flotrack has ever put together, you get a sense of the battles upfront and in the middle packs.

Agreed Keebs. I noticed in his interview that he said he felt like he flat-out tried harder than those other guys as they were very consciously congratulating him as he was gasping and slowly recovering after the race. I just hope all of his competitors leave it out on the course in Terre Haute.

***Who

It is important to note that Verzbicas has had experience at this distance before. He ran 23:55 for 8k at the Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago back in April. Quite frankly, I cannot believe he didn't redshirt this year. It is not as if Oregon has the team to contend for a podium place this year and needed his presence. He just came off of triathlon training that peaked him in September. What was the logic behind using a year of eligibility? The only thing I can think of is that they feel he is going pro in 4 years or less so it made no difference.

I think my favorite part of this video was Puskedra's goofy look toward the camera. I think my rseponse upon seeing that was, "I like you more now."

I think Lukas isn't used to running with people around him. Give him time, he'll be good.

For two races now, Alex has made a remark about how remarkable the training down in "Tempe" must be with Lawi Lalang, Steven Sambu, Bernard Lagat and Boaz Lalang. Just for clarification, the University of Arizona is located in Tucson, not Tempe. Tempe is where you would find Arizona State University. Being born and raised in Tucson and a loyal fan of the Wildcats, that type of "mix-up" used to be a big deal to me...but now, I just want to see credit given where it is due. The Cats and Coach Lee's crew train in Tucson, not 115 miles north in Tempe.

Thank you for putting up the video- you guys do an excellent job

Great coverage, great course and great field. I wish that I could say great competition as well. With Lalang only being a freshman, there might not be much suspense up front over the next four years other than if Lalang can beat out his countrymen Korir this year and Sambu next year. I'm not sure that foreign ringers are the best thing for U. S. distance running, although they certainly raise the standard for everyone.

Great coverage guys! Thanks!

Craig Lutz ran a great race. But wasn't the top freshman. Lawi Lalang was the top freshman.

He reminds me of John Ngugi, multiple World XC Champion, from Kenya who also ran so smooth. They don't look like they're running fast until you see them pulling away and the rest aren't able to keep up.
Are there any D-1 X-C courses not on a golf course? I know Nationals isn't. Miss the days of high-school X-C courses where anything goes!

Thanks for brining it Flotrack. Great coverage!!

((Anonymous Coward 1 hour ago Lukas died hard. Welcome to the NCAA's freshman! ))

AND SO IT STARTS.
GERMAN USED TO BE THE SHI# ON GUY.
NOW IT'S GOING TO BE LUKAS V.
PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WAY HE FINISHED A HS CROSS COUNTRY RACE.
PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING THAT HE WASN'T BORN IN AMERICA.
PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WAY HE RAN THE 2 MILE AT OREGON WHEN HE BROKE GERMAN'S HS RECORD.
PEOPLE WERE COMPLAINING THAT SINCE HE RAN IN THE OPEN RACE, AND NOT ONLY HS LIKE GERMAN DID, THAN THE RECORD SHOULDN'T COUNT.
I THINK YOU RAN A GREAT RACE. EVEN CRAIG VIRGIN ON FACEBOOK SAID YOU DID. ALSO, ORIGINALLY BEING FROM ILLINOIS, I'M ALSO PULLING FOR YOU TO PEAK AT NATIONALS AND NOT AT THE WISCONSIN INVITIONAL.

Lukas died hard. Welcome to the NCAA's freshman!

Great job as always Foltrack!
more awesome WWs will be even better