Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #6 Villanova Men
Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #6 Villanova Men
Probable Top Five:
JR Patrick Tiernan (13:31 5K; 18th NCAA XC ’14)
SR Robert Denault (3:58 Mile; 8:15 3K; 56th NCAA XC ’14)
SR Jordy Williamsz (3:56 Mile; 8:04 3K; 58th NCAA XC ’14)
JR Harry Warnick (4:07 Mile; 8:08 3K; 124th NCAA XC ’14)
JR Kevin Corbusier (14:39 5K; 31:10 10K; 156th NCAA XC’14)
Impact Freshmen/Transfers:
Casey Comber via Hatboro-Horsham, PA (9:00 3200; 14:48 5K; 20th FL ’14)
Paul Power via Spring-Ford, PA (4:13 1600; 8:59 3200)
Andrew Marston via Conestoga, PA (9:01 3200; 15:02 5K)
Analysis:
Villanova returns a very strong top three in Pat Tiernan, Rob Denault and Jordy Williamsz.
Despite a rough day in Terre Haute last year, the junior Tiernan and seniors Denault and Williamsz carried 'Nova to a seventh place finish. Tiernan ran the fastest 8K of the year in 2014 at 23:00, and was a dark horse to challenge for the individual win. Fellow Aussie Jordy Williamsz has arguably some of the best range in the NCAA, capable of splitting 1:46 for an 800m, 3:56 for a mile, and 8:04 for 3K. The Canadian Denault will round out the impressive trio for Villanova, all three capable of finishing in the top 30 in Louisville.
Despite a rough day in Terre Haute last year, the junior Tiernan and seniors Denault and Williamsz carried 'Nova to a seventh place finish. Tiernan ran the fastest 8K of the year in 2014 at 23:00, and was a dark horse to challenge for the individual win. Fellow Aussie Jordy Williamsz has arguably some of the best range in the NCAA, capable of splitting 1:46 for an 800m, 3:56 for a mile, and 8:04 for 3K. The Canadian Denault will round out the impressive trio for Villanova, all three capable of finishing in the top 30 in Louisville.
The depth on this team is equally impressive. Juniors Harry Warnick and Kevin Corbusier have national cross country experience, and even in an unfortunate case of injury or sickness, the Wildcat personnel includes an arsenal of solid distance runners such as graduate students Robert Hurlbut and Tom Trainer. Even the Villanova recruiting class is elite in its own regard, with three incoming freshmen that boast 9:00 3200m credentials.
Lastly, as we have mentioned time and time again, the switch to the fast, flat Louisville course in November in contrast to the tough Terre Haute course will play favorably for the Wildcats. We all remember Jordy Williamsz's incredible kick to take home the Penn Relays wheel this past spring, and with Tiernan’s 13:31 strength and Denault’s additional sub-four speed, this talented team can do some real damage over the last kilometer of a slow, tactical race. And not only are they fast, they can run as a pack. After Tiernan’s 18th place finish, the Wildcats placed 56th, 57th, and 58th to round off their top four in Terre Haute. The combination of lethal speed and consistent pack running should make every team in the NCAA scared of Villanova.