<p>Mile:
Galen Rupp - 4:01.8 - Portland, Oregon, Grad Year: 2004
Shadrack Kiptoo - 4:02.65 - La Cueva Albuquerque, New Mexico - 2004
Victor Gras - 4:05.14 - Belmont, Massachusetts - 2004
Gavin Coombs - 4:05.72 - Griswold, Connecticut - 2004
Craig Miller - 4:06.76 (sophomore class record - Manheim Twp, Pennsylvania - 2006
Tom Wyatt - 4:08.53 - Tacoma, Washington - 2004
Laef Barnes - 4:09.14 - Mead, Washington - 2005
Justin Switzer - 4:09.90 - Waterford Kettering, Michigan - 2005
Chris Spooner - 4:09.91 - Lewisburg, Pennsylvania - 2004
Evan Garber - 4:10.61 - Mead, Washington - 2004</p>
<p>As I mentioned earlier, there are no freshmen on the list. </p>
<p>Anyhow, where did these guys end up, you're probably wondering?</p>
<p>Rupp never attended college, he's training with Alberto Salazar in the Nike project in Oregon.
Kiptoo ended up at the University of New Mexico.
Victor Gras ended up at the University of Michigan; I talked to him a few months ago and he loves it.
Gavin Coombs is at NC State.
Tom Wyatt is at the University of Washington.
Justin Switzer signed earlier this year with the University of Michigan.
Chris Spooner is running for Duke and having a horrible year.
Evan Garber is running distance for Iona.</p>
<p>Ecliptica- you and I seem to be the track experts on CC. At some point I'll try to get my son to IM you or something. He would enjoy your knowledge. He ran against LaCava as a 12 and under and also went to running camp with him summer of 2002 in Colorado. LaCava ran the 800 at the meet this past Saturday where S ran his 1600.</p>
<p>I am baffled by your insistence that I am somehow lying about my son's times. 3togo, mentioned something about rank for age group in the country. My note said that my son was ranked ( last year) in the top 10 for the freshman mile- which is true. I have PM you about your responses and ask if you feel the need to continue challenging me to do so through PM. The purpose of the thread is share ideas, insights etc about college. You are a wealth of information which can be very helpful to parents and students. Thank you.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Are there colleges that would be better for XC?
[/quote]
Yes, but I'm not sure who they are. My suggestion would be to find the NCAA Div I championship results from the last 5 years or so (XC in the fall and 800/1500/5000 meters in the winter and spring) and see what schools keep reappearing. </p>
<p>If you went back 20 years schools like Oregon and Dartmouth were more mile/XC type schools while Villonava, Stanford, and Georgetown were more 800/1500 type schools. (I think Arkansas is more of a 800/1500 type school and Colorado has recently gotten very good in the miler/XC space).</p>
<p>By the way - I would think/hope your son's HS track coach could be a big help here ... 1) knowing which school's training programs are a better fit for your son ... and 2) what schools focus on particular distances.</p>
<p>One last comment ... distance runners tend to be very good students and the schools with excellent distance programs include some stellar academic schools ... Stanford, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Villanova, etc.</p>
<p>Ecliptica - in your opinion what are 1) the top 5 XC college programs in the US for men right now ... and 2) the top 5 middle distance programs? Thanks!</p>
<p>I'll answer you (even though I am not Ecliptica). This is my opinion based on coaching style, injury record of athletes etc.
Cross Country- I like Wisconsin, Colorado, Cornell (great upcoming coach), Texas (the distance program is coming on strong) and Stanford- not in any particular order. It won't disagree that Arkansas is the top program, especially with their recruiting class, but I just can't get over the lesser academic environment of the university.</p>
<p>Middle Distance- Arkansas again- Indiana is building- Stanford- Villanova- Texas- can't count Penn out, especially if you want Ivy academics</p>
<p>The fact is that there are MANY good programs. The fit between the athlete and the coach is very important. Also, coaches leave, so the student-athlete should pick a school and a program that he or she loves even if the coach should leave.</p>
<p>Thanks MomofWildChild ... interesting list; it's amazing how the things evolve</p>
<p>PS - I loved your entry about your son in the thread about "is CC good for kids" ... I can relate to your son (He is a much better runner than I was) both from my childhood and one of my kids on the way ... I like to look back (and forward with my kid) thinking that in the long run that independence and stength of conviction is a great trait to have in life (although often a pain as the parent of a teenager)</p>
<p>I apologize for blasting you this morning. The note I wrote last night did say my son was ranked in the top 10 nationally as a freshman. What I MEANTto say was that he was ranked nationally in the top 10 in the freshmen mile.. Big difference. I apologize.</p>
<p>It's not a problem, I've really been on your case about it. I knew there was no way a freshman was top 10 in the country in anything, and I know he wasn't one of the top 2 (I know them both), but I wouldn't doubt top 10 in the country in his event.</p>
<p>Also:
[quote]
Ecliptica - in your opinion what are 1) the top 5 XC college programs in the US for men right now ... and 2) the top 5 middle distance programs? Thanks!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>MomOfWildChild, as usual, pretty much nailed it. My quick list as to who will be the best next year, after seeing who everyone is bringing in this year, would be:</p>
<p>XC:
1) Arkansas (guess who they signed last night? Ken Cormier - the 2004 XC Footlocker National Champion. The rich get richer.)
2) Wisconsin
3) Michigan
4) Stanford
5) Colorado</p>
<p>Although, I guess Adams State in Colorado (Division II) has had four Olympians in the past couple of years. They're really a no-name school that people only go to to run for.</p>
<p>As always, American University, Cornell, Kentucky, and Liberty should be mentioned in the XC category and UPenn, Villanova, and Georgetown have been mid-distance powerhouses in the past few years.</p>