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Cross country begins its season

AztecBuff

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So, the 4th and final of the fall sports begins its formal training season today, with Buff great Shalaya Kipp providing some simple and strong advice.



I probably linked this already, but here's an article on the Media Day press conference from the 8th- http://www.cubuffs.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&SPID=260&KEY=
, as well as the ~17 minute press conference with Coach Wetmore itself- http://www.cubuffs.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=4266094 . From the article, looks like the Coach is optimistic-

"
Understand that Wetmore is almost always cautious with his prognostications. As he’s quick to note at the beginning of every season, every year and every team is different. Wetmore is also usually rather stingy with his praise, particularly before a season even starts.

But midway through his press conference Saturday, Wetmore tossed in this observation, almost as an afterthought, in response to a question about this season’s CU women’s team:

“This will be a team that can definitely challenge for the podium. Combined with the men and women, they might be the best two teams we’ve had here. So I’m really excited about that.”
"
Good luck to the harriers- May you stay healthy; train smart and strong! ~2-1/2 weeks to the 1st meet at CSU!

(Obviously no big deal, but personally just a little bummed because it looks like for the 1st time in MANY years (it's been going on at least as long as the schedules can be easily found on cubuffs.com, or 2003), there appears to be no official CU "Time trial" run listed on the schedule to start off the season. Assume it may just be a team only practice event this year?
Went a few times and it was a fun low stress environment to mark the start of the season, a chance to:
(a) get to see the team live (typically only one of two opportunities to do so in a season with almost all other meets "on the road"),
(b) to see, hopefully, any previously injured Buffs running strong and free and showing they're ready to kick butt this year,
(c) to possibly start guessing (which due to my lack of knowledge of running was always a laughable guess) which (if any) freshmen and/ or transfers might be ready and able to contribute this year.
(d) Also, being an admitted sentimentalist, love the tradition where the veterans always let any freshmen still in the lead group go to the front at the end of the run and "win" the time trial.)
 
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I love Kipp. I attended the academic awards banquet a two years ago, and was blown away by her accomplishments.

Go Buffs!
 
3-peat from men this year

Pac-12 title & national podium for women
 
I saw an article a few weeks back that says Wetmore thinks this is his best mens team..... ever
 
This marks the beginning of a beautiful title defense.
The men's team is expected to enter the season ranked #1 in the nation.
I'm looking for the men's team to keep that ranking through the conference championships, the regionals, and into the NCAA championships.

Cross Country runners use Track scholarships, which are generally only covering partial tuition.
Only 7 - 8 will run on a team, with the top 5 scoring.
Cross Country is one of the most cost effective NCAA sports. The singlet, shorts, and warm ups don't cost much.

The main expense is travel and coaches salary. No sport specific facilities are necessary, with most training and races taking place on local golf courses, parks, trail systems and roads.

Given the low barrier to entry for an university AD to field a team, it is a phenomenal coaching accomplishment for CUHC Wetmore to recruit top talent and coach them up as elite championship caliber runners year after year. Some programs bring in ringers from Kenya, Ethiopia or other international running meccas. CU's program is noteworthy for mainly relying on US talent. Although CU has had success in years past with one or two Mexican nationals on the team.

While Boulder has an elevation benefit, CU is not unique. Northern Arizona, AFA, CSU, Wyo, Alamosa, New Mexico, DU, BYU, Utah, and many other schools throughout the mountain west are similarly situated. Schools like Oklahoma State, Wisconsin, Oregon, Stanford, Ivy's and even FSU or other Southeastern schools can and do coach up the right 5 scoring runners. After all, how hard is it to replicate training techniques?

CU wins because of Wetmore and Heather Burroughs know how to attract and develop talent and foster team chemistry. It's one of the most impressive and accomplished coaching success stories in all of the NCAA's, in any sport.
 
cubuffs.com article- http://www.cubuffs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=600&ATCLID=210273540

"
Buffs Open Cross Country Practice This Week

BOULDER — Monday morning, 39 University of Colorado cross country runners officially began their pursuit of a national title.

“Officially,” of course, is a subjective word. The Buffs — the men are two-time defending national champions; the women finished seventh in the NCAA meet a year ago — never really stop training toward their goal. Buff veterans have been working out all summer.

As for the incoming freshmen, “We hope they’ve been running,” said associate head coach Heather Burroughs. “And they will hope they’ve been running.”

But Monday was the first day the Buffs could hold an organized workout, and most of the team quickly hit the roads and trails around Boulder.

“The guys went out for a run and some guys did nine (miles) and some did 11,” Burroughs said. “That’s a pretty typical easy day.”

Not all incoming freshmen can practice with the team yet, as they must still go through their physicals and some paperwork, details they’ll have addressed in the next few days. Meanwhile, head coach Mark Wetmore is in Beijing, where several professional runners he coaches will be competing in the World Championships.
...
"
 
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