NCAA XC thread [contains winner details]

[Brian]

Think top American freshmen were Hasan Meade, MN, 43rd, 30:37 and Emil Heineking, VA, 56th, 30:43.
American high schoolers finished 1-5. Been a long time since this has happened?

Minnesota has a recruiting gold mine in runners like Mead.

Many East African refugee families have taken up residence in the state over the past five or so years. Runners from these families may be more reluctant to head out of state after high school, as that region of the world places a high cultural value on family. Also, people having been uprooted tend to bind together tighter and avoid further unnecessary upheaval, especially soon after the initial uprooting.

These are runners who have grown up without any luxuries, as far as amenities, which has made them stronger and more physically able to absorb hard(er) training.

If Plasencia is smart, he'll circle the wagons...