Re: German Fernandez...

[lovetorun]

I understand that German Fernandez had another competition he was in so that he missed the NCAA indoor...anyone know what it was, how he did?

[bad hammy]

The general understanding is that he decided not to run the NCAA Indoor Champs in order to prepare for the World Jr. XC Champs being held March 28th in Amman, Jordan.

[gh]

Skipping the NCAA for the World Cross was announced formally a few weeks back.

[jkjoregon]

The other two "super-frosh" Chris Derrick and Luke Puskedra did run the 5K at the NCAA Indoor and acquitted themselves nicely. They also will be running in Amman.

So which is the better way to prepare?

I guess we'll know in about 10 days.

[lovetorun]

Yeah, you think he could do both...maybe he's nursing some aches and pains which need the time to heal.

[jeremyp]

Yeah, you think he could do both...maybe he's nursing some aches and pains which need the time to heal.

As mentioned in the TFN piece, he has a tender ankle and his coach was wary of aggravating it on banked boards.

[ed gee]

The coach was so wary, he had German run a mile/3000 double at the Big 12 meet.

Yeah, you think he could do both...maybe he's nursing some aches and pains which need the time to heal.

As mentioned in the TFN piece, he has a tender ankle and his coach was wary of aggravating it on banked boards.

[gh]

From the story we wrote on the front page on February 19, when we broke the NCAA-skipping news:

<<...But Cowboy coach Dave Smith says he and Fernandez are considering having him skip the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Why? Because between his two superb track races, he won the U.S. Junior cross country title to qualify for his second World Champs, scheduled for March 28 in Amman, Jordan.

“German’s No. 1 goal has been to make the Junior team and go to Worlds, “Smith says. Fernandez was the top U.S. Placer last year in 25th. “He wanted a couple of competitive races before Worlds, which he got in the mile and 3K.

“Now, he wants to help the team at the Big 12 Championships [February 27-28]. He’s a real team guy. Then we’ll make a decision about the NCAA.

“I worry about him doing too much, even as crazy as it sounds to miss the NCAA Indoor. But he has some big goals for the 5000 outdoors this spring. And he also is very intent about keeping up with his classwork.”...>>

[EPelle]

Fernandez should have concentrated on NCAA, not the WJr's, no? How does he differ from Rupp's situation?

[bhall]

Fernandez should have concentrated on NCAA, not the WJr's, no? How does he differ from Rupp's situation?

Last year as a junior for Fernandez vs. last year in college for Rupp.

[gh]

And Ok State wasn't in the team battle.

[EPelle]

And Ok State wasn't in the team battle.

Mile, 3.000m and 5.000m, may have put them within striking distance of some hardware.

[Cyril]

From the story we wrote on the front page on February 19, when we broke the NCAA-skipping news:

<<...But Cowboy coach Dave Smith says he and Fernandez are considering having him skip the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Why? Because between his two superb track races, he won the U.S. Junior cross country title to qualify for his second World Champs, scheduled for March 28 in Amman, Jordan.

“German’s No. 1 goal has been to make the Junior team and go to Worlds, “Smith says. Fernandez was the top U.S. Placer last year in 25th. “He wanted a couple of competitive races before Worlds, which he got in the mile and 3K.

“Now, he wants to help the team at the Big 12 Championships [February 27-28]. He’s a real team guy. Then we’ll make a decision about the NCAA.

“I worry about him doing too much, even as crazy as it sounds to miss the NCAA Indoor. But he has some big goals for the 5000 outdoors this spring. And he also is very intent about keeping up with his classwork.”...>>

I really like how this sounds. It sounds like Smith has the personal development of Fernandez as his priority. Very good.

[gh]

And that's a good argument for its sometimes being beneficial for star athletes to steer away from high-pressure programs where team-score considerations might from time to time subvert your personal development.

[EPelle]

... which sounds like the Hasay choice with Oregon.