Barringer to remain an amateur

[bad hammy]

No more T&F eligibility at CU, just one more XC season. After her recent performances you might think this would be a good time to cash in, but she feels otherwise: http://www.timescall.com/sports_story.asp?ID=16595

[George P.]

She's accomplished in ways other than track. She has more than one way to "cash in" (assuming that's one's goal in life).

[BCBaroo]

Kinda shocked by that, but as many dreams that I have that I have been granted one more year eligibility... I say - kudos to her.

Now, I, of course, never had Phil Knight's people calling me up... either.

[dl]

I think she actually has another indoor season as well, but I've heard that there's no way she's sticking around for that, just cross, as stated earlier.

[doug091463]

the professional contract will still be there in a few months, and a possible ncaa cross country crown.

[gh]

She did redshirt the '06 indoor season.

[dl]

the professional contract will still be there in a few months, and a possible ncaa cross country crown.

I think the thinking of those who believe she should go pro now is that after PRE, it would be tough for her "value" to get any higher than it currently is. Of course, perhaps she'll wow us even more in Eugene/Berlin.

I respect her decision to stay through cross. She doesn't have an NCAA harrier title, which would be a nice feather in her cap and be a great way to end her collegiate career.

[George P.]

I think the thinking of those who believe she should go pro now is that after PRE, it would be tough for her "value" to get any higher than it currently is. Of course, perhaps she'll wow us even more in Eugene/Berlin.

People has been consistently under-evaluating her for almost a year now -- when they've given her any attention at all. But then she laces up her spikes and and goes out and does something we couldn't possibly have predicted only a few weeks before. And as excellent as her marks have been, they're overshawdowed by her ferocious competitiveness.

She's only 22, and no one really has a clue (if they're honest) how close she is to her potential.

[CoachTief]

Running Pro is probably nothing like the great environment that college running is. I wouldn't turn pro yet.

The professional world is harsh and unforgiving. She can still race all summer in big track meets without the pressure of a sponser dictating her next move.

[knite]

Its a double edged sword. However, my opinion is that she does what makes HER happy. If that means turning away a great pro contract in the immediate, then so be it. Ones own personal fulfillment is much more acceptable than the hopes and dreams of what company wants from her when she signs with them.

I would suspect that her US record in the SC will go down in a big way come August. She should also lower a few more of her PR's as well, so with all of that, I would hope that someone find out whether a pro contract that is offered now, change much by the time XC nationals come around.

[26mi235]

She's only 22, and no one really has a clue (if they're honest) how close she is to her potential.

We do not know how close she is, but there are clues. Here are my guesses on PRs:

1:59, 3:58-, 8:2x, 9:0x, 14:2x, 30 -- I do not think that she will get the ARs at the bottom or the top, but will get those in between (I do not think those at the bottom will move, but the upper ones are moving targets.

[kevinsdad]

At one point in the linked article she says she wants to have an agent and a shoe company deal by September. Isn't doing either one a huge no-no under NCAA rules, causing immediate loss of remaining eligibility?

As for turning pro, are we talking about enough money to give her long-term financial security? Because if so, she should take the deals right now because anything can happen in the future, and by anything I principally mean career threatening injury or illness.

[knite]

At one point in the linked article she says she wants to have an agent and a shoe company deal by September. Isn't doing either one a huge no-no under NCAA rules, causing immediate loss of remaining eligibility?

As for turning pro, are we talking about enough money to give her long-term financial security? Because if so, she should take the deals right now because anything can happen in the future, and by anything I principally mean career threatening injury or illness.

Most of us are on board with the latter of your post, but it is still her decision. Outside of that, I assume that Wetmore/family members are handling any conversation with regards to a pro contract and laying everything out on the table which they will collect and bring to the table when she can make the decision in November.

[dal4018]

She's only 22, and no one really has a clue (if they're honest) how close she is to her potential.

We do not know how close she is, but there are clues. Here are my guesses on PRs:

1:59, 3:58-, 8:2x, 9:0x, 14:2x, 30 -- I do not think that she will get the ARs at the bottom or the top, but will get those in between (I do not think those at the bottom will move, but the upper ones are moving targets.

Is she the next Mary Slaney???????????

[George P.]

Is she the next Mary Slaney???????????

She may or more not have Slaney's speed. But she's a far more versatile competitor. Right now, she's potential national class (or better) at every event from the 800 up -- including, of course, the SC.