| Subject: Re: where do kids improve the most |
Author:
kyle
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Date Posted: 13:05:50 04/10/01 Tue
In reply to:
Ontario
's message, "Re: where do kids improve the most" on 11:30:45 04/10/01 Tue
"Ontario", some rather astute points. I agree with the thinking that if others can do it, why cant you? Obviosuly there are different strokes for different folks, but a tradition and pattern of success like BC (angie Graham and the current crop) and Wisconsin (Kathy Butler, and countless Americans) may be evidence that the problem didnt originate solely in the evil coaching staff or the crooked program, but maybe in the "Fit" or the individual or there preparation. My freshamn year I hammered my roommate (who was American) in XC and Track. He went on to run 3:44, 1:50, and win our conference (3 times) and district in XC.... I didnt. This wasn't my coaches fault or our programs. Maybe it was mine, maybe a combination of issues, maybe I am not cut from the material that runs 3:44, but I couldn't rightly make a blanket statement that just because he turned out stud and I was a relative pud that the school must suck. That is kind of beside the point of your post though, I think that there are enough examples of Canucks who have given the US system a shot, decided it wasnt what they wanted, and where still able to return to Canada or somewhere else and run well. A bad year or two at one school doesnt mean that; A) You are through running or B) That school is bad. Maybe just a bad fit, bad luck, bad attitude, illness, all of the above? You can look to the interview with Ian Collings. Went to a school, it didnt work, decided he wasnt going to lay down and die and is now kicking ass. Steve Bendo is another example, he was at Tulane my first year in the US, I dont know the specifics of his situation but he decided to go home and has obviosuly been for the better for leaving. He has won OU's 3 times in XC and lead Guelph to a couple of National XC titles. Other notables who made smart moves home are Michelle King leaving UTSA to run awesome at Windsor, Rich tremain leaving UK to also run awesome at Windsor, Brian Stewart leaving Memphis to run much better at Mac, Gary Westgae also leaving Memphis to run great in Canada. I am sure there are more. There are enough great programs and runners in Canada that just because a person has a rough patch in the US it doesnt mean they should hang up the spikes. Maybe some of these people should have avoided the promise of $$ and fame in the US to begin with and stuck close to home from the get-go giving the Canadian route a shot. I think Dave Reid might have done time in the US also before hitting his stride at York, but I could be wrong.
I guess my point is that I concur with Ontario pointing out that these people leaving a school claiming foul play and then never amounting to anything after they are gone doesnt necessarily add up.
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