Penn State Indoor National Has Arrived!

The second episode of my new (and so-far only dreamed!) Reality Show 800 U: Winner Take All will be filmed and streamed live by Flo Track this weekend at PSU. I'm linking them at their paid site, so I think it's OK to use their previews!  It's good to see so many teams vying for the title.

 

 

Men’s DMR, Friday 7:10pm

This one should be a dandy as Penn State, Villanova, and Georgetown all have a legitimate shot at the NCAA and world record. That 9:25.97 record has been held by Texas since 2008, but it will come under fire by these three schools who all ran top ten NCAA all-time marks in 2014.  The Nittany Lions ran 9:26.59 at this meet a year ago, #2 all time, and return three of their four pieces from last season. Brannon Kidder and Robby Creese will lead PSU against a Georgetown squad that has been impressive early in 2015, with four men already under 1:50 in the 800m. All four runners from their 2014 DMR return this season, while Villanova brings back three of their four from a team that ran 9:28.06, #4 in NCAA history. Aussie Jordan Williamsz has 3:56 mile speed and should anchor for the Wildcats

Men's 800m, Saturday 3:10pm

D2 stud Drew Windle of Ashland has the fastest PB in this field with his impressive 1:46.52, but he won’t have it easy against his D1 counterparts. Brannon Kidder is entered in three events this weekend, and like the other two, he will be right up front in the 800m. He has a 1:47.23 PB to go along with his 3:38 1500m strength, and has the best shot to beat Windle on Saturday. Don’t count out the rest of 800 U. though, as the Nittany Lions will roll out three other challengers with sub-1:50 PBs. The other names to watch are Chris FitzSimons of Villanova (1:48.91) and Ryan Manahan of Georgetown (1:48.95) and keep an eye out for top D3 runner Andrew Carey (1:49.67) of Johns Hopkins.

 

Men’s Mile, Saturday 4:10pm

Five men in this field have run 4:00.04 or faster, and this loaded group could take down the 3:56.51 meet record if everything goes right. All-Americans Robby Creese and Brannon Kidder will come back from the DMR on Friday night, and will have the home crowd’s support as they look to fend off the ‘Nova duo of Jordan Williamsz (3:56.84) and Rob Denault (3:59.39). Other names to watch are Ahmed Bile of Georgetown and cross country All-American Martin Hehir of Syracuse.