OMG, I see a major SNUB!!!! Yonas Tesfai....800 rank #7 @ 1:53 and 1600 rank #17 @ 4:15.91.
What exactly is the criteria to making this list? Is being the fastest in one event? Winning State in one event? Being a senior? or is it consistency, running fast in more than one event, running well at big meets, being a top runner despite the class and classification Jr or Sr?
I'm not knocking any of the kids or saying they don't deserve to be on the teams but I am saying that Tesfai did earn a spot. There are 800 m runners who only posted top times in that single event and even in just the race at State. Their PRs before state weren't the greatest. Tesfai didn't run the best race in the 800 at State but he ran 1:53, 1:54, and 1:55 in the last 3 meets. Granted Thompson won State with a FAST 1:50 but only ran a 1:54 prior to State and Comach, yes he won the 4A race but Tesfai still has a faster time on the year. They are both Seniors though and he is just a junior. Jamerson, yes he has a faster PR ran at State but he only has a top time in one event...He is a Senior too. Reid Strong, yes he won the 3A 1600 and 3200 but he only ranks #29(4:18) and #22 (9:20), but I think he is a senior too.Benn didn't medal in his two events at state but did run well in the big meet. Still Tesfai is equivalent if not beter with Benn's ranks #9 (9:09) and #16 (4:15), Benn is a senior too. Renteria, had a good year and ran a very fast mile but didn't even make it to State in the 1600 or 3200. Yes, Region II 5A was tough in his events but he didn't run great in the 1600 to factor with a 4:23 at Regionals. Tesfai went 1:54 and 4:15 in the same day. But, he still he is a very good runner and Senior. Smith...Like Renteria, I really like him too, and he ran very well at State but i'm just saying Tesfai still ranked equivalent if not better for the year...Smith is #10 (9:09) and #15 (4:15). Now the Juniors that did make it, Gohlke...rankings are still very close as he is #6 (9:06) and #11 (4:14). Diaz.....is also a Jr and i'm sue a very good runner but he only posted a top time in the 1600 at 4:20, which ranks him #38.
I'm not saying any of the kids aforementioned didn't deserve to make it or any kid on the list but just making a claim and IMO Tesfai definitely earned the right to be on the All TXRunning Distance Team.
I bet Yonas doesnt care about some random internet site team. It's not a big deal.
dang west wings chill out.Its not like the rankings mean anything. Everyone on that list is deserving and I'm sure there are so many guys that are also deserving that are not on that list(including your guy) No one is getting snubbed. His Pr's you've listed are not one in a million. Kids have been running that fast all over the place this year. It was a great year for texas. enjoy
It's just a fast year. There are probably 10-15 guys who could make arguments for being on the team. Alex had to balance championship performance and times with most of the runners never facing each other.
Just off the top of my head
Ryan Tillotta 4:16/9:16
Will Nation 4:17/9:15
Cameron foreman 1:54?/4:14
Tom sanderson 4:14/9:10
Colin Slattery 1:54/4:14
All these guys are comparable to Tesfai.
There was just a big group of very good performances to go along with the top performances.
@ Kmccune - you're right he probably hasn't even heard of TxRunning-not being sarcastic and no shot at TxRunning.
@ Banjln - Ive just been following the kid for the last 2 years and was expecting and looking foward to seeing his name included with the other great runners in the State. I get to see alot of Houston ISD meets and he is head and shoulders above probably any distance runner there and probably to ever come through the school district and I've seen him progress In a short time.
@ Scuba- you make a good point, there are alot of fast and deserving guys left off that I didn't consider. I was just kinda pro Anthowiak and Tesfai.
@ westwings it looks like they put into consideration placement at big meets over fast times. Which makes sense because you can't directly relate success off of times. For example the 3200m and 1600m 5A at state were very tactical thus fast times were more impressive in those circumstances.
To West WIngs
Thompson is only a JUNIOR, he's comin back next year, Harker Heights District 12-5A
Ok, all i'm back to reality...
Observer - I understand the point of running tactical races and I agree. However, it is only a benefit or should be taken into consideration when you win. That's the point of a tactical race when the place/win is more important than a fast time. At the regional meet, tactics is only effective if you place top two and at State only if you win or your best hopw is a top three finish. Any other result in a tactical race isn't effective.
Tiger - To Thompson being a Jr, all I have to say is.....DAYUUUUMMMM!!!! Next year should be special for him.
to west wings
yeaa i kno!! he said he plans on goin for 1:48 next yearr. i think he can get it. he been trainin extra hard so far ta start off tha summer.
Is Thompson training for post season meets (New Bal or Jr Nationals), XC, or summer league track?
he's doing the great southwest meet in new mexico, and maybe going for the new balance meet. but he's gonna be doing summer track and gettin ready for XC too.
Maybe a plug for Meredith Gamble - she is from a private school (St. John's), but ran 2:15.1 and 5:03.3, and ran 5:00.0 to finish 3rd overall at Congress Avenue Mile.
