What a week for Wisconsin fans.  To quote Derek Rubis, “Everyone is talking about how great of a Wisconsin Sports Weekend we had with Badgers Football, Packer & Brewers, what about Badger XC. Badger XC also won this weekend at Bill Dellinger XC Invite against University of Oregon placing 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 for the top 5 runners. Way to Go Badgers XC Team.” 

            Okay, so maybe that’s just sloppy journalism on my part, letting someone else give my introduction to this week n’ all, but I really can’t say it better.

            The Badgers stamped their foot proudly as they defeated the rival Ducks of Oregon 24-59.

            It’s tough to truly analyze the team’s effort without being present at the race, but their impressive 4.47 second 1-5 split is surely indicative of a great deal of control when running together.  Perhaps what makes this more impressive is the company that Wisconsin’s crew was competing with…for instance Cameron Levins of Southern Utah (7^th in 2011 NCAA 5k), former Duck Chad Hall who looks to be on a tear, and finally Oregon’s Parker Stinson (29:14 10k as a true frosh).  Combine that with the four former All American’s within the Wisconsin pack and that was quite elite company.  Cry all you want about times and course length accuracies, at the end of the day these boys were doing a serious bit of running.  

            The real take away from this meet however is that the Badgers are up and running, and more importantly they’re 5 deep.  Of all the potential trophy contenders, the Badgers have been the first to show all their cards.  Oklahoma State had a solid top four this weekend, and Stanford had a nice showing through four as well back at their home invitational, even Indiana was without the services of Andy Bayer, meanwhile the Ducks could have surely used a hand from Luke Puskedra and Lukas Verzbicas.  Time will tell who will step up and fill out the top five for these teams, but for now the Badgers can sleep easy knowing that they’ve got one of the tightest packs in the NCAA.

            But remember folks, this is XC and no one cares who looked good in early October.  The Badgers are off to a great start, now comes the challenge of keeping the ball rolling (and healthy!)  October means changing weather, mid term exams, classrooms full of sneezing and sniveling freshman.  One of the tougher tasks for many of the country’s best is to simply make it through the month, ready for the championship part of the season to begin.  Until then, the Badgers will be back in action at home on October 14^th.

            If you live within a few hours of Madison and have never been to a college cross country race, I highly encourage you to make the drive up to the Zimmer Championship Course in a couple weeks.  Not only will you get to see the Badgers (god, I’m biased), but this is hands down the best field of college teams assembled outside the confines of pre-nats and the ncaa championships perhaps ever.  EVER.  And the course is truly and without hyperbole, one of the finest facilities in the country.  If you’re a cross country geek (which you are, you’re reading this aren’t you?) it’s a fantastic opportunity to see some great mid season competition between the country’s premier programs.

 

            Until next time, On Wisconsin. 

Video

Just take a look at Stinson's post race demeanor vs that of the Badgers (10:55)
http://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?video_id=54220-Mens-Race-Bill-Dellinger-Invitational-2011

Full results

 http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-xc/stats/2011-2012/111001_bill_dellinger_results_men.html