Head Coach:

Jason Dunn (2nd Year)

 

Last Year:

4th Big 12

4th Midwest Region

No NCAA 

 

Probable Top Five:

SR Abbibiya Simbassa (8:11 3k; 14:07 5k; 28:42 10k; 8th, Big 12; 13th Midwest Region '13)

JR Brandon Doughty (8:11 3k; 13:53 5k; 8:41 3k Steeple; 9th Big 12 XC '13; 32nd Midwest Region XC '13)

SR Alex Deir (3:44 1500m; 4:00 Mile; 8:46 3k Steeple)

SO Jacob Burcham (3:46 1500m; 4:03 Mile; 50th Midwest Region XC '13)

SO Dylan Blankenbaker (8:27 3k; 9:02 3k Steeple)

 

Impact Freshman/Recruits:

Liam Meirow - Summit, CO (4:15 1600m; 1:53 800m; 9:40 3200m*)

 
*Altitude 

Analysis:

Jason Dunn brought his highly successful coaching pedigree from Stanford to Norman last year and had some immediate impact, especially with the two Iowa Central Community college transfers in Abbibiya Simbassa and Alex Deir. The Ethiopian born Simbassa surprised with his 28:42 10k on the track, showing what he is most likely capable of on grass. He will be one to watch this year in the Big 12 and the Midwest Region. Deir has good wheels and showed strength in the steeple with his 8:46. He will need to have a great summer of work to help Dunn’s team to Terre Haute.

 

Junior Brandon Doughty was a nice surprise for Dunn last track season with his 13:53 5k and 8:41 3k steeple. He will push for the number two spot, and sophomore Jacob Burcham has the talent to be there for that spot as well. An outstanding high school runner at Barbourville, West Virginia, Jacob was the national mile champion his senior year. As an incoming junior, he was 7th in the World Youth 1500 meters. Talent doesn’t go away and Burcham has what it takes to have a great year for the Sooners.

 

If Dunn can do some good work with sophomore Dylan Blankenbaker, who ran a solid 9:02 steeple as a freshman, this team can threaten some teams in the Midwest. It is not Palo Alto, but Jason Dunn is Jason Dunn, and he is looking to get it done with the Sooners like he did with Stanford a few years back.

#21 Utah Women
#22 Eastern Kentucky Men