Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #7 Iona Men
Saucony Flo50 XC Countdown: #7 Iona Men
Probable Top Four:
SO Gilbert Kirui (14:00 5K; 29:16 10K; 61st NCAA XC ’14)
SR Mike O’Dowd (8:25 3K; 14:34 5K; 62nd NCAA XC ’14)
JR Kieran Clements (7:57 3K; 28:57 10K; 177th NCAA XC ’14)
SO Chartt Miller (4:00 Mile; 7:57 3K; 76th NCAA XC ’14)
5th Man Battle:
SR Otis Ubriaco (4:07 Mile; 7:59 3K; 14:17 5K)
SO Brandon Allen (8:52 3K Steeple; 14:21 5K)
Impact Freshmen/Transfers:
Jac Hopkins via Wales (14:29 5K)
Analysis:
Coach Ricardo Santos’ Iona Gaels figured to be a podium contender in 2014 after their impressive 2nd place showing at the competitive Wisconsin Invite, but they underperformed at NCAAs and finished 8th. The Gaels lose two of their top five from last season, including #1 man Jake Byrne, but we’ve slotted them at #7 because they should have a strong pack capable of producing a small spread at NCAAs.
Leading the charge will be sophomore Gilbert Kirui, who himself was a bit disappointing with his 61st place finish at NCAAs, which is saying something considering he was just a freshman in 2014. The Kenyan had a strong track season this spring, running PRs of 14:00 and 29:16, and should be a top 40 contender in 2015. The Gaels managed a top 8 finish at NCAAs without any All-Americans in 2014, but if Kirui can fill that void they have a good chance to find a spot on the podium in 2015.
Right behind Kirui at NCAAs last season was Mike O’Dowd in 62nd, and he’ll be expected to chase his teammate around the XC course throughout the fall. O’Dowd has drastically improved his finish at NCAAs each of the last two years, from 229th in 2012 to 185th in 2013 and then 62nd in 2014. If he continues that trend this season, the senior could earn his first All-American honor in Louisville.
Chartt Miller and Kieran Clements are two proven entities in the middle of Iona’s lineup. Miller was 76th in 2014 as just a freshman, but he was expected to place higher as he was the Gaels’ #2 at Wisconsin (22nd). Miller has polished track speed (4:00, 7:57), and showed his improved strength by running a 14:15 5K PR in May.
Like Miller, Clements showed improved endurance with his 28:57 10K PR in April. That performance is much more indicative of his ability than his 177th place finish at NCAAs last season, especially considering Clements was 57th in 2013.
Coach Ricardo Santos should be happy with the squad he gets to roll out in 2015. His top four each have the potential to fight for an All-American finish on a good day, and if the stars align in Louisville this team could end up on the podium.