Nicole Blood and a big pack of boys

by John Dye

Boys - Girls

Girls

Nicole Blood is undefeated this year and on a mission. Last year had some disappointing elements. She came into this regional last year as a favorite and lost to Ari Lambie while less than 100 percent healthy. Then she had to sit out the adidas Outdoor Championships in Raleigh in June because of the first injury of her career.

After winning Great American ROC, she said the injury made her realize how lucky she was to be able to run. "It's healed now, and I'm back to where I was or even better." That is bad news for opponents. Blood went on to lead Saratoga to another New York Federation championship and US#1 ranking in The Harrier. And she is only a sophomore. She appears headed for a showdown in San Diego with another short, compact running machine named Zoe Nelson, defending national champion and also unbeaten this year.

See DyeStat's Northeast Favorites for details.

Boys

In contrast to the girls, the boys race is wide open, with at least 20 runners legitimate contenders to qualify for nationals. This is not an NFL parity of mediocrity situation either. Most of the runners should also contend at nationals if they make it. The Northeast boys appear to have the strongest group in years.

You start the analysis with six returning national finalists, and they might not all make it back to San Diego, some because of nagging injuries: Hakon Devries NY, Ian Gottesfeld PA, Victor Gras MA, Ahmed Haji CT, Ben True ME, and Kevin Tschirhart NY.

Then you add this year's record setters: home schooled Josh McDougal NY, who won the New York Road Runners Club 5k in 15:08, fastest ever at Van Cortlandt Park by a HS runner and far faster than recent Northeast regional winners; Mohamed Khadraoui, who won the New Jersey all-group Meet of Champions in the second fastest time ever on the very tough Holmdel Park course; and Victor Gras, who won the 31st Manhattan Invitational in meet record time and third fastest ever on the historic 2.5 mile course at Van Cortlandt Park.

Finally, you have top runners taking turns beating each other. Who is best in New England? Gavin Coombs, a 4:10 miler last year, ran the region's fastest 5k (15:02) and beat 2002 Foot Locker finalist Ahmed Haji in the Connecticut Open championship. Then, a week later, Haji wins the New England Championships over Maine's Ben True, a 2002 finalist (9th at San Diego) who was looming as best in the Northeast, and Coombs. Gras was not in the New England as he was busy winning the Massachusetts All-Class state meet at Northfield Mountain.

Put the names in a hat and draw -- you might have the winner. Last year's regional had a gang finish down the long finish chute along Broadway, with the top seven runners finishing within 7 seconds. This year should be just as close.

See DyeStat's Northeast Favorites for details.