Can the Rice men actually win the conference title? They seem to be having a really good meet (and have already scored more points than last year).

I looked it up and Rice has never finished as high as second at the outdoor conference meet since they joined CUSA (their best finish was 3rd at the 2009 meet - they were 2nd once indoors in 2008). The Rice men did win the 2004 WAC outdoor title. So even a 2nd place finish would be a nice accomplishment, but I'm wondering if they might have a chance if Charlotte slips up in a few events.

We still have some field events points likely for tomorrow, with Elian Ahmar and Jorge Hinojosa in the shot put, and James McNaney and Gus Henry in the javelin.

I think it is highly unlikely that we score in the 5,000 meters.

(05-14-2022 08:56 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Can the Rice men actually win the conference title? They seem to be having a really good meet (and have already scored more points than last year).

I looked it up and Rice has never finished as high as second at the outdoor conference meet since they joined CUSA (their best finish was 3rd at the 2009 meet - they were 2nd once indoors in 2008). The Rice men did win the 2004 WAC outdoor title. So even a 2nd place finish would be a nice accomplishment, but I'm wondering if they might have a chance if Charlotte slips up in a few events.

I think Charlotte would have to have an all-time choke not to win the conference. They just have what seems like an unlimited supply of good athletes (on 12.6 scholarships).

Men's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase - FINAL RESULTS

1 Hunter White CHAR 8:56.47
2 Nickolas Scudder CHAR 8:57.87
3 Jack Beaumont UNT 9:00.67
4 Gunner Hogston CHAR 9:10.04
5 Victor Neiva UNT 9:10.94
6 Andrew Abikhaled RICE 9:11.73
7 Vincent Yegon MTSU 9:12.31
8 Daniel Vo CHAR 9:17.13

That's 24 points for Charlotte and 3 for Rice.

Men's Team Totals - 8 (of 21) events:

1 Rice 93
2 Charlotte 75½
3 UTSA 36
4 UTEP 35
5 North Texas 29
6 Mid. Tenn. State 21
7 FIU 13½
8 Louisiana Tech 6
9 Western Kentucky 3

That's all for the men for Day 3.

Women's 3,000 Meter Steeplechase - FINAL RESULTS

1 Karoline Daland UTEP 10:39.17
2 Alina Rovnak Charlotte 10:52.65
3 Lauren Johnston Charlotte 10:52.96
4 Joice Jebor Mid. Tenn. State 10:58.91
5 Britney Johnson UAB 11:01.70
6 Naomy Limatukei Mid. Tenn. State 11:01.94
7 Sydney Smith Marshall 11:15.28
8 Maddie Forbes Rice 11:19.13
9 Sarah Parnell Southern Miss. 11:26.52
10 Ellie Schweiker Rice 11:33.80
11 Katlyn Schmeltzer Rice 11:44.80


Women's Standings - after 6 (of 21) events:

1 Rice 37
2 Charlotte 31
3 UTSA 28
4 Mid. Tenn. State 27
5 UTEP 23
6 Marshall 22
7 FIU 19
8 Southern Miss. 16
9 Louisiana Tech 13
10 Western Kentucky 9
11 UAB 7
12 Florida Atlantic 2

That's it for Day 3.

The women have some scoring opportunities in Sunday's field events, with Erna Gunnarsdöttir as the favorite in the shot put. Others who could score include Ginnie Okafor (triple jump), Elena Siemens and Audrey Ho (pole vault), and Josie Taylor and KC Nwadei (high jump).

Unless someone drops a stick, I don't see Rice getting any points in any of the 4 relays.

Why doesnt Rice seldom have any sprinters? It seems like the athletic programs are always run half ass (i.e no divers in swimming).

(05-15-2022 11:10 AM)Texasowl Wrote:  Why doesnt Rice hardly ever have any sprinters?

With only 12.6 scholarships, one must make choices. We have a great throws coach, so we've concentrated on that part of track and field.

Additionally, as a general rule, sprinters are more likely to need a full scholarship, and that can eat up very quickly, a big chunk of that 12.6.

Remember, there are 21 events in outdoor track and field, so a coach must be wise as to which athletes can cover as many events as possible.

How does other universities solve this problem?
How about using academic schlorships? I just don't think Rice has the will power to solve this problem.

(05-15-2022 11:16 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(05-15-2022 11:10 AM)Texasowl Wrote:  Why doesnt Rice hardly ever have any sprinters?

With only 12.6 scholarships, one must make choices. We have a great throws coach, so we've concentrated on that part of track and field.

Additionally, as a general rule, sprinters are more likely to need a full scholarship, and that can eat up very quickly, a big chunk of that 12.6.

Remember, there are 21 events in outdoor track and field, so a coach must be wise as to which athletes can cover as many events as possible.

Of course, I'm speaking of the men's program.

The women have had sprinters - recent graduate Hannah Jackson was a multi-time conference champion and All-American. It's a bit easier with 18 scholarships.

How does other universities solve this problem?
How about using academic schlorships? I just don't think Rice has the will power to solve this problem.

(05-15-2022 11:16 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(05-15-2022 11:10 AM)Texasowl Wrote:  Why doesnt Rice hardly ever have any sprinters?

With only 12.6 scholarships, one must make choices. We have a great throws coach, so we've concentrated on that part of track and field.

Additionally, as a general rule, sprinters are more likely to need a full scholarship, and that can eat up very quickly, a big chunk of that 12.6.

Remember, there are 21 events in outdoor track and field, so a coach must be wise as to which athletes can cover as many events as possible.

It would seem that sprinters would be more versatile, running relays as well.

(05-15-2022 11:27 AM)Texasowl Wrote:  How does [sic] other universities solve this problem?
How about using academic schlorships[sic]? I just don't think Rice has the will power to solve this problem.

Academic scholarships???

Sure, find us some sprinters who are good enough to score at conference AND have extremely high academic profiles.

(05-15-2022 11:32 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  It would seem that sprinters would be more versatile, running relays as well.

Very few are on both 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays, so you'll need at least 5 for each (in case of injury). So, you've covered the 100, 200, 400, 110H, 400H and 2 relays. 7 events, but you've burned 10 scholarships. Can you put together a decent team, having 2.6 scholarships for 14 events?

Of course not.

(05-15-2022 11:39 AM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(05-15-2022 11:32 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  It would seem that sprinters would be more versatile, running relays as well.

Very few are on both 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays, so you'll need at least 5 for each (in case of injury). So, you've covered the 100, 200, 400, 110H, 400H and 2 relays. 7 events, but you've burned 10 scholarships. Can you put together a decent team, having 2.6 scholarships for 14 events?

Of course not.

All ten need to be on full scholarship? Also, cannot they double in events like the long jump and triple jump?

I remember back when we dominated in sprints and relays,.Now we dominate in throws. I don’t know what were the scholarship limits back then, though.

So what do nationally ranked teams do with their 12.4 that we cannot? Recruit foreign athletes?

(05-15-2022 11:56 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  All ten need to be on full scholarship? Also, cannot they double in events like the long jump and triple jump?

I remember back when we dominated in sprints and relays,.Now we dominate in throws. I don’t know what were the scholarship limits back then, though.

So what do nationally ranked teams do with their 12.4 that we cannot? Recruit foreign athletes?

If an athlete is worth 0.5 of a scholarship (based on what he's shown in high school), he will have to pay a HUGE amount at Rice for that other 0.5, as compared with most other D-1 schools. Other schools, such as Charlotte, can give many partials to really good athletes, because paying the difference won't bankrupt the family.

No points for Rice in the women's triple jump.

Men's Shot Put

2. Elian Ahmar 17.54 m (57' 6½")
8. Jorge Hinojosa 16.24 m (53' 3½")

Team Standings - after 10 (of 21) events:
1. Rice 102
2. Charlotte 87.5
3. UTSA 57
4. UTEP 37
5. North Texas 34
6. FIU 25½
7. Mid. Tenn. State 25
8. Southern Miss. 10
9. Louisiana Tech 9
10. Western Kentucky 3