Thanks for the information; UVA is grabbing some big names.
Posted on 4/11 4:20 PM | IP: Logged
The third Schappert daughter is a junior in high school in Florida and she is running some very good times. We have often talked about speed and range on the board. Emily Lipari ran a 2:09+ for the 800 recently. Any word on the Irish girl who was mentioned or on any other recruits?
Posted on 5/3 4:08 PM | IP: Logged
Marcus lost Robby Andrews (of 800 meter fame) to Virginia as well, a year ago. He wanted Kostelac pretty bad, to go along with the FitzSimons kid from Connecticut. But, as stated above, Virginia upped the ante for Kostelac and seems to be a real player within VU's traditional East coast recruiting area. But, this FitzSimons kid is going to be a big addition to the men's team. Big ceiling, as the guru's say. He's a 4:07 +/- miler right now, without much mileage or training at that distance.
I assume that Gina P. will be all over the Aisling Cuffe girl from New York (state champ at 3200, etc.). I get the sense that she and Lipari get along (despite being rivals), and perhaps Villanova can land her. I also assume that the younger Schappert girl from Florida is Villanova's if Gina wants her. She's a two-time state XC champ (with another year to go). Nicole went elsewhere at first (Wake Forest, IIRC) but blossomed when she transferred to Villanova. Possibly a lesson learned inside the Schappert family?
The Irish girl was off my radar, so thanks for highlighting her.
Posted on 5/4 11:17 AM | IP: Logged
Quick google search of Ciara Mageean reveals that she quite the prodigy -- they're referring to her in ireland as "the next Sonia O'Sullivan." She broke Sonia's Irish Junior record in the 800 recently, running 2:05.38, and then lowered that to 2:03 in taking silver at World Youths. She's run 4:15 for 1500 meters. That time is also faster than S. O'S at the same age. Here are some highlights:
800m- IAAF World Youth Championships 2 f 2:03.07 Bressanone 12/07/2009 1500m- IAAF World Junior Championships 10 f 4:26.87 Bydgoszcz 13/07/2008
2008 Commonwealth Youth Games 1500m Bronze medallist 2008 World Junior 1500m Finalist (9th)- setting a new PB in the qualifying heat. 2008 AAA Silver medallist (800m). 2008 Irish Schools & Irish U20 1500m Champion. 2008 Irish Indoor Senior 1500m Champion. 2008 UK Schools Games 1500m Champion
Posted on 5/4 11:41 AM | IP: Logged
nit,
I might go to church and light a candle for the signing of the Irish girl; those are some numbers. I will see Lipari and Cuffee at the NY State Championships which will held only 60 miles from my house. Virginia is going to be a major player now; I believe their new coach came from Texas where he made them a power. Upstate NY is also a fertile ground for talent. Tiny high schools have produced and are producing 4:08 milers and kids who may break 47 in the 400. Hatz of FM who is going to Wisconsin might run close to four minutes flat this Spring ran a poor tactical race at Penn in the 3000.
Posted on 5/4 2:40 PM | IP: Logged
Here a link to a December 2009 story and video interview with Irish star Ciara Mageean who is being recruited by Villanova. Let's hope that her relationship with Sonia O'Sullivan will pay dividends for VU's recruitment effort. BTW, her father Chris "White Hunter" Mageean was evidently a legendary Irish hurling star.
This post was edited on 5/5 12:26 PM by LSU-Nit
Link: click me Posted on 5/5 12:25 PM | IP: Logged
There is a discussion on DyeStat about Villanova and Syracuse vying for Sam Ellison , Upper Dublin, PA. See link.
Blincoe may have something coming from Australia.
Seton Hall is giving up track. Any chance there may be a transfer? Nijgia Snapp?
Farmer was a huge loss because Villanova has no outstanding 400 man. Surprise he did not come because his sister is a Villanova grad who played soccer. Keep hoping he wil have a cahnge of heart sort of like Brian Long a couple of years ago.
Got the impression Marcus might be looking at a male from Ireland. That would suggest Paul Robinson. Knew he was going to speak with some of the Irish kids on one of his visits.
David McCarthy (IRL) was recruited hard, several years aao, but went to Providence. He still has eligibility. But he is not on the Providence roster. Any chance that he may be a transfer - say like Cody Harper?
Finally, Ton Kehl (Father Judge) has not signed. Is he on Villanova'a radar?
This post was edited on 5/14 2:01 AM by sebastianc
Kehl is an interesting case. His 4:13-ish indoor mile in January during indoor season surprised the VU staff a bit (they didn't think he was capable of such -- he was running high 4:20s and low 4:30s up til then), but I was led to believe that Kehl was gone and no longer available. Marcus was trying hard at that time for Kostelac and FitzSimons, and I believe Kehl was a second-tier consideration. Marcus knows Kehl inside-out, since Kehl was Chris O'Sullivan's main Philadelphia Catholic League rival at the mile distance and at XC. Kehl ran 4:11 at Penn Relays, so he looks legit. On the other hand, FitzSimons split 4:07 at the ass end of an indoor DMR and has run 1:51 for 800. Kehl's PR at 800 is more like 1:57. Still, Kehl would be a nice addition, but I thought he was off the VU radar 2-3 months ago as ungettable.
Posted on 5/6 3:43 PM | IP: Logged
Kehl's time for 800 is not noteworthy, but could that have been last season or in a lesser meet? Reason is there is a thread on DyeStat (under PA), that said Kehl split 1:50.2 on a 4x800 and came back with a 49.8 split in the 4x400. If true, that is impressive. See link below. So maybe there has been some re-thinking on the subject of Kehl ...
The real talent might be in Australia. Check out their juniors. Have to believe Marcus and Blincoe will recruit at least one.
A walk-on: Chris Pietrocarlo, Pinkerton Academy, NH. From 2009: 1:57.26 (800), 4:20.26 (1600), 9:21.4 (3200)
Times suggest XC and distance. Curious about the 800 time. Future leg on 4xmile?
Dartmouth has attracted some very good runners, for next year (e.g., Joseph Woiwode, excellent anchor for Georgetown Prep in 4x800 at Penn Relays). Pietrocarlo is an outstanding student. Surprised he didn't go to Dartmouth. Says something about Villanova.
This post was edited on 5/14 10:48 PM by sebastianc
This post was edited on 5/18 12:42 AM by sebastianc
Justin Knoebel (Wissahickon, PA) is headed to Villanova. See link below near bottom of the article. Looks like a distance man: 4:27.53 (1600, in 2008), 10:00.7 (3200).
That is a decent 1600 time for a soph. His more recent times are not as good. Was he hurt?
An interesting recruit: Dusty Solis (Coronado, CO) - 1:56.01 (800), 4:26.97 (1600), 10:17.29 (3200). State Athlete of Year in XC, but was injured in regional meet. Was expected to contend for state title.
Second sport: wrestling.
Posted on 5/19 3:02 AM | IP: Logged
Much earlier, this year, we learned that Dave Cotton (CT) had signed with Villanova. Over on DyeStat, he is listed as signing with Virginia. Anyone know the reality?
Posted on 5/23 10:36 AM | IP: Logged
Ross Hall (Lancaster Catholic) has a full ride as a lineman on the football team. Big guy: 6'3", 265lbs. Also throws shot (50'8"). Nothing great, but with his size and athleticism (also on varsity basketball team), maybe Marcus gets a gift?
Posted on 5/25 8:14 PM | IP: Logged
Well, his Dad did run for Virginia, so it would not be out of the question. I posted the Cotton-to-Villanova item based on a virtually indisputable source. I'll try to find out his status.
Posted on 5/25 11:10 PM | IP: Logged
It's Virginia -- confirmed -- for Cotton.
Posted on 5/25 11:46 PM | IP: Logged
I have it on good authority that the Robinson kid from Ireland is not interested in Villanova. I was told that Marcus made a concerted pitch to the kid's coach, but Robinson is not considering Villanova.
Posted on 5/27 1:23 PM | IP: Logged
Kehl has not yet decided on a school. Informed opinion seems to think that he'll wind up at LaSalle or Penn State.
Posted on 5/27 4:04 PM | IP: Logged
See the link below. Van Leeuwen apparently is a pole vaulter (17'3") who is from NJ and went West to improve his grades. Previously had spent a year at Ramapo College. Transfers seem rare for Villanova although more recently there has been Harper and Schappert.
Note: A year ago, there was a 400 man of some worth from NJ, Isaiah Gill, who was rumored to be coming to Villanova, but didn't have the grades. Went to a junior college in Texas. Is a transfer possible? Do not recall Villanova ever bringing in JC transfers.
Interesting ... Is Robinson considering another US school or just doesn't want to go that far from home or simply does not like Villanova & O'Sullivan?
There is another prospect coming out next year, Mark English - 1:50.67 (800, indoors). Might be a better prospect.
Posted on 5/31 3:56 AM | IP: Logged
On Robinson, the way it was described to me implied that he does not want to come to the States. Nothing against Villanova, per se.
Yes -- it's Ciara Mageean, the hottest prospect to come out of Ireland in 20+ years. She's an 800 (2:03) and 1500 (4:15) specialist. She's broken all of Sonia's O'Sullivan's Irish junior records. I've read several interviews with her, and she seems to be leaning more and more to taking the so-called "gap year" option: i.e., not coming to the States until next year. She's got World Juniors in Canada in August and the Commonwealth Games after that. She may wish to concentrate on those, take a year and decide on a US college for fall 2011. She's basically a young 18-year old who is as good as Phoebe Wright is right now at 22. Definite prodigy worth every recruiting effort within NCAA rules.
This post was edited on 6/9 1:05 AM by LSU-Nit
Posted on 6/9 1:04 AM | IP: Logged
She is also considering Auburn and Harvard.
Even as good as she is, it might pay to think of someone else, at least for this year. Villanova needs a strong 800 runner for the 2011 track season. Neutts may not be enough. Think Tennessee and Oregon. Besides, it is hard to compete with Harvard. Think of all the kids trying to get into Harvard. I believe it is like 30,000 applicants for about 2,000 seats (?) Think about it. Harvard is calling; what do you do ...?
Posted on 6/22 3:18 PM | IP: Logged
sebatstian - you go to nova for undergrad, and harvard for grad school! In all seriousness, your point is still valid - difficult to compete with that in an individual sport
Posted on 6/22 3:57 PM | IP: Logged
TwoDecks, I totally agree with you. Hope Mageean buys that one. More relevant, though, is that TAs teach (some, most, all ...?) of the introductory classes - not the name professors. In other words, some graduate student is teaching the course - not a true PhD. The big name professor does oversee his collection of TAs. I assume Villanova has PhDs teaching all classes. I know some Harvard grads who were not pleased about this. But one does get the name. Besides, Villanova has Marcus. That should mean something
This post was edited on 6/22 7:06 PM by sebastianc
Posted on 6/22 6:48 PM | IP: Logged
Additional recruits:
Cortlandt Harris (Our Lady of Good Counsel, MD) - 11.15 (100), 22.17 (200), 48.35 (400). Named to Washington Post's All-Met team.
Good Counsel won DMR at Penn Relays. So there is probably a video out there of their performance. Harris split 47.2
Jonny Hayes (St. Thomas Aquinas, Dover, NH) - sprints. See link below. Intriguing story. Might have some potential.
A lot of very interesting choices, thus far. Aside from Fitzsimons and Lipari, the rest are somewhat unknown quantities who hopefully will develop into outstanding performers in college. Clever recruiting. Remember Michael Kerrigan?
That being said, Nova should come-up with at least one other star runner - preferably 400, 800 - for both the men and the women if they want to remain competitive at Penn. There are additional players now - Oregon, Penn St., Virginia... even Columbia, Princeton & Syracuse. See the 1-2-3 finish by Oregon's men in 1500 (or 1600) at NCAAs. Virginia men had two finalists in the NCAA 800 and signed Kostelac, Farmer & some miler from Virginia. Oregon women are having an outstanding recruiting year.
There are three more T&F athletes coming to Villanova, but I doubt they will be competing. From the football team: Emeka Ndiche (NJ) and Antoine Lewis (NJ) in the SP. Lewis is big enough, but the numbers aren't there. Would probably need a lot of work. And Adam Nash (NH) - LJ, TJ.
Another track name that has popped up for next year is miler Scott Chamberlin at Blair Academy in Jersey. Here is an article that indicates that he is interested in Villanova, Virginia, Georgetown -- the usual suspects.
Villanova target Ciara Mageean of Northern Ireland set a new Irish Junior Record in the 1500 at yesterday's IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada. Her time of 4:09.51 was a 6 second PR. Here are the results from the finals and the story from today's Independent
Women's 1500 Meters
1 256 Tizita Bogale ETH 4:08.06 (PB) 2 368 Ciara Mageean IRL 4:09.51 (NJ) 3 439 Nancy Chepkwemoi KEN 4:11.04 (PB) 4 680 Jordan Hasay USA 4:13.95 . 5 540 Ioana Doaga ROU 4:14.27 . 6 309 Laura Weightman GBR 4:14.31 (PB) 7 446 Nelly Chebet Ngeiywo KEN 4:18.50 . 8 589 Amela Terzic SRB 4:19.03 . 9 128 Jennifer Wenth AUT 4:22.39 . 10 162 Genzeb Shumi BRN 4:23.90 . 11 505 Rebekah Greene NZL 4:27.75 . 12 255 Asmerawork Bekele ETH 4:30.02
Mageean's silver joy after Irish record
By Cliona Foley
Monday July 26 2010
SHE has long been heralded as 'the next Sonia' and Down schoolgirl Ciara Mageean showed why yet again by sensationally winning 1,500m silver at the World Junior athletics championships in Moncton, Canada yesterday.
Mageean, coached by Eamon Christie at Lisburn AC, was one of only five Europeans to qualify for the 1,500m final and, as expected, found herself in a ferocious tussle with five African runners who set a blistering early pace of 44 seconds for the opening 300m and 61 seconds for the first lap.
But at the bell, it was Mageean and Itzita Bogale who pulled clear and the gold medal came down to their thrilling sprint over the final 300m, with the Ethiopian just nicking it in a personal best time of 4:08.06.
Mageean's silver-winning time of 4:09.51 knocked a whopping six seconds off her own Irish junior record and third-placed Kenyan Nancy Chepkwemoi also ran a 4:11.04 personal best.
Mageean's time was the eighth fastest ever by an Irishwoman and she is still only 18.
"I'm so proud, it's Ireland's first ever medal on the track and I just wanted to do it for everyone back home," the delighted Portaferry star said. "I'm thrilled, too, to finish with a national record, I knew I was in it on the final kick."
Last summer Mageean won an 800m silver at World Youths and took 1,500m gold at the European Youth Olympics.
World Juniors are the accepted barometer of future senior international success and it was Ireland's first medal at this standard.
Posted on 7/26 11:05 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by sebastianc: TwoDecks, I totally agree with you. Hope Mageean buys that one. More relevant, though, is that TAs teach (some, most, all ...?) of the introductory classes - not the name professors. In other words, some graduate student is teaching the course - not a true PhD. The big name professor does oversee his collection of TAs. I assume Villanova has PhDs teaching all classes. I know some Harvard grads who were not pleased about this. But one does get the name. Besides, Villanova has Marcus. That should mean something
This post was edited on 6/22 7:06 PM by sebastianc
Sebastianc - I don't know of many Harvard grads who complain about the TAs, but I suspect some do. My undergrad degree is from Villanova and my graduate degree from Harvard, and in both cases, I NEVER had a TA teaching a class. However, in both cases I did have some full and assistant professors without PhDs (which I had no problem with)
Posted on 8/3 6:30 PM | IP: Logged
TwoDecks, There is no inconsistency in what we are both saying. Your experience at Harvard was as a grad student. You would not expect to find a TA (PhD candidate) teaching graduate courses. However, I actually know that some introductory (undergrad) courses at Harvard are taught by TAs. That is why I said "some, most, all ...?" Maybe it varies with the discipline. That I do not know. But if you did not have TAs teaching undergrad courses at Villanova, that is Villanova's advantage. Thus, your initially statement that you go to Villanova as an undergrad and Harvard as a grad would be a good selling point.
Posted on 8/3 7:45 PM | IP: Logged
Yup, I understand what you were saying, definitely TAs in undergrad courses at Harvard, although, not nearly as much as you would see at a large state research institution. I know a fair bit of Harvard College grads (as they call themselves) and don't know many who complain about that
Posted on 8/4 11:19 AM | IP: Logged
Is Villanova recruiting Ryan Walling from Cary,NC? XC,4:14(1600),ETC. His mother is a VU graduate and she told me he is very interested in VU.I know he is being recruited by Notre Dame ,UNC,and others. Anyone know any of his other times?He is currently entering his senior year.
Posted on 8/9 1:35 PM | IP: Logged
Why don't you pass this info onto the coaches ?
Posted on 8/9 5:07 PM | IP: Logged
AJ - Agree. Someone should send a note to marcus about a kid like this. The recruiting world is a big place and sometimes people like this fly under the cover. Might not be a VU quality runner (or might be), but I would guess the staff would rather know than not know about him (and his VU connection)
Posted on 8/9 5:22 PM | IP: Logged
Leaper, do you have contact information on this kid? Tel # or e-mail would help. I can forward it to the right people. You can e-mail me the info at:
liquori1971@gmail.com
Posted on 8/12 1:29 PM | IP: Logged
I'm sorry I don't have any information. I was in Hilton Head wearing a Villanova T -shirt and his mother came up to me and said she was a Villanova graduate. She said her son ran XC and track and wished VU would recruit him. I googled him and discovered he had some fairly good times. Sorry thats the only info I have.
Posted on 8/12 4:13 PM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Leaper: I'm sorry I don't have any information. I was in Hilton Head wearing a Villanova T -shirt and his mother came up to me and said she was a Villanova graduate. She said her son ran XC and track and wished VU would recruit him. I googled him and discovered he had some fairly good times. Sorry thats the only info I have.
that's good enough - if you have his name and high school, worth passing along
Posted on 8/12 4:17 PM | IP: Logged
I've sent the info (including the link below) to the appropriate person.
http://nc.milesplit.us/athletes/111979
Posted on 8/12 11:21 PM | IP: Logged
There is still no word on the Irish girl, and since school will start soon, I imagine she might sit out this year.
OT: The BE Cross Country Championship is in Syracuse: I will probably go up. The last cross country race I saw was my senior year at West Catholic (1954), and it was run somewhere in Fairmount Park.
Posted on 8/13 8:15 AM | IP: Logged
LSU - you wouldn't happen to be Marty LiquoriN would you? If so, I have your SI cover hanging in my apt.
TMJ: No, I'm not Liquori, although I too had that SI cover on my wall when I was a kid.
Two items re: recruting:
Ciara Mageean from Ireland has indeed confirmed that she will take a gap year and look to enter university in the fall of 2011. Next up for her: the Commonwealth Games.
Also, Tom Kehl from Judge has enrolled at Shippensburg. I was guessing it would be LaSalle for him. He had some academic issues that limited his options. Otherwise he'd have signed earlier and at a higher profile program. Still, Steve Spence is about as good a coach as there is and Kehl should benefit.
Posted on 8/21 12:51 AM | IP: Logged
Damn I am getting old. Spence's daughter is gonna be what a jr. this. I remember watching Spence set the course record in a D2 XC 2 team race btw. Ship, Millersville and E. Stroudsburg. He was a stud in college, tough as nails.
Posted on 8/21 3:37 PM | IP: Logged
Earlier, there had been talk of Sam Ellison (Upper Dublin, PA) trying to choose amongst Villanova, Syracuse and Pittsburgh. I recently came across something that "suggested" he might have chosen Villanova, but I cannot verify this. Does anyone out there have better sources? Say is there a student on this site?
Note: The XC roster is up.
The VU website does not takeoone to the new roster. Try the link below.
I just googled his name, and he is an extremely versatile thin clad. But I don't know his distance times. Since he is class of 2010, he'd better make up his mind very soon. The Cuse is making big strides in both track and Xcountry.
Posted on 9/3 2:38 PM | IP: Logged
I just checked and there is a "Samuel Ellison" newly enrolled at Villanova. Not sure, of course, if it's the one you're asking about. I'll try to verify.
Also, there is no Sam Ellison listed on the newly released Syracuse and Pitt XC or T&F rosters for 2010-2011.
This post was edited on 9/3 3:07 PM by LSU-Nit
Posted on 9/3 2:58 PM | IP: Logged
Confirmed -- Sam Ellison (Upper Dublin HS, Fort Washington, PA) made his college choice at the last minute (July) and he's enrolled at Villanova. Pretty versatile athlete: 1:52 800 and 6'5" HJ.
Here's his PRs:
200 Meter Dash - 23.46 300 Meter Hurdles - 39.59 400 Meter Dash - 48.75 800 Meter Run - 1:52.38 High Jump - 6-5
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