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D2 Deep Dive (Part Two)
- Admin (Garrett Zatlin)
- Jan 19, 2022
- 7 min read
NOTE: We already spoke about Aaron Ahl in our Bringing Back Recaps (Part Two) article.
Novak Moves Up in Distance, Runs 9:40 for 3000 Meters
The Academy of Art has quietly produced some outstanding D2 distance talents over the last few years. James Young, for example, emerged as an elite miler in 2021 and has since joined D1 middle distance powerhouse Ole Miss.
On the women's side, Natalia Novak has quietly been one of the better distance runners in all of D2 for years now. That's why it should come as no surprise that she has once again put herself near the top of the national leaderboard.
However, what we didn't expect from Novak was her running 9:40 in the 3000 meters this past weekend, battling with Central Connecticut standout Angelia Rafter who won the race with a mark of 9:21.
Novak has predominately been an 800 meter and 1500 meter runner, building her reputation as a D2 middle distance star in those events. However, Novak has now flexed a level of stamina that we've never seen out of her before. In fact, this was the first 3000 meter race of her collegiate career!
On paper, Novak could probably qualify for the indoor national meet in the 3000 meters with that time, although that's not necessarily a given, either. The Academy of Art standout is still better off in events like the 800 meters, the mile and the DMR.
That said, in a tactical 3k race at the national meet, someone who boasts great turnover like Novak could kick her way to All-American honors.
Unlikely? Yes.
Possible? Very.
Leventry Settles for 4:09 While Battling Georgia Tech Men
I really like Joseph Leventry. I think he's super underrated and doesn't get enough credit for the improvements that he has made throughout his career. He had a tough outing at the cross country national meet this past fall, but that performance is not at all indicative of his actual talent.
This past weekend, the Montavello ace toed the line for the mile to battle multiple Georgia Tech runners. Although he settled for 3rd in that race, he was still competitive with the ACC athletes, finishing with a time of 4:09.
That's not an Earth-shattering performance, but it is a really nice start to his season -- and it's a personal best! Leventry is probably better suited for the 3000 meters and the 5000 meters, but he needs to capitalize on his current fitness and find a race where he will run up to his full potential.
Leventry has yet to qualify for the national meet on the track, and if the 3000 meters or 5000 meters doesn't work out for him this winter, he could pivot in late February and make a few attempts at a faster mile to extend his postseason.
Cunningham Cruises to Win, Runs Converted 9:49
The Winona State youngster continues to do fantastic things after a monster cross country season where she established herself as a D2 distance elite. Her recent flat-track converted 9:49 effort for 3000 meters validates that talent, although it's not exactly a surprise to see someone of her caliber run that kind of mark.
What should we expect from Lindsay Cunningham this season? In theory, the 3000 meters and 5000 meters are her best options, but maybe she'll drop down in distance to the mile.
While we could look at her results from last winter and spring, it seems fair to say that Cunningham's recent jump in fitness makes those past marks less relevant to her postseason hopes for this winter.
As good as her 9:49 mark is, that time won't qualify her for the indoor national meet. She's certainly capable of running faster, but it will be interesting to see what venues and races Cunningham pursues later this winter.
Pierantoni Secures Promising 8:05 (3k) Conversion
It's really hard to dislike Josh Piereantoni. He has the been the figurehead during Colorado Christian's rise to national prominence and he has emerged as a true national contender in the longer distances.
The RMAC star just ran 8:19 for 3000 meters at 5300 feet of altitude, finishing as the top collegiate. However, after conversion, that mark now sits at 8:05, a massive result that should put Pierantoni into the national meet without much of an issue.
As impressive as this performance was, it's hard to be surprised by this Colorado Christian runner anymore. He is outstanding when racing at altitude and has qualified for numerous national meets in previous seasons.
In other words, we've seen him do this before.
Pierantoni still needs to find a new tier fitness if he wants to go from being a national qualifier to an All-American contender, the latter being something that he has not yet accomplished on the track.
Regardless, you aren't going to find many guys who are as consistent as this long distance veteran. Pierantoni knows how to compete with some of the best distance talents in all of D2 and that won't change this winter.
If he's running this well in January, we can't wait to see what he does in February and March.
Rookie Annika Esvelt Follows Fast Field to Run 9:51
Seattle Pacific always seems to produce standout individuals who have gone on to become national contenders at the D2 level (and even at the D1 level on some occasions).
Second-year talent Annika Esvelt posted a promising time of 9:51 for 3000 meters this past weekend at the University of Washington, a result that was arguably the best performance of her still-young collegiate career.
After running 9:57 for 3000 meters back in December, it is very encouraging to see Esvelt continuing to make improvements and chopping off time. If she sustains this rate of improvement, an appearance at the indoor national meet in March could be possible.
This does, however, make me wonder what she could run for 5000 meters. Esvelt didn't contest that distance at all during the 2021 spring season and her cross country season, while solid, didn't give us a great gauge of what she would be capable of doing at that distance on the track.
Either way, this was a really nice result for Esvelt and we should be encouraged by what we've seen from her so far.
Myles Bach Runs 8:17 En Route to Comfortable Win
The former Gonzaga runner and current Nebraska-Kearney talent has come into the Lopers' program and has made an instant impact. Bach ran 8:17 for 3000 meters this past weekend, comfortably earning a win with the next-best finisher being almost 16 seconds behind him.
With a personal best of 14:36 for 5000 meters and a recent 3000 meter personal best that gave him a comfortable win, one has to think that there is still more in the tank for Bach.
If he's able to post a PR without being challenged, then what can he do when he's actually in a stronger field when he's chasing nationally competitive talents?
Paige Tack Earns 9:54 Conversion to Defeat Erin Norton
Much like teammate Pierantoni, Colorado Christian runner Paige Tack took to the 3000 meters this past weekend where she earned a nice altitude conversion of 9:54 for 3000 meters. The result, while likely a non-factor on the national stage, is still reflective of the excellent cross country season that Tack just wrapped up. She ended her fall season with a 19th place finish at the NCAA XC Championships.
Running a time as fast as that makes sense when you look at Tack's performances on the grass. However, the most impressive part of her race was the fact that she took down MSU-Denver star Erin Norton in the process.
Norton is an established veteran and one of the better long distance threats in the RMAC. Seeing Tack defeat Norton is fairly notable and it further validates an already excellent season opener for the rising Colorado Christian standout.
Day Battles With D1 Opponents, Produces 8:18 (3k) PR
Alabama-Huntsville veteran Jay Day has been the leader of the Chargers for a few seasons now, mainly emerging as a top cross country scorer who can consistently deliver respectable results.
Admittedly, most of Day's success has come on the grass as opposed to the track. However, his 3000 meter performance this past weekend was very promising.
The Gulf South Conference distance runner posted a respectable time of 8:18 for 3000 meters at the Commodore Indoor Invitational, settling for a 4th place finish behind a trio of D1 runners from Auburn and Georgia Tech.
In theory, a potential matchup between Jay Day and Joe Leventry in the 3000 meters would be super exciting. Both men are (roughly) on the same tier when it comes to their perceived fitness and both men would benefit from pushing each other to a potential national qualifying mark.
Either way, this was a really nice sign for Day who has seemingly translated most of his cross country fitness to the indoor oval through this still-early winter track season.
Paced By Teammates, Bix Settles For 13:56 in 5000 Meters
There had been talk of Lee's Carson Bix, the superstar transfer from Adams State, going after a 5000 meter effort this past weekend. Sure enough, Bix toed the line for a race that was setup solely for his success.
In the end, Bix ran 13:56 for 5000 meters, a time that now sits at NCAA #5 on the D2 national leaderboard.
This kind of result shouldn't surprise anyone. Bix has been a national-caliber star for a while now. He's been outstanding on the grass and has proven to be an elite miler as well. In fact, he's run 13:46 for 5000 meters before this race!
I'm willing to bet that Bix was looking for something faster than 13:56.
Even so, that shouldn't takeaway from the incredible talent of the Flames' newest superstar. In theory, the 3000 meters is a race that best suits Bix. His personal best of 8:03, while certainly very strong, could stand to lose a few seconds.
If I had to guess, I would think that Bix could run around 7:55 to 7:57 at some point this season. Of course, what he actually runs this season isn't as important as how he performs on the national stage.
In the right setting, against the right competition and on the right day, Bix could be someone who wins gold at the NCAA Indoor Championships this year.
In what event? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
