Another M Olympian - Mason Ferlic in steeplechase
Didn't see it posted yet, but just watched a replay of track and field trials and caught former Michigan runner and current volunteer assistant coach Mason Ferlic come in third in the 3000m steeplechase to clinch a spot on the Olympic team.
Go Blue!
It was a great performance by Ferlic. BTW; he's a teammate of Hobbs and both coached by Ron Warhurst in Ann Arbor. Ferlic is recent U of M grad in the past few years. He is a sub 4 min miler as well.
As for Hobs, I watched the race live last evening. He didn't look sharp and ran continually in the rear part of the pack. Post race comment by Hobbs said he was a little emotionally tired. Hobbs should have run the first half of the race near the front of the pack-like he belonged there.
It's hard to outkick a group of guys with 1) ability to run the last 400 in 52 sec or under(they ran 52.0) and 2) moved from last to first which would have demanded an effort of 51 sec to move on the final round.
Congrats to Ferlic and better luck next time for Hobbs. I'll admit in my comments yesterday, pre race that I expected Hobbs to make the Top 3 and go to Tokyo, so I was wrong. The Crow doesn't taste too well but I'll live. I also think Hobbs make have peaked too soon, like in May when he ran the 3:34 time. Hard to keep a peak for 6 or so weeks. Even the world's best rarely accomplish that.
Awesome performance! Congrats to alum Steve Bastien on finishing 2nd in decathlon, too!
I was going through the Aero Dept the same time as Mason. Great guy on top of being a great athlete. Congrats!
I have the event recorded but haven't watched it yet. Love seeing anyone from Michigan making the Olympic team.
Did anyone watch the girls steeplechase? Leah Falland (O'Connor) who ran for MSU a couple years back was in the top 3 and she fell with just 2 laps left and couldn't catch back up to the leaders. Just missed the olympic team. That was sad to see.
I haven't seen Kesslers race yet. At least he is young and should have multiple shots in the future.