Bad News, Good News from Men's ACC Track & Field
The really bad news is that Jacory Patterson is not running in the 200 meter. We lose his projected 8 points and FSU guys all move up to increase their projected total by 6. A swing of 14 points in one event. We are also not doubling up our top guy in the 800 and mile and are missing a runner who was projected to place in the 800. A total loss of 8 points in the 2 events.
The good news is we have 3 guys competing in the heptathlon (the indoor version of the decathlon but with only 7 events) who hadn't competed in so far this year. Two of the guys, Jaelyn Demory and Matt Manilli, placed 7th and 8th last year but all 6 guys who placed ahead of them are either graduated or not entered. There are two other competitors from two years ago who should probably place 1-2 but we have a good shot at taking 2 of the next 3 slots. I'm projecting an additional 7-8 points in this event. We also have a pole vaulter who finished 3rd last year who hasn't vaulted in a meet this year. If healthy, we have a chance at a 1-2 sweep. We should easily pick up 4 extra points and it could be as much as 8.
UVa is missing the second ranked guys in the pole vault and shot put for a loss of 16 points. We might gain 2 points in the shot but FSU would gain 1.
At this point, FSU is the slight favorite. All of their athletes are competing in events as initially projected. The Distance Medley Relay tonight is critical for our chances. We need to finish in the top 2 with FSU out of the scoring.
Hopefully there is a home field advantage in track & field.
|
Posted: 02/21/2019 at 1:19PM