Final thoughts: IC4A steeplechase

IC4A Championships, 137th annual

Friday, May 10, 2013

Princeton University

Princeton, NJ

3,000-meter steeplechase

25-Arquimedes DelaCruz 9:27.85

71.1, 2:22.6 (71.5), 3:34.7 (72.1), 4:47.3 (72.6), 6:03.0 (75.7), 7:21.7 (78.7), -- (missed), 9:27.85

Final thoughts: As of this writing, it is not clear whether Quimes’ career is over. He is 58th on the East Region steeplechase list; the top 48 in each event earn a spot in the NCAA Championships. If 10 athletes ahead of him do not declare, we will be heading to Greensboro, N.C., for one final steeplechase. If not, it has been one hell of a ride. Over 12 seasons of competition, Quimes improved, PRed or did something remarkable each and every season. That is virtually unheard of; we have had great runners through the years, but they always have a down season or a redshirt season. The greatest runners in school history did not have that sort of linear, improving career arc. Q brought a sort of mindless toughness to races that we always joked about, but also always appreciated. This final effort here was not indicative of his body of work. But as I told him, not all great stories have happy endings. We will not let this deter from the legacy of the GOAT.