The Dual Meets We’ve All Been Craving
One of the hottest topics in the running community this past week has been the relative success of the recent Michigan versus The Ohio State University dual meet. The dual meet is compact, the team competition relatively easy to follow. What I think made “The Dual” most interesting, though, was that with Wolverines facing down their one natural enemy, the Buckeye, state tree of Ohio, you just knew both sides would be bringing it, and hard. That’s called intrigue, baby.
Well after the jump, I’ve compiled a little list of some other dual-meets I think we’d all like to see on the track and promoted to the hilt. The chief criteria? Serious rivalry, serious talent, serious commitment to getting the dang thing over while the student-athletes are both students and athletes.
USC v. UCLA. Crosstown rivalry between historic programs.
OREGON v. STANFORD. Simply put, a classic.
HARVARD v. YALE. Even classicker.
ARMY v. NAVY. I imagine this one taking place on the deck of an aircraft carrier, as a tank lobs shells from the shore. It would be like a slightly less intense version of the new version of “American Gladiators.”
BEATLES v. HENDRIX. Unfortunately, the Experience has no idea what’s in store for them. Ankle socks and the Fosbury Flop are science for Ringo, and Paul wields bony elbows and a withering kick in the Mid-D events.
CATHOLICS v. PROTESTANTS. Nothing says rivalry better than 490 years of disagreement…
CHRISTIANS v. MUSLIMS …except 900 years of disagreement. It’s about time they settled this like men: by wearing tiny shorts and joining in a group slow-clap for the jumps.
DINOSAUR v. MAN. According to a “museum” in Kentucky, these meets actually took place. If it’s in a “museum” it has to be true! Apparently these duals used to be a Cro-Mag staple and got HUGE TV ratings. You say I’m crazy, I say bring ‘em back! Just the shot in the arm we need!
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January 25th, 2008 at 10:48 am |
USC/UCLA and ARMY/NAVY already have duals. I know that UCLA/OREGON are also having a dual to reopen Hayward Field
January 25th, 2008 at 11:15 am |
The last three’s promotional posters would look good in the subway stations I think.
My attempt at extending the list of duals that everyone wants to see sans promo pictures:
-Bad Boy Records vs. Death Row Records (2pac: our 4×4 will make sho’ all yo’ kids don’t grow)
-Chasing Kimbia vs. Flotrack (Flotrack will probably need a much bigger team bus to get there)
-Peanut Butter vs. Jelly (we all know how ugly it ended up last time: http://www.smuckers.com/fg/pds/default.asp?groupid=2&catid=4&prodid=106 )
January 25th, 2008 at 12:08 pm |
I think the concept of the dual meet is great, and was what made
High school track so personal- it fueled rivarlies, and really
gave it an element that is hard to come by in college. Granted,
we have the MET and A-10 championships, but it’s hard to really
hate your opponent when you see them MAYBE once before the big
meet. Fordham vs. Manhattan or NYU dual meet anyone?
January 25th, 2008 at 12:49 pm |
Actually, I think Harvard and Yale annually stage a dual as well. But I’d like to see duals such as those (even, and maybe especially, the extant ones) brought to the forefront as potential ambassadors of the sport. Each is easily packaged for consumption by the average Joe.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:54 pm |
It’s not a dual meet per se . . . but I want to see Hillary and Obama in an 800m.