[Spiny_Norman]

BC, thanks for jumping in with the continuing narration.  I had to get off the Cardboard at a most inopportune time.  I followed the finish on my phone.

This format is fantastic for everyone.  It creates excitement and interest and drama that cannot really be matched under a straight medal play format (except in rare instances like 2008 when UCLA's men beat Stanford by a single shot with U*S*C only one more shot back).  Yesterday's competition was as tense as anything we might see all year in any sport.  Imagine the pressure that Conrad Ukropina felt as he lined up for the kick vs. ND.  The UW and Stanford players had to deal with that every time they stepped up to a crucial shot.  I played junior golf including high school on a team that won a state championship.  I had flashbacks to my own feelings and emotions on the 1st tee at a match or other tense moment.  The performance by the players yesterday under those circumstances was at an incredibly high level.

SemperCard, I had a similar thought about both Danielson's shot on 17 and Kim's approaches on 18.  I believe that both hit hybrids and ended up long and left to a back pin placement when the middle of the green was wide open.  I think they were both playing for the middle of the green but maybe adrenaline took over.  Ah well.

For now, look at the faces of the national runners up.  I am glad to see the smiles.  They should be mighty proud of what they accomplished.

http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.db...=210977621

[Spiny_Norman]

BC, thanks for jumping in with the continuing narration.  I had to get off the Cardboard at a most inopportune time.  I followed the finish on my phone.

This format is fantastic for everyone.  It creates excitement and interest and drama that cannot really be matched under a straight medal play format (except in rare instances like 2008 when UCLA's men beat Stanford by a single shot with U*S*C only one more shot back).  Yesterday's competition was as tense as anything we might see all year in any sport.  Imagine the pressure that Conrad Ukropina felt as he lined up for the kick vs. ND.  The UW and Stanford players had to deal with that every time they stepped up to a crucial shot.  I played junior golf including high school on a team that won a state championship.  I had flashbacks to my own feelings and emotions on the 1st tee at a match or other tense moment.  The performance by the players yesterday under those circumstances was at an incredibly high level.

SemperCard, I had a similar thought about both Danielson's shot on 17 and Kim's approaches on 18.  I believe that both hit hybrids and ended up long and left to a back pin placement when the middle of the green was wide open.  I think they were both playing for the middle of the green but maybe adrenaline took over.  Ah well.

For now, look at the faces of the national runners up.  I am glad to see the smiles.  They should be mighty proud of what they accomplished.

http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.db...=210977621