I've become somewhat interested in how the different clubs stack up against one another in the Possum Trot. I decided to look over the results (which are on-line) and to tally up points for clubs based on their finishes over the first 5 PT's. No doubt there are many ways to do this. I decided on this simple scheme: The clubs in the men's category would be awarded 5 points for 1st, 4 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd, 2 for 4th, and 1 for 5th (each year). The clubs of women finishers would be awarded 3 for 1st, 2 for 2nd, and 1 for 3rd (each year). There were 2 points unclaimed by a club from a women's finisher in PT IV (since I couldn't determine the club). Here are the club rankings:

All-Time Possum Trot Standings

Club	Points
----	------
OK	46
SLOC	17
RMOC	16
NEOC	5
MNOC	3
USMA	3
PTOC	1

It should come as no surprise that OK is on top. It isn't a really big lead since there are about as many points awarded to the other clubs combined as to OK. It will be interesting to see what happens this year between SLOC and RMOC. They are both quite competitive for that prestigious 2nd spot. The outcome may depend most on who shows up. If the start list holds to form in 2002, Sharon looks like a shoe-in to bring RMOC another PT win. If Swampfox is there, it could be a "one-two" punch. Perhaps the "kinder" forest at Knob Knoster will be enough to lure him away from the ski trails this year. SLOC has gained ground recently with impressive showings by Dave Frei and Eric Buckley. If they finish a place or two higher each, the points will really add up. Perhaps Rich Ruid will be back this year and SLOC will have a powerful trio to finish in the medals or to take a shot at the win.

OK will be quite safe in these standings for at least another year, even if we completely blow off this PT. I don't expect that to happen, however. I hope that OK can continue to build its lead. A healthy Spike would sure help towards that end.

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 07, 2002

Answers

I plan to be there, ready to earn points for OK. There are rumors (credible) that Dan is not running this year. That won't help OK, but I think we are a strong enough club to maintain our lead.

Terhi Kauppila will bring a new dimension to the women's race. Will she be considered an OKer or run as Tampereen Pyrinto?

There have been rumors that Peggy and Nadim might appear. If so, OK is even stronger (Nadim has a life-time OK membership even though his current USOF club is Quantico).

Peter Gogol (sp?) -- a KU student -- was at Shawnee Mission Park yesterday and had a decent showing. But finishing in the points is probably too much to expect from him at this stage of his O' career.

Does Gene have a top five finish in him? His Hood-to-Coast training was impressive.

Will Mary ever run a 'Trot?

I'm expecting this year's Trot to be tough -- maybe the toughest ever? Shifman was originally planning a 20K course. I've heard he has shortened it to 18K. If the weather is grim, it will be more than tough.

-- Michael (meglin@juno.com), October 07, 2002.

How about revising the point system to give PTOC some points for organizing the race?

-- Michael (meglin@juno.com), October 09, 2002.

I wouldn't say that Mook is cooking the books as OK comes out on top of any reasonable points system. However, I think if one looks a bit deeper in the field a much different picture emerges. Counting the top 10 would certainly move SLOC well clear of RMOC. It would also help PTOC's pitiful point total - especially if Gary Thompson's results were given to PTOC rather than SLOC.

It appears that SLOC's best bet to improve would be to convince Yvonne Deyo to run. Rich, Dave, and I are all good bets for the top 5, but I don't think any of us is a threat to win.

-- Eric (ejbuckley@earthlink.net), October 10, 2002.

Spike wrote:
There are rumors (credible) that Dan is not running this year

I heard that too. They say that Snorkel doesn't have any more Trots left in his legs. Fifteen years ago it would have been nothing for him to run a good strong pace, but the years have not been kind to Snorkel. They're saying that he might be able to hobble around an orange course in Idaho next summer, walking on the uphills, but even that might be a bit of a stretch.

Expect Snorkel to sign up for the Trot, perhaps follow along for the first few kilometers, then return to the start for some cookies 'n' punch.

-- Mook (everett@psi.edu), October 14, 2002.