Personal Update

Unfortunately my computer has gotten a viurs, I will try to continue my best of series and possibly talk some XC. If I am not able to do that I hope to be back before September thanks for your support.

Best of series Part 3

Well I am back, let's continue our best of series by taking a look at the top 100 meter schools for women and why.



THE BEST 100 METER SCHOOLS FOR WOMEN




5. The University of Miami (FL)- What a great job Amy Deem has done as the coach for the University of Miami. Deem has developed world class talent from nothing and has made phenoms even better. Deem may not recruit a superstar but she has been able make them. Lauryn Williams was a top high school recruit from Pennsylvania and Detroit. Williams arrived on campus with a personal best of 11.53 and with in 3 years Williams ran a personal pest of 10.96 to win a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. She has also developed sprinter Murielle Ahoure into a 100 meter threat with a personal of 11.09. Deem is also the coach of Bahamian sprinter Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie who has a Olympic medalist in the 200 meters and was also a member of the gold medal winning 2000 4x100 meter relay from the Bahamas.



4. University of Southern California- Yes this is one of the most historic sprinting programs in our countries history. Yes in the past the coaching staff has severely underachieved in this event but they have also have had some amazing success stories. For example, Inger Miller, Carol Rodriguez, Alexis Weatherspoon, Natasha Meyers, Torri Edwards, Miya Edmonson, Virginia Powell and Angela Williams the only athlete to win 4 straight times. Joining the Trojans this coming fall are Jessica Davis, Jenna Puterbaugh and Loudia Laarman. Davis has a personal best of 11.45, Puterbaugh of 11.76 and Laarman 11.71. Expect for those 3 to add great depth to a pretty good program. After last season 0 point performance at the NCAA meet expect for the Trojans to avenge themselves especially in the sprints.




3. University of Texas- Bev Kearney is one of the best sprint coaches in the world, she has been to recruit some of the best sprinters in the United States and turn them into even greater sprinters. The names under Kearney say it all, Lakeisha Backus, Nanceen Perry, Marshavette Hooker, Alexandria Anderson, Bianca Knight and Sanya Richards. Yes Richards was a great collegiate 400 runner but don't forget she won the 100 meters at the Big 12 Championship in 2003 and 2004. Kearney did not have strong success in this event last season, but expect Chalonda Goodman to regain her top form after missing part of last season due to injury and performing at average level during the indoor season.


2. Texas A&M University- Pat Henry is bringing his success from LSU to the Aggies and has already won back to back NCAA Championships. However Henry has yet to have that successful 100 meter champion he has been close with several great athletes such as Porscha Lucas, Allison George, Gabby Mayo, Jeneba Tarmoh, Dominique Duncan and Simone Facey. Facey obviously the best athlete under Henry having ran a personal best of 10.95. There is still plenty of talent returning with Mayo, Tarmoh and Duncan including Chandrell Stephens and incoming freshman Ashley Collier. The Aggies cannot take over the top spot until they start developing 100 meter champions, in a matter of time I expect for them to do just that.



1. The most historic program in women's collegiate history is the LSU Lady Tigers. No program has been known for its sprinters than LSU. The NCAA Champions ( Ester Jones, Cheryl Taplin, Sherry Fletcher, Kelly Ann Baptiste and collegite record holder Dawn Sowell). You also have greats, Cheryl Taplin, Zundra Feagin, Peta-Gaye Dowdie (200 NCAA Champion) Muna Lee, Stephanie Durst, Sadonna Thornton, Kwajelin Butler and Juanita Broaddus. There is no doubt during Pat Henry's tenure as the head coach of LSU this is an event that the Tigers consistently excelled in. Now under Dennis Shaver's director the program has not fallen off. Shaver has developed Kelly Ann Baptiste and Sherry Fletcher into champions. Watch for Takeia Pinckey and Kimberlyn Duncan under Shaver these two will be the next great sprinters from LSU.

BEST OF SERIES PART 2 MEN'S 110 HURDLES

Let's continue our best of series by taking a look at the 5 best men's programs for 110 high hurdles.

The United States has been able to enjoy for years having the talent and coaching for this event. So many great olympic champions including Allen Johnson and Roger Kingdom. They are so many great programs in the country but 5 truly standout.

5. Southern California Univeristy- Southern Cal has one of the most storied traditions in this event the NCAA Champions in this event alone set USC apart with 9 individual champions. Although USC is not the dominant sprint power it was in the 60's and 70's they are still very relevant. The Trogans have Oscar Spurlock and Brandon Ames returning. Spurlock is returning as an All-American and Ames is returning after having a solid season clocking under 14 seconds multiple times. Ames may have earned the individual honors had he not been injured during the end of the season. USC could have a 1-2 finish in the Pac-10 along with having 2 All-Americans.

4. University of Florida- Yes, I know this is my favorite sprint program and I will probably get complaints for taking the Gators over the Trogans. I don't allow the past truly affect the present in my decision in ranking these programs. The Gators under Mike Hollway have had an excellent 110 hurdles history, Rickey Harris, NCAA Champion Josh Walker, Kalinka Pitt, Dennis Martin and William Wynne. Wynne currently is the top hurdler on campus and unfortunately missed all of last season injured. If Wynne had been healthy the Gators are the obvious pick for the national title. Along with Wynne return is Jarius Cooper who has been up and down and maybe looking to make some major improvements. Eddie Lovett the nation's top high school hurdler will also join the two and we are still waiting on a possible second recruit. The Gators look primed for a strong season in the SEC.

3. Nebraska University- Billy Maxwell is the sprints and hurdles coach for the Cornhuskers. Maxwell has done a phenomenal job as coach, athletes such as David Davis Jr., Kirkland Thornton and Lehann Fourie. Fourie ended the season as an All-American and 2nd best hurdler in the Big 12 conference. Eric Lund returns as the top hurdler for the Cornhuskers, expect for Maxwell to develop Lund into an All-Conference level while developing other talent on the roster.

2. Texas Tech University- Wes Kittley hurdle program has been one of the best hurdle programs in the country for a long time. Kittley has produced All-Americans Omo Osaghe, Shawon Harris and Marlon Odom. Currently Jansen Hyde, Brandon Tucker and Jamele Mason will look to carry on the great tradition of All-American hurdlers for Texas Tech University. Osaghe did not compete last outdoor season and may have another season to compete to add to the great hurdle depth of the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. Tucker and Mason should make great improvements in another season under Kittley's system.

1. South Carolina University- Also known as the other USC. The Gamecocks under Curtis Frye have been the most successful program at producing 110 hurdlers Terrance Trammell, Jason Richardson and Johnny Dutch are just to name a few. Booker Nunley looks to be the next great Gamecock under Curtis Frye. Nunley finished second at the NCAA Indoor Meet and even injured last outdoor season was able to garnish All-American honors and perform admirably at the SEC Outdoor Championship. As long as Curtis Frye is at South Carolina I think the Gamecocks are the easy pick to be the best 110 hurdles program.

NEXT POST: TOP 5 WOMEN'S 100 METER PROGRAMS.