Wilma!!! Black History Month Honoree

Wilma Rudolph

Wilma Rudolph one of the best black female athletes and track and field athletes in world history. Rudolph won three Olympic Gold Medals at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games by winning the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash and 400 meter dash. Rudolph was given many nicknames for her phenomenal effort at the games, most notably she was called La Gazzella Negra by the Italians of Rome. Rudolph is known as of the most famous Tennessee State Tigerbelles of all time.

Rudolph's rise to fame was not easy. Born one 22 children. Rudolph suffered from the polio virus which caused her to have infantile paralysis. The diseased forced Rudolph to wear a brace on leg and foot. Rudolph also developed many other diseases as a child; chicken pox, measels, whooping cough and scarlet fever. None of that including having to return to Nashville to have her twisted leg straighten. It was not until age 12 was Rudolph able to shed her brace.

She was discovered Ed Temple the track coach for the Tennessee State Tigerbelles. Rudolph only competed in track due to the break in basketball. Temple new talent when he saw it. At the age of 16 Rudolph traveled with the American team to the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne. Rudolph ran the 3rd leg on the 400 meter relay team that claimed bronze.

Rudolph retired at a young age as well at 22. Rudolph decided to focus on her education and becoming a elementary teacher. Rudolph was inducted into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame in 1973, the National Track and Field Hall of fame in 1974 and the Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983. Wilma Rudolph is an icon and model athlete for all to follow. May her tremendous contribution to African-Americans in sports and to the sport of Track and Field never be forgotten.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND

Preview of Championship Weekend


This is one of the best weekends all year for track and field fans, college championship weekend. There is a multitude of conference championships, BCS and non-BCS alike. This weekend there will be many more automatic qualifiers to the NCAA Championship meet. There will also be great team performances, Florida men and Oregon women will have to earn their number 1 rankings this weekend.


SEC Preview (Men)

This conference is so dominant on the national level with national champions both individual and team. This season it is the usual suspects Florida, LSU and Arkansas. Florida is nationally ranked number 1 and LSU is nationally ranked number 2. Both have two great sprint and jump programs. Expect for Florida's quality distance core to be the deciding factor. Do not count out host Arkansas and the superior depth at distance and strong group of jumpers and sprinters.

Athlete of the Meet: Will Claye (Florida)

Conference Champion: Florida (Mike Holloway)


BIG 12 Preview (Men)

Texas A&M came up short last season finishing 2nd to a well rounded Oklahoma team. Oklahoma may not be able to match A&M's sprint depth but is solid in all phases of track and field. Gerald Phiri vs Mookie Salaam in the sprints will be huge in the team battle. For Oklahoma State look for German Fernandez to reach his 2009 form in which he was NCAA Champion in the mile. Texas A&M has added the 800 to their arsenal and should be enough to overcome Oklahoma.

Athlete of Meet: Gerald Phiri ( Texas A&M)

Conference Champion: Texas A&M (Pat Henry)


BIG 10 Preview (Men)

The team race in the Big 10 is very interesting. There are four solid teams with the capability to win the championship, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota and Iowa. All four programs have top performers in all phases of track and field. This meet may not be decided until the 4x400 relay and if it takes that Iowa is currently ranked number 1 in the relay. However Indiana may possess the most firepower.

Athlete of the meet: Andrew Bayer (Indiana)

Conference Champion: Indiana


ACC Preview (Men)

This conference has been dominated by Florida State, the Seminoles are seeking their 8th in a row. This season should not be any different. With a plethora of sprinters and jumpers, a solid group of distance runners and throwers; Florida State is the clear favorite to win again. Maurice Mitchell is currently number 1 in both 60 and 200 meter dashes. Mitchell's 20.70 in the 200 ranks number 2 in the country. Mitchell is a big part of Florida State's title hopes and will be added to the 4x400 relay. Robby Andrews of Virgina hopes to lead his team to ending the Seminoles reign. Andrews the favorite of the 800 may not provide enough for his team to win.



Next Post: Continue with the Previews.

Weekend Review Number 2

This past weekend was another great weekend in the NCAA. There were a lot of great individual performances and great team performances. We are winding down towards the post season more athletes have become automatic. The Tyson Invitational was the meet of the weekend followed by the Husky Classic with the most automatic performances.


Ladies Review

Most Impressive****

The most impressive performance this past weekend came from the Tyson Invitational. Junior Jacqueline Coward of Central Florida is performing as she was expected to coming out of high school. Coward claimed the 60 meter hurdle title in a time of 8.06 to tie for the number one time in the nation and earn automatic berth to the NCAA Championship. Coward was a stand out in high school setting a national record that may not be broken for a while.


Most Improved****

Senior Jackie Areson of Tennessee earns the most improved nod, Areson claimed the 5,000 meter title at the Husky Classic against great west coast competition. Areson clocked in at 15:39.81 to automatically qualify and claim the top spot in the nation. Areson is the top senior on a strong Tennessee squad.


Freshman of the week****

Cory McGee of the University of Florida is the easy favorite for this title. McGee competed at the Husky Classic at the University of Washington against great distance powers Oregon and Tennessee. McGee is the only freshman to automatic qualify for the National Championship meet in the mile and is currently ranked 4th in the nation. 4:36.53 was the time for McGee.

Field Performer of the Week

Florida State senior Kimberly Williams was the field performer of the week winning the triple jump at the Tyson Invitational with a winning performance mark of 45'5.75. Williams performance pushed her to the top mark in the nation and earned an automatic berth. Williams will be counted on heavily to help her team surpass Clemson as the ACC Indoor championship.


Men's Review


Most Impressive****

The most impressive performance comes from the field athlete of the week. It is very hard to automatically qualify in one event each week, our top performer qualified in two in one meet. Will Claye of the University of Florida already lead the nation in the triple jump. He improved on that performance last weekend at the Tyson Invitational with a leap of 55'10.25, Claye also earned an automatic berth in the long jump with a leap of 26-1. It is quite possible we may say a 56' mark from Claye this indoor season.


Most Improved****

Tony McQuay a teammate of Will Claye at the University of Florida earns the nod for most improved athlete. McQuay started the season a little injured running a 47.11 two weeks ago at the Virginia Tech Elite meet. McQuay clocked a 45.95 in the 400 meter dash at the Tyson Invitational and followed that with a time of 20.88 in the 200. McQuay is definitely an athlete to keep an eye on as we head into championship season.


Freshman of the week****

Stephen Saenz of Auburn was part of a great group of freshman last week, this week Saenz was clearly the cream of the crop for freshman. Saenz won the shot put last week at the Iowa State Classic defeating teammate Eric Werskey and defending champion Kemal Mesic of Florida. Saenz will have to keep the fire burning as we enter championship season, he is currently ranked number 1 in the shot put.

Big Weekend Review

This past weekend there was a plethora of great meets. The premier meet of the weekend is always the New Balance Collegiate Invitational in New York, the Virginia Tech Elite Meet, Notre Dame Meyo Invitational and the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup were also competitive as usual. There were plenty of great performances and athletes who have punched their tickets to nationals. Let's review a great weekend.

Ladies Review

THE MOST IMPRESSIVE**

The most impressive performance this weekend came from USC (University of Southern California) senior Nia Ali at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. Ali sat out last season and has began this season with a bang. Ali clocked in at 8.06 in the 60 hurdles defeating a strong field. In her first race Ali has already qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championship.

THE MOST IMPROVED**

The most improved performance was at the Notre Dame Meyo Invitational. Rebecca Addison of Michigan put on a great showing in the women's mile placing first with a huge personal best of 4:40.62. Her performance ranks 3rd nationally and best in the Big Ten.

FRESHMAN ON THE RISE**

The freshman on the rise is Jasmine Stowers of LSU. Stowers is one of three automatic qualifiers in the 60 hurdles in the nation. Stowers finished 2nd behind Ali at the New Balance Collegiate with a time of 8.13. Stowers is currently the top ranked hurdler in the SEC. The top ranked athlete in the SEC is a true honor and Stowers is a freshman who looks to dominate for a while at LSU.

FIELD PERFORMER OF THE WEEK**

Junior Tina Sutej of Arkansas continued her dominance in the pole vault. Sutej leaped to a height of 14 7- 1/4 to claim the pole vault title at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational earning an automatic qualifying spot to Nationals. With her recent performance we could see a 15 foot performance at the end of the indoor season.


Men's Review

THE MOST IMPRESSIVE**

The most impressive performance this weekend goes to Jeff Demps of Florida. Demps opened up his season with automatic qualifying 6.57 in the 60 meter dash at the Virginia Tech Elite meet. Demps personal best was set last season at 6.56, Demps may challenge the NCAA record of 6.45 set by Leonard Myles-Mills of BYU.

THE MOST IMPROVED**

Keiron Stewart of Texas made great strides in the 60 meter high hurdles at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. Stewart broke the tape at 7.68 earning the only automatic qualifying time in the event this season. Stewart just a sophomore will challenge his countrymen Andrew Riley of Illinois for the NCAA title.

FRESHMAN ON THE RISE**

There is not one single freshman that stood out this weekend, but there are four great freshman who should impact the championship discussion. Prezel Hardy of Texas A&M, Stephen Saenz of Auburn, Eddie Lovett of Florida and Brycen Spratling of Eastern Michigan my alma-mater.

Hardy is currently ranks 5th nationally in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.61 just 0.01 off from the automatic mark. Hardy is going to be relied on to provide big points for Texas A&M.

Saenz of Auburn is the only automatic qualifying male freshman in the nation. Saenz competes in the shot put and has a season best of 63-7.75. That mark places Saenz 5th on the national list.

Eddie Lovett of Florida is the top freshman hurdler in the country with a season's best of 7.88. Lovett will be a threat to win at the SEC Championship meet and potentially the NCAA Championship meet.

Spratling maybe the best sprinting freshman Eastern Michigan has had since Hasley Crawford. Spratling's time of 46.48 ran at last week's Meyo Invitational. Spratling is currently the only freshman in the nation under 47 seconds.

FIELD PERFORMER OF THE WEEK**

Christian Taylor of Florida has continued his winning streak in the triple jump. Taylor became the 3rd gator to automatically qualify in the event by leaping to victory at 54-6. Taylor currently is ranked 2nd in the nation behind teammate William Claye. Taylor is the defending NCAA Champion and is definitely on track to defend that crown.





UNTIL NEXT TIME*******