ACC Outdoor Championship Review

What a great meet. One of the best things about the NCAA Outdoor season is the early conference championships. The ACC has long been one of the best conferences in track and field with great distance racing and sprinting, that was on display this past weekend. We watched as the usual suspects defended their crowns, the Clemson women and the Florida State men. For Clemson it was their fourth in a row and for Florida State it was their seventh.

Women

In the sprints Clemson dominated. Stormy Kendrick completed the individual double by winning the 100 and 200 in 11.25 and 23.09. Teammate Marlena Wash finished 2nd in the 200 with a time of 23.26 but claimed the victory in the 400 with a time of 52.28. Her performance was more than a second greater than her closest competitor.

Brianna Rollins fell just short of defeating Tierra Brown of Miami(FL) who won clocking in at 12.94 over Rollins 12.99. Rollins led a 2-3-4 finish in the 100 hurdles for Clemson. Brown was the expected winner in the 400 hurdles but much to every one suprise Latoya James of North Carolina took the crown in a time of 55.83. Brown finished second but needed medical attention near the finish line. Lets hope her season is now over after the great performance she gave over the weekend.

In the relays Clemson claimed the 4x100 relay in 44.27 with a team of Michaylin Golliday, Stormy Kendrick, Misha Morris and Jasmine Edgerson. North Carolina outlasted Clemson in the 4x400 relay with a winning time of 3:34.42. The team included Christine Johnson, LaToya James, Tasha Stanley and Zoey Russell.

In the distance events Clemson got a big lift from Kimberly Ruck who won the 10,000 meter run in a time of 33:47.85. Alyssa Kulik provided a solid 8 points to Clemson after a second place finish in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 10:05.51. Senior Stephanie Garcia won the event and was the sub 10 minute performer in 9:55.10.

Hometown senior Kate VanBuskirk of Duke made sure she would go out on top since her school was the host of meet. VanBuskirk ran a stellar race from beginning to end clocking in at 4:16.68 to win the 1,500.

In the 800 Jillian King of Boston College had to fight off a strong North Carolina trio to win the title in close battle down to the line. King's winning time of 2:04.88 was just enough to hold off Ashley Verplank of North Carolina in 2nd at 2:04.99.

In the 5,000 meter run Florida State was led by a freshman. Freshman Jessica Parry took home the title 16:14.74. Her performance was a great one winning by more than 8 seconds.

In the jumps senior Kimberly Williams of Florida State was the discussion. Williams has been one of the greatest collegiate jumpers ever. She has multiple national championship medals in the triple jump and many All-American honors in the long jump. Williams did not dissapoint by claiming the jumping double winning the long jump in 20-6 1/4 and leap of 46-1 1/4 to set a ACC and stadium record in the triple jump. Clemson was second in both jumping events along with multiple scorers in both events.

April Sinkler was one of those athletes who finished 2nd for Clemson in the long jump but she took the title in the High Jump with a mark of 5'10.50. Teammate and freshman Lauren Terstappen provided solid team points as well in the pole finish 2nd scoring 8 points. Terstappen tied Florida State's Lizbeth Mabry's of mark of 13'3.75, however Mabry had fewer misses.

In the throwing events Virginia Tech had two great team performances winning the shot put and hammer throw keeping them inside the team competition. Freshman Samira Burkhardt had a throw 52'3.25 and Doretea Habazin won the hammer with 224'3".

Kristen Batts a senior from Maryland went out on in top in the discus, on her final throw 160'11 to overtake Duke freshman Erica Brand. Brand's teammate made up for her runner-up finish claiming the Javelin with a mark 155'1.

In the heptathlon, the ultimate event Clemson again showcased their power finishing 1-2 in the event. Senior Liane Weber claimed the title with a total point score 5,463 and fellow senior Patricia Mamona followed with a total of 5,293.

This is becoming pretty routine for Clemson and they will continue to grow to become a national championship contender.

NEXT POST: MEN'S Review and Penn Relays Preview

OUT SICK!

Sorry the for the lack of posts, been dealing with the flu. I will try and have an ACC Championship Recap and or Penn Relay preview sometime this week. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Season Update

We have now reached the middle of April. We have learned a lot about some of the premier teams in Collegiate track and field but there are still some teams who have not displayed their hand. The Florida and Texas Relays have past, both had there ups and downs. Let's review some of the season's best.


MEN

SPRINTER OF THE SEASON (so far)

Senior Demetrius Pinder of Texas A&M is lighting the track on fire. A positive representative of his country, the Bahamas, Pinder has taken over as the go to guy for Texas A&M in the sprints. Earlier in the season Pinder defeated 400 star Jeremy Wariner in the 200 that shows he will be competitive this summer at the world championships in Daegu. Pinder's time of 20.54 is currently ranked number 2 in the country. Pinder is also ranked number 2 in the country in the 400 with a time of 45.06 behind teammate Tabarie Henry at 44.83. Pinder also anchored the Texas A&M 4X400 meter relay to a time of 3:00.45 a new Texas Relay's record.

Honorable Mention: Jeff Demps


FIELD ATHLETE OF THE SEASON (so far)

Ngonidzashe Makusha of Florida State has been a sensational long jumper all season. Makusha claimed the NCAA Indoor title over Will Claye of the University of Florida and has not looked back. Makusha set a Texas Relay's record last weekend with a winning mark of 27'6.75. His mark beat his competition by more than a foot. Makusha has the same margin over the country as he is currently ranked number 1. Makusha is huge in the team battle for Florida State. Keep your eye on him this outdoor season.


DISTANCE RUNNER OF THE SEASON (so far)

Ciaran O'Lionaird a senior from Florida State is getting his season off to a great start. O'Lionaird a transfer from the University of Michigan leads the NCAA in the 1,500 with a time of 3:41.02. O'Lionarid is also ranked number 2 in the 10,000 with a time of 28:32.30. With the ACC Championships around the corner. Expect O'Lionarid to be on the top of the podium often.


FRESHMAN OF THE SEASON (so far)

Prezel Hardy of Texas A&M was the number 1 sprinting recruit last season. Hardy has not disappointed for A&M this season. Hardy currently ranks 6th in the country and tied with another freshman. However Hardy is having a much better 200 meter outdoor season currently ranked number 9 with a personal best of 20.74. Hardy was also given the tough task of anchoring the 4x100 relay that is currently ranked number 1 clocking in at 38.71 to win the Texas Relay's title. Hardy definitely has a bright future and is an athlete to watch out for.


NEXT POST: WOMEN

Weekend Review Part 2 Florida Relays

Women's Review


Florida Relays

This was interesting weekend for the Women. The host, The University of Florida, is in serious rebuild mode at this time. Majority of the teams big points come from freshman. From South Carolina University indoor 60 meter champion LaKya Brookins also had a so-so performance in the 100 meter dash. Brookins finished 6th overall with a time of 11.64. That time is not indicative of her great 7.09 60 meter performance and the indoor championship. It is still April and Brookins has a lot of time to improve. This meet was not a major firecracker for the women.

The most outstanding performance of the weekend goes to Francena McCrory. On Day 1 McCrory stunned the crowd with a phenomenal performance in the 400 clocking in at 50.50. McCrory's time is currently ranked number 1 in the world. This time really should not have been a surprise last indoor season she ran 50.54 indoors to set an indoor American record. McCrory is certainly capable of a sub 50.0 performance and can be considered for medal contention this outdoor season at the World Championships.

Cory McGee was a bright spot for the Gators. The talented freshman displayed her versatility as a distance runner by winning the 800. McGee clocked in at 2:07.45 to claim the victory. She did not compete in her best event the 1,500. McGee is amongst a great crop of female middle distance runners in the United States. The future is looking bright for American distance running and for the University of Florida.

Ti'erra Brown a senior from Miami also had a noteworthy performance this past weekend. Brown clocked in at 56.91 to win the 400 meter hurdles. Brown did not compete in the high hurdles all indoor season and may solely be focusing on the 400 hurdles to prepare for the latter part of the outdoor season. Brown is the defending USA National Champion and a runner up from the NCAA Championship last outdoor season. Brown is getting off to a great start to her season.

In Day 2 the Relays were ruled by the professional athletes. The Speed Divas which consisted of Marshevet Myers, Natasha Hastings, Lauryn Williams and Bianca Knight, won the 4x100 relay, 4x200 relay and 4x400 relay. The Divas clocked in at 42.75 in the 4x100 relay to set a new meet record, 1:31.02 in the 4x200 relay and the only team under 3:30 in the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:29.67. The Divas will be competing at the Texas Relays which should have its own great professional competition.

Top collegiate performance go to the Central Florida Knights who finished 2nd in two events with times of 43.53 and 1:32.81 respectively. Clemson was 2nd in the 4x400 relay in 3:35.18. The 4x800 relay belong to the ladies of North Carolina with a winning time of 8:53.92. The time does not excite you but was still a great performance.


It is still early in the season and although there were no noteworthy field performances at the Florida Relays there have been some great collegiate performances this season elsewhere. We will discuss those performances in our next post.

Next Post: A quick weekend recap of other meets.

Weekend Review

This past weekend was the first weekend of the month of April. Normally the first weekend in April gives insight in to were programs (USC) this weekend lets us know where they stand overall. USC does not run majority of their program indoors. Plenty of action took place this weekend let's review the Florida Relays.


MEN'S REVIEW

FLORIDA RELAYS

The University of Florida hosted 67th Florida Relay competition. The Florida Gators have a very large bulls eye on their back after winning the NCAA Indoor title. At the championship meet indoors the Gators went through some adversity whether it be injuries or simply bad performances. However they still were able to come out on top and claim the title. This past weekend Florida experienced some adversity.

Day 1 of the Florida Relays is a more individual competition for the collegiate and professional athlete. Eddie Lovett, Jarius Cooper and Gray Horn competed in the 110 meter high hurdles minus American hurdle star David Oliver who was absent. Lovett and Cooper performed admirably for their first meet. Lovett clocking in at 14.26 to finish 11th overall and Cooper clocking at 14.31 to finish 16th overall. Not the performances they had this past indoor season, but the guys have two months to go and Holloway always preaches to his athletes get better every week.

Demps may have lifted the Gators spirit with his NCAA leading time of 10.07. The time is an improvement off last season even with the small headwind. We may see a sub 10 performance by the end of the month. Keith Ricks of Virginia Tech also had a great performance clocking in at 10.33 to finish 3rd in the race and 2nd amongst collegiate athletes.

Shariff Webb a senior from the University of Kentucky had serious bad luck this past indoor season. At the SEC Championships he was the favorite to win and was tripped in the middle of the race. At the indoor national championships his time finished in the top 8 but he did not qualify to the finals because of automatic berths. Webb ran a solid race against Penn State's Ryan Foster and broke a 25 year old meet record with a winning time of 1:47.19. Webb's time currently ranks number 2 in the nation. Webb can definitely be considered a favorite to claim the outdoor crown.

On Day 2 it was all about the team which meant relays were in full effect. Things did not exactly start off right for the Gators. In the 4x100 Pure Athletics claimed the title with a time of 38.74 breaking the meet record. The Seminoles of Florida State took 2nd clocking in at 38.87 and the Gators were 3rd with a time of 38.91. I must admit as a Gator fan (as if you could not tell) I was a little upset with the loss to Florida State. However we must keep in mind this unit of Eddie Lovett, Leonardo Seymore, Terrell Wilks and Jeff Demps may not be the final group at the end of the season. For Florida State what a great time, the Seminoles tied LSU for the nation's top time. The group consisted of, David Ambler, Ngonidzashe Makusha, Brandon Byram and Maurice Mitchell. We must also remember this group ran that time without Charles Clark.

The 4x200 relay did not allow for the Gators to have any comfort either. On the second leg while in the lead Tony McQuay again came up injured with his hamstring. McQuay may need to sit until May and be slowly worked back into the swing of things. An unattached group won the race with a time of 1:21.23. The top collegiate time goes to South Carolina who finished 3rd overall in 1:22.83.

The 4x800 relay was a great race from start to finish. The professional group of G.W. Express Nike took the title in 7:28.65 over a young Florida time who finished 2nd with a time of 7:29.13.

The 4x400 relay did not feature Florida or Florida State but did feature George Mason. George Mason finished top amongst the collegiate teams and 3rd overall with a time of 3:06.47. G.W. Express Nike took the event with a world leading time of 3:00.80.

It is only early April there is still plenty to be had. But with the injury bug now attacking William Wynne and Tony McQuay how long can Florida's well rounded team last. Florida State is coming on strong. Do not expect for the Gators to still be ranked number 1 with the new rankings but by mid-season their grit and determination may push them back in the driver's seat.

**Something I Noticed**

The USC Trojans. What a great group they have this year. A phenomenal trio of 400 runners and a great pair of 400 hurdlers. To add to that a decent short sprint core. The Trojans are a strong team and may have enough to claim the Pac-10 title. Freshman Josh Mance is representing USC well. Keep an eye out for the Trojans this weekend at the Texas Relays.


Next Post: Women's Review