(ASHTON EATON
Decathlon Winner)
This past weekend started one of the more tense and competitive track and field meets in the world. The United States has the toughest rules to qualify for the Olympics. In most countries they allow a wild card or select the team all together depending on whether or not an athlete qualifies for the "A" standard. Each country is only allowed three individuals per event.
In the United States instead of having a wild card only the top three finishers in each event represent the country. To me, this is still questionable. I believe the top two, but I would leave a wild card spot open for third to allow a top athlete to compete in the event that they are injured. However the US Olympic Committee does not seem like they are changing their rules anytime soon so we must deal with the system currently in place.
The first weekend of the trials always catches my attention personally. Not only is the 100 meter dash held but also the 400 meter dash. This year many professional Americans have had up and down performances heading to the trials. Carmelita Jeter has the world's number 1 time in the women's 100, however she has lost two recent competitions and both performances were over 11.00 seconds. Her most recent defeat came at the Adidas Invitational in New York at the hands of Shelly Ann Fraser.
Jeter did not let her recent performances phase her. Running out of lane 6 the strong competitor from California ran a solid race to win 10.92 over Tianna Madison in 10.96. The event however would still not be without controversy and intrigue. The third position as it currently stands is shared. Both Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh are tied for the third position.
No decision has been made on how the tie-break will be made, however the Olympic rules will stand only three competitors in each event per country. In my opinion I would select the athlete who has the best overall potential to represent the US, Allyson Felix.
The men's 100 meter dash had the intrigue but no controversy. 2011 World Silver Medalist Walter Dix pulled up in the semi-finals with what seemed like a hamstring injury. Running out of lane 8 in the finals it was clear the Dix sustained the injury verified by the heavily bandage thigh.
Justin Gatlin who begin the competition with a bang ran a sensational race clocking in at 9.80 in cool temperatures. Gatlin had a strong start, solid drive phase and an amazing finish. His time is only second to Usain Bolt and makes him the best hope to win the 100 meter dash against Bolt. Tyson Gay proved that he was in good form, Gay clocked in at 9.86 to earn the second spot. Ryan Bailey completed the team with a of 9.93 over Michael Rodgers who finished fourth in 9.94.
Sanya Richards lived up to expectation by winning the 400 meter dash in dominating fashion. Running out of lane 5 Richards pushed the pace to about the 140 meter mark. She then ran a relaxed 110 meters and put the meter to the medal in the final 250 meters to clock in at 49.28. Her time in the 400 ties Chandra Cheesebourgh trials record set back in 1984. DeeDee Trotter and Francena McCrory will join her. Trotter clocked in at 50.02 to finish 2nd while McCrory finished third with a time of 50.43.
LaShawn Merritt has ran with a target on his back and plenty of scrutiny since returning from his drug suspension towards the end of 2011. The defending Olympic Champion claims to not be drug cheat since the substance was solely being used for his personal growth in a rather private area. Nonetheless, he still carried that burden. Merritt looked his usual powerful self running a solid well rounded race out of lane 6 to win in 44.12. Merritt used superior strength and speed down the final stretch. McQuay the NCAA Champion from Florida ran a new personal best in 44.49, while Bryshon Nellum of USC finished third in 44.80.
Nellum's story is a great one. To see an athlete who has experienced so much adversity over his career earn a spot on the team was special. The race was not special for the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Jeremy Wariner. After beginning the season with so much promise Wariner's lack of speed is what caused him to fail. He was out-kicked in the final 100 meters and finished sixth to miss the qualification for the team. This maybe the last we see of the great 400 meter runner, his career is still an exceptional one.
The hope of American distance fans everywhere rest on the shoulders of prodigy Galen Rupp. The multiple NCAA Champion from the University of Oregon put on quite a show in the men's 10,000 meter run. Rupp set a meet record with a time of 27:25.33. The record was held by the great Meb Keflezighi who set in 2004. The even better news is that all three qualifiers met the "A" standard. Rupp will be joined by Matt Tegenkamp and Dathan Ritzenhein.
With all the great performances this weekend none more special than Ashton Eaton. Eaton is next in line to join the greats from the United States in the decathlon. Their is Rafer Johnson, Dan O'Brien, Bruce Jenner, Bryan Clay and others who have claimed the gold. Eaton set a world record scoring a total of 9,039 points in the decathlon after the crowd carried him in the mile. Eaton an Oregon alum, certainly made them proud with a awe-inspiring performance.
The defending champion Clay was unable to qualify for Team USA after his disqualification in the 110 high hurdles after a mis-step. Clay still ended the meet with class and dignity by finishing the competition. Joining Eaton will be Trey Hardee and Florida All-American Gray Horn.
Our next recap will focus more on the field and distance events. Congratulations to all that have qualified for the London Olympics, please represent USA well.
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