This coming weekend one of my favorite collegiate track and field meets of the year is held, the Armory Collegiate Invitational in New York City. This meet combines some of the best programs in all of the NCAA in every area of track and field; sprints, field and distance events. This year, as is in years past will be a very competitive an exciting meet with plenty of top 10 programs for both men and women.
In the sprints there are plenty of headliners. On the women’s side top ranked Clemson brings there dymanic duo of Dezerea Bryant and Stormy Kendrick. Bryant is currently tied for the number one rank in the country in the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.19. She will face heavy competition from LSU star Kimberlyn Duncan in both 60 and 200 meters. Duncan is currently ranked number 3 in the 60 and number 1 in the 200.
In the 400 Arkansas and Texas A&M should again battle for the crown. Junior Regina George from Arkansas will face off against Kamaria Brown, Kanika Beckles and Janeil Bellille from Texas A&M. Brown is still a bit of unknown but has tremendous talent and speed. She was a top ranked 400 & 200 meter runner last indoor season registering a 22.86 indoors as a freshman. Brown is still a bit of unknown but the this level of competition and spotlight might be the perfect opportunity for her to introduce herself to the college track and field world.
On the men’s side LSU and Texas A&M will also battle for sprint supremacy. Texas A&M brings a stable of championship sprinters. There is Prezel Hardy in the 60 & 200 meter dash, defending NCAA Indoor Champion Ameer Webb in the 200 and NCAA leader Deon Lendore in the 400. LSU has there on core of sprinters in Aaron Ernest, Rynell Parson and Shermund Allsop in the 60 and 200 along with Caleb Williams in the 400.
There was no LSU versus Texas A&M dual meet this year although they did have a triangular that included Arkansas however it is clear these two programs will headline the sprints. In the hurdles however Clemson looks to remain supreme on both side of the track. Spencer Adams is the top returning hurdler from last season and already has the top time in the nation with a time of 7.62 in the 60 meter hurdles. His teammate Brianna Rollins set the NCAA record early this season with a 7.78, she is the first collegiate athlete under 7.8 seconds in history. Caleb Cross of Arkansas should give Adams chase and teammates Bridgette Owens and Kendra Harrison of Clemson will look to aide a sweep of the event for Clemson.
The distance events should as always be very competitive and interesting. This is one of the few times that distance powers such as Arkansas, Stanford, Columbia and Villanova are on the track at the same time and is not a national championship. Solomon Haile and Stanley Kebenei lead a strong Arkansas contingent. Both Haile and Kebenei are currently ranked in the top 16 in the nation already in the 3,000 and they will be competing in the mile against Michael Atchoo and a great of Stanford runners.
For the ladies the most competitive distance race maybe in the 800. Ejiroghene Okoro of Iowa State will face off against a trio of Tennessee runners looking to reclaim their spot as the top 800 school in the country. Leading the way is sophomore Nijgia Snapp, Kiana Ruff and Brittney Jackson. True freshman Amy Weissenbach of Stanford will also be an interesting name in the race. Weissenbach owns the National Federation High School record and will challegen Okoro for the win.
In the 3,000 Henry Lelei of Texas A&M who is currently ranked in the top 16 in the mile will try his hand at the longer event. Eric Fernandez of Arkansas and Jim Rosa of Stanford will also look to claim the championship race.
In the field events the pole vault the three of the top SEC performers of the season will finally get a change to compete against each other, Jake Blackenship of Tennesee, Andrew Irwin of Arkansas and Andreas Duplantis of LSU. Blackenship a true freshman is currently the top ranked vaulter of the group. The New York lights and heavy competition maybe too much for the young star but should still win.
Tarik Batchelor helped Arkansas last week reclaim the title as the best jumping school in the nation from Florida. Batchelor last week defeated defending NCAA triple jump champion Omar Craddock of Florida while teammate Raymond Higgs remains number 1 in the nation in the long jump. Both will be in the long jump field this weekend along with their other talented teammates Jarrion Lawson and Anthony May. Damar Forbes of LSU is no slouch and had the top performance in the NCAA last outdoor season. This should be a very interesting and entertaining competition.
On the women's side, LaQuae Moen-Davis of Texas A&M will look to claim a sweep of the jumping events. Davis is the 2nd ranked athlete in the long jump and among the top 16 in the triple jump. Andrea Guebelle of Kansas is currently ranked number 2 in the country in the triple jump and will be one of many ranked competitors in the women's triple jump.
In the men's shot put, Texas All-American Hayden Baillo will look to fend off sophomore Tavis Bailey for Tennessee. On the women's side number 3 ranked Christina Hillman of Iowa State looks to claim the easy victory. Hillman is the only top 16 ranked competitor in the field.
The Relays will also be a fan treat. In the 4x400 relay three of the nation's best will compete in LSU, Arkansas and Texas A&M and that's for both men and women. On the men's side Texas A&M look to be early favorites with their strong anchor Deon Lendore and Arkansas on the women's side with number 1 ranked Regina George.
The Distance Medley Relay will also be a highly contested event. For the women Georgetown and Florida are both ranked number 2 and number 4 in the nation respectively. They are joined by Arkansas and Tennessee to help create strong field. On the men's Arkansas and Florida will be heavy favorites entering the event. Arkansas boasts the strongest group however Florida cannot be ignored.
This should be another great meet this year. Live Coverage is on flotrack.com, but there is a fee.
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