Big 12 Indoor Preview Men

(Texas Longhorns-Defending Champions)

Just like the women this conference is loaded with All-American talent and national champions. There have been a few changes to the conference, namely new coaches but the expectations are still high.


SPRINTS

(Trayvon Bromell-Baylor)

This conference had the best 100 meter sprinter in the country last season in Charles Silmon of TCU. Silmon is now competing professionally with Adidas after graduating. With the lost of Silmon the conference still holds quite a few big names. No name possibly bigger than freshman sensation Trayvon Bromell of Baylor. Bromell was the nation's top sprinter last season in high school earning the Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Brommell also went under 10 seconds last season, wind-aided but still the fastest under any condition and should be a serious threat in the 60 meter dash. Silmon's former teammate Raymond Bozman's had a rough freshman season compared to the standards he set in high school. He however still returns as the top threat to claim the indoor title along with Carlos Rodriguez of Kansas State.

In the long sprints (200 and 400 meter dash) Baylor has remained dominant for so many years. Senior Blake Heriot looks to continue that success at Baylor. Heriot a can't miss prospect coming out of high school spent his freshman season at the University of Florida. After an average freshman year he transferred to Baylor and has been a fixture in the program ever since. Heriot claimed the 200 meter title last indoor season with a time of 20.77. He however was not able to complete the double in the 400 after being passed up by returning defending champion Nick Efkamp of Iowa State. Heriot clearly has more speed but has been lacking the endurance that makes a great 400 runner. Expect in his senior season Heriot to get it right.

The hurdles have long been dominated by Texas Tech in the Big 12. It seems every year they have a trio of great hurdlers. Last season however was different, the Red Raiders only had one Tramaine Maloney of Barbados. Maloney is started to making a name for himself after his All-Conference freshman season. While the Red Raiders re-build their hurdle core Ryan Sander of Iowa State is primed to take full advantage as the top returning 60 meter hurdler. Michael Stigler of Kansas will also be a threat in the event, Stigler is the defending 400 meter hurdle champion from this past outdoor season.


DISTANCE

What a great conference the Big 12 has been to male distance runners. There are so many programs that are year end and year out ranked in the top 10 in cross country. Out of the great success during the cross country season are athletes who perform on the international stage for Championship hardware. This season is no different.

Last season Kennedy Kithuka of Texas Tech finished one of the most dominant careers in conference history. Kithuka went onto win the NCAA Indoor title in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 13:25.38 a new school record. For perennial distance power Oklahoma State Kirubel Errassu leads this group. Errassu claimed the 5,000 meter title at the Big 12 Outdoor Championship and a top returning 3,000 meter runner from last season. Errasu is a distance runner that is capable claiming titles in the mile, 3,000 and 5,000 meter races. Expect to hear his name a lot this year along with his teammate Thomas Farrell in regards to challenging Kithuka.

A great challenger to Errassu and Kithuka is Ryan Dohner of Texas. Dohner a top returning 5,000 and 10,000 meter runner will definitely be a great challenge Errasu and will be counted on to score big points for title hopeful Texas.


FIELD EVENTS

(Ryan Crouser-Texas)

It's champions galore in the field events, as in 5 returning Indoor Champions. Alex Bishop of Kansas leads the way for a very strong group of field athletes as the defending pole vault champion. He will be joined by his teammate Corey Brown. Jharyl Bowry of Kansas State also leads a squad with a great group of field athletes. Bowry is the defending champion in the long jump and his teammate Zack Riley is the top returning high jumper from last season.  Felix Obi of Baylor had perhaps the best freshman season of all field athletes in the conference and was named to the All-Rookie team. Obi is one of the many returning All-Americans. Obi will also look to challenge Bowry in the long jump to complete the double.

In the throwing events Texas has remained at the top in the Shot Put for quite sometime thanks Hayden Baillo. Baillo now gone leaves the responsibility up to Will Spence and Ryan Crouser. Crouser claimed the title last outdoor season over Baillo with a dominating performance, winning by more than 8 feet. He continued that success to the national meet claiming the NCAA Outdoor title as well. Top returnee from last indoor season Kole Weldon of Texas Tech will also be in the mix for the crown as well. In the weight throw another Texas thrower is expected to earn big points in Clint Harris. Harris is the 2nd ranked returnee in the event from last season. Harris will be joined by teammate Spence as well. Both will have there hands full with defending champion Nick Miller of Oklahoma State who won by 5 feet last indoor season.

Another NCAA Champion for the Texas Longhorns was true freshman Johannes Mock. Mock claimed the men's decathlon last outdoor season with a total of 8,267 points. Mock had a well rounded performance. He is also the defending Big 12 Indoor Champion in the pentathlon and looks to continue his success.



TEAM OUTLOOK

Texas returns perhaps the strongest group of athletes, many from the 2013 Indoor title group. There are a few areas that they are weak especially in the sprints and hurdles. But there is a new regime and things will change. A strong challenger will most certainly be Baylor and Oklahoma State, should be a fun meet to watch and a great season for all the athletes.