Weekend Recap

49.71!!!

(Courtney Okolo-Texas)

We are heading towards our regular season finale. As we draw closer to the close of the regular season many top athletes who have not ran yet this outdoor season competed for the first time this past weekend. Some results had athletes meet expectations and some realized there is plenty of work to be done before championship season begins. Let us recap what was another weekend of solid performances with this weekend’s best.

WOMEN

BRONZE: Alexis Weeks (Arkansas)- Weeks is the latest pole vaulting star to come out of the University of Arkansas. Arkansas remains the A standard in this event and Weeks used this past weekend to confirm her status as a championship contender. Weeks vaulted to the top mark in the country this past weekend with a leap of 15-2 ¾. She joins a list of three athletes who have surpassed the 15 foot mark this season. Weeks is the only freshman of that group and will look to improve and provide more sparks this championship season.

SILVER: Nnenya Hailey (Arizona)- This past weekend Hailey continued incredible season by proving she is a real threat to claim the NCAA title in the women’s 400 meter hurdles. Hailey has been Arizona’s best high hurdler all season. At one point she led the entire NCAA. She has now climbed to the top of the women’s 400 hurdles bettering her teammate’s number 1 mark with a time of 54.98. Her time is the first sub 55 second 400 hurdle time of the year.  Hailey now leads a 1-2 punch for Arizona and is clearly in the driver’s seat while defending champion from Texas A&M Shamier Little has yet to go under 56 seconds.

GOLD:  Courtney Okolo (Texas)- What a great year Okolo is having. She was incredible recruit coming out of high school and is proving to be quite the talent while in college at the University of 400 meters, uh I mean Texas. Having set many school and NCAA records one could wonder was there anything left for her to do. This weekend she proved that the answer was yes. Okolo blasted a new NCAA record time in the women’s 400 with a mark of 49.71. Her time is now number 1 all time in the NCAA and is the first athlete to run sub 50 during the regular season. Her time also puts her number 2 in the world behind Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas.

MEN

BRONZE: NICHOLAS SCARVELIS (UCLA)- Scarvelis continued his great outdoor season this past weekend by claiming the number 1 mark in the NCAA in the men’s shot put at the Triton Invitational. His mark of 67-7 ½ was enough to defeat all the top collegiate athletes falling just shy of winning against a professional. Scarvelis is in great position to make a name for himself this coming championship season.

SILVER: BRYON ROBINSON (TEXAS)- Robinson leaped to the top time in the NCAA in the men’s 400 hurdles while competing at LSU for the LSU Alumni Gold Meet. His time of 49.10 surpasses the number 1 mark held by Eric Futch of Florida who previously beat him in their only match up of the season. Robinson who has not faced Futch since their early season match up has clearly sent a message not only to Futch but to rest of the NCAA that he is a serious contender for championship hardware.

GOLD: HENRY WYNNE (VIRGINIA)- The newest number 1 in the men’s 1,500 has quite the impressive time. Henry Wynne of Virginia scorched the track for a blazing time of 3:38.05 that placed him firmly in the NCAA’s number 1 spot. His time and performance was likely to the delight of the home crowd that he ran in front of at the Virginia Challenge. Perhaps the most important fact to take away from such a great performance is perhaps the fact that he beat fellow conference stud Justyn Knight of Syracuse. The ACC currently now has 3 athletes in the top 10 alone. 

RELAY GOLD: This week’s Relay Gold honor goes to the Men of LSU. LSU historically has always had an amazing relays. Even if they have no one in the finals of the 100 or 400 they seem to always be a threat in the relays. This past weekend in front of a home crowd the notched 2 number performances. The 4x100 relay clocked in at 38.94 and the 4x400 relay clocked in at 3:00.38. Their 4x400 relay time is quite impressive and puts further distance between them, Texas A&M and Florida. 

Weekend Recap

10.99/42.68

(Hannah Cunliffe-Oregon)

(left)

The West Coast again had the biggest meets this past weekend. Meets such as the Texas Invitational, Mt. Sac Relays and the Oregon Relays produced many of this past weekend best performances. We are now only a month away from Championship season and each new number 1 performance garners more significance. Let us recap what was another fun weekend with the best performers of the weekend.  

WOMEN

BRONZE (AKELA JONES-KANSAS STATE)- Not a weekend goes by were we aren’t thinking about what Akela Jones is doing now. Jones a rare athlete gifted with speed, strength and stamina has captured the headlines majority of this season in a number of different events. Jones is capable of winning multiple events at the NCAA level which is why she is such an amazing talent. The heptathlete reminded us again this past weekend why she is the favorite to defend her NCAA title. Jones scored a total of 6,307 points to win the Heptathlon Challenge at the Mt Sac Relays. Included in that performance would be her jump of 6-4 in the women’s high jump. That mark would also move her atop of the high jump rankings as well. It is still plenty of season left and Jones’ name should be heard a lot.

SILVER (CINDY OFILI-MICHIGAN)- Ofili began this outdoor season as the preseason favorite to win the women’s 100 meter hurdles. She is the top returnee from last season with a time of 12.60. She backed up the hype during the indoor season winning the NCAA title with a time of 7.89, one of the fastest times in NCAA history. Ofili got off to a bit of slow start this outdoor season. Although she had one race it was expected that she at least would dip under 13 seconds. It was likely her level of competition that didn’t allow her to push as hard as she could. This past weekend at the Mt Sac Relays she was pushed and produced an NCAA leading time of 12.66 nearly beating her school record. Ofili has plenty of time left in the season to improve upon her time and break her own record.

GOLD (HANNAH CUNLIFFE-OREGON)- Former youth star Hannah Cunliffe had a rough freshman year competing for Oklahoma. Things did not turn out as expected. Cunliffe transferred to the University of Oregon which has recently become the new 100 meter university for women. With recent sprinting greats English Gardner and Jenna Prandini along with Jasmine Todd it was clear that Oregon would be a better option. She nearly won the 60 meter dash indoors with a school record time of 7.12. Cunliffe like Ofili used the high level of competition to garner the first sub 11 second time of the season with a mark of 10.99. Although she finished 2^nd in her race to Prandini who is now a professional her time catapults her to the number 1 spot in the NCAA.

MEN

BRONZE (NICHOLAS SCARVELIS-UCLA)- UCLA had a bit of tough weekend in their dual meet with Texas A&M. UCLA is noticeably in the rebuilding stages but still could produce a decent team. In the men’s shot put Nicholas Scarvelis was proof that the program is still of quality. Scarvelis claimed the shot put title with a throw of 67’0. His mark moves him to the number one spot in the nation and in the driver’s seat to challenge for the NCAA title.

SILVER (NETHANEEL MITCHELL-BLAKE-LSU)- Blake has clearly stepped into the leadership role this season as LSU’s top overall male sprinter. Blake spent majority of his indoor season atop the rankings in the men’s 200 meter dash before finishing 2^nd overall. Blake has gotten things off to a good start this outdoor season by winning the 100 meter dash at the Texas Invitational. In less than ideal conditions Blake bolted to a winning time of 10.09. Blake’s time is currently the top legal 100 meter dash in the country and a time that should catch everyone’s attention. Blake is currently the front runner to claim the SEC men’s 100 title.

GOLD (PATRICK CORONA- AIR FORCE)- It’s always good to see athletes at military academies competing at such a high level. Military schools put such a challenging demand on their athletes to not only represent themselves as quality students and athletes but also as military personnel. Corona lined up against heavy competition at the Mt Sac Relays this past weekend in the men’s 5,000. In that very race was All-American Mason Ferlic who was stepping in distance from usual race the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Corona claimed the victory outkicking the entire field to the finish with a time of 13:37.24 the nation’s new number 1 time.

RELAY GOLD:

The 4x100 relay was hot for two programs this past weekend. LSU men became the first group to record a sub 39 second performance winning in a time of 38.95 at the Texas Invitational. The Oregon women became the 3^rd best program all time with a time of 42.68. Both performances are currently ranked number 1 in the entire NCAA.

Next weekend is also another opportunity for great performances with plenty of quality regular season meets. The Michael Johnson Classic (Baylor), Kansas Relays (Kansas), the Tom Jones Memorial Classic (Florida), Houston Invitational (Houston), LSU Alumni Gold (LSU) and the Jesse Owens Track Classic (Ohio State). The outdoor season is in full swing as we draw closer to the 2016 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. 

April 11th Weekend Recap

1:44.99!!

(Shaquille Walker-BYU)

The first weekend in April has come and gone. The season is now in full swing and many athletes returned to the track after spending a 2-3 week hiatus to rest from the NCAA Indoor Championship seasons. There were so many big time performances this weekend, new number 1’s and personal records. We will recap the top 5 from men and the women.

MEN

5. SAM MATTIS (PENN)- The defending champion continued his record dominant streak again this past weekend. Mattis threw his discus a grand total of 213 feet and 7 inches. His mark is the not the best of the season but it is still better than the season best of the number 2 ranked thrower in the nation. Mattis is on a record tear and looks primed to add another national title to his trophy case.

4. FRED KERLEY (TEXAS A&M)- Kerley a junior college transfer has taken over the reigns as the next great 400 runner from Texas A&M. Kerley made his presence known early with a NCAA leading time of 45.10. Although it is early in the season and many great sprinters have yet to run the 400, Kerley’s time is still quality enough that his name should be mentioned among the challengers for the title.

3. DEVON ALLEN (OREGON)- The Oregon Duck football player is having an amazing comeback season. After injuring himself in the 2015 Rose Bowl Game Allen has climbed back to the top of the rankings and looks to prove that he is more than capable of dominating the hurdle world once again. His early season time of 13.40 is indicative of the hardwork he has put in and his readiness to win the 110 hurdles again.

2. COLBY GILBERT (WASHINGTON)- Although his winning time of 13:44.96 in the men’s 5,000 only puts him 4^th in the NCAA it was still quite an impressive performance. Perhaps the most impressive point of his performance would be who he won against. In the same race at the Pepsi Team Invitational was Oregon’s distance phenom and superstar Edward Cheserek. Cheserek has more individual national titles then entire programs. This was his season debut on his home track and he was expected to dominate. Gilbert had other plans and out kicked Cheserek to win a stunning upset.

1. SHAQUILLE WALKER- In my opinion Shaquille Walker of BYU had the most impressive performance of the season in the men’s 800 at the Sun Angel Classic held at Arizona State University. Walker is having quite the season. He is currently ranked nationally in the men’s 400 and follows that up with this weekend’s performance. Walker vaulted to the number 1 ranking with an impressive time of 1:44.99. His 1:44 is the first sub 1:45 performance of the season and a positive sign that he is on the right track to earning another All-American honor and potentially challenge for the title.

WOMEN

4/5. There is a tie for the 5th position. We had a rare occurrence were two different athletes ran the exact same time. It happened in the women’s 200 meter dash. Deanna Hill of USC stormed the Oregon Oval at the Pepsi Team Invitational to a winning time of 22.71. At that the time her mark placed her as the number 1 200 sprinter in the NCAA. Meanwhile freshman Taylor Bennett of Baylor was also dominating the 200 on her track matching the time of 22.71. Bennett did however run into a slight headwind but both times are significant and we have co-leaders at the top of the rankings. It’s early in the season but expect to hear more from these two talented young sprinters.

3. ALYSHA NEWMAN (MIAMI)- This past weekend at the Hurricane Alumni Invitational senior Alysha Newman became the first vaulter to surpass 15 feet this season. Her mark of 15-1 ranks her number 1 in the country and in the driver’s seat for the NCAA title. Newman had a much better outing this past weekend then during the Texas Relays where she finished 4^th against national competition.

2. NNEYA HAILEY- Surprisingly the women’s 100 meter hurdles does not have very many athletes running sub 13. Hailey of Arizona became the first woman of the season to break the 13 second barrier and set a personal record with a time of 12.96. Many All-Americans have already competed this season but none have been able to run sub 13. Although it is early in the season, it’s a real positive sign for Hailey.

1. SAGE WATSON- Watson arrived at Arizona from Florida State. Watson was the 2015 ACC Champion in the women's 400 hurdles and also earned All-American honors. She may have been forgotten but the Canadian made sure that everyone remembered she is still here. Watson blasted off to an NCAA leading time of 55.45. Her top ranked time still confirms that she is not only ready to add another conference title to her credit but challenge Shamier Little for title of NCAA Champion. Although she may have a ways to go she she deserves credit for having the better performance this past weekend. 

Weekend Recap

11.07!

(Morolake Akinosun-Texas)

(Texas Relays 100 Meter Champion)

The first major weekend in college track and field has come and gone. This past weekend there were a few big named meets all going on at the same time. The Texas Relays, the Florida Relays and the Stanford Invitational. In each meet the top collegians were not only challenged by each other but also by the professionals they were competing against. Each meet brought us many memorial performances and world leading times. However there were more meets than just those three. With a weekend full of great performances let’s take a look at the top 3 of each sex.

TOP 3 WOMEN

3. AKELA JONES (KANSAS STATE)- Akela Jones returns to our list after spending nearly every week on the top list during the indoor season. She has proven herself to be quite the talent in a myriad of events and explains why she was a favorite heading into the Indoor National Championship to win the women’s pentathlon. Due to a fall in the women’s hurdle she was unable to challenge for the national title even though she had some amazing performances following that. She returns to this list having competed in the women’s high jump winning with a mark of 6’2 ¾ at the Bruins Legend Invitational at UCLA. Her mark vaulted to the number 1 ranking in the NCAA another great start to the outdoor season.

2. DOMONIQUE SCOTT (ARKANSAS)- Scott has been the unquestioned leader for the Lady Razorbacks. The National Championship powerhouse is more commonly known for their male distance stars. However things are changing and Scott has represented Arkansas just as well as any of her male counterparts. She dominated the 5,000 meter race with a time of 15:25.10. Her time was nearly 20 seconds ahead of closes competitor lapping many of her competitors in what was a dominant race. Scott has put up quite a time this early in the season and expect for her to be there challenging Molly Seidel of Notre Dame and Erin Finn of Michigan.

1. MOROLAKE AKINOSUN (TEXAS)- Akinosun has been a high level sprinter ever since her arrival at the University of Texas. She nearly won the 100 meter dash at the NCAA Championships last outdoor season and has been this season with a bang. Akinosun clocked in at 11.07 to win the Texas Relays 100 meters. It is one of the fastest times ever ran by a collegian in Texas Relay History. Her time which was wind legal vaulted her into the number 1 spot in the NCAA ahead of Shayla Sanders of Florida. It has been since Alexandria Anderson in 2009 win the Texas had a 100 meter champion. Look for Akinosun to try to change that and maybe break Carlette Guidry’s school record in the process.

TOP 3 MEN

3. TREY CULVER (TEXAS TECH)- After surprising the field at the NCAA Indoor Championships by winning the high jump Trey Culver has been able to live up to the hype as the best high jumper in college. He again leaped to the top mark this past weekend at the Texas Relays with a mark of 7-5. Although her finished 2^nd in the event he had the top collegiate mark in the event and the top collegiate mark of the current outdoor season. Texas Tech has had a pretty solid history with their jumpers, Culver is clearly the next in line.

2. AHMED ALI (ALABAMA)- Ali was a top recruit coming out of high school but unfortunately he was unable to qualify to meet university standards. He spent his first two years at a junior college making big waves. Ali has had to sit behind some very talented sprinters and wait his turn. Now a senior Ali seems poised to make his name known. Ali clocked in a wind legal time of 20.16 to win the 200 meter dash at the Florida Relays. He won the race by almost a half of second. His dominant performance should catch the attention of many and place him among the favorites to win the event.

1. LSU 4X400 Relay- It is rare that I put a relay on this list. This list is generally used for the great individual performances. However I feel that that there time and performance was quite impressive especially considering it is so early in the season. LSU claimed the 4x400 relay title at the Texas Relays with an impressive time of 3:01.83. I’m going to out on a limb and say this group has the potential to challenge not just for a national title but for their own NCAA Outdoor record. None of the recent LSU teams have been able to come close to a time of that quality this early. LSU sent an early message to Texas A&M, Florida and Texas.

OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES: ZAK SEDDON (FLORIDA STATE)- 3000 METER STEEPLECHASE, TEVIN HESTER (CLEMSON)- 100 METER DASH. FLORIDA WOMEN 4X100 and 4x400 RELAY.