(Deajah Stevens-Oregon)
The West Regional competition like the east is loaded with
great talent from multiple conferences. The SEC, Big 12, Pac-12 and even the
Big 10 are well represented here. This is also just a qualifying meet the goal
is simply to get to nationals. To that like the east you must be one of the top
12 individuals from this region. Qualifying will be challenging but the best
will shine their way through it. This post we will look at the five most
interesting events of the weekend.
WOMEN
200 Meter Dash
Deajah Stevens is one of the many talented sprinters at
Oregon. Perhaps worth noting none of the women in their elite 200-meter group
are seniors. So, if no one turns pro you will see them again next year doing
even more damage. Stevens is perhaps the best chance we have to possibly see a
collegiate sprinter run sub 22. She is dangerously close to breaking Dawn
Sowell’s collegiate record of 22.04 with her personal record of 22.09. With it
only being a qualifying meet do not expect it to happen here, but potentially
at nationals. I still expect her to give quite the teaser.
400 Meter Dash
Senior Chris Ann Gordon of Texas by way of Jamaica and Kendall Ellis of USC.
Both programs have been great over the oval the past few years with Texas being
historically great going all the back to the early 90’s. Gordon is truly the
next batter up coming out of Texas while Ellis has been helping USC blaze a new
trail in the event. Both have run under 51 seconds with Gordon posting a time
of 50.64 and Ellis with a time of 50.66. Both are returning All-Americans and
conference champions. If we are lucky enough to see these two compete in a heat,
we may see a new personal best from both.
800 Meter Run
Raevyn Rogers has dominated the 800 since arriving at Oregon
as freshman. Now as a junior she hopes to defend her national title for the third
time. Rogers set the NCAA record early in the year and has been known for her
very strong kick at the end. Although her form not traditional it gets the job
done. Every time she steps on the track she is a threat to break a new record.
Pole Vault
Arkansas has developed quite the reputation with their great
pole vaulters. Both Alexis and Victoria Weeks have championship hardware to
their name with Alexis returning as the defending champion. This year though
they will face off against to pole vaulters who have surpassed 15 feet for the
season while they are still trying to get over 14-9. Annie Rhodes a Senior from
Baylor is one of two competitors has jumped over 15 feet and the chief challenger
to the Arkansas dynasty. Number two ranked Emily Grove of South Dakota is also
in the field. With four great competitors at one region we could potentially
quite the mark heading into Nationals.
4x100 Relay
Oregon has broken the NCAA record in the 4x100 relay twice
this season and seem to be on the verge of becoming the first team under 42
seconds in Collegiate history. With a great quartet in McKenzie Dunmore, Deajah
Stevens, Hannah Cunliffe and Arianna Washington it’s quite possible that we see
a new NCAA record sooner rather than later.
MEN
100 Meter Dash
You must remind yourself this is still just a qualifying
meet. That is being said because when an athlete is in good position to qualify
they tend to shut down early. However, in the 100 there is no true way to tell.
This allows for a truly competitive race against some of the nation’s best. In
this field is senior Brandon Carnes of Northern Iowa. Northern Iowa routinely
has put out quality sprinters over the years, which is quite impressive since
they are in the Mid-West and remain cold until about late May. He has the
fastest entry time with a personal best of 9.97. He will face off against
Houston’s Eli Hall who has ran under 20 seconds in the 200 and still looking
for his first sub 10 second performance in the 100. With a time of 10.00 it is
clear he is more than ready.
400 Meter Dash
Senior Fred Kerley of Texas A&M nearly broke the NCAA
record two weeks ago at the SEC Outdoor Championships. He almost ran under 44
seconds when he coasted to the finish line. With this only being a qualifying
meet he may do that again. But something tells me if he feels that he is close
enough to sub 44 and set a new NCAA record he just might do it.
800 Meter Run
True freshman Emmanuel Korir has been in the headlines all
year long. He has been at the top of the NCAA in the 800 and has even run 44.6
in the open 400. That level of speed gives him a great advantage against of their
800 runners. Korir has already run 1:43.73 in the 800 and is dangerously close
to the NCAA record set by last year’s true freshman star Donovan Brazier. It
would be a real treat if we could see the NCAA record broken again this year.
Javelin Throw
Ioannis Kryiazis of Texas A&M perhaps has the farthest
lead on his national competition than anyone. He is a huge piece of Texas
A&M’s national title aspirations. He is currently ranked number one in the
NCAA with a throw of 288’9, a thirty-foot lead. He likely will not break the
NCAA record this weekend but he will dazzle with his throws. He is perhaps the best
opportunity to see the NCAA record broken. They record has stood since 1990
ironically from a Texas thrower named Patrik Bolden.
Triple Jump
An event that has grown in popularity over the years is the
triple jump. A lot of that growth in the United States is because of the many
programs designed to improve jumping performances by American youngsters and
the Olympic Gold medalist Christian Taylor. Felix Obi of Baylor has been
sitting in the back seat amongst the nation’s best for the past three years.
Now as a senior he is one step closer to finally earning a national title. Obi
is ranked number two in the nation with a season best of 54’8 ¼ and can use
this as a launching pad for his championship campaign.
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