FRESHMAN CLASS

(Sydney McLaughlin-Kentucky)

THE FRESHMAN TO LOOK FOR

The 2017 season treated us to many great performances in track and field from all levels. Last season’s high school seniors put on quite a few impressive performances. There were new national records and all-time top 10 performances. We even have some Olympians and World Medalist that we will see compete. In this post, we will look at the freshman that are most likely to make an impact.

WOMEN

SYNDEY MCLAUGHLIN (KENTUCKY)- Syd the kid as she has been referred to is a name that many around the world have known about for a couple of years. She made her name famous as a junior when she became the youngest member of Team USA in the women’s 400 hurdles. Her time of 53.82 ran last season at US Nationals was not enough to qualify for London 2017 but she set another national record.

McLaughlin who is now at the University of Kentucky will now return to competing in the 100 hurdles and the open 400. She has not run the high hurdlers regularly since her sophomore year in high school due to injury. Coach Floreal however decided to give her that opportunity to enjoy track and field and take away some of the intense expectations she will likely be under. The sky is the limit for this stud, competing in the SEC expect her to be an exciting piece to a great conference.

SAMMY WATSON (TEXAS A&M)- Watson is the latest 800-meter star to compete for Texas A&M. The aggies already have talented NCAA Indoor record holder in Jazmin Fray returning to compete this season and now they have the very talented Sammy Watson to add to their repertoire.

Watson has been a household name since she was a sophomore with her great performances in the 400, 600 and 800. She set a personal best of 2:00.78 as a high school senior last season making her one of the top competitors in the NCAA already for this season. Training with Fray should give Watson the proper challenge to go under 2 minutes indoors.

TARA DAVIS (GEORGIA)- Davis is a rare athlete. She is a top performer in several events. She ran under 13 seconds in the 100 hurdles, jumped 22 feet in the long jump and could jump over 43 feet in the triple jump. Davis landed at perhaps the school that will improve her skills the most.

Georgia has become the hotbed for field event athletes. Having the triple jump American record holder in Keturah Orji as a training partner and mentor is a huge advantage. She also has the defending outdoor NCAA Champion in the long jump in Kate Hall as a teammate as well. Davis will also look to lead an improving hurdle group and should among the top competitors in the country.

MEN

HAKIM SANI BROWN (FLORIDA)- It has become a regular occurrence for the Gators to have an incoming freshman expected to provide a big impact. This season is no difference. Brown like McLaughlin has international experience. Brown competed this past summer at the World Championships in London in both the 100 and 200. Brown made the final of the 200-meter dash finishing in 7^th place.

Brown will be training with world class talent and being coached by a world class coach in Mike Holloway. Florida should again be in the mix for another national title with Brown as a major key to their success.

CAMERON COOPER (LSU)- Cooper had quite the career for Oak Park High School, my parents’ alma-mater. Cooper had quite the performance last season running the 800 in a time of 1:47.59 to win the US National Junior title. Cooper arrives to LSU as their top 800 runner for a team that has a history of producing great 800 runners.

Cooper will be under the tutelage of a new distance coach in Mark Rinker. His coach has a history of having great 800 runners and Cooper will look to add to that legacy. Competing in the SEC with a time of 1:47.59, Cooper will be ready to compete at a high level right away.

COOPER TEARE AND REED BROWN (OREGON)- Oregon recently said good bye to perhaps the greatest NCAA Champion in history in Edward Cheserek. Cheserek had won so many NCAA titles and huge point grab for the Ducks that to replace him they would need someone just as special as him. Enter in Cooper Teare and Reed Brown. Yes, that is two but Cheserek was just that talented and successful.

Teare and Brown enter this season as the top freshman in the mile and two mile. With both competing for the Ducks they will likely not be given a heavy burden and be allowed to develop at a slower more natural pace. With the long-distance events getting ready for a new star it is not hard to believe that these two-talented freshmen can contribute to the Ducks Championship campaign and provide solid points at a Championship level.

JORDAN GEIST (ARIZONA)-  Jordan Geist was the nation’s top shot putter last season. He had a throw of 76 feet and has been among the top throwers since his junior year. Although the shot put from high school to college increases 4 pounds Geist should adjust quickly and be able to compete for Arizona rather immediately.