2022 NCAA Indoor Recap 2

 7.10!

(Julien Alfred-Texas)

Another weekend has come and gone. As we look at this past weekend there were quite a few performances that were eye popping. We had a few changes to the leaderboard on top of the release of our first team rankings. In this recap we will look at all the new number one performances and discuss what do the new rankings mean.

SPRINTS

Women

Julien Alfred of Texas was having an impressive season in the 60-meter dash in 2020 before the Pandemic robbed of a chance to win a national title. Her start was solid, and she had the speed to carry herself to victory. This past weekend she reminded everyone that she is still here. Against an impressive field at the Red Raider Open she ran a blistering time of 7.10 to win the 60-meter dash. In that race is current NCAA 200-meter record holder Abby Steiner of Kentucky. Although it’s early Alfred put up a big time that indicates we will continue to hear more from here throughout the season.

Texas got another number one ranking from junior Kennedy Simon in the 400. It has been a while since we have had a top tier 400 runner from Texas. Simon is the latest to star for Texas after winning the 400-meter race at the Red Raider Open at Texas Tech. Simon outdueled her teammates and Rosey Effiong of Arkansas to win with a time of 52.15.

DISTANCE

Women

Emily Mackay of Binghamton University is the lone number one time in the distance events this past weekend. At the Penn State National Open the senior won a great race in the mile with a time of 4:32.55. Mackay is a returning outdoor All-American in the 5,000 and if her mile time is indication of her fitness level, we should be hearing more from her later this season.

Men

The men this weekend had some great performances in the distance races. In both the mile and 3,000-meter race we have the top time on a regulation track and the top time on non-regulation tracks that had to be converted.

In the mile let us first discuss the top regulated time, Yared Nuguse of Notre Dame. Nuguse is no stranger to this blog and in fact has been mentioned multiple times before. The senior has plenty of All-American honors and a national title to his credit. His time of 3:54.46 was a strong sub-4-minute mile performance on his home track.

Nico Young of Northern Arizona ran on a flat track winning the mile in a time of 4:02.89. Due to the track, it was converted to 3:54.07 our new number one. Although Young’s time is converted, he should still receive acknowledgement for it, but to fair Nuguse ran that time on a regulated track and was impressive doing it.

We have a similar story in the 3,000-meter race. Athanas Kioko of Campbell University ran a dominant race at the Carolina Challenge when he ran a time of 7:49.28. His race was so dominant that he was the only athlete under 8 minutes in the race and the closest competitor ran 8:09. Yes, he had a 20 second victory and a impressive time. Kioko is a returning 5,000-meter all-American that will likely be mentioned more in the future.

Duncan Hamilton had the exact same thing happen, winning by 20 seconds at the Bobcat Open in Montana on a flat track with a time of 8:05.48. His time was converted to 7:48.20, the new number one mark.

JUMPS

Women

One week after Ruth Usoro had the eye-popping mark which turned out to be an error, but a top tier mark. Monae Nichols of Texas Tech took over the number one ranking in the long jump with her leap of 21 feet 10 ¼ inches (6.66m). Nichols is a returning all-American and a big part of that strong jumps core at Texas Tech.

Nastassja Campbell of Arkansas is living up to the expectations placed on her. Arkansas has produced quite a few all-Americans and national champions in the pole vault and Campbell was next up. This past weekend she garnered the top ranking with her mark of 14 feet 7 ¼ inches (4.45m). With Arkansas in another team title hunt expect to hear her name called a lot.

Men

It has been a while since a Tennessee State athlete has been ranked number one, but now there is. R’Lazon Brumfield outperformed his competition at the Vanderbilt Invitational and was the only competitor over 50 feet. The senior leaped to a winning mark of 53 feet 5 ½ inches (16.29m). Brumfield qualified for outdoor nationals in the triple jump and although he was not able to score his top tier marks throughout last season proved he is an all-American candidate.

Throws

Women

Adelaide Aquilla of Ohio State is a defending champion that is making it clear that she has no plans of relinquishing her title. She already began the season with a strong mark and was the only athlete over 60 feet. She has continued that streak and improved upon her number one mark with a throw of 62 feet 7 ¾ inches (19.09m). She has almost a 4-foot lead and is still clearly in the driver’s seat to the title. She is perhaps in the best position to defend her title.

Ole Miss continues to produce great throwers under Connie Smith-Price. I expected for Jasmine Mitchell to take over, but her teammate Shay Taiwo wanted to remind the nation she is still here. In a great match against her teammate Taiwo outlasted her with a throw of 79 feet 1 ¼ inches (24.11m).

Men

Israel Oloyede of Grand Canyon has been mentioned on this blog before and was expected to be competing for Arizona, but he has transferred. Oloyede however is still the same top tier athlete. This past weekend he had a personal best throw of 80 feet 2 ¾ inches (24.45m). He is currently the only athlete over 80 feet and was runner-up last season at nationals, get comfortable with seeing his name at the top or near it.

Multi’s

Women

Duke has done a great job of developing multi-event athletes and their last star is senior Devin Marsh. Marsh scored a total of 4,172 points in the Pentathlon at the Hokie Invitational. She is a returning all-American, and we will likely here her name again, especially in the ACC.

Men

Virginia Tech had things moving on the multi-events side as they also had the top male heptathlete in Jacob Spotswood. Spotswood competes for Virginia Tech and the advantage of competing on his home turf. The junior scored a total of 5,731 points by performing near the top in every event.

Relays

Both top marks in the relay events were on the women’s side. In the 4x400 relay we had a national championship preview at the Red Raider Open with Arkansas, Kentucky, and Texas. Kentucky came away victorious with their stunning time of 3:28.62 over Arkansas 3:29.09. Having two teams dip under 3:30 this early in the season bodes well for what should be a special year in the 4x400 relay.

The Distance Medley relay normally does not heat up until February around Conference Championship time, but Virginia ran impressive time on their rivals track clocking in at 11:13.70. They dominated NC State by nearly 10 seconds. A solid performance early in the season.

Rankings

It is perhaps important to remember that many top tier athletes have not competed in their primary event and not all relays have their best athletes available. Take these rankings with a grain of salt but also be aware of the strength and depth that some of the teams possess. The Arkansas women’s ranking is certainly fair. They cover nearly every part of the sport except for the throws. They are deep in numerous events and will be hard to take down.

On the men’s side Texas certainly proved why they are candidate for number one. Having three athletes run sub 1:49 in the 800, depth in the 400, a strong pair of relays and a great group of throwers. Texas has the recipe, but this is perhaps to early to rank them number one. We cannot ignore Kentucky, North Carolina A&T, or Texas Tech. I need more evidence to fill confident about their ranking.

2022 NCAA Indoor Weekend Recap 1

48-5 1/4!

(Ruth Usoro-Texas Tech)

The first major weekend has come and gone. As expected, our NCAA Record breaking theme continues. We have a new NCAA record and one that was tied. I have been covering college track and field since 2007 when I was in undergrad. I do not ever remember such an eye popping MLK weekend. So many incredible performances. In this recap we will discuss the biggest performances.

Record Breakers

I must admit that omitted Ruth Usoro of Texas Tech due to eligibility rules. Due to Covid-19 some athletes were given an extra year depending on their current eligibility status. Regardless it is great to have Usoro back. Like last season she started things out with a bang. She broke the NCAA Indoor record on her home track with a leap of 48 feet 5 ¼ inches. The talented Nigerian jumper surpassed 48 feet as the first collegian to do so indoors breaking the previous record of 47 feet 8 inches. With a mark like that even when her college days are finished Usoro will be a name we will continue to hear.

Terrance Jones a freshman teammate of Ruth Usoro by way of the Bahamas set the country ablaze. The talented freshman launched to a time of 6.45 to win the 60-meter dash. That time ties the NCAA record held by Christian Coleman. Jones was able to compete in the outdoor season in 2021 but this is his first indoor season. I can be honest and say no one predicted a time like this, however the video evidence is all over the internet and there is no denying his talent. It will be interesting watching him throughout the indoor season.

All Time Top 10

Grace Stark seems to break records almost every time she puts on a Gator uniform. Dealing with injuries last indoor season, she was able to come back outdoors finishing fourth overall at nationals. She broke the U-20 record last year and began this year breaking the school record again. Stark ran toe to toe with Olympic Medalist and world record holder Kendra Harrison. Stark held her own with a time of 7.86. Her mark ties her for third all-time in NCAA history. She is clearly the nation’s number one with mark but is it possible that we see an even faster time later this season? That question will soon be answered.

Matthew Boling of Georgia had every reason to leave after last season. Boling’s coach that recruited to Georgia, Petros Kyprianou was not returning, and his sprint coach had left to start her own program. Instead, he stayed and accepted the guidance of new head coach Caryl Smith-Gilbert. Clearly it is paying off. He debuted in the 200 as the number ranked athlete in the country with a time of 20.45. However, it is his new jumps coach that should also receive some praise, James Thomas. Boling leaped to 27 feet 1 inch. After all that success at Texas Tech, Thomas will look to carry it over to Georgia. Boling is proof that things are already shifting into their proper place.

Defending Champs

Among the returning champions the throws events, specifically the shot put, returns both male and female champion. On the women’s side it is Adelaide Aquilla of Ohio State who won at the Big Ten Midwest invite with a mark of 62 feet 7 ¼ inches. By far the best throw of this young season and currently the only athlete over 60 feet.

On the men’s side Turner Washington of Arizona State is upholding their great throwing tradition quite well. The defending champion had a throw of 69 feet 11 ¾ inches, this past weekend. Nearly 70 feet in his season debut is quite impressive but not surprising. The NCAA record holder clearly has more in store for us this season.

Blazing Relays

I always try to avoid the relay talk so early in the season because some teams are not finalized. I fully expect for the number one performance to fluctuate later in the season but the times that were ran this weekend in the 4x4 I could not ignore.

First on the men’s side Kentucky looked incredibly impressive, they had absolutely no competition at home and clocked in at 3:05.01 to open the season. What will happen when they run into Texas or Florida’s A team? We can’t forget LSU and Texas A&M. This will make for an interesting starting point this season, I believe we are in for another strong year in this relay.

On the women’s side Arkansas was even more dominant. Their “A” group ran a national leading time of 3:30.79, nearly sub 3:30. The team they beat was their “B” team which ran 3:33.93. They currently have the top team in the country and the fourth ranked team in the country. That level of depth is simply incredible. They have a little over two second lead on the entire field and will certainly be hard to beat come championship time.

 

What a great MLK weekend. We are officially in the middle of January and things are going to slowly start to get more interesting. Keep in mind the distance runners have not even gotten started. Brandon Miller of Texas A&M ran a 1:47.48 800 and will improve upon later this season. More to come next week.

2022 NCAA Indoor Preview Part 4

(Tyra Gittens-Texas A&M)

We continue on with our preview of the indoor season with our throwers and multi-event athletes. There is some great talent returning this season and we should see more records broken. Of the athletes returning there is two NCAA record holders and many athletes knocking on the record's door. Let us preview. 

Throws/Multi's

Women

There are two returning champions in the women’s shot put but one defending champion. First let us acknowledge Adelaide Aquilla of Ohio State. The defending champion was victorious both indoors and outdoors and was always prepared to be at her best. If you look at Aquilla’s stat sheet from 2021 you will see an array of first place performances and 60 feet throws. Samantha Noennig was a previous NCAA Champion at her previous school Arizona State. She has since transferred to Arizona and has one last chance to reclaim her crown.

In the weight throw before the championship meet last indoor season sophomore Jasmine Mitchell of Ole Miss had all been but crowned NCAA Champion. She had the pedigree and the school’s name, Ole Miss. However, she came up short and finished fourth. She is the top returnee with a mark of 76 feet 3 ½ inches. After a rough outdoor season look for her to not start strong but finish strong. A challenger could be Madi Malone of Auburn who is ranked number two.

In the women’s pentathlon a major shakeup has taken place. When Georgia’s Petros Kyprianou was not kept as head coach many of their field athletes jump shipped. Anna Hall was one of two major names to move on. Hall was a five star recruit out of high school and has been near the top every competition. She now competes for Florida under Mike Holloway and will likely to finally take down the defending champion, Tyra Gittens.

Gittens had an impressive 2021 season winning so many NCAA titles. She poses as a threat to win in the pentathlon, long jump, and high jump. She was close to winning all three events last season, with the pentathlon and high jump victories. She will come back this season just as strong if not stronger. Both can sprint, jump, and throw. Expect some big-time performances amongst these ladies.

MEN

Turner Washington of Arizona State had quite the season last year. In every competition he competed in, he came away victorious. He not only won the Shot Put indoors, but outdoors as well. That includes the Discus outdoors also. Along the way he set an NCAA Indoor record. Let me put it to you simply without any more accolades being provided. It is Turner Washington and everybody else.

In the weight throw the top returning athlete is Israel Oloyede of Arizona. After finishing second to Thomas Mardal of Florida Oloyede is the closest athlete to 80 feet, and we may get lucky and have another 80-foot thrower this season. Bobby Colantonio of Alabama should challenge.

In the men’s heptathlon Georgia returns the top two athletes. Karel Tilga and Kyle Garland are both juniors this season and both elected to stay at Georgia even after Kyprianou was relieved of his leadership. Under the direction of Caryl Smith-Gilbert expect for them to be primed and ready for this season. Tilga is the defending champion and has used his excellent technique in the field to surpass Garland who is perhaps faster and more athletic. Regardless we should have another excellent competition between the two this season.

2022 NCAA Indoor Preview Part 3

(Emmanuel Ihemeje-Oregon)

Continuing on with our preview in this post we will discuss the jumpers. What a great past few years we have seen so many great programs lay the claim to jumps "U". From the Florida Gators, LSU Tigers, Arkansas Razorbacks, Texas A&M Aggies and the Florida State Seminoles. Of course there have been champions from other schools but those five programs have really produced. With Georgia losing their jumps coach in Petros Kyprianou they are likely to take a step back. However this does highlight the incredible performances and talent we have seen from the jumpers in recent years. This season should be no different. 

JUMPS

Women

Last indoor season were treated to a great pair of athletes in Tyra Gittens of Texas A&M and Anna Hall of Georgia. They not only competed head-to-head in the pentathlon but also in the high jump. Tyra Gittens turned out to be the big winner. She returns along with Hall who will be representing Florida now and defending Outdoor champion Rachel Glenn of South Carolina. Both Hall and Gittens have the Pentathlon to contest with, while the High Jump will be Glenn’s only event.

The Pole Vault will crown a new champion. The top returnee is Sydney Horn of High Point. She was a freshman win she finished third last season with a mark of 14 feet 5 ½ inches. A strong challenger will likely be Nastassja Campbell of Arkansas. The Razorbacks have produced multiple national champions and all-Americans of the past several years in the Pole Vault, Campbell looks to continue that trend.

Anna Hall is not the only Georgia athlete that transferred to Florida. Top long jump returnee from last indoor season Jasmine Moore. Now a Florida Gator Moore will not only be favored in the long jump but in the triple jump as well. Her teammate Claire Bryant should be her top challenger in the long jump. In the triple jump it will be Ruta Lasmane of Florida State. Moore was highly decorated coming out of high school, now a junior Moore will finally look to pull of the jumping double something that has happened multiple times at Florida.

Men

The top returning high jumper is Vernon Turner of Oklahoma. The Big 12 Champion of 2018 has long since proven that he can go toe to toe with the best jumpers. With JuVaughn Harrison of LSU exhausting his eligibility Turner is the obvious returning favorite. His challenger for the title should be Mayson Conner of Nebraska.

A new champion will be crowned in the men’s pole vault. KC Lightfoot of Baylor has given up his eligibility to turn pro. The top returnee from last indoor season is Zac McWhorter of BYU. However, the outdoor champion was Branson Ellis of Stephen F. Austin. Stephen F. Austin has produced several champions in All-Americans recently and Ellis is the latest stud. Having already garnered a national title outdoors look for Ellis to solidify his position as the top vaulter.

In the long jump Carey McLeod of Tennessee is the top returner. Last year we were treated to amazing long jump competition that saw three athletes surpass 27 feet indoors. Like in the High Jump the defending champion Harrison has exhausted eligibility. McLeod will be the only athlete in the country with ability to go over 27 feet. His challenger will be Ryan Brown of Arkansas and potentially Matthew Boling of Georgia.

The triple jump will return a champion in Emmanuel Ihemeje of Oregon. He caught everyone by surprise last indoor season with his victory. All eyes were McLeod claiming the title since he was number one heading into the championship. Ihemeje proved that his indoor title was no fluke when he came back outdoors to win the title. McLeod will remain a top contender by last season was Ihemeje’s freshman campaign. With a year of training and experience under his belt, expect for him to take things even further.

2022 NCAA Indoor Preview Part 2

(Joyce Kimeli)

We continue our preview with the distance events. The indoor season is certainly seems more distance friendly and this season may shape up that way. We lost quite a few champions to the professional ranks and graduation. There is still some talented defenders along with a strong crop of returnees. Let us discuss. 

DISTANCE

Women

Starting with the shortest distance event on the track, the 800 meters, we were treated to a special 2021 season. Courtesy of Olympic Gold Medalist and freshman Athing Mu of Texas A&M both indoor and outdoor NCAA records have been reset. A new champion will be crowned, and the top returnee is Laurie Barton of Clemson. Barton did her major running last outdoor season finishing second at the NCAA Championship running a time of 2:00.65. Clemson has had solid 800-meter runners over the year including a NCAA Champion in Natoya Goule. Look for her continue that strong tradition. Gabrielle Wilkinson of Florida is another big name to watch. The young junior has developed well under Chris Solinksy.

The mile has proven to be unpredictable almost every indoor season. This season that trend will likely continue. The top returnee from last indoor season is Krissy Gear. Gear finished second at the NCAA Championship and is the top miler for Arkansas. The Razorbacks have been so dominant over the past few years thanks to their well-rounded program. The distance core is the strength of their team and should be again this season. Challenge should come from Ella Donaghu of Stanford.

In the 3,000 Joyce Kimeli of Auburn played an excellent game of cat and mouse at both the SEC Indoor and NCAA Indoor championships last season with Kate Izzo of Arkansas. It worked well at the SEC Indoor but at the NCAA Indoor meet she found herself finishing in the third. She has the top returning time in the country with 8:56.02 and will be a heavy favorite for the crown. Lauren Gregory of Arkansas will serve as challenger.

Kimeli is also the favorite to defend her 5,000 NCAA crown. It is currently her only national title. She will see strong challenges from Mercy Chelangat of Alabama and potentially the recently crowned Cross Country NCAA Champion Whittni Orton of BYU.

Men

In the men’s 800 a new champion will be crowned. Finley McLear of Miami (OH) nearly claimed the NCAA title for himself with a time of 1:45.91. He lost to Charlie Hunter of Oregon who ran 1:45.90. McLear is the clear top returnee and should have an impressive indoor season. You however cannot forget the incredible season that Brandon Miller of Texas A&M had as a freshman last outdoor season. He defeated Hunter in that race by still finished second to Olympian Isaiah Jewett of USC. Miller’s time of 1:44.97 is the top returning time either indoors or out from last season. This should be a great race.

In the mile the top returnee is Eliud Kipsang of Alabama. He has had quite the impressive start to his career. As a freshman he finished second at the NCAA indoor meet last season. He has already claimed the Cross-Country SEC title and for a miler with that level of endurance bodes well for what should be a championship season for him. Adam Fogg of Drake is a potential challenger.

The 3,000 or 3k will also be crowning a new champion. It may come from the defending 5k champion in Wesley Kiptoo of Iowa State. Kipsang is a well-versed long-distance athlete capable of running every long-distance event. He is one of the top returnees in the 3k and as the defending champion in the 5k do not be surprised if he tries to double. Challenging him is that man that beat him at the Cross-Country championship in November, Conner Mantz of BYU. Mantz was atop the list a lot of last indoor season but instead ran at the Covid delayed NCAA Cross Country championship instead of the NCAA Indoor Championship. With the delay no longer in the way he very well could challenge Kiptoo in both events.

2022 NCAA Indoor Preview Part 1

 
(Randolph Ross- North Carolina A&T)

Welcome back collegiate track and field fans. As we began the collegiate indoor season it seems that our hope to return to normal for the 2022 year has ended. A new variant is wreaking havoc on the American Health system and new parameters are being put in placed to curtail the disappointing trend. This could mean another year of law fan turnout at our major events due to Covid. However, it is still a happy time because the season is upon us. Although there is the usual December meets the indoor season really kicks off in January. In this post we will preview the 2022 indoor season in the three major areas, sprints/hurdles, distance, and field events. In this first preview we will be discussing the sprints/hurdles. 

SPRINTS/HURDLES

WOMEN

The 60-meter dash was quite the spectacle last indoor season. We treated to a new NCAA record with a time of 7.05 by Kemba Nelson of Oregon by way of Jamaica. Oregon in recent years have been quite impressive with their performance in this event, with multiple national champions. Nelson is the latest to carry the torch and is poised to repeat. Challenging her will be Joella Lloyd of Tennessee who claimed the SEC Indoor title.

In the 200 the defending champion Abby Steiner of Kentucky is returning. She set NCAA Indoor record with her time of 22.38. She was not herself this past outdoor season after sustaining an injury. After having set a new NCAA record in the 300 at the beginning of December Steiner is looking to defend her title and get back on track. Her challenger will be Favour Ofili of LSU. LSU has such an incredible history of sprinters and Ofili is the next in line. After competing at the Olympics as a freshman for Nigeria, Ofili is poised for a big 2022 season.

The 400 was incredible last season, both indoors and outdoors thanks to Athing Mu. Mu has moved on and now Talitha Diggs of Florida moves to the front. Being the daughter of the great Joetta Clark Diggs and niece of Hazel Clark and Jearl Miles Clark, she has the genetics for success. Diggs ran a time of 51.14 to win the SEC Indoor title last season. Now a sophomore I believe she is clearly ready for the next step. Her biggest challenge will likely come from Stacey Ann Williams of Texas. Williams had an indoor best last season of 51.60 and a outdoor best of 50.34. Diggs has already shown to be an excellent big meet performer and Williams is still coming around to that point, but with a time of 50.34 you certainly cannot ignore her.

In the 60-meter hurdles Ackera Nugent of Baylor by way of Jamaica burst onto the scene last year. Breaking world junior records. The extremely quick Nugent has superior speed against every hurdler she will compete against. With another year of technical training and speed training not only will she defend her NCAA title that she won as a freshman, but she will also likely challenge the NCAA record. 7.91 as a freshman is an extremely impressive personal mark. She will be challenged by Daszay Freeman of Arkansas also by way of Jamaica.

MEN

Micah Williams of Oregon was an extremely sought-after recruit and lived up to the hype as a freshman last season by winning the NCAA title with a time of 6.49. He remained at the top during the outdoor season but was surpassed by Terrance Laird of LSU. Now as a sophomore he will use his advantage of a strong burst coupled with Championship experience to defend his title and challenge the NCAA 60-meter record. Rikkoi Brathwaite of Indiana is back and will be his toughest challenger.

In the 200 Matthew Boling of Georgia was sensational last indoor season. He avenged his loss at the SEC Indoor Championships by winning the Indoor title in a time of 20.19. He was not able to carry that success to the outdoor season. With the change in coaches to Caryl Smith-Gilbert formerly of USC expect for her form to be tight and his performance to be more consistent. His biggest competitor will be the Outdoor defending champion. Joseph Fahnbulleh of Florida. Fahnbulleh is known for his strong late kick which was present at the NCAA Championship which he won in a time of 19.92 after coming off the turn behind. Fahnbulleh competed at the Olympics and will take his experience and use that to directly confront Boling.

Just like the 200, the 400 will have a returning indoor champion and outdoor champion. The returning indoor champion is Noah Williams of LSU. Williams had an indoor personal best of 44.71 surprising the field when he won. Randolph Ross of North Carolina A&T was the expected winner. He would avenge his defeat outdoors with a time of 43.85. Ross is the first returning athlete to have ran under 44 seconds. Ross also ran for Team USA in the Olympics. Although Williams is the defending champion it is hard to ignore 43.85.

The 60 hurdles will have a new NCAA Champion. Jamal Britt of Iowa is the top returnee with a personal best of 7.52. However, Philip Lemonious of Arkansas by way of Jamaica had an incredible freshman season finishing third in the outdoor 110 high hurdles. Britt proved to have the superior technique last indoor season. Lemonious is at one of the best programs in the country, his technique will certainly be improved.