The Weekend that was.

What a news heavy weekend in track and field for the collegiate track and field. There were more athletes who automatically qualified to nationals, a world leading time and some major coaching news. First I would like to continue my blog from last week on professional track and field with the growing success of distance running in America.

In the past I could never quite understand why America struggled so mightly in the middle distance and long distance events. With all the success America has had in sprints, jumps and throws you would think with that same effort we could produce that same success in the distance events. For years we have watched our African brethen dominate the distance events, whether it be Kenya or Ethiopia. Not only have they dominated with their experienced runners, but their youth runners as well. Runners as young as 18 or 19 competing in the Olmypics not just for experience but to medal and or win. Along with our African brothers we have watched Europeans have some success in the distance events as well, not always as Champions but on the podium to receive a medal and yes on the top. But finally, America is starting to develop some serious distance prowess with groups such as the Oregon Track Club. This project has been in development for a few years and like Track and Field news stated it is starting to bare fruit. Where will be in 2012 we do not know yet, but I would not be suprised if the United States produced an Olympic Medalist in almost every single distance event at the Olympic Games. Galen Rupp, Jordan Hasay, German Fernandez, Anna Price, Jenny Barringer and Geena Gall just to name a few. No longer do I expect American distance runners to struggle with hitting the A standard in some Olympic Events.

*Coaching Change

It saddens to know my alma mater, Eastern Michigan, has watched one of the best coaches in school history step down. Brad Fairchaild stepped down from his position as head coach of Eastern Michigan University Men's track and field just over a week ago. As the beat reporter for the team for three years I got to know Brad well and respect the decisions he has made as a head coach. I watched him develop athletes with very little talent into Conference Champions and All-Americans. Brad I wish you the best in the future and thank you for your years of success at Eastern.

*College News*

Torrin Lawrence of Georgia ripped the track in two at the Tyson Invitational. Torrin Lawrence blew away his competition in the men's 400 clocking in at 45.03. Lawrence's performance is the seventh fastest 400 meter time indoors in world history and third all time in collegiate history. With a month to go in the season I expect for Lawrence to dip under 45 seconds. Freshman Tavaris Tate of Mississippi State and Senior Calvin Smith of Florida both clocked in under 46 seconds to automatically qualify for the NCAA Championship meet.

Jeff Demps of Florida is healthy and doing what we expected him to do last season now. Demps only in second week of competing clocked in at 6.59 lowering his season best from 6.61. Demps had a nice season with the Florida Football Gators and I expect for him to have an even better performance as a track and field athlete. Hopefully some of his success will rub off on Terrell Wilks and Jeremy Rankin who are not performing up to their standars of success.

On the women's side talented freshman Jordan Hasay has added to her collection of success with an automatic qualifying time in the women's 3,000 with a time of 9:12.25, I expect her to be in the thick of things at the Championship meet. Charlotte Browning of Florida leads the nation in the women's mile this season with her only run clocking in at 4:31.24. It seems as though Florida is looking to develop a solid well rounded program. In two years the Gators will be consistent contenders for a national title. Lisa Koll and Nicole Blood add to the automatic list with their performances in the women's 5,000. Koll clocking at15:29.65 and Blood 15:51.59.

In the sprints Arkansas became the first women's 4x400 relay team to automatically qualify to nationals, lowering the nations number one time to 3:32.87 to surpass Oregon. Junior LaKya Brookins of South Carliona hit the auto mark in the women's 60 clocking in at 7.23. Brookins is the defending 60 meter champ and will be a solid favorite to defend her title. Joining Brookins is Shaniqua Ferguson of Auburn, Blessing Okagbare of UTEP and Shavon Greaves of Penn State. Okagbare also leads the nation in the women's long jump leaping to 21 11-3/4. Okagbare should look to break the 22 feet barrier.

Major conference championships began this upcoming weekend with the Big East conference. Expect another week of auto's and amazing competition.

Next Post: The other side of Track (Field athletes).

THE BEGINNING OF THE PROFESSIONAL SEASON

This is a odd year for professional athletes. There is no major outdoor championships but there is a major indoor championship. Although many track and field fans do not follow indoor as often as they follow the outdoor season this is indoor seasons started off with a bang.



*SPRINTS*





In the men's 60 meter hurdles Terrance Trammel again proves that over the short distance in the hurdles his speed is too much for his competition to overcome. At the Millrose Games, the first stop on Visa Championship Series tour, Trammel clocked in at 7.49 in the men's 60 meter hurdles.



Lisa Barber has not been in the lime light recently but Barber maybe making a comeback after stunning New York track and field fans with her big win in the women's 60 meter dash clocking in at 7.24 defeating former world champion Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown. Although the 60 meter sprint is Barber premiere event I would not be surprised if she made the women's team in the 100 meters this outdoor season.



In the women's 60 meter hurdles Priscilla Lopes-Schliep continued her winning ways in the short hurdles clocking in at 8.01. Although it is not the sub 8 second race we have come accustomed to from Lopes-Schliep it is still a solid time to start off the season. Lolo Jones however has began the season with a sub 8 performance clocking in at 7.85 which is the world leading time.



Mark Jelks was once dubbed the next Maurice Greene by his coach at Kansas City Community College maybe on his way there with his world leading performance of 6.56 in the men's 60 meter dash. It will be quite interesting when Jelks goes head to head with Ivory Williams the Millrose Games winner and Michael Rodgers one of the world's best at 60 meters.



The 400 is an interesting event indoors. We have not either on the men's or women's side seen an American dominate this event of a consistent period during the indoor season. Also keep in mind that during the indoor season competing in this event is also the 400 meter hurdlers preparing themselves for the outdoor season. The indoor season's best professional 400 meter runner right now is James Davis, who is always one of the best during the indoor season. This event in the professional ranks is wide open since there is no true star. Bershawn Jackson can be tabbed as the favorite after 600 yard win at the Millrose Games but I am expecting someone else to step up and take the crown.



The same can be said for the women's 400, there has been no true consistent champion. Sanya Richards may compete this indoor season giving some light to one of the best events in track and field. Monica Hargrove seems to always be in the mix, not necessarily as a star but a blooming one. Hargrove won the 400 meters at the Millrose Games clocking in at 55.07. Hargrove's time may not be a stellar time but keep in mind it was on a normal banked track. I expect Hargrove to at least crack 53 seconds at the Boston Indoor Games but she will have competition from Jamaica's Shereefa Floyd and Shareese Woods.



Next: The Pro's Field Preview and a College Update.