WOMEN'S PENN RELAY PREVIEW

There is a lot of excitement for the women's races as well as the men. The reason why because of all the intriguing dual matches in each relay. The College women's races will be especially interesting to see. Can LSU and there history stand up to the new sprint school in Texas A&M. Although LSU is young they are loaded with sprint talent, Texas A&M definitely has a veteran group and the talent giving them an edge going in to the competition. Adding fuel to the fire, Oregon is traveling out east to compete against the two powers. All three schools are currently the top three ranked in the nation.

The sprint relay races will be the highlight of the meet as usual. In the women's 4x100 relay Texas A&M is the clear favorite to win the title. The Lady Aggies have ran a blistering 42.56 at the Texas Relays one of the 5 fastest races ever ran for a college women's team. Pat Henry is bringing the same success to Texas A&M that he had at LSU. However LSU is definitely a team to keep an eye on after running a 43.37 at the Miami Invitational, the key for LSU is solid baton passing which ironically has become average since Pat Henry left expect for Dennis Shaver to have his girls ready.

The 4x200 relay does not carry the fan fare on the women's side that it used to. In 2003 Pat Henry was in second to last year at LSU and his girls broke the 1:30 clocking a 1:29.78 at the Penn Relays, the first collegiate team to do so. Hopefully we will see another sub 1:30 performance to bring more interest back to this great race.

The 4x400 relay will be the most contested event at the Penn Relays in the college division. There a six possible winners, the national leader Arkanas, LSU, Texas A&M, nine time winner Texas, UTech and indoor champion Oregon. The Arkansas Razorbacks led wire to wire against LSU at the Texas Relays winning it in 3:31.20 currently the number one time. Expect for this be one of the best races the Penn has seen it along time.

The Sprint Medley is all about LSU. The Tigers are trying to win there fourth title in a row with the same 800 runner on the end, LaTavia Thomas. Thomas has been one of most consistent at LSU. There are few teams that can keep up with LSU's speed and to add to that the Tigers have Thomas on the end. I see no reason why the Tigers will not win their fourth in a row.

The Shuttle Hurdle Relay used to be an event dominated by LSU, unfortunately LSU does not have the stable of hurdlers they used to however Pat Henry will be bringing a solid team from Texas A&M, competition should come from Miami and Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech can be labeled the favorites with their dynamic hurdlers in Queen Harrison and Kristi Catlin.

In the distance relay events Tennessee brings a group that packs a poweful punch with each runner. The Volunteers include has indoor 800 champion Phoebe Wright, Chanelle Price, Kimmara McDonald, Brittany Sheffey and Jackie Areson. The improvements of all the girls will aided them against a solid Oregon Ducks crew. The Volunteers may break another NCAA record in the 4x800 relay. Breaking the 4xmile will be even more difficult to break without Sarah Bowman who has graduated. Still expect for the Vols to run a sub 17:20 performance. The Ducks who consist of freshman Jordan Hasay, Nicole Blood, Anne Kesselring, Zoe Buckman and Alex Kosinski. The Ducks could clock a sub 17:20 themselves. The Distance Medley relay was won the by the Volunteers indoors over the Ducks expect the same this outdoor season.

INDIVIDUAL RACES

The hurdles will be another change for Virginia Tech senior Queen Harrision to shine. Harrison has already ran a wind-aided 12.44 and 54.66. Hurdlers Ti'erra Brown of Miami, Natasha Ruddock of Texas A&M and teammate Kristi Catlin should help Harrison to break Donica Merriman (Ohio State) meet record of 12.70.

Samantha Henry is the clear favorite to win the women's 100 meter title, with the absence of Gabby Mayo, Henry is poised to defend her title and go out a winner in her senior year at LSU. Henry has ran a 11.18 to currently rank 4th in the NCAA. Shaniqua Ferguson of Auburn and LaKya Brookins of South Carolina will serve as strong competitors. Brookins has a phenomenal start, winning here would not surprise anyone.

In the distance races Jackie Areson of Tennessee will go head to head with Florida's Rebecca Lowe in the 5,000 and 10,000. Both want the title of Penn's long distance queen, Areson the defending champion in the 5,000 is an early favorite.

The Jumps have Shara Proctor of Florida against Florida State's Kim Williams challenging each other again in the women's triple jump. Unfortunately this season no one has been able to beat Williams the event, she is a three time high school winner and has already won twice for Florida State. Proctor will have her hands full, however Proctor is the favorite in the women's long jump.

The High jump will have the battle of the 6 foot jumpers. Brittani Carter of LSU who has a season's best of 6'0.50 will be challenging Nebraska's Epley Bullock who is ranked number three in the nation at 6'2.25 is defending champion and is strong favorite to defend her title.

LSU has a nother solid individual performance in Rachel Laurent in the Pole Vault who is defending champion. Laurent who has a personal record of 14-3.50 will be challenge by two other 14 footers, Katie Stripling and Tina Sutej of Arkansas.

Mariam Kevkhishvili is the queen of the shot put and hopes to be one of the many bright spots for Florida University. Kevkhishvili leads the country with a mark of 60-6.75 and should not be challenged for the title. Meghan Briggs of Virginia just won the ACC title and is expected to defend her title at the Penn Relays in the women's javelin.

This should be a weekend of number 1's on the women's side. This will be the first chance everyone will have to see the three top ranked teams after a full month of the outdoor season has passed. At this end of the weekend there may be a new number one.

The next post might possibly be a Drake Relays preview.