NCAA Championship Men's Preview

The Florida Men having been living by a code of Finish the Mission. If you are a Florida Gator track and field fan like myself you know why that has been the team statement. The past couple of years the Florida Gators have had an amazing string of 2nd place finishes. Last season they were in it to win at all championship meets last season and finished 2nd at all of them. This season the Gators have 2/3 major championships already won, the indoor NCAA title and the Outdoor SEC title hopefully the Gators can carry the winning success to the Outdoor championship meet against hometown favorite Oregon and sprint rivals Texas A&M.


Sprints
The sprints are an area where the Gators are looking to score heavy. The Gators while have to contend against a strong group of sprinters from Texas A&M, Mississippi State and cross state rival Florida State.

Jeff Demps has been unbeatable all outdoor season after running a dominant performance at both the SEC Outdoor and Regional meet Demps is poised to runaway with the 100 meter title and possibly put up a sub 10 second performance. Gerald Phiri of Texas A&M and Marcus Rowland of Auburn will be strong challengers.

In the 200 Texas A&M will look to add 10 huge points from indoor champion Curtis Mitchell. Mitchell has not lost at all this entire year indoor and out. Mitchell should continue his success at the outdoor meet, Terrell Wilks of Florida and Maurice Mitchell of Florida State should provide strong competition.

In the long sprint Florida and Texas A&M have a pair of athletes look to do well for the Gators, Tony McQuay and senior Calvin Smith for the Aggies Demetrius Pinder and Tabarie Henry. All four athletes have been having stellar seasons. Smith is currently the NCAA and World leader in the 400, however Pinder is looking strong after a mid season injury and Henry should not be overlooked. Beware of true freshman sprinters Tavarris Tate of Mississippi State and Kirani James of Alabama. I think Smith will put on one big performance for his final race.

In the hurdles Johnny Dutch of South Carolina is the best candidate for a potential double. However in the 110 meter high hurdles Ronnie Ash of Oklahoma has been solid, Ash is the defending outdoor champion and has performed well all season. With talented Jamaicans Andrew Riley of Illinois and Keiron Stewart of Texas, Ash is still the favorite.

Dutch's best chance for a title is in the 400 hurdles. At the regional meet Dutch put on a show with his stunning 48.12 performance clearly the NCAA leader. Defending champion Jeshua Anderson of Washington State has gotten the best of Dutch in the past couple of years but this maybe the year that Dutch finally gets his national title.

In the relay events Florida is currently ranked number 1 in both. I have to admit I am a little bit disappointed with the Florida Gators, there time of 38.81 in the 400 meter relay is a lot slower than I had predicted for them have hopefully with the challenge from Texas A&M, Mississippi State and LSU maybe the Gators can break their school record. The Gators 1,600 relay although currently considered underdogs are too me the team that can win it and maybe set a new NCAA record. Texas A&M and Mississippi State are strong competitors in this the 1,600 relay as well.

Distance

This where the Ducks will have strong crowd support. Andrew Wheating is trying to become the 4th athlete ever to win the 800 and mile double. Wheating is in the top three in both events. Indoor champion freshman Robby Andrews of Virginia, Richard Jones of LSU and Aaron Evans of Georgia will provide strong competition in the 800 and in the mile senior Lee Emanuel of New Mexico will be the main challenger in the men's mile.

In the 5,000 and 10,000 Sam Chalenga of Liberty is an easy favorite after having had a stellar season so far. Chalenga like Wheating is looking a rare doubles feat and he is alone at the top in both events.

Hillary Bor' of Iowa State is also a clear favorite to win his event, the men's 3,000 meter steeplechase. Senior Chris Barnicle of New Mexico will provide a great challenge.

FIELD

In the jumps Florida is expecting 20 huge points from the outstanding sophomore Christian Taylor. After Alain Bailey of Arkansas injured himself before the regional meet, Taylor clearly move to the front as the NCAA leader in the men's long jump. Taylor already the favorite in the men's triple jump after winning at the NCAA Indoor meet. Taylor will have team help from freshman Omar Craddock in the triple jump. Marquise Goodwin of Texas will be the main challenge in the men's long jump while Aggies Zuheir Sharif and Tyron Stewart will make it difficult for Taylor to win the triple jump.

The High Jump has been dominated by Derek Drouin of Indiana all season. Drouin was the winner during the indoor season and will be tough to beat the outdoor meet.

Scott Roth of Washington is the current favorite in the men's pole vault along with Jason Colwick of Rice to win the men's pole vault title.

In the men's shot put Kemal Mesic is expected to score big points for the Florida Gators and is huge peice in the team's title hopes. Mesic is currently ranked 2nd in the NCAA and is predicted by many to finish 2nd. With the pressure of a team title I would not be shocked if Mesic claimed the title. Senior Ryan Whiting of Arizona State is the clear favorite and will look to end a great career at Arizona State.

Whiting is also a favorite in the men's discus but will have to contend against true freshman Mason Finley of Kansas. Finley may have the top performance but I think experience may help Whiting at the championship meet.

Marcel Lomnický of Virignia Tech will go toe to toe with LSU star hammer thrower Walter Henning in the men's hammer. Henning has been phenomenal and dominant and should win the event.

Cyrus Hostelter of Oregon will be key in the team battle for the Ducks. The senior is the current favorite to win the title 10 huge points for the Ducks.

In the Decathlon the Ducks have another heavy favorite. Star decathlete senior Eaton has dominated the college decathlon the past couple of seasons. Eaton has speed like an All-American sprinter or hurdler and is a phenomenal long jumper. Eaton should put on a show that will have folks talking all weekend.

As stated yesterday this should be an amazing meet, with a fan base and crowd in Eugene this will hopefully be a solid positive for the sport of Track and Field.