Now that I may have consistent access to a computer I want to begin a new series examining the best universities in the country in an event that they do well. I call it the BEST OF series. Today I want to examine one of my favorite events, the short hurdles. The short hurdles is the sprint version of the hurdle race, for women 100 meter hurdles and men 110 meter hurdles. It is hard to pin point the best university in the country at the event because our country does such a phenomenal job with hurdlers. So lets examine the top 5 schools on each side and why.
THE BEST 100 METER HURDLE PROGRAMS (WOMEN)
5. Clemson University- Under the direction of Lawrence Johnson the lady tigers have flourished, they are becoming a excellent sprint program bust most importantly a great hurdle program. Johnson was the original hurdle coach at Virginia Tech University that discovered the talents of Queen Harrison and Kristi Catlin. The Tigers return a formidable group, Michaelyn Golliday, Patricia Mamona and Brianna Rollins. The Tigers will receive help from star recruit Bridgette Owens-Mitchell a two time state champion from Michigan along with being an All-American. Watch for the Tigers to put together an excellent shuttle hurdle relay team to compete with the Aggies.
4. University of Michigan - Women's Head Coach Mike Henry has a great mind for coaching this event. He has taken averaged talent and turned it into something golden. He has also taken developed talent and turned it into something pheonomenal. For three seasons 2007-2009 Tiffany Ofili of Michigan dominated the women's 100 meter hurdles. She was not heavily recruited in high school even though she ran a 8.61 at the 2005 Michigan Indoor State Meet. Ofili is perhaps one of the greatest if not greatest winning hurdler ever. Charnee Lumbus is taking over as the top hurdler for the Wolverines, all are still waiting on Julian Purvis to see what she can do but recruits Amber Smith and Erin Busbee from Cleveland Collinwood should make a name for themselves this coming season.
3. University of Miami (FL)- This program has become one of the best at this event in the past couple years. Tierra Brown, Takecia and Tameka Jameson makes for a phenomenal group. Brown is a early pre-season favorite to win the 60 meter indoor title. All three have the potential to be sub 13.2 hurdles and Brown returns as the runner up from the indoor season. The Canes return Deandra Doyley and Brittney Clarke to assist Brown and the Jameson twins. Also recruit Nicole Cummings should not only add depth in the hurdles but the jumps as well. The Hurricanes will have a very deep hurdle core entering this coming season and will need to this group to perform well in order to compete in the ACC which looks to be the best conference for the 100 hurdles.
2. Virginia Tech University- It's hard to put this program number 2 but the number 1 program is just as deserving. The Virginia Tech program is one the best at developing speed and technique. The Hokies say goodbye to two phenoms in Kristi Catlin and Queen Harrison. Kristen Brown will have to carry the torch for the Hokies, Brown an All-American should be the next great Hokie.
1. Texas A&M University- Pat Henry has brought his phenomenal talents from LSU to Texas A&M. The hurdles was a staple at LSU for many years, under Henry at LSU were greats Joyce Bates, Tananjalyn Staley and Lolo Jones. At A&M Henry has a trio of great hurdlers including Gabby Mayo, Natasha Ruddock, Vashti Thomas and Dominique Flemings. Both Mayo and Ruddock have the ability to run under 12.8, Thomas will be a junior and Flemings will be a sophomore. The Aggies could be the first women's team to have four sub 13 second hurdlers. A repeat as the best shuttle hurdle relay team is a definitie possibility. Next Post: Men's 110 Hurdles best 5 programs.
