Best of Series Part 4

THE 100 METER SPRINTER

I am back by the grace of God, I thank him for making all thing possible.

Let's continue the best of series with the best 100 meter schools for men. I admit it I had a hard time putting this list together. There are so many great programs in the United States that develop great 100 meter sprinters. The five schools I chose have been able to develop their sprinters every year.




5. The University of Southern California (USC)- This was track and field's first sprinting dynasty. In the 60's and 70's USC was known for its great success in sprinting at one point winning 9 straight NCAA titles. A total of 28 titles mostly because of its phenomenal sprint program. The only negative about selecting USC in this list is that they have not had an NCAA Champion in the 100 since 1978 Clancy Edwards. I attribute that to recruiting I have not seen the Trojans recruit that many super 100 meter sprinters out of high school. Its seems to be the goal of USC to develop sprinters around 10.4 to 10.6. Ron Allice is the director of Track and Field at USC but the develop of the sprinters are mainly left up to John Henry Johnson. Prime examples of their great developments are Phillip Francis, Wes Felix, Ahmad Rashad, Garry Jones, Kareem Kelly, Sultan McCullough, Darrell Rideaux, Marvin Anderson and Charles Lee. Four athletes in particular improved dramatically under Johnson's tutelage. Ahmad Rashad improving from 10.56 to 10.10 in just three years. Although Rashad ran faster times in 100 in high school the 10.56 is the only top time he has that wasn't wind-aided. Also keep in mind Rashad could have ran a 10.0 something unfortunately his top time this past season was wind-aided and he also false started at the NCAA Championships. Garry Jones improving from 10.5 to 10.23 in four years although he was injured almost every season. Phillip Francis 10.5 to 10.1 became on of the best ever at USC winning PAC-10 titles in both 100 and 200 in 2006. Finally there is Wes Felix older brother to star Allyson Felix. Wes was not even a finalist in the 100 in High school, although his time of 10.6 was nothing to sneeze at he was mainly known for his 200 speed. By his senior year he improved to a time of 10.2. I wonder what Johnson's program would be like if he would recruit guys running 10.3 and 10.2 already.

School Record Holder
James Sanford 10.02

4. Louisiana State University (LSU) known for its great history in the sport has flourished with 100 meter sprinters with Dennis Shaver. Dare I say it, I think Dennis Shaver is a better sprints coach for men than Pat Henry. Their history is the sprints under Pat Henry was acquiring good depth to put together excellent relays. Recent 100 sprinters including 3 national champions make LSU hard to beat. Xavier Carter in two years went from a 10.3 to a 10.09, Richard Thompson went from a 10.5 to 9.93 and Trindon Holliday went from a 10.3 to a 10.0 while playing football, I wonder what Holliday could have done had he focused on track and field solely. Other great sprinters under Shaver include Kelly Willie and Jerell Hill. Look for Rynell Parson to be another great champion for LSU, Parson sat out last year with an injury.

School Record Holder
NCAA Record Holder
Richard Thompson 9.89

3. University of Florida- It pains to put Mike Holloway this low on the list. Holloway has done a phenomenal job with developing his sprinters. In the 100 meters he has recruited guys running 10.5 and turned them into 10.1 performers. Great performers under Holloway include, Dennis Mitchell, Daymon Carroll, Bernard Williams, John Capel, Willie Perry, Ahmad Jasmine, Kyle Farmer, Jeremy Hall, Terrell Wilks and Jeffrey Demps. Recent stars Jeremy Hall and Terrell Wilks were good athletes in high school but became household names under Hollway. Wilks improving from a 10.6 to 10.1 in the men's 100 and still has his senior season. Hall in three seasons went from 10.44 to 10.08, unfortunately Hall did not have a great outdoor season unable to continue his All-American success individually by only running a 10.3 his senior year. Willie Perry arrived in Gainesville running a 10.52 and in three years was able to run a 10.12 and of course there is school record holder and Olympic medalist Bernard Williams who was able to run a 9.99 under Holloway coming from a 10.08. Holloway unfortunately lost a big recruit in Jeremy Rankin who transferred to Oklahoma, I don't know whether it was the average year he had or the fact that he wanted to be closer to home. I expect for Blake Heriot top incoming recruit to be able to make an early impact as a freshman. Wilks and Demps will have to provide the firepower without Rankin and Hall who graduated. Demps is the defending champion at 100 meters and should be able to repeat.

School Record Holder
Bernard Williams 9.99

2. Texas Christian University (TCU)- This school is known for this event the history TCU has had with the 4x100 relay is ridiculous. The athletes read like a who's who. Just some of the greats include, Raymond Stewart, Kim Collins, Jon Drummond, Michael Frater, Donovan Powell, Darvis Patton and Roscoe Tatum just to name a few. Recently TCU has not been the super 100 school it used to be in the 90's but it is still very relevant and doing well under coach Darryl Anderson, they have yet to win a 4x100 relay title but will soon and that is why TCU is number there history and there current sprinters. Current stars include Skye Dawson, Charles Silmon, Mark Barnes and Mychael Dungey. Expect for this group to put together a solid 4x1 performance. Silmon who finished second in the men's 100 at the World Junior meet will be someone to watch for this upcoming season.

School Record Holder
Raymond Stewart 9.97

1. Florida State University- As a Gator fan it pains me to say this, but it is what it is. The Seminoles have a phenomenal program and have done an excellent job developing their 100 meter sprinters. Cedric Nabe, Walter Dix, Greg Bolden, Michael Ray Garvin, Charles Clark, Derrick Baker, Rhoan Sterling, Ronald Wright, Maurice Mitchell and Brandon Byram and David Ambler. Walter Dix the most notable athlete of all these great sprinters. Dix clocked a 9.93 his junior year to win his second 100 meter title at Florida State. Harden has done an excellent job with the development of his sprinters, footballer Michael Ray Garvin is another great sprinter under Harden with a personal best of 10.1. Currently at Florida State is Mitchell, Ambler and Byram. Those three sprinters should continue the success at Florida State. Mitchell already earning All-American honors in the men's 100 and posting a personal best of 10.11. Keep an eye for Mitchell this coming outdoor season. Mitchell returns as the defending ACC Champion and looks to carry that success to the next level on the national stage.

School Record Holder
Walter Dix 9.93

**Sorry for the long wait, again my computer problems did not go away. The next post will be on 200 meter programs or 400 meter programs no decision as of yet. Thanks for reading. **