THE BEST OF SERIES CONTINUES

Let's continue the best of series with the 400 hurdles and our next post following this category will be in preparation for the upcoming indoor season.

The 400 hurdles can arguably be the most grueling sprint in track and field. It is the sprint version of the steeplechase without the water jump. 10 barriers surround the 400 meter track and the object is cleanly clear each hurdle with great speed and endurance. Not only is this event difficulty physically but technically it is very tough. The United States has had some decent success in the women's 400 hurdles and held the world record in the event for almost a decade thanks to Kim Batten. The one blemish is that the United States has never had a woman win this event at the Olympic Games. There have 3 different silver medalist and 2 different bronze medalist. Although the success has not been golden for the United States the programs in the country help to develop great potentials.




5. Louisiana State University (LSU)- Yes let's all continue to slurp the LSU kool-aid. This an event LSU has not had dominant success but is great at develop the talent they have. The Tigers also have there share of NCAA Champions such as Nickeisha Wilson, Debbie Parris and Schowanda Williams. Shaver has placed an emphasis on the event having developed Nickiesha Wilson into a 53.97 performer to set a school record. Currently on campus for LSU is young talent Cassandra Tate who won the SEC Outdoor title in her first year in the event. Tate is definitely a future great to watch out for along with freshman recruit Jasmine Stowers. The Tigers could potentially have two young All-American 400 hurdlers on their team.

School Record Holder:
Nickiesha Wilson 53.97

4. South Carolina University- Curtis Frye is widely regarded as one of the best hurdle and 400 meter coaches. His success is well recorded with a list including Olympic Champions and medalists. The 400 hurdles is the one event were he has not had an NCAA Champion but excellent production. A list of All-Americans include Lashinda Demus, Krystal Cantey, Shevon Stoddart and Tiffany Ross-Williams. Currently at South Carolina Janica Austin and star freshman Amber Allen will look to put South Carolina back at the top of the SEC 400 hurdle picture. With Frye's ability to develop his 400 meter runners with a great combination of speed and endurance along with allowing his hurdlers to have great technique and speed it seems as if the 400 hurdles should be Frye's best event, I expect for Allen and Austin to be great hurdlers for the Lady Gamecocks.

School Record Holder:
Lashinda Demus 54.70

3. University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)- I know what you are thinking, isn't this low for the Bruins. Right now I say no. Bobby Kersee is one of the great coaches ever for the 400 hurdles. He has coached plenty of NCAA Champions in this event that have ran for UCLA including Nicole Leach, Sheena Johnson, Joanna Hayes and Janeen Vickers. Throughout Kersee's career has been known as a great coach when it comes to technique especially in the hurdles. Kersee has the rare coaching ability to make this event more about the athletes technique and less about their speed. Turquoise Thompson is the next in line of great 400 meter hurdles from UCLA.

School & NCAA Record Holder:
Sheena Johnson (Tosta) 52.95

2. University of Miami, FL ( THE U)- Amy Deem program is one very well rounded program, especially in the sprints. Although the Hurricanes do not have the history that all the other programs have but they are definitely the team of the hear and now. The Hurricanes could possibly have a NCAA Champion and 3 All-Americans in this one event alone. Currently on campus is NCAA runner up from 2010 and the USA Outdoor Track and Field champion in 400 hurdles, Tierra Brown. Assisting Brown are All-American twins Takecia and Tameka Jameson. Deem's program has built on the success that Dominique Darden had while attending Miami. Joining this great All-American group is Thandi Stewart the 2nd ranked long hurdler in the country in high school by clocking in at 40.45 and running a 400 in 53.79. Stewart should be a great contributor to the Hurricanes dominance in the 400 hurdles.

School Record Holder:
Ti'erra Brown 54.74

1. University of Texas (UT)- Texas has been solid in this event while under Kearney. There have been a total of 6 runners under 56 seconds in school history in the 400 hurdles and multiple All-Americans. Raasin McIntosh, Melaine Walker, Angel Patterson, Tanya Jarrett, Keasha Downer, Alyssa Aiken and Natasha Neal were all stars under Kearney. Walker is definitely the cream of the crop having won a world championship and Olympic Gold medal for her native Jamaica. Kearney has turned Angele Cooper to a developmental 400 meter runner in to a All-American in the 400 hurdles in just two seasons. Cooper also has a solid personal best in the 400 with a time of 52.18 ran last season. Watch for Cooper to compete for the NCAA and Big 12 title. Assisting Cooper with developing a great core of 400 hurdles is Jamaican star freshman Danielle Dowie and Ashley Starks.

School Record Holder:
Raasin McIntosh 54.16