ACC Indoor Track and Field Men's Preview

Unlike the women of this conference the men's version of the ACC has always been very well rounded. Excellent sprint programs in Florida State and Clemson, great distance programs in North Carolina, Duke and Virginia along with a great conference full of talented athletes in the field events. However the conference has been getting stronger in the sprints and in jumps in the past few years especially from schools such as Florida State. The Seminoles had won three straight NCAA Outdoor titles from 2006-2008. Although the past two years they have been close to regaining that championship form this maybe the season that takes them over the top again. The Seminoles will get the championship start from competition in the conference.


Men's Sprints & Hurdles

Florida State suffered from the lost of Charles Clark to injury, Johnathan Borlee who left early and Brandon O'Connor to undisclosed issues. Maurice Mitchell, Kevin Borlee and Brandon Byram stepped up to continue that great Florida State tradition. Mitchell won the men's 60 meter dash last season. Mitchell is the headline favorite in the men's 60, looking to defend his title against Keith Ricks of Virginia Tech. Mitchell will also be challenged and aided by the return of teammates O'Connor, Bryam and Clark in the men's 200 that could be a 1-2-3-4 sweep for the Seminoles. Borlee will lead the Seminoles in the men's 400 but will be challenged by a deep group of North Carolina Tar Heels. Clayton Parros, Charles, Cox and Ian Williamson will look to again to challenge the Seminoles for long sprint supremacy.

In the men's hurdles it is Clemson, Miami and everybody else. Clemson is returning four All-Conference performers from last season in Spencer Adams, Charlton Rolle, Claudio Carpini, and Marcus Maxey. Returning for the Hurricanes of Miami is Devon Hill who will try and defend his indoor title that he won last season clocking in at 7.78.

Distance

Like the women of this great conference the men have a great distance tradition. Virginia had the recruit of the year last season in Robby Andrews. Andrews won the NCAA Indoor title as a freshman and when many thought he would hit the freshman wall, he didn't. Andrews went on to finish second at the NCAA Outdoor Championship. Andrews personal best of 1:45.54 was the nation's best time last season and Andrews is easily the favorite to repeat as champion. Lance Roller a teammate of Andrews will provide great competition, Roller won the outdoor ACC crown and could upset Andrews in his bid for another indoor crown.

Virginia has another talented middle distance runner in Sintayehu Taye. Taye won the outdoor ACC title and is early favorite to repeat. Teammate Brett Johnson and Michael Hammond of rival Virginia Tech will be strong challengers and could win the conference title themselves. Hammond is especially dangerous to Taye's hopes, Hammond was the indoor conference champion last season. Hammond's teammate William Mulherin is also dangerous, Mulherin won the Penn Relays mile and is the defending outdoor champion at 5,000 meters, he should carry that success indoors as well.

Jumps

It's fair to say that the ACC is one of the three best jumping conferences in the country and could arguably be the best. Senior Madanha Chibudu of Florida State will look to defend his title in the men's long jump. Chibudu has been apart of the Seminoles great staple of jumpers going back to their last championship season. Josh Fowler of Clemson, a senior as well, will contest Chibudu for the conference title and was a great challenge last season.

With Alphonso Jordan gone Austin Davis of North Carolina ND and Marcus Robinson of Virginia both of whom are seniors, will compete for the men's title in the triple jump. There is not a headline favorite since both are capable of winning the title.

In the men's pole vault Hunter Hall looks to aide in helping Virginia Tech sweep again. Last indoor season the Hokies went 1-2-3 with Hall leading the way. Hall is the early favorite to defend his title but teammates Jared Johnson and Yavgeniy Olhovsky will look to win the event themselves. Olhovsky proved to Hall last outdoor season that he is capable of winning the crown by winning it.

Throws

The main event in the throws is always the shot put. With Steve Marcelle gone Michael Putman of Florida State will look to step and take the crown. Putman did not have the greatest indoor performance finishing 7th, however last outdoor season Putman finished 2nd to Marcelle. Alex Padgett of Clemson will also be a contender for the men's shot put crown. Putman's place in this event will have a huge impact on the points race for the conference crown.


CONFERENCE CHAMPION: FLORIDA STATE
RUNNER UP: VIRGINIA

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