This meet would have been greater had Curtis Mitchell not decided to go professional. Although Mitchell will not be competing there are plenty of other great athletes who will be. This meet has the chance to have an automatic qualifier in almost every event.
Sprints
This should be a barn burner. Gerald Phiri of Texas A&M is headline favorite to win 60. Phiri is currently ranked 3rd in the 60 with a season's best of 6.63 and 2nd in the 200 with automatic qualifying 20.80. Markus Henderson of Texas Tech and Terrell Wilks of Florida will challenge Phiri for the challenge title in the 60.
In the 200 we will likely see another another automatic qualifier added to the list, either Torrin Lawrence of Georgia, Rakieem Salaam and or Antonio Sales of South Carolina. Lawrence comes into the race with most fan fare after having ran a 45.03 last indoor season. Salaam will push Lawrence wire to wire and will have the preferred lane in the race. Sales however has the best time.
Tabarie Henry of Texas A&M should rule the 400. Henry has no real competition in the race as he is the only athlete to run under 46 seconds indoors and outdoors in this race.
The hurdles features some great competition including Oklahoma senior Malcolm Anderson, senior Bryce Brown of Texas Tech, Wayne Davis of Texas A&M and William Wynne of Florida. All have the potential to win the race. Brown has looked the best this entire season and currently leads the NCAA with a time of 7.74, this could be his race to earn the automatic qualifier which is 7.70.
Jumps
This is a pretty competitive field in the high jump that includes to stellar sophomores, Erick Kynard of Kansas State and Ricky Robertson of Ole Miss. Robertson currently leads the NCAA with a leap of 7-5.75, it may come down to who has the fewest misses and Robertson should be the victor.
The long jump will feature triple jump star Christian Taylor of Florida and sensational sophomore Bryce Lamb of Texas Tech. Lamb has the better long jump game and is more suited for the event, Taylor a great triple jumper will have to jump a personal best to beat Lamb. I expect Lamb to win and earn a automatic qualifying mark.
Florida may honestly have the best trio of triple jumpers in the nation. Omar Craddock a sophomore has already qualified for the national championships with his performance two weeks ago at the Nittany Lion Challenge with a leap of 53-1.50. In this event William Claye, the transfer from Oklahoma, may earn his automatic bid as well. Claye has the better talent but Craddock is already hot for the season, Craddock should win with a personal best. Missing from the triple jump is Taylor but will make his presence known in the long jump.
Georgia looks to sweep the men's pole vault with a group that includes two freshman. Paul Malquist and Caleb Ebbetts are the two freshman who are expected to perform well for the Bulldogs, they will look to junior John Smith for leadership. Matt Schuler of South Carolina will look to stop the Georgia sweep and potentially win the event.
Distance
The 800 will be the debut of Georgia star junior Aaron Evans. Evans had a sensational outdoor season last summer with a personal best of 1:46.26 which set a Bermuda national record. No other athlete in the field should be able to dip under 1:50 other Evans.
Dumisane Hlaselo and Derek Wehent of Florida hope to lead a 1-2 finish over Kevin Williams of Oklahoma in the mile. Hlaselo is the South African Junior Record holder in multiple events and will be a great addition to the University of Florida.
James Uthmeier of Florida and Silas Kemboi of Texas Tech will battle it out in the 3,000 meters. Kemboi should prevail because of speed but Uthmeier will be hard to beat with his strong experience in the event after becoming all-conference in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
Throws
Junior Kemal Mesic of Florida looks to claim the shot put over conference rival Israel Machovec of Georgia. Machovec has not thrown this season but does have a personal best over 60 feet. Mesic is currently ranked 4th in the country with a throw of 62-1.25 and is the clear favorite to win.
The weight throw will be dominated by two athletes, Mike Zajac of South Carolina and KP Singh of Oklahoma. Singh has had the better season so far currently ranked 2nd in the nation with a throw of 69-2.75. Zajac had a better season last year and this maybe the meet were Zajac climbs to the top over Singh.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Texas A&M Women's Preview
Texas A&M Women’s Conference Challenge SEC VS BIG 12
Sprints & Hurdles
Let’s be honest, this is the reason why most, including myself, will be watching the live broadcast online. There is no question that sprinters and hurdlers will be the headline for both men and women. Texas A&M is coming a dominate performance against LSU. In this meet the only team that can challenge the Lady Aggies are the Gamecocks from South Carolina and conference mate Oklahoma, maybe.
LaKya Brookins of South Carolina will enter this meet as the defending challenge champion and current facility record holder. Brookins set the facility record back in 2009 to win the indoor national title in 7.13. Brookins is currently ranked 3rd in the NCAA this season with a seaon’s best of 7.24. Brookins will face strong opposition from Jeneba Tarmoh of Texas A&M and her teammate Gabby Mayo. Brookins teammate Shayla Mahan should be in the mix as well.
The 200 will be Jessica Beard’s to lose. Beard who is currently ranked number one in the NCAA and is the only athlete competing with a season’s best under 23 seconds. It is hard to believe Beard can pull off back to back sub 23 performances but she should win over Candyce McGrone of Oklahoma.
With Beard solely focusing on the 200, the 400 is left open. Ebony Eutsey a true freshman from Florida and her teammate Lanie Whitaker can be considered as favorites. Eutsey is coming off a strong anchor at the Nittany Lion Challenge two weeks ago. Taylor Evans of Texas Tech and Nadonnia Rodrigues can challenge for the victory as well. Rodrigues has an indoor personal record of 52.86.
In the hurdles senior Natasha Ruddock of A&M is the favorite to defend her title. Ruddock has the meet record in 8.16 and will look to lower her season best of 8.25 against a strong field that includes teammate Gabby Mayo and Latoya Greaves of Oklahoma.
Jumps
The triple jump, also known as Georgia versus Texas A&M. This event includes a strong group of triple jumpers from both Georgia and Texas A&M whose names will be mentioned come national championship time. Leading the way for Georgia is Colleen Felix and Maria Augustis who currently enter the challenge with the top two entries. Sasha-Kay Mathias and true freshman Jordan Wilson will lead the way for Texas A&M. This is a loaded field with five athletes with entries surpassing 42 feet including Kay of A&M, Felix and Augusts and their teammate LaTroya Darrell of Georgia and Oklahoma senior Jasmine Simmons. Felix is the expected winner with a entry of 44-9.50 could possibly surpass 45 feet.
Texas A&M may get outdone in the triple jump but may have better luck in the long jump, another true freshman Lisa Steinkamp of Texas A&M has the top entry in 21-0.50, Nina Kokot of Kansas State, Felix of Georgia and Brittany Bozeman of Ole Miss will challenge her for the crown.
Georgia will also have a very strong presence in the high jump. Saniel Atkinson and Carin Walker will look to lead the Bulldogs with a 1-2 finish. Walker currently has the best season performance reaching a height of 5-8.75 but will have to beat Atkinson to claim the title who is lthe ead entry into the meet.
Shade Weygandt is all alone at the top in the pole vault. The only vaulter in the field with a personal best over 14 feet. Weygandt is the clear favorite but will have to fight off three South Carolina vaulters in true freshman, Petra Olsen and Angela Rummans and junior Allie Nicosia.
Throws
In the shot put it's all about Oklahoma. Karen Shump and Tia Brooks finished 1-2 at the Big 12 Championships last season and Shump earned All-American honors with a 2nd place finish at the national meet last outdoor season. Bailey Wagner a teammate of Brooks and Shump will also contribute to a solid showing from Oklahoma. Kelly Closse of Texas Tech is the best chance to ruin the hopes of a sweep for Oklahoma. Closse is also the favorite to win the women's weight throw and will be challenge by Juliana Smith of Ole Miss and Alesha Asijie of Georgia.
Distance
The distance events will be all about Texas Tech. One could argue that Texas Tech has the premier distance program of the south excluding Tennessee. In the 800 Purity Biwott will look to lead the way Caroline Karunde and Caroline Jepleting will represent in the women's mile. Karunde's sister Winrose and teammate Rose Tanui will aide Caroline Karunde in a possible sweep in the 3,000. The only distance event were a Red Raider is not favored to win is the 5,000. Tara Upshaw of Texas A&M will lead a small group an earn possibly the only distance victory for the Aggies.
Next Post: Men's Preview
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
SEC Women's Preview
Much like the men, the women of the Southeastern Conference are strong in the sprints, jumps and hurdles and have a solid group of distance programs. It may seem as though the women maybe further along in the distance discussion than the men. With a championship distance program in Tennessee and nationally recognized programs in Florida, LSU and Arkansas. This season those same programs are in competition for the team title and possess very well rounded programs that can compete for the national title.
Sprints & Hurdles
LSU has the history that no other school in the NCAA has in women's track and field. The only program with success even remotely close is UCLA of the PAC-10. When sprinting and hurdling is brought up LSU is always the first program that comes to mind. The dominance on a conference and national level is well known with multiple NCAA and SEC Champions and this season LSU will continue to be that good.
LaKya Brookins of South Carolina is the biggest threat to LSU in the 60 meter dash. Brookins returns as the defending champion having ran a 7.18 last season and a 7.13 in 2009. Brookins is the obvious favorite having already automatically qualified for the NCAA Championship meet by clocking in at 7.25 last weekend at Virginia Tech. Semoy Hackett a transfer student at LSU and Takeia Pickney a true freshman last season and Shaniqua Ferguson of Auburn can truly challenge Brookins for the conference title. Ferguson finished 2nd last season to Brookins and is the defending champion in the 200, teammate Nivea Smith will help Ferguson in going 1-2 again in the 200.
In the long sprint Arkansas has reigned supreme as the best in the conference the past few seasons. Shelise Williams is returning champion and will have help from teammates Regina George and Edina Brooks to score serious team points. Jenna Martin of Kentucky, Joanna Atkins of Auburn and Lanie Whitaker of Florida will look to challenge Williams for the conference crown.
The hurdles is the one event the SEC that has taken a fall. The production has just not been there. Tenaya Jones of LSU was expected to carry the torch but the past two seasons Jones has not reached that level of production that Nickeisha Wilson, Jessica Ohanaja and Angel Boyd reached while she was a freshman. I believe this season Jones is the clear favorite and will finally produce like previous LSU alumni have. Jones will face strong competition from Janica Austin of South Carolina.
Jumps
The SEC historically has been the premier jumps conference for women, last season results left little doubt that it will change anytime soon. Shara Proctor of Florida has been the best dual jumper dominating the triple jump and long jump. With Proctor now a graduate of Florida, Melissa Ogbourne of LSU is in the best position to complete the double. Ogboure returns as runner-up from last season in the triple jump and is the 2nd best returnee in the long jump. Rachel Jenkins of Ole Miss will match Ogbourne jump for jump in the long jump and has the best shot of taking the title other than Ogbourne.
Brittani Carter of LSU is the defending champion in the high jump and is the best hope in the conference to crack the 6'0 barrier indoors. Carter broke the 6'0 barrier last outdoor season and was able to claim the high jump title at both the Penn and Texas Relays. Maya Pressley of Auburn is Carter's toughest competitor and will challenge for the conference crown and may need a personal best above 6'0 to do it.
Last season Arkansas dominated the pole vault with three athletes scoring in the conference finals and three athletes qualifying for the national meet. Tina Sutej is the defending champion and lone returnee from the trio that scored at the SEC meet last season. Kristen Keith a teammate of Sutej will try to fill the void left behind. Rachel Laurent LSU is also an athlete to keep an eye on, Laurent a high school star is close to knocking Sutej off the top and claim the title for herself, do not be surprised if Laurent wins this season and picks up huge team points for LSU.
Throws
Mariam Kevkhishvilli was everything in the shot put, Kevkhishvilli won multiple national and conference titles for Florida and her dominance will not be missed by her competitors. Keely Medeiros of Florida will look to pick up the mantle for Florida but she will be challenged by Annie Alexander of Tennessee who is the top returnee in the shot put after her 2nd place performance last season. Fidela James a teammate of Medeiros finished 4th in the weight throw last season and will look to earn major team points for the Gators against top returnee from Georgia in Nikola Lomnicka.
Distance
Tennessee has been the flagship university for the SEC in the distance events having won two indoor national titles in 2005 and 2009. J.J. Clark has been one of the best distance coaches in the country for quite some time. Clark a bit of a trail blazer is one of the few African-American head coaches at a major university. Having coached his wife in Jearl Miles-Clark his sisters in Joetta Clark Diggs and Hazel Clark, coach Clark has had international success as well. Phoebe Wright a great 800 runner under Clark graduated last season leaving a huge void to be filled in the half mile event. Chanelle Price the 2008 Gatorade Track and Field athlete of the year will look to fill that void. Price finished 2nd behind her teammate Wright last season and is the early season favorite to win the 800. Sofie Persson of Ole Miss, Stephanie Brown of Arkansas and Brittany Hall of LSU will be strong competition for Price to defeat.
Price's teammates Brittany Sheffey and Jackie Areson look to dominate the mile, 3,000 and 5,000 meter races. Sheffey a favorite in the mile and 3,000 and Areson the defending champion in the 5,000 and favorite as well in that event will look to aid Tennesse in a potential distance sweep. Florida's Rebecca Lowe will look to challenge Sheffey in the 3,000 and Areson in the 5,000 while teammate Stacey Johnson along with Kristen Gillespie of Arkansas will challenge Sheffey in the mile. Joining this conversation is true freshman from Florida in Cory McGee who has already clocked in at 4:46.70 in the mile this season.
This will be another banner year for the SEC and has already gotten off to a great start.
Conference Champion: LSU
Conference Runner-up: Tennessee
Sprints & Hurdles
LSU has the history that no other school in the NCAA has in women's track and field. The only program with success even remotely close is UCLA of the PAC-10. When sprinting and hurdling is brought up LSU is always the first program that comes to mind. The dominance on a conference and national level is well known with multiple NCAA and SEC Champions and this season LSU will continue to be that good.
LaKya Brookins of South Carolina is the biggest threat to LSU in the 60 meter dash. Brookins returns as the defending champion having ran a 7.18 last season and a 7.13 in 2009. Brookins is the obvious favorite having already automatically qualified for the NCAA Championship meet by clocking in at 7.25 last weekend at Virginia Tech. Semoy Hackett a transfer student at LSU and Takeia Pickney a true freshman last season and Shaniqua Ferguson of Auburn can truly challenge Brookins for the conference title. Ferguson finished 2nd last season to Brookins and is the defending champion in the 200, teammate Nivea Smith will help Ferguson in going 1-2 again in the 200.
In the long sprint Arkansas has reigned supreme as the best in the conference the past few seasons. Shelise Williams is returning champion and will have help from teammates Regina George and Edina Brooks to score serious team points. Jenna Martin of Kentucky, Joanna Atkins of Auburn and Lanie Whitaker of Florida will look to challenge Williams for the conference crown.
The hurdles is the one event the SEC that has taken a fall. The production has just not been there. Tenaya Jones of LSU was expected to carry the torch but the past two seasons Jones has not reached that level of production that Nickeisha Wilson, Jessica Ohanaja and Angel Boyd reached while she was a freshman. I believe this season Jones is the clear favorite and will finally produce like previous LSU alumni have. Jones will face strong competition from Janica Austin of South Carolina.
Jumps
The SEC historically has been the premier jumps conference for women, last season results left little doubt that it will change anytime soon. Shara Proctor of Florida has been the best dual jumper dominating the triple jump and long jump. With Proctor now a graduate of Florida, Melissa Ogbourne of LSU is in the best position to complete the double. Ogboure returns as runner-up from last season in the triple jump and is the 2nd best returnee in the long jump. Rachel Jenkins of Ole Miss will match Ogbourne jump for jump in the long jump and has the best shot of taking the title other than Ogbourne.
Brittani Carter of LSU is the defending champion in the high jump and is the best hope in the conference to crack the 6'0 barrier indoors. Carter broke the 6'0 barrier last outdoor season and was able to claim the high jump title at both the Penn and Texas Relays. Maya Pressley of Auburn is Carter's toughest competitor and will challenge for the conference crown and may need a personal best above 6'0 to do it.
Last season Arkansas dominated the pole vault with three athletes scoring in the conference finals and three athletes qualifying for the national meet. Tina Sutej is the defending champion and lone returnee from the trio that scored at the SEC meet last season. Kristen Keith a teammate of Sutej will try to fill the void left behind. Rachel Laurent LSU is also an athlete to keep an eye on, Laurent a high school star is close to knocking Sutej off the top and claim the title for herself, do not be surprised if Laurent wins this season and picks up huge team points for LSU.
Throws
Mariam Kevkhishvilli was everything in the shot put, Kevkhishvilli won multiple national and conference titles for Florida and her dominance will not be missed by her competitors. Keely Medeiros of Florida will look to pick up the mantle for Florida but she will be challenged by Annie Alexander of Tennessee who is the top returnee in the shot put after her 2nd place performance last season. Fidela James a teammate of Medeiros finished 4th in the weight throw last season and will look to earn major team points for the Gators against top returnee from Georgia in Nikola Lomnicka.
Distance
Tennessee has been the flagship university for the SEC in the distance events having won two indoor national titles in 2005 and 2009. J.J. Clark has been one of the best distance coaches in the country for quite some time. Clark a bit of a trail blazer is one of the few African-American head coaches at a major university. Having coached his wife in Jearl Miles-Clark his sisters in Joetta Clark Diggs and Hazel Clark, coach Clark has had international success as well. Phoebe Wright a great 800 runner under Clark graduated last season leaving a huge void to be filled in the half mile event. Chanelle Price the 2008 Gatorade Track and Field athlete of the year will look to fill that void. Price finished 2nd behind her teammate Wright last season and is the early season favorite to win the 800. Sofie Persson of Ole Miss, Stephanie Brown of Arkansas and Brittany Hall of LSU will be strong competition for Price to defeat.
Price's teammates Brittany Sheffey and Jackie Areson look to dominate the mile, 3,000 and 5,000 meter races. Sheffey a favorite in the mile and 3,000 and Areson the defending champion in the 5,000 and favorite as well in that event will look to aid Tennesse in a potential distance sweep. Florida's Rebecca Lowe will look to challenge Sheffey in the 3,000 and Areson in the 5,000 while teammate Stacey Johnson along with Kristen Gillespie of Arkansas will challenge Sheffey in the mile. Joining this conversation is true freshman from Florida in Cory McGee who has already clocked in at 4:46.70 in the mile this season.
This will be another banner year for the SEC and has already gotten off to a great start.
Conference Champion: LSU
Conference Runner-up: Tennessee
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
SEC Men's Preview
Just pure dominance. When it comes to the SEC that is what everyone is currently talking about. The SEC has dominated football with its speed and has dominated track the same way. The SEC both men and women have produced some of the greatest NCAA Champions in the sprints and relays. Not only is the SEC great in the sprints but thanks to Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee distance is also a strong point of the SEC. This coming season expect for much of the same and possibly even greater results from this phenomenal conference.
Sprints & Hurdles
The most talked about section of this conference, especially for the men. The SEC is returning the defending NCAA Champion in the 60 meter dash in Jeff Demps of Florida who ran a season best last year of 6.56. Last indoor season Marcus Rowland of Auburn stunned Demps with a sensational performance in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.62 to win the conference title. Expect for Demps to get his revenge but do not be surprised if Rowland is the winner.
In the 200 Rowland is the clear conference favorite now that Calvin Smith has graduated. Challenging Rowland will be sophomore Tony McQuay of Florida and Horatio Williams of LSU. Williams joins LSU after spending two great seasons at Hinds Community College running a personal outdoor best of 20.48
McQuay of Florida joins a spectacular returning cast in the 400. Torrin Lawrence who seems to perform better indoors than out was All-World last season running a indoor personal best of 45.03 to claim the conference and NCAA title. Last outdoor season star freshman Kirani James and Tavaris Tate of Mississippi State showcase their freshman talents with strong seasons. Tate with a personal best of 44.86 and James with a personal best of 45.01 went onto win the SEC Outdoor Title as well as indoors. It is hard to predict a champion but Lawrence is the king of indoors and will be the favorite throughout the season unless McQuay, Tate or James prove otherwise.
In the hurdles Curtis Frye's South Carolina program has dominated this event for years by either winning this event or having more athletes than anyone else. While Florida and Tennessee have had some great success, South Carolina has been very strong in this event. Returning for the Gamecocks is one of the favorites to win in junior Booker Nunley. Nunley's only challenge at the conference meet and national meet was the other favorite in the race Barret Nugent of LSU. Nugent claimed the conference title last season and will try to do the same this season. Both Nugent and Nunley have great speed and good technique, but Nunley in his third year under Frye's system maybe ready to overtake Nugent with superior technique. I do not think LSU has a hurdle program that can match South Carolina.
Jumps
The SEC challenges the Big 12 for the nation's premier jumping conference. The Conference has had some great Olympians and NCAA Champions from schools such as LSU, Arkansas, Auburn and Florida. This season is no different. Florida returns an impressive group of jumpers. Christian Taylor, Omar Craddock and transfer Will Claye all have what it takes to help the Gators sweep the men's triple jump and or sweep the long jump. Taylor is the returning conference and NCAA Champion while Craddock and Claye are returning All-Americans. Taylor is not the most impressive long jumper in the conference with his inconsistency in the event but perhaps the most talented and likely to win along with being the top returnee. LSU also has a great stable of jumpers in Zedric Thomas, Demar Forbes and transfer Kyron Blaise. Thomas finished 2nd to Taylor last indoor season in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump and will look to challenge Florida's triple jump success.
In the High Jump Ole Miss looks to dominate this event as well as the Gators plan to in the triple jump. Ole Miss is returning the top two performers from last seasons indoor championship. Ricky Robertson lived up to the hype he generated in 2009 as All-American high school athlete by claiming the crown for himself with a height 7-4 1/2, teammate Brian Knight finished in a close 2nd and will assist Robertson in going for the 1-2 sweep for the Ole Miss Rebels.
In the Pole Vault LSU and South Carolina have a very strong presence. Both LSU and South Carolina are returning All-SEC athletes from last season. LSU is returning three while South Carolina is returning two. LSU has the best chance for a 1-2 finish with Thomas Reinecke and Joseph Caraway. Both Reinecke and Caraway were true freshman last season with Reinecke finishing 2nd and returning as the top vaulter. Marvin Reitze and Matt Schuler will look to try that same feat for South Carolina.
Throws
Florida and LSU don't just battle it out in the men's sprints and jumps but the two programs are excellent in the throwing events, each returning the champion in the two throwing events during the indoor season. Kemal Mesic of Florida is the returning shot put champion and Walter Henning of LSU is the returning champion in the weight throw. Both are seniors and look to go out on top in there signature event. In the shot put Mesic looks for team assistance from Jeremy Postin who had a solid freshman season. In the weight throw Michael Lauro will aide Henning in team points and possibly challenge for a 1-2 finish. LSU will rely on Henning in the shot put and in the weight throw Postin along with David Triassi, a true freshman last season as well, to score big team points for Florida.
Distance
Yes distance is the last section to be discussed. Although the conference has had it share of great success from Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee there is no question the conference is known more for its speed. However with Arkansas in the picture the SEC cannot be ignored since the program has been able to win 40 NCAA titles and countless individual titles.
LSU has joined the ranks as a solid distance program in the conference, mainly in the middle distances. In the 800 were LSU has been king for the past few seasons in depth they return a great trio of runners. Richard Jones is returning champion from both indoors and outdoors. Jones 1:47.78 last season earned him an automatic berth to last season's NCAA meet and put Jones in National championship discussion. Jones remains in the discussion as not only a favorite to win the conference but a strong change to win the NCAA title as well. Sadiki White a true freshman last season was big for LSU finishing 2nd to Jones at the conference championship and will be a strong challenger for the title. Garrek Thompson rounds out the trio and will to add to the great depth of LSU.
In the mile Arkansas and Alabama will be well represented. Arkansas returns a strong group of outstanding runners in Michael Chinchar, Rick Elliott and Omar Abdi; returning for Alabama Joel Rop and Julius Bor. Rop is the top returning athlete but will face strong opposition in Chinchar.
The Long distance races strongly feature the usual suspects in Arkansas and Alabama but Arkansas maybe king in this area. In the 3,000 Arkansas is returning three All-SEC athletes after having five athletes score last season. Top returnee is Solomon Haile who as a true freshman last season finished 2nd behind teammate Dorian Ulrey. Eric Fernandez and Lane Boyer will look to aide Haile in the scoring big team points for the Razorbacks. In the 5,000 the top returnee is not from Arkansas or Alabama but from Auburn is Ben Cheryiout. Cheryiout maybe the early season favorite but Fernadez of Arkansas and Moses Kiptoo of Alabama are also favorites to challenge Cheryiout for the title.
Another great year for the SEC, it never gets old. With track and field having a relevant world championship at the end of the year this could be a year to remember, especially when the Olympics are only one year away.
CONFERENCE CHAMPION: FLORIDA
CONFERENCE RUNNER-UP: LSU
Sprints & Hurdles
The most talked about section of this conference, especially for the men. The SEC is returning the defending NCAA Champion in the 60 meter dash in Jeff Demps of Florida who ran a season best last year of 6.56. Last indoor season Marcus Rowland of Auburn stunned Demps with a sensational performance in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.62 to win the conference title. Expect for Demps to get his revenge but do not be surprised if Rowland is the winner.
In the 200 Rowland is the clear conference favorite now that Calvin Smith has graduated. Challenging Rowland will be sophomore Tony McQuay of Florida and Horatio Williams of LSU. Williams joins LSU after spending two great seasons at Hinds Community College running a personal outdoor best of 20.48
McQuay of Florida joins a spectacular returning cast in the 400. Torrin Lawrence who seems to perform better indoors than out was All-World last season running a indoor personal best of 45.03 to claim the conference and NCAA title. Last outdoor season star freshman Kirani James and Tavaris Tate of Mississippi State showcase their freshman talents with strong seasons. Tate with a personal best of 44.86 and James with a personal best of 45.01 went onto win the SEC Outdoor Title as well as indoors. It is hard to predict a champion but Lawrence is the king of indoors and will be the favorite throughout the season unless McQuay, Tate or James prove otherwise.
In the hurdles Curtis Frye's South Carolina program has dominated this event for years by either winning this event or having more athletes than anyone else. While Florida and Tennessee have had some great success, South Carolina has been very strong in this event. Returning for the Gamecocks is one of the favorites to win in junior Booker Nunley. Nunley's only challenge at the conference meet and national meet was the other favorite in the race Barret Nugent of LSU. Nugent claimed the conference title last season and will try to do the same this season. Both Nugent and Nunley have great speed and good technique, but Nunley in his third year under Frye's system maybe ready to overtake Nugent with superior technique. I do not think LSU has a hurdle program that can match South Carolina.
Jumps
The SEC challenges the Big 12 for the nation's premier jumping conference. The Conference has had some great Olympians and NCAA Champions from schools such as LSU, Arkansas, Auburn and Florida. This season is no different. Florida returns an impressive group of jumpers. Christian Taylor, Omar Craddock and transfer Will Claye all have what it takes to help the Gators sweep the men's triple jump and or sweep the long jump. Taylor is the returning conference and NCAA Champion while Craddock and Claye are returning All-Americans. Taylor is not the most impressive long jumper in the conference with his inconsistency in the event but perhaps the most talented and likely to win along with being the top returnee. LSU also has a great stable of jumpers in Zedric Thomas, Demar Forbes and transfer Kyron Blaise. Thomas finished 2nd to Taylor last indoor season in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump and will look to challenge Florida's triple jump success.
In the High Jump Ole Miss looks to dominate this event as well as the Gators plan to in the triple jump. Ole Miss is returning the top two performers from last seasons indoor championship. Ricky Robertson lived up to the hype he generated in 2009 as All-American high school athlete by claiming the crown for himself with a height 7-4 1/2, teammate Brian Knight finished in a close 2nd and will assist Robertson in going for the 1-2 sweep for the Ole Miss Rebels.
In the Pole Vault LSU and South Carolina have a very strong presence. Both LSU and South Carolina are returning All-SEC athletes from last season. LSU is returning three while South Carolina is returning two. LSU has the best chance for a 1-2 finish with Thomas Reinecke and Joseph Caraway. Both Reinecke and Caraway were true freshman last season with Reinecke finishing 2nd and returning as the top vaulter. Marvin Reitze and Matt Schuler will look to try that same feat for South Carolina.
Throws
Florida and LSU don't just battle it out in the men's sprints and jumps but the two programs are excellent in the throwing events, each returning the champion in the two throwing events during the indoor season. Kemal Mesic of Florida is the returning shot put champion and Walter Henning of LSU is the returning champion in the weight throw. Both are seniors and look to go out on top in there signature event. In the shot put Mesic looks for team assistance from Jeremy Postin who had a solid freshman season. In the weight throw Michael Lauro will aide Henning in team points and possibly challenge for a 1-2 finish. LSU will rely on Henning in the shot put and in the weight throw Postin along with David Triassi, a true freshman last season as well, to score big team points for Florida.
Distance
Yes distance is the last section to be discussed. Although the conference has had it share of great success from Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee there is no question the conference is known more for its speed. However with Arkansas in the picture the SEC cannot be ignored since the program has been able to win 40 NCAA titles and countless individual titles.
LSU has joined the ranks as a solid distance program in the conference, mainly in the middle distances. In the 800 were LSU has been king for the past few seasons in depth they return a great trio of runners. Richard Jones is returning champion from both indoors and outdoors. Jones 1:47.78 last season earned him an automatic berth to last season's NCAA meet and put Jones in National championship discussion. Jones remains in the discussion as not only a favorite to win the conference but a strong change to win the NCAA title as well. Sadiki White a true freshman last season was big for LSU finishing 2nd to Jones at the conference championship and will be a strong challenger for the title. Garrek Thompson rounds out the trio and will to add to the great depth of LSU.
In the mile Arkansas and Alabama will be well represented. Arkansas returns a strong group of outstanding runners in Michael Chinchar, Rick Elliott and Omar Abdi; returning for Alabama Joel Rop and Julius Bor. Rop is the top returning athlete but will face strong opposition in Chinchar.
The Long distance races strongly feature the usual suspects in Arkansas and Alabama but Arkansas maybe king in this area. In the 3,000 Arkansas is returning three All-SEC athletes after having five athletes score last season. Top returnee is Solomon Haile who as a true freshman last season finished 2nd behind teammate Dorian Ulrey. Eric Fernandez and Lane Boyer will look to aide Haile in the scoring big team points for the Razorbacks. In the 5,000 the top returnee is not from Arkansas or Alabama but from Auburn is Ben Cheryiout. Cheryiout maybe the early season favorite but Fernadez of Arkansas and Moses Kiptoo of Alabama are also favorites to challenge Cheryiout for the title.
Another great year for the SEC, it never gets old. With track and field having a relevant world championship at the end of the year this could be a year to remember, especially when the Olympics are only one year away.
CONFERENCE CHAMPION: FLORIDA
CONFERENCE RUNNER-UP: LSU
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Big 12 Men's Track and Field Preview
The men in the conference maybe welcoming the departure of Colorado and Nebraska as they prepare for their new conferences. Nebraska has been a thorn in the side of many great programs in this conference. Nebraska has done a great job with their hurdlers, jumpers and throwers over the years. The bulk of Nebraska's team points at the championship meets come from those three areas. The Cornhuskers are also a threat in the sprints and relays which help in winning . Colorado has been the premier distance in the Conference. The Buffaloes have great alumni that include Dathan Ritzenhein, Jorge Torres, Adam Goucher, Marc Scrutton and Brent Vaughn. With those two programs gone expect for Texas and Texas A&M to be the central figures to replace their presence, Texas in distance and Texas A&M in hurdlers and jumpers. The Buffaloes and Cornhuskers should still have a great final year in the conference.
Sprints and Hurdles
Last season Rakieem Salaam of Oklahoma stunned Gerald Phiri of Texas A&M in the men's 60 meter dash. Salaam clocked in at 6.69 to beat the conference leading Phiri. I expect for Phiri to have a better performance this season and win the event.
Phiri's teammate Curtis Mitchell was not only the talk of the conference but the talk of the nation last season. Although Mitchell was highly touted junior college athlete his performances last season were nothing short of amazing and slightly unexpected. Mitchell won the NACAC U-23 200 meter dash in 19.99 to lead the NCAA last outdoor season. Mitchell is the defending conference champion and national champion and should continue that success throughout the season, there really is not anyone who can challenge him.
In the long sprint Texas A&M again looks to assert its depth and dominance in this event. Although Baylor historically has been the dominant force in the conference in this event, the Aggies are returning a lot of top tier talent. Defending champion Tabarie Henry, Demetrius Pinder, Bryan Miller, Tran Howell and Michael Preble are the athletes Texas A&M will be counting to prove that point. Baylor will look to Marcus Boyd and Zwede Hewitt to challenge the Aggies.
In the hurdles Ronnie Ash was the dominant figure in the conference last season transferring from Bethune Cookman as defending NCAA Outdoor Champion to Oklahoma. Omo Asaghae was the 2009 Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor champion and lost his crown to Ash. With Ash now in the professional ranks, Asaghae is the leading favorite to win the title. Wayne Davis the high school national record holder missed his freshman season due to injury and has already started the season fast with a time of 7.85. Davis who runs for Texas A&M is another candidate to win the conference title along Keiron Stewart of Texas.
Distance
Historically Colorado has been the premier distance program in the conference. However last indoor season did not go well for the Buffaloes. Iowa State was well represented last indoor season with multiple athletes in all the distance events. Oklahoma State the premier cross country program this season will challenge Iowa State for distance supremacy.
In the middle distance events Baylor will join the party with their two returning 800 meter runners James Gilreath and Gavyn Nero. Gilreath is the defending conference champion and will be strongly challenge by Joey Roberts of Texas A&M. Roberts clocked a school record early this season with a time of 1:49.47. Iowa State will look to challenge Baylor in the men's mile with defending Champion Hillary Bor. German Fernandez the phenomenal freshman from 2009 will look to rebound and challenge Bor after a average season.
In the long distance races Colby Lowe of Oklahoma State is defending champion in the 3,000 and favorite to defend his crown, Bor will look to challenge Lowe in the 3,000. David Adams of Nebraska will also challenge Lowe after finishing 2nd last indoor season and is another defending champion in the conference in the 5,000. Thomas Farrell of Oklahoma State and Kevin Schwab of Oklahoma will challenge Lowe in the 5,000.
Jumps
What a great conference the Big 12 has been in the jumping events. There are plenty of NCAA Champions and All-Americans in all the jumping events including another defending champion in Nebraska's Paul Hamilton. Hamilton is the returning champion in the high jump. Eric Kynard of Kansas State is Hamilton toughest challenger. Kynard in 2009 was the nation's top high school athlete in the high jump.
Hamilton's teammate Nicholas Gordon is one of two returning NCAA Champions in the conference. Gordon was the 2009 NCAA Indoor Champion in the Long Jump andMarquise Goodwin of Texas was the NCAA Outdoor Champion last season. Although both return with great NCAA Championship experience neither won the indoor title in the long jump, Bryce Lamb of Texas Tech took the crown last season and will try to defend his title. Lamb is also the favorite to win the triple jump.
In the Pole Vault Hayden Clark of Texas and Nate Polacek of Nebraska are the top two returning competitors in the pole vault after the graduation of Jordan Scott from Kansas. Clark should be the favorite to claim the title.
Throws
What a great conference for throwers, Mason Finley of Kansas is the defending champion in the men's shot put and is currently the high school record holder in that event after a phenomenal 2009 campaign in high school. Another high profile sophomore in Hayden Baillio of Texas was be the biggest challenge to Finley defending his crown.
K.P. Singh of Oklahoma is the defending champion in the men's weight throw. Singh maybe better suited for the hammer throw, but Singh is not only expected to defend his title in the weight throw at the Big 12 Championship but compete to win the NCAA title in the men's weight throw.
Conference Champion: Texas A&M
Runner-Up: Nebraska
*** Our next post will look into everyone favorite conference, the SEC***
Sprints and Hurdles
Last season Rakieem Salaam of Oklahoma stunned Gerald Phiri of Texas A&M in the men's 60 meter dash. Salaam clocked in at 6.69 to beat the conference leading Phiri. I expect for Phiri to have a better performance this season and win the event.
Phiri's teammate Curtis Mitchell was not only the talk of the conference but the talk of the nation last season. Although Mitchell was highly touted junior college athlete his performances last season were nothing short of amazing and slightly unexpected. Mitchell won the NACAC U-23 200 meter dash in 19.99 to lead the NCAA last outdoor season. Mitchell is the defending conference champion and national champion and should continue that success throughout the season, there really is not anyone who can challenge him.
In the long sprint Texas A&M again looks to assert its depth and dominance in this event. Although Baylor historically has been the dominant force in the conference in this event, the Aggies are returning a lot of top tier talent. Defending champion Tabarie Henry, Demetrius Pinder, Bryan Miller, Tran Howell and Michael Preble are the athletes Texas A&M will be counting to prove that point. Baylor will look to Marcus Boyd and Zwede Hewitt to challenge the Aggies.
In the hurdles Ronnie Ash was the dominant figure in the conference last season transferring from Bethune Cookman as defending NCAA Outdoor Champion to Oklahoma. Omo Asaghae was the 2009 Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor champion and lost his crown to Ash. With Ash now in the professional ranks, Asaghae is the leading favorite to win the title. Wayne Davis the high school national record holder missed his freshman season due to injury and has already started the season fast with a time of 7.85. Davis who runs for Texas A&M is another candidate to win the conference title along Keiron Stewart of Texas.
Distance
Historically Colorado has been the premier distance program in the conference. However last indoor season did not go well for the Buffaloes. Iowa State was well represented last indoor season with multiple athletes in all the distance events. Oklahoma State the premier cross country program this season will challenge Iowa State for distance supremacy.
In the middle distance events Baylor will join the party with their two returning 800 meter runners James Gilreath and Gavyn Nero. Gilreath is the defending conference champion and will be strongly challenge by Joey Roberts of Texas A&M. Roberts clocked a school record early this season with a time of 1:49.47. Iowa State will look to challenge Baylor in the men's mile with defending Champion Hillary Bor. German Fernandez the phenomenal freshman from 2009 will look to rebound and challenge Bor after a average season.
In the long distance races Colby Lowe of Oklahoma State is defending champion in the 3,000 and favorite to defend his crown, Bor will look to challenge Lowe in the 3,000. David Adams of Nebraska will also challenge Lowe after finishing 2nd last indoor season and is another defending champion in the conference in the 5,000. Thomas Farrell of Oklahoma State and Kevin Schwab of Oklahoma will challenge Lowe in the 5,000.
Jumps
What a great conference the Big 12 has been in the jumping events. There are plenty of NCAA Champions and All-Americans in all the jumping events including another defending champion in Nebraska's Paul Hamilton. Hamilton is the returning champion in the high jump. Eric Kynard of Kansas State is Hamilton toughest challenger. Kynard in 2009 was the nation's top high school athlete in the high jump.
Hamilton's teammate Nicholas Gordon is one of two returning NCAA Champions in the conference. Gordon was the 2009 NCAA Indoor Champion in the Long Jump andMarquise Goodwin of Texas was the NCAA Outdoor Champion last season. Although both return with great NCAA Championship experience neither won the indoor title in the long jump, Bryce Lamb of Texas Tech took the crown last season and will try to defend his title. Lamb is also the favorite to win the triple jump.
In the Pole Vault Hayden Clark of Texas and Nate Polacek of Nebraska are the top two returning competitors in the pole vault after the graduation of Jordan Scott from Kansas. Clark should be the favorite to claim the title.
Throws
What a great conference for throwers, Mason Finley of Kansas is the defending champion in the men's shot put and is currently the high school record holder in that event after a phenomenal 2009 campaign in high school. Another high profile sophomore in Hayden Baillio of Texas was be the biggest challenge to Finley defending his crown.
K.P. Singh of Oklahoma is the defending champion in the men's weight throw. Singh maybe better suited for the hammer throw, but Singh is not only expected to defend his title in the weight throw at the Big 12 Championship but compete to win the NCAA title in the men's weight throw.
Conference Champion: Texas A&M
Runner-Up: Nebraska
*** Our next post will look into everyone favorite conference, the SEC***
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