Big Weekend Review

This past weekend there was a plethora of great meets. The premier meet of the weekend is always the New Balance Collegiate Invitational in New York, the Virginia Tech Elite Meet, Notre Dame Meyo Invitational and the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup were also competitive as usual. There were plenty of great performances and athletes who have punched their tickets to nationals. Let's review a great weekend.

Ladies Review

THE MOST IMPRESSIVE**

The most impressive performance this weekend came from USC (University of Southern California) senior Nia Ali at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. Ali sat out last season and has began this season with a bang. Ali clocked in at 8.06 in the 60 hurdles defeating a strong field. In her first race Ali has already qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championship.

THE MOST IMPROVED**

The most improved performance was at the Notre Dame Meyo Invitational. Rebecca Addison of Michigan put on a great showing in the women's mile placing first with a huge personal best of 4:40.62. Her performance ranks 3rd nationally and best in the Big Ten.

FRESHMAN ON THE RISE**

The freshman on the rise is Jasmine Stowers of LSU. Stowers is one of three automatic qualifiers in the 60 hurdles in the nation. Stowers finished 2nd behind Ali at the New Balance Collegiate with a time of 8.13. Stowers is currently the top ranked hurdler in the SEC. The top ranked athlete in the SEC is a true honor and Stowers is a freshman who looks to dominate for a while at LSU.

FIELD PERFORMER OF THE WEEK**

Junior Tina Sutej of Arkansas continued her dominance in the pole vault. Sutej leaped to a height of 14 7- 1/4 to claim the pole vault title at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational earning an automatic qualifying spot to Nationals. With her recent performance we could see a 15 foot performance at the end of the indoor season.


Men's Review

THE MOST IMPRESSIVE**

The most impressive performance this weekend goes to Jeff Demps of Florida. Demps opened up his season with automatic qualifying 6.57 in the 60 meter dash at the Virginia Tech Elite meet. Demps personal best was set last season at 6.56, Demps may challenge the NCAA record of 6.45 set by Leonard Myles-Mills of BYU.

THE MOST IMPROVED**

Keiron Stewart of Texas made great strides in the 60 meter high hurdles at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational. Stewart broke the tape at 7.68 earning the only automatic qualifying time in the event this season. Stewart just a sophomore will challenge his countrymen Andrew Riley of Illinois for the NCAA title.

FRESHMAN ON THE RISE**

There is not one single freshman that stood out this weekend, but there are four great freshman who should impact the championship discussion. Prezel Hardy of Texas A&M, Stephen Saenz of Auburn, Eddie Lovett of Florida and Brycen Spratling of Eastern Michigan my alma-mater.

Hardy is currently ranks 5th nationally in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.61 just 0.01 off from the automatic mark. Hardy is going to be relied on to provide big points for Texas A&M.

Saenz of Auburn is the only automatic qualifying male freshman in the nation. Saenz competes in the shot put and has a season best of 63-7.75. That mark places Saenz 5th on the national list.

Eddie Lovett of Florida is the top freshman hurdler in the country with a season's best of 7.88. Lovett will be a threat to win at the SEC Championship meet and potentially the NCAA Championship meet.

Spratling maybe the best sprinting freshman Eastern Michigan has had since Hasley Crawford. Spratling's time of 46.48 ran at last week's Meyo Invitational. Spratling is currently the only freshman in the nation under 47 seconds.

FIELD PERFORMER OF THE WEEK**

Christian Taylor of Florida has continued his winning streak in the triple jump. Taylor became the 3rd gator to automatically qualify in the event by leaping to victory at 54-6. Taylor currently is ranked 2nd in the nation behind teammate William Claye. Taylor is the defending NCAA Champion and is definitely on track to defend that crown.





UNTIL NEXT TIME*******