THE OUTDOOR SEASON IS HERE !!!!!

After a great indoor season, the outdoor season is finally here. Although the indoor season provides it own intrigue it is the outdoor season that track and field fans look forward to. Not just on a collegiate level but on a professional level as well. This is a championship year so the professional athletes will be out early to see where they are at in their training. There are already some great performances this season.

Josh Mance a freshman at the University of Southern California (USC) ran like a veteran at the Trojan Invitational to clock in at 46.18 to win the 400. Mance defeated alumnus Lionel Larry and junior Joey Hughes. Teammate Bryshon Nellum also has been a pleasant surprise this early in the season with a time of 20.81 in the 200 at the Ben Brown invitational. This could shape up to be the best USC team we have seen in a while. The Trojans definitely earned their preseason ranking of being the 6th best team in the nation.

Jessica Young of Texas Christian University (TCU) has begun the season breaking records. This past weekend at the Arizona State Invitational Young ran a school and nation's best 52.27 in the 400 to claim the victory. Young already has the top time in the 100 with 11.14. Young is looking to claim the outdoor title after coming close in recent years.

Jessica Pixler a senior from Colorado has also started the season strong as well. Pixler won the 5,000 meter race at the Stanford Invitational with a time of 15:25.58. Pixler defeated a strong field that included freshman standout Megan Goethals of Washington. Pixler's time ranks number 1 nationally.


This weekend's big track meet

The most notable track and field meet this weekend is the Florida Relays. For the first in a couple of years the Florida Relays and Texas Relays are ran at two different times. The Florida Relays is a two day meet with great action on both days at every level of track and field. Marvin Bracy of Boone High School will be headlining story for the high school athletes. Miami Northwestern should be the highlight of the meet as a team.

Florida versus Florida State will be the story in the college section. Both Men and women have top ranked teams, the battle will be more interesting with the women. The Florida men are currently ranked number 1 in the nation while Florida State is currently ranked number 4.

The professional athletes will be lead by hurdle star and defending national champion David Oliver. The Pure Athletics group which is heading by sprint coach Lance Brauman will bring their athletes as well. This should be a great meet with great weather.

NCAA Championship Men's Review

Part 2 of Championship Review (NCAA)


The University of Florida went through a roller coaster of emotions to claim their title. The Gators truly displayed why they are heavy favorites and how much amazing depth they have. The Gators Tony McQuay tweaked his hamstring at the end of the 400 and it was on display in the 200 meter preliminaries. McQuay was the only athlete the Gators had in the 400 and 200, and was ranked in the top 2 in both events and is a heavy factor in the 4x400 relay. McQuay was only part of the problem on day 1, Terrell Wilks ranked in the top 6 in the 60 meter dash does not qualify and SEC Champion freshman in the 60 meter hurdles Eddie Lovett does not qualify. With all of that the Gators were still able to win by 12 points.


Jeff Demps was part of the solution for the Gators. After having an average start in the preliminaries that placed him in lane 3 Demps scorched the track clocking in at 6.53 to win the event. In the race Michael Granger of Ole Miss looked to be in great shape to beat Demps with another phenomenal start. Demps was able to close strong to claim the title.

Mookie Salaam of Oklahoma was a non factor in the 60 meter dash after stunning the crowd with his performance on Day 1 in the 200. Salaam ran a 20.39 in the preliminaries to run a 20.41 in the finals to claim the title over Maurice Mitchell of Florida State. Unfortunately began to cramp up at the end of the race.

With McQuay down in the 400, Kirani James of Alabama was free to dominate the 400. However in the second section of the event James was tripped up, fell and did not complete the race. Demetrius Pinder of Texas A&M took the title in a time of 45.33. Pinder like Beard rode the back of a great crowd at Texas A&M.

Fred Samoei of Alabama claimed the title in the 800 with a time of 1:48.33. Michael Rutt of Connecticut led most of the race and Samoei played a bit of cat and mouse to beat Rutt down the stretch.

Miles Batty of BYU won the distance medley relay with his teammates Brian Weirich, Chris Carter and Justin Hedin with a time of 9:29.28 to set a facility record. Batty who anchored a great mile leg on the relay claimed the individual mile title clocking in at 3:59.49, one of two guys who broke the four minute mark in the finals of a great race.

Stanford junior Elliot Heath claimed the title in the 3,000 meter race clocking in at 8:03.71.

Leonard Korir of Iona defeated favorite Sam Chalenga of Liberty to break a facility and meet record and claim the title in 13:26.01. Chalenga has been one of the better long distance runners in collegiate history, big win for Korir.

In the field events the Gators were well represented but the problems did not stop there. Top shot put thrower Kemal Mesic injured his hand prior to the meet and did not allow for the Gators to score points in the event. Leif Arrhenius of BYU took the title with a toss of 65-4 1/2.

In the weight throw favorite Walter Henning of LSU continued his winning ways with a mark of 72-8 1/2. Henning was the only thrower to surpass 70 feet.

The jumps was an area in the Gators could truly count on. In the triple jump there was no 1-2-3 sweep, however there was a 1-2 finish. Two time national champion Christian Taylor fell to teammate Will Claye who leaped to 56-10 to claim the title. Claye was also a big factor in the long jump finishing 2nd to Ngonidzashe Makusha of Florida State. Makusha had a winning mark of 26-8 1/2.

In the pole vault Scott Roth of Washington and Ben Patterson of Minnesota both reached the same height but Roth in fewer misses. Roth leaped 18-0 1/2.

In the high jump defending champion Derek Drouin of Indiana had to deal with the hype of Eric Kynard of Kansas State and Ricky Robertson of Ole Miss. Going into the meat defending Drouin was not even considered the favorite. Drouin blocked all that out to reach a height of 7-7 1/2 to take down both talented sophomores and win the title along with setting a facility record.

In the heptathlon what a great battle between seniors Miller Moss of Clemson and Lars Rice of Missouri. Rice led after day one between the two however Moss put together a solid day two to surpass Rice for the title. Gray Horn moved from 7th to 4th in the event to contribute 5 points to the Gators.


What a great indoor season, one of the best in a while. I like many of you are ready for the Outdoor Season. Our next post will be a preview of one of the BCS Conferences (PAC-10).

NCAA Indoor Championship Review

The indoor season is now officially over. Congratulations to the University of Oregon women's track and field and the University of Florida men's track team on winning the team NCAA title. This meet at times left you with your emotions going all over the place (at least me). There were top performers and previous All-Americans not advancing. There were also some top performers winning convincingly. Let's review a great meet.


WOMEN'S REVIEW


Sprints

LaKya Brookins of South Carolina put on a clinic in the 60 meter dash. Brookins tied the NCAA record and broke the meet record with a time of 7.09. In the past Brookins has not been able to fully carry over her indoor performance to the outdoor season this season maybe a little different. Jessica Young of TCU was second clocking in at 7.17

In the 200 meter dash on a banked track having lanes 5 and 6 really matter. Kimberlyn Duncan of LSU proved that along with the average performances from those lanes. Running from lane 5 Duncan clocked in at 22.85 over Jeneba Tarmoh of Texas A&M at 22.88. Duncan is a sophomore with a personal record of 22.78. Duncan seems to be the next star out of LSU.

Jessica Beard was simply amazing. Pushed by her home crowd, Beard ran a indoor personal best 50.79 to claim the title. Beard capped off a phenomenal career at Texas A&M and maybe this outdoor season we can see a sub 50 second performance.

Brianna Rollins of Clemson was a surprise winner in the 60 hurdles with a time of 7.96 over true freshman Tiffani McReynolds of Baylor. Rollins had the only sub 8 second performance of the season. Favorite Christina Manning out of Ohio State did not make it to the finals.


DISTANCE

Oregon's Jordan Hasay live up to expectation. Hasay completed the rare double winning the mile and 3,000 meter races. Hasay claimed the mile in a time of 4:33.01 over Kate Van Buskirk of Duke in 4:33.71. Hasay clocked in at 9:13.71 in the 3,000 in a close battle against Sheila Reid of Villanova.

In the 800 Chanelle Price of Tennessee was the clear cut favorite, for part of the race it looked as though Price was finally going to live up to the hype. Unfortunately that was not so, Lacey Bleazard of BYU came storming around the track the last 100 meters to hold off Jillian Smith of Michigan to win with a time of 2:04.09.

Senior Jackie Areson of Tennessee took home the title in the 5,000 clocking in at 16:04.16.

JUMPS

Senior Kimberly Williams from Florida State had the best chance to double in the jumps. Williams entered the championship meet as the top triple jumper in the nation and one of the best long jumpers in the nation. Williams did not disappoint in the triple jump winning by more than 1 foot with a mark of 45-9 3/4. Williams finished 2nd in the long jump with a mark 21-0.
Torie Bowie of Southern Mississippi won the event with a winning mark of 21-4 3/4.

Preseason favorite Brigetta Barrett of Arizona lived up to the hype winning the high jump in 6-2 3/4. One foot higher than runner-up freshman Shanay Briscoe of Texas.

Tina Sutej of Arkansas didn't break the 15 foot barrier however her consolation prize is the national title. Sutej mark of 14-7 1/4. Sutej, a junior, will have another chance later this season.


THROWS

Julie Labonte of Arizona interrupted the 1-2 finish that Oklahoma had planned. Labonte's winning throw of 57-6 1/4 was her 2nd throw in the competition. Tia Brooks still finished for Oklahoma with a runner up performance of 57-1.

Felisha Johnson of Indiana State claimed the weigh throw title with a facility record of 74-5 1/2.


PENTATHLON

Brianne Theisen of Oregon claimed another NCAA record. At the championship meet she scored a total of 4,540 points in the pentathlon. Theisen has replaced Jacquelyn Johnson as the premier college pentathlete and heptathlete. The outdoor season should be exciting for Theisen.


Next Post: Men's Review (I promise)

NCAA Championship Meet Preview

It is finally here. After months of waiting the NCAA Indoor Championship meet will be held this weekend at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. This past weekend many athletes punched their tickets automatically at last chance meets such as Terrell Wilks of Florida matching his personal best with a time of 6.59 in the 60 meter dash. This weekend the team battles are heavy along with the individual battles, it is the championship meet.



Women's preview

SPRINTS

Lakya Brookins of South Carolina has been phenomenal all season in the 60 meter dash. Brookins has only one loss on the season against Clemson's Stormy Kendrick. Every race since that Brookins has been a win and a better time. Two seasons ago Brookins set the facility record by winning the indoor national title in a time of 7.13 seconds, her season best so far is 7.14. Only one other athlete has ran under 7.20, Jessica Young of TCU. Young has a season and personal best of 7.18 and will be Brookins strongest challenger.

In the 200 LSU has the potential to sweep the event. The Lady Tigers have three of top four entrants. Sophomore Kimberlyn Duncan has become a breakout star claiming the top ranking with a time of 22.78 ran at the SEC Championships. Teammates and transfers Semoy Hackett and Rebecca Alexander rank number 2 and 4 respectively. Jeneba Tarmoh ranked number 3 with a time 22.88 is the best athlete to challenge this strong trio.

The 400 belongs to Jessica Beard a senior from Texas A&M. Beard has yet dip under 50 seconds either indoor or outdoors but her 22.9 200 meter speed shows she has the talent. Beard ran a 51.68 at the Big 12 Championship to claim the title and may run under 51 seconds at the indoor meet. The next collegiate 400 meter star is freshman Briana Nelson of Texas. Nelson was second to Beard clocking in at 52.18 which currently ranked number 3 in the nation. Nelson along with senior Shelise Williams of Arkansas will push Beard to indoor personal best.

JUMPS

In the long jump and triple jump is a battle of two athletes. Seniors Chantel Malone of Texas and Kimberly Williams of Florida State. Malone and Williams rank 1 and 2 in the long jump with Malone as the national leader. In the triple jump the pair rank 1 and 4 with Williams getting the edge. Although Malone is ranked number 4 in the triple jump Malone's championship performances argue against her rank and Malone has a great chance to dethrone the defending champion Williams in the triple jump.

In the high jump Brigetta Barrett as predicted at the beginning of the season would be the favorite to win the NCAA title. Barret currently has leaped to a season best 6 feet 3 1/2 inches. Tynita Butts of East Carolina will attempt to challenge Barrett, but the event is Barrett's to lose.

Tina Sutej of Arkansas has been so dominant over the past two seasons in the pole vault. Sutej set a personal best at the SEC Championship leaping to 14 feet 10 3/4 inches. Sutej may jump 15 feet at the championship meet to cap off a great season.


DISTANCE

The distance events will be key in the team battle. Oregon who is defending champion and currently ranked number 1 in the nation has to score big in this area to combat LSU's powerful sprinting core.

In the middle distance events the 800 and mile the Ducks will be counting on their youth to come up big. In the 800 the Ducks only entrant is freshman Laura Roesler currently ranked number 8 in the nation. Roesler will have to fight off Michigan sophomores Rebecca Addison and Jillian Smith currently ranked number 2 and 4. Lea Wallace of Sacramento State is currently ranked number 1 with a time of 2:03.07.

In the mile sophomores Jordan Hasay and Anne Kesserling are ranked number 1 and 3. Senior teammate Zoe Buckman will join the group and looks to score big team points. Kate Van Buskirk of Duke will be a tough challenge for Hasay in the mile. Hasay will attempt the rare double by competing in the 3,000 meter race and challenge Lucy Van Dalen of Stony Brook.


THROWS

The shot put features a dynamic duo from Oklahoma in Karen Shump and Tia Brooks. Shump and Brooks rank number 2 and 5 respectively and will look to repeat their 1-2 finish at the Big 12 Championships and the NCAA Championship meet. Senior Faith Sherrill of Indiana who is ranked number 1 looks to end the hopes of a 1-2 finish for Oklahoma and claim the title.

The weight throw also features its own duo from Southern Illinois with Gwen Berry and Jeneva McCall. Berry and McCall rank 1 and 3 in the country and will look to fight off D'Ana McCarty of Louisville and Felisha Johnson of Indiana State.


PENTATHLON

Brianne Theisen of Oregon has made no one miss the dominance of Jacqueline Johnson. Theisen has been solid over the years for Oregon and early this season set a new NCAA record. The junior will look to defend her crown and set the record again.

Championship Weekend Recap

Championship weekend was another great success. As predicted here there were plenty of automatic qualifiers and personal bests. We also learned that our top ranked programs both men and women lived up to the hype. The Oregon women won the MPSF conference title and The Florida men won the SEC conference title. The championship picture is becoming more clear.


TOP SPRINTER

Women

The top sprinter of the weekend goes to Lakya Brookins of South Carolina. Brookins claimed the 60 meter dash title in a time of 7.14 at the SEC Championship meet. Brookins' mark is the number 1 time in the nation and 0.01 off her personal best. Brookins is the clear favorite to win the national title next weekend. Brookins won in at all in 2009 with her personal best of 7.13 at College Station.

Men

Sophomore teenager Kirani James of Alabama and Grenada, takes the award for top male sprinter. James is currently ranked number 1 in both the 400 and 200 and may try for the double at the championship meet. This past weekend at the SEC Championship James clocked in at 44.80, a new SEC meet record and the fastest time in the world this year. James also became only the 3rd collegiate athlete to run under 45 seconds indoors and his performance ranks number 2 all time in collegiate history. James is the clear favorite to claim the title.


TOP THROWER

Women

Sophomore thrower Julie Labonte of Arizona won the MPSF conference title in the shot put with a mark of 57'9. Labonte's performance ranks her as 3rd in the nation and the early favorite to claim the outdoor title. Labonte's performance also states that Arizona has a strong program that can compete with Arizona State in the throwing events.

Men

Luke Pinkleman a junior from Nebraska is the top thrower of championship weekend. Pinkleman won the last throwing title for Nebraska as a member of the Big 12 with a throw of 65'10.25. His throw ranks him number 2 in the nation.


Top Jumper

Women

The ACC is home to the jumper of the week. Kimberly Williams put on a phenomenal performance at ACC Championship meet. Williams pulled off the double winning the long jump in 21-6 and the triple jump in 45-9.75. Williams is the defending champion in the triple jump and is favorite to win the event again. Williams will compete against Chantel Malone of Texas for the NCAA Championship in both events.

Men

On his last jump of the meet, Christian Taylor of Florida leaped to 56-11.5 to claim the SEC title and earn the top jumper of the week honor. Taylor whose winning streak ended two weeks ago was able to overcome teammate Will Claye with a phenomenal performance in the triple jump. Taylor led a 1-2-3 finish for the Gators and helped the Gators to the SEC team title. Currently the Gators rank 1-2-3 in the nation and should finish that way at the national meet. However Claye maybe the national champion and not defending champion Taylor.


Top Distance Runner

Women

Jackie Areson of Tennessee is the top distance runner of the week claiming two titles at the SEC Championships. Areson won the 3,000 meter run in a time of 9:10.49 and ran a leg on the winning Distance Medley Relay team. Areson also was honored this week, she was added to the Bowerman watch list.

Men

Dumisane Hlaselo of Florida by way of South Africa completed the distance double. Hlaselo won both the mile and 3,000 meter races at the SEC Championship and anchored the Distance Medley Relay team that finished 4th. Hlaselo is currently ranked 4th in the men's mile and one of the favorites to win the NCAA Championship title.


This coming weekend is more about the individual and less about the team. This weekend is all about the last chance meets. This is the final weekend were athletes try to automatically qualify for the NCAA Championship meet or improve on there chances for final selection on Monday.

Next Post: More in depth conference to conference review. (Hopefully).