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.