ACC Preview: Men

Similar to that of the women in there is one noticeable dominate team, Florida State. Florida State been the only relevant national title contender in the conference and treats its fellow members as such. State. Florida State has won the conference title outdoors six consecutive times. There successful indoor championship streak ended in February of this year to championship meet host Virginia Tech. The Hokies of Virginia Tech still will field a strong team but this maybe a championships level team for Florida State.

The Sprints as usual are the highlight of the ACC Conference. Florida State in recent years has been the headliner. Ngoni Makusha burst onto the scene in 2011 with a personal best and collegiate record of 9.89 in the 100 meter dash. Makusha has forgone his senior season and has left the responsibility up to senior Maurice Mitchell. While Makusha was the 100 meter guy, Mitchell was the 200 meter guy. Mitchell will not be alone in the sprints, fellow senior Kemar Hyman, David Ambler and Brandon O'Connor in the 400 will look to continue the Florida State sprint tradition.

There are plenty of great distance programs in this conference and there always seems to be a top listed as a favorite to win the NCAA title either Indoor or Outdoor. Robby Andrews of Virginia is the national headliner. Andrews burst on the scene in 2010 winning the indoor 800 NCAA crown. Andrews is developing well in the 1,500 meters as well finishing 2nd last outdoor season at the conference championship and is the favorite for the crown this indoor season. Teammates Michael Hammond and William Mulherin of Virginia Tech should be the main challenge in the 1,500 and potential threat in the 5,000 meter race.

The field event battle is another in which Florida State and Virginia Tech push to claim the top. In the horizontal jumping events Florida State loses a phenomenal performer in defending long jump champion Ngoni Makusha. Paul Madzivire will look to continue the success at Florida State will fending off Jeff Artis-Gray of Virginia Tech. The Triple Jump will favorite Virginia Tech with the return of Hasheem Halim the outdoor conference champion. David Wilson may be a competitor or he may enter the NFL Draft. Halim is also a preseason favorite to earn All-American honors.

In the high jump defending champ Dwight Barbiasz of Maryland may never get the chance to defend his title. The University of Maryland has decided to end their Men's track and field program. Rumors are that he is headed to the University of Florida (yay). Ronnie Black and Rene Stauss will lead the way for Virginia Tech for a potential 1-2 finish. The pole vault will also be kind to Virginia Tech. Joel Davis is the top returnee for the Hokies in the conference and Andrew LaHaye of Florida State will clash in a quality competition. Teammate Michael Putman will represent the Seminoles well in the throwing events along with Emory Parsons of North Carolina.

Curtis Beach of Duke will be the heavy favorite in the Heptathlon after having an excellent freshman season. However his performance will likely not affect the team race. I will pick Florida State for now, but I may change depending on the decision from David Wilson.

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