Big 12 Men's Indoor Preview

Charles Silmon TCU

Like the women, the men lost a conference leader in Texas A&M with their recent stronghold over the conference. Texas A&M was a well rounded program that attacked from every level. With Texas A&M gone enter in TCU. TCU will not bring the well rounded presence Texas A&M had but they will bring the prowess in the Sprints and the Jumps. The Big 12 will still be one of the best conferences in the country with the remaining programs.



DISTANCE

Yes distance first. The Big 12 boast two the best programs in the country in Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Both programs routinely compete for the Cross Country national title and produce many All-Americans.

Riley Masters of Oklahoma is one of the returning standouts for the Sooners. Masters won the 1,500 meter outdoor title in 2012 and returns as the top threat in the event now that German Fernandez of Oklahoma State has gone professional. Teammate Patrick Casey should help provide a solid 1-2 punch in the 1,600 meter race indoors.

For Oklahoma State Shadrick Kipchirchir returns at the top performer in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meter races from last outdoor season. Kipchirchir claimed the 5,000 meter indoor title in 2012. Kipchirchir is coming off a All-American Cross Country season and will see the toughest competition come from teammate Girma Mecheso. Mecheso finished 5th at the Cross Country national meet and is ready to challenge the Kenyan for the conference title.


SPRINTS

TCU may make their mark on the conference very early in this section. TCU returns a solid core of sprinters and one of the nation's best high school sprinters as well.

Senior All-American Charles Silmon should lead the way. After years of dominating the Mountain West Conference Silmon will enter this indoor season the favorite to win the 60 meter dash. Teammates Skye Dawson and true freshman Raymond Bozmans should provide admirable competition. Seniors Ian Warner of Iowa State and Everett Walker of Baylor should also be capable of challenging the headliner Silmon.

After playing second for the past several years to Texas A&M Baylor should return to being the dominant power in the long sprints. After decades of producing NCAA Champions and All-Americans in the 400 and 200 meters Baylor has had to take a back seat due to the dominance of Texas A&M. Baylor however did not go unnoticed last season with several performers in both events at the conference championships last season.

Junior Blake Heriot will lead the Baylor Bear contingent. Heriot returns as the top long sprinters in the conference. Heriot can make a strong case for a potential double but will have to fight off teammates Everett Walker and Justin Allen. Kyle Clemons of Kansas could also halt the potential double of Heriot. Clemons is the top returning performer in the 400 meters.

In the hurdles the conference lost a lot of quality performers to graduation and conference changes. Keiron Stewart of Texas by way of Jamaica and Tre' Lathan of Oklahoma are the top returning performers from last season. After an amazing freshman campaign Stewart has not been the dominant threat he was expected to be. Still a consistent performer as a senior he maybe ready to go to the top level. Lathan of Oklahoma has developed well over the years at Oklahoma. Lathan may not have the times that Stewart has but is capable of claiming the conference title himself.


FIELD EVENTS

As I have said many times before the Big 12 conference maybe the best conference in the country when it comes to developing field event athletes. So many athletes this past season competed at the London Olympics with some earning medals.

Erik Kynnard of Kansas State is one of those Olympic medalists, earning a silver medal in the High Jump. Kynnard also happens to be the defending champion in the event and will be the clear favorite to claim the title.

Marquise Goodwin of Texas is another Olympic athlete. After leading the world after a sensation Olympic Trials performance in the long jump, Goodwin's technique at the Olympics cost him a spot in the finals and out of medal contention. Goodwin may or may not compete this season due to the NFL Draft however if he does be prepared for him to remind everyone why he is considered the next big thing.

Teammates of Goodwin, Issac Murphy and Hayden Baillo will headline their respective events. Murphy in the indoor heptathlon will be a clear favorite after having a sensational outdoor season. Murphy has joined the list of great multi-event athletes from Texas and will look to earn his first conference title along with possibly earning a national title. Baillio has been a consistent All-American performer in the Shot Put for Texas. However missing from his trophy case in a conference championship. As a senior Baillio will be given one last opportunity to claim the conference title in either the Shot Put or weight throw.

In the team race the road got much easier for Texas. They will be able to score in almost every event with at least two athletes. Baylor will be a strong challenger but the overall depth from Texas will likely be too much and should allow the Longhorns to claim the team title.

Big 12 Women's Indoor Preview

TRACK SEASON IS BACK!

(Hayward Field host of the 2013 NCAA Outdoor Championship)

Alas, another track season is on the horizon. This coming indoor collegiate season the Big 12 will for the first time since it went from the Big 8 to the Big 12 to welcome new members, TCU and West Virginia. The Big 12 has seen a few of it's members leave and go to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Big 10 and Pac-12. The Big 12 will certainly miss Texas A&M who has been a stellar representative for the conference on the national scene, winning three straight outdoor national titles from 2009-2011 for both men and women. The University of Missouri was always a strong presence in the middle distance events and will be sorely missed. With A&M gone Texas looks to return to the top spot. For the Texas Women they are not that far removed from a national title in 2005 and a Indoor national title in 2006 and they return a strong veteran group.


SPRINTS

After spending a few years sitting behind Texas A&M, Beverly Kearney's Texas crew finally broke through last season with amazing results. With a strong group of sprinters the Longhorns were able to finish 2nd last indoor season. Albeit behind A&M however tremendous progress was made and for the first time in a few years Texas was a real threat.

The 60 meter dash has been an area of weakness for Texas since Marshavette Hooker left during her junior year. Allison Peter looks to change that. After a very average indoor season in the short sprint Peter proved that she is more than capable of fast times by running a time of 11.17 in the 100 meter dash last outdoor season. With an improved start and drive phase Peter is clearly has the capability to claim the conference crown.

The hurdle/sprint specialist Tiffany McReynolds of Baylor is the top returnee for 2013 and her start maybe too strong for any to catch her in the 60 meter dash. In the 200 it is quite possible that the Texas Longhorns could sweep the event. Peter, Christy Udoh and Chalonda Goodman are the top returning 200 meter sprinters from last season and only will see challenge coming from Paris Daniels of Kansas.

The 400 meter dash has been a Texas staple since the arrival of Head Coach Beverly Kearney. Even during the past four seasons were Texas A&M was the clear sprint power, Texas was able to put together championship winning 400 meter runners and 4x400 relay teams. Briana Nelson and Kendra Chambers will look to continue that legacy. It will be tough with defending NCAA Indoor Champion Diamond Dixon of Kansas in the field, look for her to defend her crown and make a strong push to defend the 4x400 relay title as well.

The hurdles will be a true clash between McReynolds of Baylor,Morgan Snow of Texas and conference newcomer Chelsea Carrier-Eades of West Virginia. Snow is coming off an amazing outdoor season for a freshman that resulted in a World Junior title. McReynolds was slightly slowed and was unable to match the amazing season she had as a freshman. Snow has the speed to match McReynolds but the question is her technique. Great technique will come from Carrier-Eades. With a personal best of 12.78 outdoors the All-American has the talent to surpass both McReynolds and Snow and not only win the conference title but threaten for the national title.


DISTANCE

Part of the reason why Texas seems almost a guarantee to win the conference title is that they are complete team. The Longhorns have always been known as an amazing sprints and hurdles program. Under their brief rebuilding period they have added serious strength in the middle distances events starting with Marielle Hall. Hall will return as the top miler after finishing 2nd last season to Laura Roxberg of Missouri. Now that Missouri is competing in the SEC expect for Hall too be the event favorite come championship time.

Nataljia Piliusina of Oklahoma State returns as one of the top 800 meter runners not only in the conference but in the country. She is the defending Big 12 champion and an NCAA All-American. Piliusina is looking to defend her title and claim the national title as well.

Betsy Saina of Iowa State is another national star competing in the Big 12 conference. Saina completed the distance double last indoor season by claiming both the 5,000 and 3,000 meter races. Saina also claimed the indoor 5,000 meter race at the NCAA Championship. Saina is the odds on favorite to defend her title and may double at the Championship meet as well.



FIELD EVENTS

The Big 12 Conference as I have stated many times before is one of the best conferences in the country for field athletes. Several athletes in this conference have competed at the Olympic Games and made it to the finals in several events.

Tia Brooks of Oklahoma might as well be the headliner of this talented conference. Brooks who qualified for the shot put was one of the many talented youngsters competing in the throwing events for the United States. She was unfortunately unsuccessful in achieving an Olympic Medal . However Brooks is the defending Outdoor Champion at the NCAA Championships and should easily defeat the competition.

The jumping events are were Texas is expecting to score major points. The Longhorns produced four all conference high jumpers and return two in Shanay Briscoe and Alicia Peterson. Briscoe is one of the few athletes in the conference that can surpass the 6'0 barrier and has already claimed a conference title in her career. She will have defeat defending indoor champion Alyx Treasure of Kansas State. Treasure competes for native Canada and brings strong championship experience with her this season.

The Long jump and Triple Jump will be a Kansas affair. Francine Simpson and Andrea Gouble both are champions in each the respected horizontal jumping events, Gouble the champion in the latter. A'Lexus Brannon of Texas will make things interesting in the long jump, however Gouble should have no challenge defending her title in the triple jump.

The pentathlon took a big hit due to graduation. The top three athletes from last season were all seniors. However with the addition of West Virginia All-American Chelsea Carrier-Eades should dominate the event. Carrier-Eades has great speed and hurdle technique along with great jumping ability. Lindsay Vollmer of Kansas the top returnee from last season will be the main challenger and should improve substantially from last season her freshman year.



Our first track post in preparation for the 2012-2013 Indoor and Outdoor Season. This should be a good season, let's hope some historic records fall this season. The next post will be the men's preview.

News That You Can Use

I apologize for being away for so long. I decided that I want the focus of this blog and future website (shh) to be fully focused on collegiate track and field.  With it currently being the cross country season I decided to not do any posts on a part of the sport I personally do not follow enough to even give an opinion on. I will not pretend to know something that I don't, like the major networks do when it comes to our sport it just isn't right.

The indoor season is fast approaching and I will soon be preparing indoor previews. I expect to provide to you 7 Indoor Previews. The previews will start at the end of the month and continue through December. I also hope to be able to acquire interviews of a few collegiate athletes. The first post will be on the SEC Conference including its two newest members Texas A&M and Missouri.



SPORT NEWS
 
Kentucky's newest head coach Eldrick Floreal has added the final piece to the puzzle in regards to his staff. Roderick Dotts was selected to lead the sprints/hurdles portion of the program. Dotts was previously a volunteer coach at the University of Oregon, his alma mater; assisting now head coach Robert Johnson. The sprint program at the University Oregon has seen dramatic improvements over the past few years and Dotts should bring that same success to Kentucky.

                                                             (Kentucky Speed)

This past summer Floreal shocked the track and field world by leaving his position at Stanford University where he had been extremely successful. He helped to develop Stanford into a national power and won multiple Pac-10 titles. His new position does not come with as much scrutiny but that should allow Floreal the time to develop Kentucky into a serious SEC contender. Floreal will need to learn to not only recruit like Florida, LSU and Texas A&M but he will have to develop his athletes at the same level as those programs.

Olympics Review

Sanya Richard Ross (USA)

400 Meter Gold Medalist

This past Olympic Games had some of the best performances we have ever seen in track and field. Every event was so competitive and had it's on back story. As usual the sprinters were the headliners of the meet but with a great hometown distance performance every race was a spectacle to see. Let's recap some of the best performances of the meet.


MEN'S 100 METER DASH

Everyone practically handed the Gold medal to Yohan Blake of Jamaica. After Blake's sounding victory over his countrymen Usain Bolt at the Jamaican Olympic Trials. It seemed the world was ready and willing to forget about Usain Bolt, after all no one had ever repeated the sprint double. As expected the world doubted Usain Bolt.

Unfortunately for them Usain Bolt refused to listen to their expert analysis. In the 100 meter sprint Justin Gatlin of the United States was the first out of the block and led for the first 30 or so meters of the race. The charging beast of Yohan Blake was next to lead for a few meters before Bolt crashed the party the last 40 meters of the race claiming gold in a winning time of 9.63 a new Olympic Record. Bolt said the victory was even more sweet because everyone doubted him.

Outside of Carl Lewis no male sprinter has ever been able to defend his Olympic title in the 100 meter dash. Bolt has certainly cemented his legendary status with two sensational Olympic Games and being one of only two to go back to back.

MEN'S 10,000 METER RUN 

Great Britian was ready to see one of its biggest stars claim the Olympic Gold Medal  in a running event. Mo Farah the Somalian-born Englishman was the countries best hope for a Gold Medal in the event. The United States was counting on Galen Rupp to become the first Olympic Medalist in this event in 48 years. Their main challenge was two time defending champion Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia.

Bekele has been the king of long distance racing dating back to his first Championship Gold medal in Paris 2003. Bekele's legendary status had already been sealed with the two previous Olympic Gold medals but a third would take him over the top.

A traditional game of cat and mouse took place in the long distance event with several lead changes through the race including eventual bronze medalist and brother of Kenenisa, Tariku Bekele. Tariku led for the last few final laps of the rap. However on the final lap of the race using the roar of the distance crowd Mo Farah took the lead after sitting back behind Tariku. Using his devastating finishing kick on the home stretch claiming to gold with Rupp behind him for silver.


WOMEN'S 400 METER DASH

In Beijing in 2008 Sanya Richard-Ross of the United States was the favorite to win the Gold medal. After having a record setting 2006 she was poised to finally get a championship title. Ross ran a poor tactical race going out way too fast. Coming down the home stretch in the final 100 meters Ross began to fade and was passed by Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britian the eventual winner and Shericka Williams of Jamaica.

This time around Ross decided to be a lot smarter about her race. Again Ross came in withe golden expectations but not as world number 1. The number 1 runner was Antonina Krivoshapka of Russia. Unlike 2008 Ross ran the race more reserved taking a steady even pass. Krivoshapka on the other hand went out hard passing Ross on the back-strech, in the final 100 meters Ross would surge to lead as Krivoshapka faded. Ross would claim the Olympic title with a time of 49.55 and finally get her long awaited Gold medal. 


WOMEN'S 4X100 RELAY

16 years, that is how long it was been since the United States women have claimed the 4x100 relay title. With a team of Chryste Gaines, Gail Devers, Inger Miller and Gwen Torrence Team USA claimed the women's title in 1996 with a time of 41.95. The Olympic Games following that have been a huge disappointment. In 2000 poor passes resulted in an bronze medal and a Gold medal for the Bahamas, in 2004 Marion Jones and Lauryn Williams were unable to connect resulting in no finish. In 2008 Lauryn Williams again was unable to connect with Torri Edwards resulting in a dropped baton.

After the embarrassment that was the Beijing Olympics Jon Drummond was hired by the United States Track and Field organization to fix the  relay problems of both men and women. Entering in the Olympic Games Jamaica seemed to have the team to beat. A solid quartet of runners including Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce, Sherone Simpson, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Kerron Stewart. They were still no match for what Drummond had put together. Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter had nearly perfect passes, add to the that a strong first leg from Madison resulted in a Olympic and World record time of 40.82. Team USA became the first country to have a women's team break 41 seconds.

Olympic Preview (Men's Sprints)

(Will it be a Jamaican Party in the short sprints?)
(Left: Usain Bolt, Right: Yohan Blake)


What a toss up. That's the feeling I get when I think about the men sprinting events. Each event has multiple potential winners and great stories behind each of them.

100 Meter Dash

This has always been the main event of the Olympics. Who is the world's fastest human? In the past the world title was dominated by the US. With the recent development of Jamaican sprint stars there has been a strong challenge against that. Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Asafa Powell could complete an American sweep. The US does not have as much depth as they did in the past. Justin Gatlin and Tyson Gay will have to carry the torch for Team USA, youngster Ryan Bailey does not have the top end speed to keep up with the talented core of Jamaicans. Also competing in the race is Richard Thompson and Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago.

Bolt has looked more human in the past two seasons compared to 2008 and 2009 when he set the world on fire with his rip roaring speed. Yohan Blake is the next in line for Jamaica and seems to have better habits than that of his country men. He has been more focused and is out to prove that his win over Usain Bolt at the Olympic Trials was not a fluke. Justin Gatlin is also a guy to keep an eye on, Gatlin won the 2004 Olympic Gold Medal his 9.80 at the US Olympic Trials was nothing to sneeze at especially since it cold and wet that night. Bolt will still enter as the heavy favorite but there are plenty of others in the race that can defeat him.


200 Meter Dash

Compared to last season the times have been a little bit pedestrian. The current top time is 19.80 ran by Blake. This event in my opinion maybe the most open event yet.

Without Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and Walter Dix the US is very thin in event and have only one true athlete capable of earning a medal. Wallace Spearmon who has been on the American sprint scene since 2005 with his 20.10 indoor world record. In 2004 he finished 2nd behind Usain Bolt but was disqualified for stepping outside his lane. Spearmon has been on a path for a redemption and has generated some positive marks this season. His 19.82 ran the US Olympic Trials was barely wind-aided and would have converted to 19.83 without the wind. Blake is the favorite in this event and has not lost to anyone all year, it will take a season's best to defeat a charging Usain Bolt and upset minded Wallace Spearmon.


400 Meter Dash

My personal favorite event. The US hopes to continue the winning streak in this event that has lasted since 1984 took a serious hit. At a meet prior to the Olympic Games defending champion Lashawn Merritt slightly tweaked his hamstring. Merritt believes he will be ready for the Olympics but a hamstring issue is not an injury you can return from quickly.

NCAA Champion Tony McQuay will have to carry the flag for team USA. Teammate Bryshon Nellum is a long shot to medal and Kirani James the defending World Champion just became the heavy favorite to win it all. Another young talent Luguelin Santos from the Dominican Republic has the second best time behind Merritt. It looks as if the US dominance in the 400 is in serious jeopardy.

110 Meter Hurdles

Aries Merritt has been the world's most consistent hurdler this season. Merritt claimed the 2012 World Indoor Title and has beaten Liu Xiang of China and Dayron Robles of Cuba. Xiang and Robles have dominated the event in recent years but with Merritt's 12.93 performance three times this season, he may be the man to beat. Fellow US teammate Jason Richardson claimed the World Championship title last summer in Daegu and has also dipped under 13 seconds this season.


400 Meter Hurdles

In this event it is quite possible that Angelo Taylor could win his third Olympic Gold Medal. He will face a strong challenge from the hometown hero in and defending World Champion in David Greene and this years number one performer Javier Culson of Puerto Rico. Culson has been on fire this season but will see the best of Taylor, Greene and the talented 2009 World Champion Kerron Clement.

Clement has been seriously underrated. After having multiple surgeries and injuries he has been out of the world scene as of late. He returned back to his coach Mike Holloway, the man who coached him to an indoor world record in the open 400 meters back at the University of Florida. His personal best of 47.24 puts who amongst the best ever but a gold medal is seriously needed in his legacy. Clement made the Olympic team by hundredths of a second but do not count him out of contention just yet.

4x100 and 4x400 Relay

This will be US vs Jamaica as was always meant to be. Jamaica has dominated the US since 2008 and does not appear to be looking back. Jamaica currently has the world's best time and will be looking to run 36 seconds and set a new world record, but without Asafa Powell there chances of winning are severely dim.

In the 4x400 relay the US is heavy favorites as usual with a solid core of athletes are capable of running sub 45 and some capable of running sub 44. The final two medal positions are currently up for grabs between Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, host Great Britain and South Africa. This race will require all four legs of Team USA to split a personal best to continue the streak.

Olympics Preview (Women's Sprints)

(Allyson Felix looking to win Olympic 200 Gold)

(SI Photo)

It is finally here. The Olympic Games 2012 in London. Every four years the sport of track and field is on display in the greatest athletic competition in the world. For the sport of track and field this meet is where legends are made. This when we saw Flo-Jo, Evelyn Ashford, Michael Johnson, Carl Lewis, Hicham El-Geroug, Maria Mutola, Quincy Watts, Maurice Greene, Usain Bolt, Merlene Ottey, Gail Devers and countless others. This is the opportunity to permanently right yourself into the history books. The past few World Championships has helped to fuel a highly competitive meet.

100 Meter Hurdles

This event is one of my favorite events to watch female athletes. Solid technique is required to become a champion in this event however unlike the men this event requires serious speed from the women. Very few female hurdlers have been able to win this event on the Olympic Games level without world class sprint speed.

In 2008 Dawn Harper of the United States shockingly upset the favorite LoLo Jones to win the event in 12.54. Jones race ended in heartbreak after being the leader of every hurdle then clipping the final hurdle to stumble to 7th. Harper has yet to claim the world number 1 ranking since her gold medal in Beijing 2008, but she has been able to medal at the world championships. Last season in Daegu she earned a bronze medal clocking in at 12.47 her personal best. This season Harper is a candidate for the Olympic Gold medal buy winning the U.S Olympic Trials title. Nonetheless Sally Pearson of Australia is the one to beat.

In 2008 Pearson a young 22 year-old finished second by Harper to earn the silver medal. In 2011 Pearson took the world number 1 ranking from LoLo Jones and did not slow down. At the World Championships in Daegu the star clocked in at 12.28, the fourth fastest time in world history and better than the American record of 12.33 set by Gail Devers in 2000.


100 Meter Dash

As expected the queen of the sprint world will likely be decided by the two dominant sprint powers of the world, USA and Jamaica. After a jaw-dropping sweep in the women's 100 meter's in 2008 Jamaica's sprint queen Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce returns. Pryce set a Jamaican record clocking in at 10.70 at the Jamaican Olympic Trials. The always consistent Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica continued her world class consistency in the 100 meter dash finishing second and would like to avenge herself after missing the team in 2008.

Although Campbell-Brown has been the most consistent sprinter at every World Championships including a gold medal at the Indoor World Championships this year she seems to be out of it for the gold. The race is expected to come between Carmelita Jeter of the United States and Pryce. No other American female sprinter can keep up with Jeter, Pryce or Campbell-Brown. Still, you should not count out Campbell-Brown she is always capable of great performances.


200 Meter Dash

Allyson Felix of the United States and Campbell-Brown of Jamaica have dominated this event together since 2004. No other female sprinter has won either the World Championships in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011 or the Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008 besides those two. Felix owning three world titles in '05,'07' and '09 while Campbell-Brown has the titles for the previous two Olympic Games and the World Championships in 2011.

At the Olympic Trials Felix proved this may finally be her time to win the Gold medal away from Campbell-Brown. Felix ran a very strong race that ended with a new trials record time of 21.68. Felix's time is the fastest time ran at this distance since 1997 when Marion Jones ran 21.65. No other female athlete has been under 22 seconds this season. Campbell-Brown barely made the Jamaican team, Pryce is new to the event and Jeter does not have the strength to finish. This event has Allyson Felix all over it.


400 Meter Dash

Sanya Richards-Ross of the United States has been the most famous female 400 meter runner since Ana Guevara of Mexico. Like Guevara, Ross is lacking an individual gold medal. Due to a string of injuries she has not been able to completely put together a healthy season. In 2009 she earned her first individual title clocking in at 49.00, just 0.30 seconds shy of her American record 48.70. In 2011 she was returning from a injury plagued 2010 season, Ross had her moments but was unable to medal at the World Championships.

This season however, those injuries seem like a distance memory. Her time of 49.28 at the U.S. Olympic Trials reminded us of the Sanya Richards-Ross of old. With only one defeat to her name Ross seems in prime position to finally earn an Olympic Gold Medal individually. Her prime competition will come from 2011 World Champion Amantle Montsho of Botswana, Novlene Williams of Jamaica and world number 1 of Antonina Krivoshapka of Russia.


400 Meter Hurldes

Melaine Walker of Jamaica and Lashinda Demus of the U.S. have been rivals for many years. Both had phenomenal high school seasons, collegiate seasons and now professional seasons. Walker is the defending Olympic Champion but has been behind a surging Demus in recent years. Last season capped off Demus's best season in her history. Setting an American record with 52.47, the third fastest time in history. Walker will need a personal best to beat Demus and claim the gold.


4x100 Relay

This is event was once dominated by the United States. In 2000 the Bahamas changed all that. The Golden girls upset the strong US team with phenomenal passing and a strong anchor in Debbie Ferguson. The US has not won the Olympic Gold medal since 1996. This has all been due to poor exchanges. This year we hope to be different after being disqualified in 2008 due to a dropped baton.

Jamaica has perhaps the best group of sprinters in Kerron Stewart, Sherone Simpson, Pryce and Campbell-Brown. The US should provide a challenge with Tianna Madison, Felix, Jeter and Jeneba Tarmoh. However the recent mishap in Monaco should serve as a warning that they need to practice more.

4x400 Relay

I really wish I could say that the US are the favorites but they are not. The usually consistent Russians are the clear favorites to win this event. Russia has three current female athletes running under 50 seconds. No other country in the world can say that. They have very solid core of 400 runners that includes a few athletes who run at the 50 second level. Other than Ross the only female athlete from the US with a personal best under 50 seconds in DeeDee Trotter. This event will be a challenge like in 2008. The US is counting on a strong relay leg from Allyson Felix and youngster Francena McCrory.

Professional Development

(David Oliver)

(American Record Holder)

The summer season for track and field fans are reserved for two groups, professional athletes and track clubs. This is the time when high school sprinters spend time with their AAU Coaches or trainers and sharpen the skills that there high school coaches cannot. Collegiate athletes use this time to heal or personal improve to better prepare themselves for the next season. For professional athletes it's go time. They all push towards the championship meet that season or continue to improve there change of making their countries team by competing.

For professional athletes it is truly a challenge to make a living. To compete on the international stage it requires for athletes to train for 6 to 8 hours a day to simply develop the ability to compete at a high level. Improving is not always going to happen and may require some getting used to for some athletes. Every four years the Olympics are held and remain the biggest event in track and field history. The length of time between the Olympic Games makes it hard to defend your Olympic title, some do not even try. With two IAAF World Championships in between the four years new athletes are always rising, whether due to drugs or shear hard work. A great example is David Oliver.

Since Oliver's graduation from Howard University in 2004 he has steadily improved with the help of his coach Brooks Johnson. Johnson has held historical success in the sports dating back to the 70's. Oliver was more a sprint style hurdler during his days at Howard. With the direction of his coach he was able to improve upon technique and use his speed to help propel to a high level in track and field.

In 2006 the United States was becoming familiar with Oliver. His chiseled physique stood out against most hurdlers, the formal football player never let the weights slide. He busted onto the world scene winning a Golden League meet in Berlin, Germany. He won the USA Indoor Championships in 2007. That outdoor season he finished third to qualify for the World Championships in Osaka, Japan. In 2008 he earned a bronze medal at the Olympic Games and set a personal best of 12.95 joining the sub 13 club in the men's 110 meter hurdles.

In 2009 Oliver sustained a calf injury which forced him to miss another World Championship medal. Oliver would not be dismayed coming back in 2010 to by earning a bronze medal at the World Indoor Championship. That outdoor season Oliver set a American record in the hurdles by clocking in at 12.89. He would go on to have his most successful season in 2010 by defeating Liu Xiang of China and Dayron Robles of Cuba several times.

However in 2011 the competition stiffened. His hurdling started to seem a little shaky and the competition started to get much better and began refining their technique. His performances were up and down. He would again defeat Xiang at the Prefontaine Classic with a time of 12.94. Oliver would ride that momentum to the USA Outdoor Championship winning the event over Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson with a time of 13.04. At the World Championships however Oliver was not able to use his early season success finishing in a disappointing 5th place, behind Dayron Robles and fellow American Jason Richardson. This past season we watched as three younger athletes all qualified for Team USA for the Olympic Games.

I am not counting Oliver out for the future even though he is 30. If anything Oliver has proven how difficult it is to be a professional track and field athlete. Every four years a new crop comes in even more hungry and ready than before. The United States has plenty of talented young athletes that will look to carry Team USA for the future. Oliver will have to get back to his great in 2010 to be able compete for a spot on Team USA.


Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidShelbyJr

Olympic Trials Review Part 2

(Allyson Felix)

(Photo belongs to Sports Illustrated)

All good things must come to an end. It was sad to see another Olympic Trials come and go that I was not apart of. However I will admit it was great watching it on television live. There were so many great performances this weekend, not only from the US Olympic Trials but the Jamaican Olympic Trials as well.

Allyson Felix was amazing in the women's 200. It has been a while since I have seen a woman command the 200 like that. Felix dazzled the crowd with a time of 21.68 to break an Olympic Trials record formally held by Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo-Jo). Carmelita Jeter was the closest athlete to Felix finishing second with a time of 22.11. Felix currently sits amongst the greats in the history of the sport. All that is left for her to do is win the good medal. With Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica having an average year in the 200 and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce also of Jamaica having never broke the 22 second barrier, I think the title is well within her grasp.

In the men's 200 Wallace Spearmon dominated the second half of the race to walk down every athlete in front of him to a commanding win with a time of 19.82. Spearmon has been the most consistent American sprinter this season at 200 meters especially with Walter Dix out due to injury. The youngsters Maurice Mitchell of Florida State the NCAA Champion and Isaiah Young of Ole Miss also qualified to send a pretty solid squad to the London Olympics. However the only real threat to win or even medal is Spearmon.

In the men's 110 high hurdles there were some great performances and major letdowns. Let's focus on the good first. Aries Merritt who won the indoor world title proved that his consistent development in the event is finally paying off with a personal best time of 12.93 to win the trials title. Merritt is one of two serious threats to win the gold for Team USA. The other would be Jason Richardson, Richardson also went under 13 seconds with a time of 12.98 for second. Richardson is the defending world champ and will look to keep China's Liu Xiang and Cuba's Dayron Robles from the top of the podium.

The let downs came from David Oliver and Terrance Trammell. Oliver has been Team USA's most consistent hurdler over the past years and even has the American record. However the muscular hurdler was unable to make the team finishing a disappointing 5th.  The even more painful performance to watch was that of Terrance Trammell. I have been a fan of Trammell since I was middle school student. I watched him at South Carolina and all throughout his professional career. It was painful to see Trammell not only lack the speed by the technical execution needed for hurdlers.

The men's 400 hurdlers had the same set up. Angelo Taylor must seriously be considered as the Edwin Moses of his time. His career spans back to 2000. He has been a top tier 400 hurdler for more than decade. Having won the event twice already at the Olympic Games in 2000 and 2008, Taylor looked very strong for majority of his race. He clipped the second to last hurdle stumbling but was still able to finish 2nd. I would not be surprised if Taylor win's his 3rd Olympic Gold Medal and stands at the top of the podium for 400 hurdlers. Although Kerron Clement has all the talent in the world, he has yet to get his technique together. He was far from is 47.24 performance in 2005,but he did have surgery earlier this year. Clement had a third place finish at the trials and will have just a few weeks to get it together for London.

The let down in this event came from Bershawn Jackson. I will be the first to admit I a huge fan of "Batman". That nickname perfectly suits him. After having a injury laden 2011 season and a strong start to this season, the former World Champion looked poised to qualify for another Olympic team. During the final lean at the tape he stumbles across the line falling and unable to outline Clement for the final position. It will be an interesting group of low hurdlers, especially with Jackson not part of the group.

Lashinda Demus again proves to be the class of the women's 400 meter hurdles world wide. The current American record holder has kept a low profile this season obviously focusing on a big performance at the Olympic Games. The defending world champion ran a dominant race finishing with a time of 53.98. Demus timed her steps perfectly and effortlessly won the event with a little left in the tank to spare. Melaine Walker of Jamaica ran nearly a second slower and will have to run a personal best to take the title from Demus.

 Leo Manzano had better medal at the London Olympics in the 1,500. Manzano has been main-stay in American distance circles. However he had never received a major international medal in any distance event. At last year's World Championships Oregon alumnus Matt Centrowitz earned a bronze  medal and was considered the next great athlete in American middle distance racing. Manzano would not be denied, his final lap was simply sensational. He outkicked Centrowitz to claim the title and certainly looks capable of earning a medal.


There was a upset of equal value in the women's 1,500. Jenny Simpson formerly Jenny Barringer of Colorado, stunned the world last year by winning the IAAF World title. She is now doubt a true talent and strong persona in the eye of American distance running with her success at the NCAA level. Winning the title was expected to be a harbinger for the future American distance running. Morgan Uceny apparently did not get the memo,. Besides Uceny was the overwhelming favorite at last year's World Championships but was tripped during the race and was unable to make the podium. Uceny ran a strong race complemented with a solid final lap to win with a time of 4:04.59.

The women's Long jump took the field event headlines. Brittney Reese who has been the best long-jumper in the United States since the great Jackie Joyner Kersee retired, shows why she is the world champion. Reese leaped out to 23-5 1/2 on her final jump to surpass youngster Chelsea Hayes. Reese is inching closer and closer to 24 feet and maybe ready this summer to reach that mark.

The men's triple jump added intrigue as well. Former Florida Gators Christian Taylor and William Claye finished 1-2 in the triple jump as expected. Walter Davis would stop a would be Gator sweep by finishing 3rd. However we was unable to reach the "A" standard and retired following his performance. That leaves the door open for any athlete that meets the "A" standard that wants to compete for Team USA. It was sad to see Davis retire in that fashion. Before Taylor and Claye, Davis was at times the lone representative for Team USA in the Triple Jump and carried the country on his back in the event for almost a decade. Thank you Walter Davis for a great career.

Olympic Trials Recap Part 1

 (ASHTON EATON

Decathlon Winner)

This past weekend started one of the more tense and competitive track and field meets in the world. The United States has the toughest rules to qualify for the Olympics. In most countries they allow a wild card or select the team all together depending on whether or not an athlete qualifies for the "A" standard. Each country is only allowed three individuals per event.


In the United States instead of having a wild card only the top three finishers in each event represent the country. To me, this is still questionable. I believe the top two, but I would leave a wild card spot open for third to allow a top athlete to compete in the event that they are injured. However the US Olympic Committee does not seem like they are changing their rules anytime soon so we must deal with the system currently in place.


The first weekend of the trials always catches my attention personally. Not only is the 100 meter dash held but also the 400 meter dash. This year many professional Americans have had up and down performances heading to the trials. Carmelita Jeter has the world's number 1 time in the women's 100, however she has lost two recent competitions and both performances were over 11.00 seconds. Her most recent defeat came at the Adidas Invitational in New York at the hands of Shelly Ann Fraser.


Jeter did not let her recent performances phase her. Running out of lane 6 the strong competitor from California ran a solid race to win 10.92 over Tianna Madison in 10.96. The event however would still not be without controversy and intrigue. The third position as it currently stands is shared. Both Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh are tied for the third position.


No decision has been made on how the tie-break will be made, however the Olympic rules will stand only three competitors in each event per country. In my opinion I would select the athlete who has the best overall potential to represent the US, Allyson Felix.


The men's 100 meter dash had the intrigue but no controversy. 2011 World Silver Medalist Walter Dix pulled up in the semi-finals with what seemed like a hamstring injury. Running out of lane 8 in the finals it was clear the Dix sustained the injury verified by the heavily bandage thigh.


Justin Gatlin who begin the competition with a bang ran a sensational race clocking in at 9.80 in cool temperatures. Gatlin had a strong start, solid drive phase and an amazing finish. His time is only second to Usain Bolt and makes him the best hope to win the 100 meter dash against Bolt. Tyson Gay proved that he was in good form, Gay clocked in at 9.86 to earn the second spot. Ryan Bailey completed the team with a of 9.93 over Michael Rodgers who finished fourth in 9.94.


Sanya Richards lived up to expectation by winning the 400 meter dash in dominating fashion. Running out of lane 5 Richards pushed the pace to about the 140 meter mark. She then ran a relaxed 110 meters and put the meter to the medal in the final 250 meters to clock in at 49.28. Her time in the 400 ties Chandra Cheesebourgh trials record set back in 1984. DeeDee Trotter and Francena McCrory will join her. Trotter clocked in at 50.02 to finish 2nd while McCrory finished third with a time of 50.43.


LaShawn Merritt has ran with a target on his back and plenty of scrutiny since returning from his drug suspension towards the end of 2011. The defending Olympic Champion claims to not be drug cheat since the substance was solely being used for his personal growth in a rather private area. Nonetheless, he still carried that burden. Merritt looked his usual powerful self running a solid well rounded race out of lane 6 to win in 44.12. Merritt used superior strength and speed down the final stretch. McQuay the NCAA Champion from Florida ran a new personal best in 44.49, while Bryshon Nellum of USC finished third in 44.80.


Nellum's story is a great one. To see an athlete who has experienced so much adversity over his career earn a spot on the team was special. The race was not special for the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Jeremy Wariner. After beginning the season with so much promise Wariner's lack of speed is what caused him to fail. He was out-kicked in the final 100 meters and finished sixth to miss the qualification for the team. This maybe the last we see of the great 400 meter runner, his career is still an exceptional one.

The hope of American distance fans everywhere rest on the shoulders of prodigy Galen Rupp. The multiple NCAA Champion from the University of Oregon put on quite a show in the men's 10,000 meter run. Rupp set a meet record with a time of 27:25.33. The record was held by the great Meb Keflezighi who set in 2004. The even better news is that all three qualifiers met the "A" standard. Rupp will be joined by Matt Tegenkamp and Dathan Ritzenhein. 

With all the great performances this weekend none more special than Ashton Eaton. Eaton is next in line to join the greats from the United States in the decathlon. Their is Rafer Johnson, Dan O'Brien, Bruce Jenner, Bryan Clay and others who have claimed the gold. Eaton set a world record scoring a total of 9,039 points in the decathlon after the crowd carried him in the mile. Eaton an Oregon alum, certainly made them proud with a awe-inspiring performance. 

The defending champion Clay was unable to qualify for Team USA after his disqualification in the 110 high hurdles after a mis-step. Clay still ended the meet with class and dignity by finishing the competition. Joining Eaton will be Trey Hardee and Florida All-American Gray Horn. 

Our next recap will focus more on the field and distance events. Congratulations to all that have qualified for the London Olympics, please represent USA well.

NCAA Championship Review

 (University of Florida 2012 NCAA Outdoor and Indoor NCAA Champions)

(Photo belongs to the Orlando Sentinel)

So the year for collegiate athletes for the most part has ended. For many seniors it was their last meet as an athlete forever, for a small and blessed few it was a step into the professional circuit. This past season majority of the top programs experienced a myriad of up and downs, based on a single injury or two teams dropped out of the top three discussion into a bottom feeder. No team faced more adversity this outdoor season than the University of Florida.

The season began for the Florida Gators as expected. They were the top ranked program with a solid of group of individual athletes that combined to form a great team. The first major loss of the season was the reigning SEC Champion in the decathlon in Gray Horn. Horn injured himself at the indoor NCAA Championships and that garnered a DUI right before the SEC Outdoor Championships and was suspended from the team.

Jeff Demps the top collegiate sprinter and headliner of the Florida Gators suffered a hamstring strain before the SEC Championships and could not go. After the preliminary round Demps was suffering again from hamstring issues and ended his senior season. The other bad news was that the 4x100 relay was unable to get the baton around at the NCAA preliminaries and dropped the baton to be disqualified.

History seemed like it was going to repeat itself. Florida had been in this position all too often. They begin the season only to stumble across the finish line and miss the gold. Florida has been 2nd at the NCAA meet three straight years in a row. It seemed hopeless, they had to be picture perfect in order to win the title and have a little help along the way.

Tony McQuay the teams most outstanding performer continued to impress. McQuay ran a solid 400 meter race finishing with a strong kick to clock in 44.58 to win the NCAA title and give 10 much needed points to the Florida Gators. The LSU Tigers did not make it easy on the Gators by scoring heavily in the short sprints, including another 4x100 relay victory with a time of 38.38. The team consisted of Barret Nugent, Aaron Earnest, Keyth Talley and Shermund Allsop.

The triple jump proved to be another key event for the Gators. Junior leader Omar Craddock claimed the nations top mark in the Triple Jump leaping to a mark of 55-6 1/4. Fellow jumper freshman Marquis Dendy was unable to score in either the long jump and triple jump leaving the Gators worried because points were at a premium.

Meanwhile the Lady Tigers of LSU made a serious statement. They were reminding everyone that they are the greatest women's track and field program in NCAA history and hears why. The sprints were the teams bread and butter and usually. Star Kimberlyn Duncan again finished second in the women's 100 meter dash running into a strong headwind to clock in at 11.16. Sophomore sensation from Oregon English Gardner lead the way in the 100 clocking in at 11.10. In the 200 Duncan would again display that powerful finish clocking in at 22.85 running into a strong headwind. Duncan also carried the 4x100 relay team to victory in a time of 42.75.

Similar to that of the women's program the LSU men were looking to score major points in the sprints. Freshman Aaron Ernest lead the way, scoring big points in the 200 meter dash by finishing 5th earning four points. Both the Gators and Tigers entered the 4x400 relay event with a chance to win the meet. The Gators had a total of 40 points and LSU had 42 points. If Florida won and LSU finished 2nd they would share the title. If Florida finished less than LSU in any position the Tigers win the title. In order for Florida to win the event outright they had to finish two positions ahead of LSU.

That was going to be a challenge for the Gators since LSU had a formidable 4x400 relay squad that challenged Florida in every meet. However thanks to a solid anchor by Tony McQuay the relay squad set a school record clocking in at 3:00.02 and USC surpassing LSU for 2nd place. This allowed Florida to score a total of 50 points to 48 points score by LSU. The Gators had finally won the title and broke the 2nd place curse.

The Lady Tigers just continued to pour it on. The gathered their top 400 runners and put together a school record breaking 4x400 relay squad. However that was not enough to win the event but enough to add the icing on the cake for another team title. Oregon claimed the event in a meet record of 3:24.54, the quartet including four amazing sophomores in English Gardner, Laura Roesler, Chizoba Okodogbe and Phyllis Francis. With so many graduating from LSU, Oregon seems like the next program to break the 2nd place curse. The Ducks also watched as Brianne Theisen again claimed the title in the heptathlon just shy of the NCAA record.

Other memorable performances from a great meet include Cameron Levins of Southern Utah who out-kicked Paul Chelimo of UNC-Greensboro and Lawi Lalang of Arizona with the top time of 13:40.05. Charles Jock of UC-Irvine led wire-to-wire in the 800 meter run to claim the title in 1:45.59. Brigetta Barrett of Arizona won the high jump with a mark of 6-4 and had a great clearance over the bar, expect for Barrett to earn a personal best this season and make the Olympic team.

Although the meet had all the bells and whistles of great television. There were many dissapointements for me. It was upsetting to know the meet would be placed on ESPNU and no longer on CBS. While on CBS the meet was given  fair airtime and was available on a national television network that everyone has access to with a television. Not only is ESPN cable but ESPNU is premium cable further shrinking the audience to watch such a spectacular meet and taking away an important meet to those who cannot afford ESPNU.

Finally it was disappointing that the NCAA committee again selected Des Moines, Iowa to host the meet. Again the stands look empty and the people of Iowa look disinterested. I hope that the NCAA will open up their eyes and start having the meet placed a track and field location not a football stadium. Locations such as Eugene Oregon Hayward Field, Icahn Stadium in New York, Percy Beard Track at the University Florida and a host of others. Hopefully the committee will wise up and keep the track and field fan's interest at heart and not their hopeful wallets.

(LSU 2012 Women's NCAA Outdoor Champions)

NCAA Regional Review and Other Opinions

                          Jeff Demps (Florida)

                     

This past weekend the NCAA's latest experiment with a Regional Championship for track and field continued. On the campuses of North Florida University and the University of Texas both East and West regions competed to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. This meet has met a lot of criticism as it has robbed track and field fans of a lot of quality competitors. It seems that every year there is always an athlete we do not get to see compete due to injury. The qualification rules are unfair and a waste to the sport. The current system has damaged the sport and has made a mockery of the championship season as well as the outdoor regular season.

The beauty of the indoor season is that every week matters. The sole purpose of each competition is hit the automatic qualifying standard. If not enough individuals qualify, then the NCAA will chose the top athletes who hit the provisional qualifying standard. Prior to 2003 the outdoor season competed the same way. This process is what help to make the NCAA Outdoor Championship such a revered meet. We were still able to see the best athletes compete.

Due to injury we will not be able to see Jeff Demps compete at the championship meet. This is truly a disappointment. Demps, currently the NCAA leader in the 100 meter dash would have likely qualified for the NCAA meet under an automatic standard. Maurice Mitchell  of Florida State and Harry Adams of Auburn will now headline this event. This meet has become yet another opportunity to grab money, but a what cost not all money is good money. The sport is suffering from visibility and the biggest stars not competing on the biggest stage will damage the sport.

Enough of my ranting on the latest NCAA follies lets talk about the good that came out of the weekend. It seems as if Texas A&M will again capitalize of the University of Florida's struggles. The Aggie men have claimed the top spot in the latest USTFCCCA rankings. Texas A&M has a well rounded program that does not solely have to rely on its sprint core. A bit of disappointment for A&M is that none of their 800 meter runners and Ameer Webb not qualifying in the 100 meter dash. However Webb did qualify along with Prezel Hardy for the 200 meter dash. Wayne Davis again proved that he is getting better as the season goes on and will challenge for the title in the 110 high hurdles.

On the women's side LSU and Oregon have made things very interesting with their long list of NCAA Championship competitors. Oregon has qualified a total 31 athletes for both teams. The Ducks qualify athletes in the sprints, distance and jumping events. Three major standouts for the Lady Ducks, English Gardner, Anne Kesserling and Brianne Theisen will be heavily favored to win their respective events at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

For LSU this might just be Dennis Shaver's best team. With a dominating sprint core as usual the Tigers boast an overbearing team that has already claimed the number 1 ranking away from Oregon. Kimberlyn Duncan currently the NCAA leader in both the 100 and 200 meter dash maybe able to put a record setting performance. Semoy Hackett, Rebecca Alexander and Jasmine Stowers add to provide LSU with a formidable team that reminds us of the great LSU teams of the '90's.

                                  Kimberlyn Duncan (LSU)

PREDICTION

MEN: TEXAS &M

WOMEN: OREGON

Penn Relay Review (Women)

It was another banner weekend for the PENN Relays. The 5^th largest crowd in Penn Relay history cheered and jeered along with bracing the horrible weather.  The women and the young girls present provided some solid performances that had many fans on their feet ranting and raving.

SPRINTS

HIGH SCHOOL

In the 4x100 relay Edwin Allen was the favorite entering in. They won Champs with a time of 45.00 and cruised through the preliminaries. However in the finals Long Beach shocked everyone winning with a time of 46.36. Although Holmwood Tech had the best overall time winning the large schools in 46.26, Long Beach Poly’s win is their 4^th ever and the first American team in recent decades to go back to back. The beauty of their win is that two of their relay members will be returning next year and third consecutive title is certainly possible.

The 4x400 relay was all Edwin Allen. They dominated from beginning to end to claim the title with a time of 3:42.06 with Camira Haughton splitting 54.0. Following Edwin Allen was Holmwood Tech and Vere Technical to complete a sweep. Edwin Allen success in the long sprints should not be anything new to anyone, their most noted quarter-miler Ristanannana Tracey set a 400 hurdle record last year and has turned pro one year early and will compete for an Olympic medal. 

COLLEGE

This seemed like it would be the year that LSU was finally retain their crown and the 4x100 relay queens. Texas A&M has won the last three titles under the direction of former LSU head coach Pat Henry. Texas A&M has to replace two major members of the 2011 team and did not seem like they would repeat after losing to LSU at the Texas Relays. In the finals Texas A&M put their foot down and got the baton around successfully and without any errors to claim the 4x100 relay with a time of 43.87.

LSU was able to claim their 12^th 4x200 relay title and exact some revenge on Texas A&M. The Lady Tigers clocked in at 1:31.86 with Kimberlyn Duncan on the end out-kicking Dominique Duncan. Latoya McDermott, Semoy Hackett and Rebecca Alexander joined Duncan in taking down the Aggies.

In the 4x400 relay Texas A&M was able to go out with bang by winning their first ever title in the event. Freshman anchor Olivia Ekpone split a 51.9 to hold sophomore Phyllis Francis of Oregon who split a 52.2. The Aggies clocked in at 3:33.52 with Oregon clocking in at 3:34.08. Oregon should also be a team to fear they were able to finish second with a 57.1 first leg, once the first leg problem is solved Oregon has a team that can compete for the NCAA title.

The Shuttle Hurdle Relay was expected to be dominated by Clemson. Clemson has a strong group of 100 hurdlers totaling 5, two of which have gone under 13 seconds. However during the race one of the girls from Clemson fell leading the way for LSU to claim their 9^th title in the event with a time of 54.68. The group consisted of Jasmine Stowers, Kaitlyn Moreau, Shanekia Hall and Alexandria Gochenour.

DISTANCE

Edwin Allen again represented Jamaica proudly with their dominating performance of the weekend in the 4x800 relay.  Edwin Allen won by more than 10 seconds with a time of 8:52.97. Marleena Eubanks anchored the team with a split of 2:09.3.

The Distance medley relay was more kind the Americans. Tatnall of Wilmington, Delaware had a sensational performance that saw them break a Penn Relay Record. The girls of Tatnall clocked in at 11:28.86 to break the old record by almost six minutes. Haley Pierce who anchored the quartet surpassed North Shore’s anchor with a split of 4:42.9.

COLLEGE

In the College Championship Division the University of Oregon lived up to the hype by winning the 4x800 relay 3 minutes ahead of Tennesse. The Lady Ducks had a winning time of 8:24.16. Laura Roesler the second leg had the teams top split with 2:04.5.

The Lady Ducks carried that same momentum in the 4x1,500 relay. Melanie Thompson, Alex Konsinski, Anne Kesselring and Becca Friday led the charge from start to finish and won by more than 10 minutes against a challenging field that included Georgetown and Villanova. A winning time of 17:29.00 came with a split of 4:16.3 from Anne Kesselring.

Villanova added the 11^th title in the Distance Medley relay. Villanova is number one all time in this event along with a host of others. The race closely contested with Tennessee as both have solid programs with good depth. The anchor leg from Villanova, Sheila Reid outgunned Brittany Sheffey from Tennesse 4:40.8 to 4:43.5 on the mile leg of the race to give the Wildcats their 11^th Penn Relay title.

Penn Relay Preview (Women)

(Long Beach Poly on the right National Record 4x100 44.50)

(Vere Tech on the left Penn Relay Record 44.32)

Sprints

The High School girls unfortunately miss out on the Saturday action by having to compete on Friday. However their performances do not go unnoticed. In the Girls Championship 4x100 relay Jamaica has dominated over the past thirty years. Vere Technical of Jamaica has one this event a record 15 times, no other high school has won more than 4. Long Beach Poly has been America's best representative at this meet and hold the high school national record at 44.50. Edwin Allen is the early favorite with a season's best of 45.00. Edwin Allen has one this event two times, '07 and '08.

The College Women's race has recently been dominated by Texas A&M. Pat Henry brought his relay winning formula from LSU. Dennis Shaver took over at LSU after Henry and the Lady Tigers have not fallen. In fact under Shaver's direction in 2008 LSU set the Penn Relays record in the 4x100 relay with a time of 42.59. They currently lead the NCAA this season with a time of 42.99. Texas A&M is not far behind however with a season's best of 43.21.

LSU posted a rather impressive 4x200 relay time at the Texas Relays clocking in at 1:30.01. However that same quartet is not listed to compete this year. Texas A&M has the 2nd fastest time coming in and will likely claim the title if LSU's b-squad is not up to task. Keep and eye out for the speedy ACC Champions Clemson, they should provide a strong performance.

The High School Girls 4x400 relay is where America has some decent success. However Vere Tech still has won the event 10 times and Holmwood Technical, also of Jamaica holds the meet record a t 3:34.75 set in 2001. Vere Tech is the early favorite currently listed as the only team under 3:40. Just like the 4x100 relay Long Beach Poly has generally been the best American representative and also has the national record with a time of 3:35.49. This year Poly has yet to assemble their best team and must pull the big upset. Other strong American teams include Wakefield from North Carolina and Garden City of New Jersey.

The race amongst colleges does not have the top team competing at the meet. Texas is currently the only women's program in the NCAA running sub 3:30. However Texas A&M and LSU field two very strong teams. LSU is currently ranked 2nd with a season best of 3:30.42.


The Shuttle Hurdle Relay is another event were LSU has dominated. The Lady Tigers have won the event a record 8 times. Most recently Texas A&M has been able to put a couple of strong teams together and have won it the last two years. LSU enters a strong team with sophomore sensation Jasmine Stowers but Clemson has the best hurdling group in the country led by Brianna Rollins and Bridgette Owens.



Distance

Tennessee has won the women's 4x800 relay seven times and currently has the two best times every ran at Penn Relays. This season they are anchored by senior Chanelle Price. Price has not lived up to expectations over her career but has been consistently good all four years. The Oregon Ducks bring a strong group of 800 runners and may have the best squad of the weekend and are also favorites to win the 4x1,500 over Boston College. Villanova, the all time leader in wins in this event enters a solid group that should contend and possibly earn the Wildcats their 10th victory. 

In the Distance Medley relay Villanova again brings a great quartet to compete against Georgetown and Tennessee. Georgetown ran away with the title this past indoor season and will use that same line up. The Oregon Ducks as usual will be a threat to win the event.

As I stated early Oregon boasts the strong group of milers in the NCAA. Boston College will rely on the King sisters Jillian and Caroline to challenge Oregon. Oregon has four athletes that have run under 4:17 and will have a strong veteran superstar in Jordan Hasay to anchor them and likely win another title for Oregon. Villanova is also a team for title consideration. 

PENN RELAYS PREVIEW (MEN)

It is the end of April and my favorite weekend of the year. It is Penn Relay time!!!!

The Penn Relays always brings a certain level of excitement and anticipation for many track and field fans. This year that is especially true with it being an Olympic year. Although the professional athletes take majority of the television time I would like to preview the colleges and high school championship of America races. (Relay events only)


Sprints

The sprint events are always a crowd pleaser. Whether it is a dropped baton, amazing relay leg, sensational anchor or amazing time many simply are fascinated with the challenge the sprint relays bring.

The collegiate men's 4x100 relay is especially interesting this year. Auburn stunned the world on March 31 at the Texas Relays with a time of 38.30. That is one of the fastest opening collegiate times ever. The Tigers will look to eclipse the Penn Relays record of 38.68 set by TCU. The closest team to the Auburn University time wise is the University of Florida which has a season best of 38.67. Unfortunately the Gators will not be competing at the Penn Relays so the main challenge will go to Texas A&M and Florida State.

The School boys 4x100 relay does not have a great recent history for the United States. With the lack of a strong southern presence the United States has to rely on schools from California, Virginia, North Carolina and Ohio to produce top schools for the event. Last season showed how much progress is needed in this event for the United States. Only one team from the United States qualified and they finished last. This year there is potential that no American team will qualify. Long Beach Poly has been the best high school program for America and may be the sole representative come Saturday. For Jamaica, Kingston College leads the way with a time of 40.17 and talented champion Delano Williams will look to lead Munro College to the title.


The 4x200 relay is an odd relay and not ran very much at the top level. However when it is ran it is certainly a sensational event. Texas A&M currently leads the NCAA ranks with a best of 1:21.21 and will look to defend their title. Auburn is also listed in this event with the same 4x100 relay quartet and LSU has a strong squad as well.

In the grand finale the 4x400 relay only one team in the NCAA has stood out all year with a early time and that would be USC. Not South Carolina but Southern California. USC again will not compete at this years Penn Relays. Missisippi State currently ranks 2nd ahead of LSU and Texas A&M. Those three have times with in hundreths of a seconds of each other. Miss St in 3:03.12, LSU 3:03.20 and Texas A&M in 3:03.16. This should be a real barn barner and a great way to end a always phenomenal meet.

The High School Boys race should be interesting as well. The Boys and Girls of New York lit up the track all indoor season long and have yet to run a strong contingent outdoors. It will take at least a 3:11 performance to claim the title. Jamaica brings a strong core of teams including defending champions Munro College and Jamaica Champs winner Calabar which ran a 3:10.19. Hopefeully and eventually an American program in one of the warmer states that compete at the Penn Relays will finally develop a program that can be a consistent threat and win some of the relay events, but for now the Jamaicans will continue to dominate. 

The Shuttle Hurdle Relays is one of my favorite events. Like the 4x200 relay is not ran often and even less so at the College level. Clemson brings a strong quartet of hurdles that include three sub 14 second hurdlers and they are fresh of their strong performance at the Florida Relays. Clemson is really trying to the claim the title of Hurdle University under coach Lawrence Johnson. 



 Distance
 
The Distance events are great to see as well. Traditional distance powers Oregon, Michigan, Villianova, Indiana and Oklahoma will look to bring home titles in respective distance events. However growing power Texas A&M is having a record breaking season in their distance events and will look to represent their university proudly at relays.

The Penn State and Texas A&M bring two very strong 4x800 relay teams. Texas A&M can be considered the early favorite after claiming the title at the Texas Relays with a time of 7:15.99 breaking a meet record that stood for 25 years. Penn State is led by senior star Casimir Loxsom who has a personal best of 1:45.28.

The 4x800 High School race is Boys and Girls race to lose. With a solid 7:41 performance indoors a sub 7:40 performance is all but imminent. Expect for this program to be mentioned a lot this weekend. 

In the 4xmile Texas A&M had another strong showing at the Texas Relays (4x1,500) and will look to capitalize on that performance. However their conference mate, for the last time, Oklahoma brings three sub 4 minute milers to the table and will look to not only claim the 4xmile but the Distance Medley Relay as well.

 

Texas Relays Review and weekend ending 04-01-12

Before we begin a great weekend with the Florida Relays, Arcadia Invitational and Pepsi Team Invitational let us review what a great weekend we recently had. We will mainly look at the Texas Relays and some of the great performances there.

WOMEN

This outdoor season has already started off with a bang. This season looks as if the chase for the top is a little more competitive indoors.

This past weekend at the Texas Relays LSU made their usual strong statement. The Lady Tigers posted some phenomenal times in both the 4x100 relay and 4x200 relay with times of 42.99 and 1:30.01 respectively. Kimberlyn Duncan anchored both relays and ran a strong race in the 100 meter dash. Duncan clocked in at a wind-aided 10.94 over Chelsea Hayes of Louisiana Tech who clocked in at 11.09. Duncan is the recognized leader of the team and has plenty of championship hardware to prove it.

Donique Flemings of Texas A&M brought home the 100 meter hurdle title clocking in a wind-aided 12.88. Flemings has definitely stepped up this outdoor season after a average indoor season.

The University of Texas also had some strong team performances. The Lady Longhorns had two impressive distance victories with a win from Marielle Hall in the 5,000 meter run clocking in at 16:35.63 and Brittany Marches in the 3,000 steeplechase with a time of 10;53.72.

In the sprints Texas claimed the 4x400 relay title becoming the first team to run sub 3:30 this season with a time of 3:29.72 (Stacey Ann Smith, Kendra Chambers, Allison Peter and Briana Nelson).

Chelsea Carrier-Eades of West Virginia maybe the best athlete to challenge defending champion Brianne Theisen of Oregon. Carrier-Eades had a solid all around effort in the heptathlon with a total point score of 5,821. Her score has automatically qualified her for NCAA's.

MEN

The Texas Relays is usually all about speed and this year did not dissappoint. Auburn University scorched the track with their outstanding 4x100 relay team. A team of Marcus Rowland, Harry Adams, Michael DeHaven and Keenan Brock clocked in a world leading time of 38.30. TCU has held the NCAA record of 38.04 since 1998 and held the previous record old record of 38.23 since 1989. That is over 20 years that TCU has held the NCAA record. Auburn has legitimate shot to challenge that record and become the first team under 38 seconds in college.

Jeff Demps won a very fast 100 meter race. Demps clocked in at 10.01, a slightly wind-aided performance. Demps definitely is looking to run in the low 9.9's and if possible sub 9.9 this outdoor season.

Barret Nugent of LSU got off to a fast start in the 110 meter hurdles. Nugent the defending champion clocked in at 13.37 to win the event over Shane Braithwaite of Texas Tech who clocked in at 13.43. Although the performance is wind-aided Nugent is definitely serving notice that he is still the front runner.

Texas A&M normally known as a sprint power was well represented by their distance core. The Aggies won the distance medley and the 4x800 relay. They were also 2nd in the 4x1,500.

Erik Kynard of Kansas State got back to his wining ways in the high jump. Kynard leaped to a height of 7'3. Kynard was the leader all indoor season but was unable to perform up to his championship level at the NCAA Indoor Championship missing out on the title. Kynard was able to Derek Drouin of Indiana the defending NCAA Outdoor Champion and teammate Darius King.

Issac Murphy of Texas also had a strong day in the field, Murphy dominated the men's decathlon with performances that included a 10.47 100 meter dash. Murphy's point total 8,067 will definitely put him the NCAA title discussion with Gray Horn of Florida.

It is now April and expect for the performances to pick up. The Florida Relays should provide some interesting fireworks.

MEN'S 4X100 RELAY AT THE TEXAS RELAYS

NCAA Championship Review

2012 NCAA Men's Indoor Champions

Florida Gators

What an indoor season. The Championship meet again lived up to the heat and had the usual event to event suspense that comes with competing for a national championship. Spring is now here an outdoor season is ready to begin. Before we discuss the outdoor season let’s talk about the great championship meet that recently took place and the highlights of the meet.

The University of Florida men and University of Oregon women both entered the meet ranked number 1 in the country and two-time defending champions. The Gators and Ducks were looking for a three-peat. For the Gators the advantage was solid group of athletes that were top heavy performers. For the Ducks the advantage was the depth and the ability to score in every phase.

The sprinters were the headline of the Gator’s track squad and they did not disappoint. Jeff Demps won his third NCAA Indoor Title in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.56 over Andrew Riley of Illinois. Demps admitted to not having a good start but had a solid race with an even better finish. His teammate McQuay entered the men’s 400 as the favorite and was able to out kick and out lean Brycen Spratling of Pittsburgh for the title with a time of 45.78. McQuay had a rough start to the season but had a strong finish. This should set him up nicely as he expects to make the US Olympic team in that event.

English Gardner led the sprint core for the Ducks clocking in a 7.12 in the 60 meter dash to defeat highly touted freshman Octavious Freeman of Central Florida who clocked in at 7.15. Gardner’s start was too much for the field to overcome. Gardner’s 11.03 100 meter time ran at the PAC-12 Championship last season should also serve as a warning a sprint star is.

The LSU women saw a boost in team points in the 200 when Kimberlyn Duncan claimed the title clocking in at 22.74. Duncan defended the title with her trademark running form and long stride. Duncan will look to add the 100 meter title to trophy case this outdoor season.

Both hurdle groups men and women performed very well across the board. Jarrett Eaton of Syracuse was able successfully defeat Andrew Riley. Eaton clocked in 7.54 to claim the title of Riley who clocked in at 7.55.

Christina Manning of Ohio State also won a close race, Manning clocked in at 7.91. Her toughest competitor was defending champion Brianna Rollins who ran a personal best of 7.93. Manning's time is one of the fastest times ran at the NCAA Championships and that mark should propel her for a great outdoor season.

Chris O’Hare of Tulsa ran a daring mile race. O’Hare led most of the race and out kicked Rich Peters of Boston and Miles Batty of BYU for the title. The women’s race went a little differently. Jordan Hasay of Oregon led most of the race when Lucy Van Dalen of Stony Brook out kicked her on the final lap to claim the title. Hasay finished 3rd while teammate Becca Friday finished fourth giving Oregon 10 points in the women’s mile.

The men’s 3,000 meter race was a spectacle to see. Lawi Lalang of Arizona by way of Kenya and Chris Derrick of Stanford ran two great races that captured the crowd. Lalang out kicked Derrick to claim the title in a time of 7:46.64. Lalang led for a decent part of the race and had too much foot speed for Derrick to compete with.

In the field events Florida represented themselves well. Omar Craddock was finally able to jump out of the shadow of Christian Taylor and William Wynne. Craddock leaped to a personal best of 54 feet 11 ½ inches to claim the NCAA title over Chris Bernard of Arizona State. His jumping teammate and freshman sensation did not perform at his best but did score a point in the long jump by finish 8th with a leap of 25-3 ½.

In the weight throw Craddock’s teammate Jeremy Postin threw a personal best to claim 4th overall with a throw of 70-7. Marcel Lomnicky of Virginia Tech was the winner with a mark of 72-3 ½.

In the Shot Put Kemal Mesic in his final season of eligibility as a senior, threw a personal best as well with a mark of 67-0 ¼ on his fourth attempt. Jordan Clarke a junior from Arizona State claimed the title with a mark of 68-5 ¼.

The Ducks relied on strength in numbers. The Ducks were not a super threat in the field events but still had the best all around athlete in Brianne Thiesen who has able to defend the NCAA title in the women’s heptathlon.

Two athletes really stood out in the field competition. Tina Sutej of Arkansas and Brigetta Barrett of Arizona.

Barrett made TEAM USA last summer for the world championships in Daegu in her event the High Jump. Her potential seems limitless and the USA may have decent core of jumpers including Chaunte Lowe. Barrett won the high jump by five inches at this meet leaping to mark of 6-5. Barrett's mark is one of the best in NCAA history and she will look to continue to re-write the record books as she continues to grow.

Sutej of Arkansas maybe the next Stacy Dragila with her successful level of dominance in the women's pole vault. Sutej already owns the NCAA record and she fell just shy of that mark with a 14-7 1/4 mark. Expect for Sutej to reach 15 foot mark this outdoor season.

Not be outdone Whitney Gipson of TCU also had a strong field performance. Gipson won the long jump by almost a full foot with her leap of 22-8 a new collegiate record. Gipson will look to make TEAM USA be a part of successful trend in American women's jumping.

Junior Tia Brooks of Oklahoma finished her indoor season with a solid performance in the shot put with a throw of 62-4. Brooks is just 6 inches shy of the NCAA record and may challenge that record next season.

The Gators and The Ducks will look to finally carry their success from Indoors to Outdoors. For the past three seasons Texas A&M men and women have been out duel both programs. This season maybe the difference in which should be an exciting outdoor season.

Women's 2012 NCAA Indoor Champs

Oregon Ducks