5 Things NCAA Regionals Taught Us

(Isaiah Young- OLE MISS)

This past weekend was the preliminary round of the NCAA Championship still referred to as regional. In my personal opinion I hope they get rid of the regional track meet and let the outdoor season match the indoor season. Alas, we are stuck with the regional system until changes are made. This past weekend we learned who is ready for the NCAA Championship and who is not.


Lesson 1: Florida does not have the depth of the past

This pains me to say so, I admit every time I get the chance. I am a huge Florida Gator fan and hopeful alumni. The past four seasons The Florida Gators have finished the championship meet in the top three each season including a National Title last season, two 2nd place finish and a third place finish. Each of the four teams seem to face major adversity at each championship meet or during the season with a key injury, however Florida had amazing depth. This year that does not seem to be the case. Each top performer is vital to Florida's hopes in defending the national title. Marquis Dendy a talented sophomore jumper who claimed the Indoor Long Jump title and looked to be the next jumper in line of great Florida jumpers, failed to qualify. Dendy was expected to provide anywhere from 6 to 10 points, now he provide none. This loss caused the Gators their number 1 ranking and they are now 4th. With all that being said still do not count out the Gators.


Lesson 2: The women's 400 Hurdles will have the best field in years

The past couple of years this event has somewhat lost its luster. Before Arizona's Georganne Moline none of the recent champions made a name for themselves on the International Circuit as professionals and the times have been less than impressive. This season that is not the case. Moline the 2012 Olympian returned as the expected champion of the season. That was until Kori Carter of Stanford came through and shocked everyone at the Pac-12 meet not with her win but with her time of 54.21. Carter now ranks number 3 all time and is only a junior. Let's not leave out Turqouise Thompson of UCLA who has a personal best of 55.18 just shy of 54 seconds. This field will also include Ugonna Ndu of Florida (56.12), Sparkle McKnight of Arkansas (55.71), Kendra Harrison of Clemson (55.77) and Danielle Dowie of Texas (56.10). Carter is the new favorite this season, but don't count out Moline yet expect for a very competitive race.


Lesson 3: ISAIAH YOUNG has officially arrived

Isaiah Young of Ole Miss is another returning 2012 Olympian. Young did not perform as expected at the Olympic Games bowing out in the early rounds likely due to fatigue from a long season. Young had not done anything spectacular this indoor season, this outdoor season was a different story. Running solid times throughout the season finally paid off at the SEC Outdoor Championship where he won the 200 in a NCAA leading time 20.20. Although he did not claim the 100 title he proved why he may still be the best this past weekend. Young clocked in at 9.99 in the very first round, the time was legal and moved Young to the top. Young currently is the only athlete to have legally gone under 10 seconds this season and is peaking at the right time.


Lesson 4: Arkansas is simply ARKANSAS!

It seems to not matter who is coaching the Arkansas Razorbacks they always seem to be at the top of pedestal at the major Championships. This season is no different, although many expected, including myself, for Florida to dominate throughout the season that has not happened. Arkansas dominated the SEC Indoors and Outdoors. They had an greater performance during the Indoor Championships, this weekend they proved why they can never be counted out. In the 800 alone they qualified four athletes to the National Championship meet. They have an athlete in the top 5 of every distance event except the 1,500. In the sprints Akheem Gauntlett will lead the way along with hurdler Caleb Cross. Both athletes are a huge part of their relays which both are expected to score. Let us not forget their bread and butter the jumping events where they have a strong a deep ground in each jumping event, long jump, triple jump, high jump and pole vault. This Arkansas team is really good.


Lesson 5: Pat Henry is the BEST EVER!

Pat Henry is synonymous with collegiate track and field. Henry is the winningest women's track and field coach in NCAA history. During his years at LSU he produced 12 NCAA titles and at one a streak of 10 straight from 1988-1997. The signature of all his programs have been great sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and throwers along with great relay teams. He has coached collegiate legends such as Dawn Sowell (still the NCAA 100 meter record holder), Tanajalyn Staley, Muna Lee and LoLo Jones. Now at Texas A&M he is repeating the same success. After having one three in a row (2009-2011) his Lady Aggies are back at the top and are lead by a powerful sprint, hurdle and relay group as expected from most of his teams. The best part of this team is most of the top athletes are either juniors or sophomores. Runners such as Ashton Purvis, Kamaria Brown, Ashley Collier, Jennifer Madu and Ibukun Mayungbe are just a few of the athletes that are  likely setting up for another streak of dominance in track and field of their own.


Our next post will be an event by event preview of the NCAA Outdoor Championship, with all the great performances this year I expect for many track starved fans to eat a full meal of a great meet.

Conference Championship Weekend

(BRYSHON NELLUM-USC)

This past weekend is one of the more important weekends in collegiate track and field, conference championship weekend. A host of major conferences such as the SEC, Pac-12, Big 12, MAC, Conference USA and many others held their annual championship meet. The performances during this particular weekend helps to highlight the top athletes who will be competing for a national title and the next up and coming athlete.

In the  women sprints the SEC ruled the weekend as expected. LSU's Kimberlyn Duncan continues to be the headliner. Duncan defended her 100 and 200 meter titles. Her 200 meter time vaulted her to the top spot in the NCAA with a time of 22.35. Her race was typical of Duncan, a strong run on the curve followed by a powerful finish down the last 100 meters. Duncan has not ran as many races a last season but she will be in solid shape for what will be great NCAA meet.

On the men's side the PAC-12 took the shine away from the SEC, specifically USC. The past couple of years USC has not had that dominant sprint presence that we were so accustomed to. All it took was a strong set of recruiting classes of the past two seasons for them to put together such a solid team.

Coming back from a horrific leg injury Bryshon Nellum is starting to live up the hype that followed him to USC after a sensational high school career. This past weekend Nellum put up some eye-popping numbers in the long sprints. Nellum completed a successful double winning the 200 in 20.23 and the 400 44.76. His 200 time places him number 2 in the NCAA while his 400 time puts him at number 1 and the number 1 time by an American this season. With it only being Mid-May we can expect big things from Mr. Nellum.

In the hurdle events Kori Carter of Stanford showed why she was considered the number 1 prospect in the hurdles coming out of high school. Carter had a record breaking meet with a time of 54.21 in the 400 hurdles and a time of 12.76 in the 100 hurdles to complete the hurdles double. Her time in the 400 hurdles is the 2nd fastest time during the regular season. Carter has improved significantly under new hurdle coach Jody Stewart and is inline to become the next great 400 hurdler from the United States.

(Kori Carter-Stanford) 

The field events saw a national record snapped again by high jump star Brigetta Barrett from Arizona. Barrett ended her 2012 campaign with an Olympic Silver Medal and is rising superstar in the event. She proved why she is alone at the top at the PAC-12 Championships with her leap of 6-6 1/4. Her mark surpassed the NCAA record held by Amy Acuff of UCLA, Destinee Hooker of Texas and Kasja Bergvist of SMU. Whether or not Barrett stays, she has given us so many great performances. There is still a month left in the scene and there is more time for Barrett to break the record again.

(Brigetta Barrett-Arizona)

At the SEC Championships the men's long jump had a battle of major heavy weights. The talk of the season has been Florida's Marquis Dendy who dominated his competition indoors by leaping 27 feet. Dendy entered the meet with number one mark in the nation. During the first three jumps Dendy was sitting comfortably in 2nd when in the 4th round Dendy claimed the lead with a personal best of 27-2 1/2 surpassing senior Demar Forbes of LSU. However in Forbes final jump he roared down the runway and hit a personal best and NCAA leading mark of 27-4 1/2 to surpass Dendy for the win.

For the distance events as usual we turn to the Big 10. Leah O'Connor of Michigan State had a solid weekend. O'Connor defended her title in the women's steeplechase that started with a fast pace. O'Connor clocked in a time 9:53.53, her time ranks her number 5 in the nation. O'Connor also claimed in the women's 5,000 title with a time of 16:09.46. O'Connor just a redshirt sophomore at Michigan State, should produce more great performances for the Spartans in the future. With her number 5 ranking in the steeplechase, she may not be finish with her solid performances with a month of the season left.

Lawi Lalang of Arizona has become a distance household name. Lalang constantly stays at the top of the rankings in the distance events. Lalang who trains with Olympic Gold Medalist Bernard Lagat proved this past weekend why he is the next great distance runner. Lalang a native of Kenya had two very strong races. His performance in the men's 1,500 gained him the number 1 ranking in the country with his time of 3:38.53. He stepped up the volume competing in the men's 10,000 finishing with a winning time of 28:14.63. His time ranks him 2nd in the country and strong position for a distance double come nationals.

(Lawi Lalang-Arizona)

This first step of the post season has now been completed, we learned that the Florida men have enough championship power to defend their national title but not enough depth to win the SEC title. Texas A&M women made moving to the SEC look easy with their solid performances over the weekend. The championship picture is becoming more clear, the next major hurdle is the regional meets conducted during Memorial Day Weekend. The top 12 from each region (East and West) in each event will be selected to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championship. The athletes above should all be able to stamp their tickets for the NCAA Championships in June.

SEC Championship Preview

(Ameer Webb-Texas A&M)

This upcoming weekend is championship weekend. There were two major conferences that already held their conference championships last weekend in the Big East and Big 12, the ACC held their championship mid-April. So now you are asking why is this weekend championship weekend if so many conferences have already held their championship. The three biggest track and field conferences compete this weekend, Big 10, SEC and Pac-12 along with a host major small conferences such as the Mid American Conference (MAC) and Conference USA. This is the weekend that kicks off the post season. No conference captures headlines like the best, the SEC. The top two teams in the country come from this conference in Florida (1) and Texas A&M (2). Let's preview what should be a fantastic meet.


4x100 Relay:

(W) What a way to start off the meet. Winning this event is familiar territory for Pat Henry. His LSU teams dominated this event in the conference and on a national level in the 90's. He now returns to the SEC with high powered Texas A&M squad featuring some heavy hitters. Already this season his squad has clocked in at 42.56 which set a Texas Relays Record. No other team in the country let alone the conference has even gone under 43 seconds. If Texas A&M can get the baton around this should be an  easy victory.

(M) On the men's side this should truly be entertaining. We begin the battle for the crown between Florida and Texas A&M early. Texas A&M comes in ranked number 1 while Florida is ranked number 3. Texas A&M has not lost this season when the baton gets around the track without error. Their number 1 time of 38.64 is good enough to win the 4x100 relay title. Florida has also already gone under 39 seconds with a time of 38.99. Although they have had a lot injuries this season, expect them to be at their best. Alabama is the number 2 ranked team in the country and has a solid shot of winning themselves.

1,500 Meter Run:

(W) In the top 10 alone the SEC has 4 individual athletes ranked. They are led by University of Florida teammates Cory McGee and Agata Strausa. McGee is currently ranked number 2 in the country with a time of 4:10.55 and will look to earn her first conference title in the event. Strausa is also a threat to win, she has the number 4 ranked time in the nation in 4:11.27.

(M) Arkansas and Kentucky are well represented here. Historically Arkansas has been the conference leader in all things distance, this year is no different with Kemoy Campbell leading the way with a time of 3:41.00. However Kentucky brings in 3 athletes in the top 8 alone led by Matt Hillebrand who is ranked number 2. Campbell is the clear favorite to win this event and has had dominant outdoor season, look for him to continue the championship dominance Arkansas has had in this event.

110/100 Meter Hurdles:

(W-100) The women's hurdles have taken a back seat on the championship stage to other conferences. It seems as if the champions in this event are coming out of Big 10, ACC or the Pac-12. The last time the SEC had the best hurdler in the NCAA was Joyce Bates of LSU in 2000. Junior Jasmine Stowers began her LSU career with a bang as the best freshman hurdler in school history. Over the past two years Stowers has yet to reclaim that magic from back in 2011. However Stowers is the conference leader in 12.88 and will look to win her 3rd straight 100 meter hurdle title. 2012 Big 12 Champion Donique Flemings of Texas A&M will look to repeat her conference success here as well.

(M-110) Eddie Lovett of Florida has been at the top of the conference in this event since arriving as a freshman, now as junior he comes in with a NCAA Indoor title and hopes of an outdoor title. First things first Lovett must finally win the SEC Outdoor title and provide his Gators 10 valuable team points. Wayne Davis of Texas A&M will look to challenge Lovett, Davis has been solid this outdoor season ending the regular season with a strong win at the Penn Relays.

(Eddie Lovett-Florida)

400 Meter Dash

(W) This event is open for the taking. No sprinter has proven to be dominant this outdoor season. During the indoor season Regina George of Arkansas was the talk of the country before true freshman Shaune Miller of Georgia ran a 50.88 at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Neither athlete has broken 52 seconds this outdoor season and will be looking to end their year right. Miller has already posted some impressive 200 meter times and could threaten sub 50.

(M) Deon Lendore of Texas A&M has had an interesting season this year. After dominating most of the indoor season, Lendore had a slight calf injury that allowed to finish in 6th place. This outdoor season he currently leads the NCAA with a time 45.00. His victory is imperative to Texas A&M due to Florida's three headed monster of Hugh Graham, Arman Hall and Najee Glass all ranked 2-4 in the conference looking to provide huge points for the Florida Gators. Expect a sub 45 second performance here and it may not be from just 1 person.

100 Meter Dash

(W) This event is loaded with national championship contenders. There are 4 athletes in this event alone that could challenge for the national title, that makes the conference winner that more special. Senior Kimberlyn Duncan of LSU will look to close out her career with her first title in the 100 meter dash. Duncan has dominated the 200 but still has no 100 meter title. Texas A&M boasts four strong competitors, Ashley Collier, Ashton Purvis, Jennifer Madu and Olivia Ekpone. Collier is conference champion, but a Big 12 conference champion. Collier has a personal best of 11.01 and is the best threat to Kimberlyn Duncan who ranks number 1 this season.

(M) Making the final in this event should be enough for any athlete in this competitive field. Let's just go over a few names, Diondre Batson (Alabama), Isaiah Young (Ole Miss), Ameer Webb (Texas A&M) and Harry Adams (Auburn). All four gentleman are capable of winning this race. Adams has a career best of 9.96 that he ran last season. He has yet to reclaim that form, but he will need it to fend of the likes of Batson who has ran 10.06 to lead the conference and Isaiah Young who made Team USA in the 200 for the London Olympics. Webb has not lost a 100 meter race all season and may pull of his best performance in his first SEC Championship.

800 Meter Run

(W) Natoya Goule of LSU enters the meet ranked number 1 with a time of 2:00.76. Goule has been strong indoors and outdoors this season and has put up some eye-popping times. Goule's only competition will come from teammate Charlene Lipsey who ranks number 2 in the conference with a time of 2:03.13. Goule has plenty of speed and will look to use that speed to propel her to a sub 2:00 minute performance.

(Natoya Goule-LSU)

(M) This 800 has major team implications for Florida and Texas A&M but neither school may have the conference winner. Sean Obinwa was a breakout star last season running 1:47 indoors. Injuries have plagued his career and have slowed his development some. However Obinwa has still had a pretty solid outdoor season with the number 2 ranked time of 1:47.66. Obinwa won the event indoors at the SEC Championships and will attempt to do the same outdoors. Charles Gethren of Georgia has the number 1 ranked time and has the chance to win his first conference title.

400 Meter Hurdles

(W) This event has a lot of new faces this season both men and women. On the women's side two junior college transfers lead the way. Nikita Tracey of LSU and Sparkle McKnight of Arkansas. Tracey came to LSU with championship pedigree after winning the Junior College title in the event. Tracey has a season best of 56.51 compared to McKnight's 56.62. Tracey should be considered as the favorite, especially if McKnight attempts a double by competing in the 400 an event she is ranked number 1 in.

(M) The top competitors in this event are young and inexperienced but do not lack for talent, 6 of the top 8 competitors are underclassmen. Sophomore Drew Branch of Georgia leads the way, his season's best of 50.60 does not scare anyone  but certainly is implication of the potential he has. There are also major team points at stake in this event for Texas A&M. Gregory Coleman currently ranked number 2 and Aikan Graham are being counted on to provide plenty of points.

200 Meter Dash

(W) Senior Kimberlyn Duncan of LSU, the end. Not so fast, although Duncan has dominated this event in conference and on a national level true freshman Shaune Miller is a true threat to claiming the title. This event in recent years has seen amazing growth, adding to that Texas A&M brings a trio of strong competitors who also look to claim the title in Ashton Purvis, Kamaria Brown and Ashley Collier. Duncan has not ran a sensational 200 all season and maybe be an underdog to defend her title for her third straight victory.

(Kimberlyn Duncan-LSU)

(M) Florida suffered a huge blow this season, conference leader Dedric Dukes will not be competing due to injury. This not only hurts their conference title hopes but possibly their NCAA title hopes as well. However Olympian Isaiah Young and indoor champion Ameer Webb of Texas A&M still remain. Young is having a great season so far and will look to being the post season on a positive note by defeating Webb. Webb may not have the top time this outdoor season but his time from the indoor championship is enough to move him to number 1 in the country and puts him in the driver seat for conference champion.

5,000 Meter Run

(W) LSU senior Laura Carelton's performance at the 55th MT Sac Relays in mid-April is proof of the growth of the LSU distance program. Carelton now leads the conference with a time of 15:44.41 and will look to earn her first conference title against a strong Arkansas contingent. Arkansas has four athletes in the top 8 alone in this event and will look to the event for strong team points. Kentucky runners Chelsea Oswald and Cally Macumber will also challenge Carelton for the title in what should be a solid race.

(M) Let's be honest, Arkansas has dominated the distance events since their arrival to the conference in the early 90's. The distance program has also been responsible for so many national and conference titles. This year is no different. Although Arkansas is not ranked number 1 or 2, they still are a top 10 team and a real threat to the title.

Kemoy Campbell leads a strong contingent of 5k runners for the Hogs. Campbell's conference leading time of 13.32.82 puts him more than 10 seconds ahead of the closes competitor, Dan Quigley of Missouri. Teammates Stanley Kebeni and Solomon Haile also look to add crucial team points.

10,000 Meter Run

(W) Only 10 athletes in the SEC have competed in this event this season. Obviously the longest event on the track is not an event many athletes will run multiple times through the year, however with so few competitors the leader is pretty clear, Elizabeth Anderson of Vanderbilt who has a 30 second lead on her closes competitor.

(M) This event is crucial for the University of Florida. Since Mike Holloway became the head coach the distance program has noticeable gotten better year after year. Although Holloway is a sprints & hurdle coach it's pretty clear in order to win a national title you must have a well balanced team.

The Florida Gators have 3 competitors in the top 8, led by true freshman Jimmy Clark who ran 29:08.32 at the Stanford Invitational finishing right behind conference leader Solomon Haile of Arkansas. Haile has been a conference staple for years, after finishing 2nd last season look for the junior to avenge the loss with a conference title.  Josh Isewski and JL Hines will assist Clark in providing big team points for the Gators.

3,000 Meter Steeplechase

(W) This is yet another distance event were Arkansas is well represented. Junior Grace Heymsfiled leads a trio of Razorbacks looking to claim valuable team points for a possible team title. Teammates Shannon Klenke and Jessica Kamilos look to aide Heymsfiled in giving Arkansas as many team points as possible.

(M) For Texas A&M and Florida this another event where points are crucial. A&M has two athletes in this event including conference leader Henry Lelei with a time of 8:32.94 that he ran at the Pepsi Invitational early in the season. Florida's Mark Parrish is currently ranked number 2 and the only real threat to Lelei. Lele's teammate Issac Spencer is also expected to contribute major team points.


4x400 Relay

(W) No other conference is loaded with the talent that the SEC has. There are three teams who have a season best under 3:30. Leading the way is the nation's number 2 ranked team the University of Florida with a time of 3:27.43, ran earlier this year. Ebony Eutsey the outstanding junior is the leader of a strong Gator contingent.

(M) Florida is strong in the 400 as well. As stated earlier they have 3 athletes in the top 5. The Gators lead the nation for majority of the season until Texas A&M ran the top time at the Penn Relays (3:02.52). Dedric Dukes will not be apart of the relay however Leonardo Seymore who ran a great third leg on last year's national championship team will return  to the relay and hopes to help the Gators win what is expected to be an exciting race.

Long Jump

(W) The elite in the SEC are dominated by freshman. There are 4 freshman in the top 8 including conference LaQue Moen-Davis of Texas A&M. Davis is the only athlete who has surpassed 21 feet with a personal best of 21'2 1/2.

(M) Marquis Dendy looks to continue the Florida jumping tradition. Dendy came in as a freshman as the top jumper in the nation. After a rough freshman season Dendy has been at the top of his game. Dendry surpassed 27 feet indoors to win the indoor title. Dendy will face strong competition from Demar Forbes of LSU and should set another personal best.

(Marquis Dendy-Florida)

Triple Jump

(W) Again LaQue Moen-Davis is the leader in conference. Ciarra Brewer of Florida will look to challenge Davis and has expectations to reach 45 feet. Brewer although just a sophomore seems to be the more ready athlete to claim the conference title, albeit Davis is a special freshman.

(M) Omar Craddock of Florida is the defending champion and a leader on a squad contending for a national title.  Craddock has had a successful 4 year run at Florida and will look to cap off his season with a win. This is a major opportunity to get points were Texas A&M cannot, the Aggies do not have an athlete ranked in the top 8.

High Jump

(W) Six athletes have reached 6 feet this season. Three are tied for the number 1 spot with a mark of 6'2, Makeba Alcede of Arkansas, Maya Pressley of Auburn and Jeanelle Scheper of South Carolina. Pressley has had the most success on the championship level challenging Brigetta Barrett of Arizona and is the leading candidate to win the event.

(M) Marcus Jackson of Mississippi State is the conference leader with a mark of 7'5.25. Jackson finished 2nd at the NCAA Indoor and should win easily here.

Pole Vault

(W) Alexis Paine of Alabama leads the conference with a mark of 14'7.75. Paine is one of two athletes who surpassed 14 feet. Morgan Lelux of Georgia is the other athlete currently ranked number 2 with a mark of 14'2.

(M) Sam Kendricks of Ole Miss put the entire conference on notice when he reached 19 feet at the Texas Relays early this season. Kendricks national leading 19'0.75 has practically stamps for a guaranteed victory. Andrew Irwin of Arkansas sitting in 2nd will look to add team points for the Razorbacks.

Shot Put

(W) Hometown favorite Kearsten Peoples of Missouri looks to bring home the conference title in the women's shot. Peoples has the top mark in the conference with 56'10.25.

(M) This could be a potential sweep for the Georgia Bulldogs with three athletes ranked in the top 4. However they are ranked 2-4, the number spot belongs to Matthew Hoty of Tennessee with a mark of 62'8.75.

Discus Throw

(W) Another talented freshman from Texas A&M is Shelbi Vaughan. Vaughan has claimed the top ranking in the women's discus with her mark of 193'4 set at the Pepsi Invitational during the regular season. She will face stiff competition from fellow freshman Becky Famurewa of Kentucky.

(M) LSU junior Rodney Brown is the early favorite in the men's discus. Brown leads the conference with a throw of 206'3, he currently is the only athlete to have thrown beyond 200 feet. Dalton Rowan of Texas A&M is currently ranked 3rd and expected to provide critical team points for the Aggies.

Hammer Throw

(W) For LSU this event is critical for the women. The Tigers have two athletes in the top 5 including conference leader Karen Henning who has a throw of 201'0. Teammate Denise Hinton currently ranks 4th and hopes to improve upon her standing to provide quality team points.

(M) For Florida this another event were quality points are expected. The Gators have the top 2 throwers in the conference and three athletes total in the top 5. A trio of Jeremy Postin, Kyle Strawn and David Triassi look to provide a major boost to the Gator's conference title hopes. Postin leads the conference with his mark of 225'4.

Javelin Throw

(W) The youth movement continues in the women's javelin. The top three performers in conference this season are all underclassmen led by Florida freshman Marija Vucenovic. Teammate Fawn Miller ranks third behind Georgia freshman Vucenovic looks to keep Florida's championship throwing tradition alive.

(M) Texas A&M looks to pick 18 huge points in this event. The Aggies have the two top throwers in conference with Sam Humphreys and Devin Bogert. Humphreys is also the top thrower in the nation and looks to get his post season started off with a major conference win.

Heptathlon

Makeba Alcide of Arkansas is the early favorite. Alcide has the rare blend of speed, strength, explosion and endurance needed to win the event. Her performance at the John McDonnell Combined Events meet earned her 5,882 points, tops in the conference and in the nation.

Decathlon

Arkansas has put together possibly the best decathlon program in recent memory. The Razorbacks have 4 athletes in the top 8. That is an astonishing feat for a multi-event competition, especially with so few scholarships. Over the past few years Arkansas has had a habit of having multiple athletes competing in the decathlon. The team is led by Kevin Lavas who currently ranks number 3 in conference. True freshman from Georgia Maicel Uibo leads a 1-2 Georgia punch to give the Razorbacks a run for their money this year.


The meet begins today Thursday May 9 and will continue until Sunday May 12. There is a live stream on ESPN3.com, please do yourself a favor and check out a fantastic meet.

PENN RELAYS REVIEW

This past weekend the greatest relay carnival produced another successful meet, the Penn Relays. The Penn Relays have a special place inside the hearts of many, it is one of the few track meets were Americans can see the sport in it's true glory. As expected there were plenty of Jamaican fans to show support for their country and their athletes did not disappoint.

(UTech 4x100 relay 38.97)

(Nicholas Watson, Andrew Fisher, Aldophus Nevers and Julian Forte)

The college men's 4x100 relay saw history made. No Jamaican college has ever won the men's 4x100 relay event at the Penn Relays, UTech decided to change that. With solid speed and quality exchanges Nicholas Watson, Andrew Fisher, Aldophus Nevers and Julian Forte held off St. Augustine's and Auburn to claim the 4x100 relay title in 38.92. Their time ties them for 10th all time. This certainly proves that Jamaica is fully capable of taking care of their own athletes.

The women's 4x100 relay say history made as well. No team has ever won the event 5 times in a row. Even the great LSU teams under Pat Henry had no been so lucky, this time Pat Henry would try his luck with his the program he built from the ground up in 2005, Texas A&M.

(Texas A&M Women's 4x100 Relay)

(Lakeidra Stewart, Ashton Purvis, Kamaria Brown and Ashely Collier)

Texas A&M has become a sprinting powerhouse under Henry and has had more success than his stint at LSU. The relay consisted of Lakeidra Stewart, Ashton Purvis, Kamaria Brown and Ashley Collier. Purvis to Brown seems like a perfect combination with the 200 meter dash being their strength and further proof that Henry is still a quality relay coach. His Aggies marched around the track clocking in at 43.05. Their time puts them 6th all time. UTech of Jamaica finished 2nd with a time of 43.32.

In the men's 4x800 relay senior Casimir Loxsom again led his Penn State team to the title. Although not as quality of a group as last year the Nittany Lions where still able to pull of the win with an impressive time of 7:14.14. Loxsom ran the third leg and had the best split clocking in at 1:46.30. Villanova finished 2nd respectively with a time of 7:17.37.

The women of Villanova decided to represent in style. The Lady Wildcats have had amazing history at the Penn Relays in the distance events. Having already won the event 9 times and set countless records they decided to further stamp themselves in the history book with a record setting 4x800 relay win. In a great battle with Oregon the Wildcats were able to outlast the Ducks due to a strong anchor leg from Emily Lipari. Their time of 8:17.45 set a Penn Relays Record, breaking the old record by Tennessee set in 2009. (Emily Lipari, Kelsey Margey, Angel Piccirillo and Nicky Adande).

The Lady Wildcats also claimed another title in the women's distance medley relay. The only different member, Kelsey Margey was replaced for the 400 leg of the relay by Michaela Wilkins. The Wildcats were the only group under 11 minutes with a time of 10:58.04. This was their 12 title in the event.

In the field events Derek Drouin of Indiana continued his domination of the men's high jump. His mark of 7-7.75 set a new Penn Relays record for the first time since 2002. Drouin also ran the first leg of Indiana's 3rd place finishing shuttle hurdle relay team.

The 4x400 relay is the final event of the meet every year and always excites. This year Texas A&M was a top seed enter in both men's and women's races since number 1 ranked Florida for both men and women traveled to Arkansas.

The men's 4x400 relay surprised many with Ameer Webb running the first leg. Webb was able to hold his own with a 46.0 first leg. Without Florida in the race the Aggies never really saw a challenge and won the event by more than a second ahead of St. Augustine. This was Texas A&M 2nd win in the event at the Penn Relays and the time of 3:02.52 easily moved them ahead of Florida in the rankings. The time is a bonus because it was done without Deon Lendore anchoring in the 44 second range. (Ameer Webb, Aldrich Bailey Jr., Carlyle Roudette and Deon Lendore).

On the women's side Texas A&M was not as successful, however their time was stellar. The University of Oregon, who certainly has come along way in women's sprinting was able to outlast UTech of Jamaica with a time of 3:26.73 to set a Penn Relay record. Junior Phyllis Francis ran outstanding anchor clocking in at 49.9 to hold of Stephanie McPherson of UTech who split a 49.6 to lead her team to a 3:27.85 finish. (English Gardner, Chizoba Okodogbe, Laura Roesler and Phyllis Francis)


The Penn Relays always end the regular season well, with it now being May and Championship Season starting this weekend we should expect some major shake-ups in the rankings.