NCAA Outdoor Season So Far Post 3



(Natoya Goule-Clemson)

 



In our final post of this series we will review the distance runners so far this season.


MIDDLE DISTANCE (800 Meters and 1,500 Meters)

In men's middle distance racing Penn State has become a fixture amongst the elite programs in the country. With great recent championship success they have now etched themselves as the premier middle distance program in a crowded Big Ten conference, they can also place themselves amongst the elite in the country. This season is no different. Leading the way would be junior Brandon Kidder. Kidder is currently ranked number 1 in the country with a time of 1:45.58 in the men's 800. His teammate Robby Crease is currently ranked number 2 in the 1,500 with a time of 3:39.02. Both will face stiff competition if the look to earn the national title in their primary events.

In the 800 Kidde will likely see strong competition from Shaquille Walker of BYU ranks number 2 with a time of 1:45.78. In the 1,500 Creese will have to fend of number 1 ranked Chad Noelle (3:38.35) and his Oklahoma State teammate Kirubel Errasa (3:39.05). Noelle has already beaten Creese early this season at the Payton Jordan Invitational, look for Creese to try and make up for the loss with a championship win. Also keep an eye out for Oregon's Edward Cheserek.

On the women's side the 800 has been dominated by Natoya Goule of Clemson. Goule who earned notoriety while previously competing for LSU won the 2013 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor title. When coach Elliott left for Clemson she followed. Goule proved to still be a dominating force by winning the 800 indoor title early this year. Her time of 2:01.63 is number 2 in the country. Expect for Goule to dip under 2 minutes this season and earn the outdoor title.

In the women's 1,500 senior leader Leah O'Connor of Michigan State has been the force behind the Michigan State distance core. For a long time the Big Ten middle distance dominance came in the form of their rival Michigan. This season it is the Spartans who are out front. O'Connor who currently ranks number 1 in the nation in the event with a time of 4:11.04 looks to continue her championship success from early this season at Indoor nationals to outdoors.


Long Distance

In women's long distance running Emily Sisson of Providence set a new NCAA Indoor record in the women's 5,000. However she has looked her best in the women's 10,000 meter run where she is currently ranked number 1 with a time of 31:38.03. She is currently ranked 10th in the 5,000 and has not ran the event often this outdoor season. It is likely that Sisson may truly simply focus on the 10,000 and allow for current leader Jessica Tonn of Stanford to remain at the top. If however Sisson goes for what is a truly grueling double Tonn will give her one heck of race in the 5,000.

In men's long distance racing I find myself asking where are the runners from Oregon. On the national list they seem to be void of top performances. However I am not worried Oregon has a history of performing strong at championship meets. This weekend is also the Pac 12 Outdoor Championships and is likely the best opportunity to for us to become acquainted with the teams outdoor form. For now schools like Arkansas continue to turn out great performers.

Kemoy Campbell by way of Jamaica is the next great distance runner to come out of Arkansas. He leads the nation by 10 seconds in the men's 5,000 with a time of 13:20.39. Campbell was 2nd this past indoor season in the event and will be looking to earn the title this outdoor season. His teammate Stanley Kebenei is also leading his event the 3,000 steeplechase by 10 seconds with a time of 8:23.93. The 2 leaders look to provide Arkansas with a strong 1-2 punch.

In the 10,000 meter run senior Jason Witt of BYU is the early favorite to claim the outdoor crown. He currently leads the nation by almost 30 seconds with a time of 27:54.25.

NCAA Outdoor Season So Far Post 2

(Omar McLeod-Arkansas)





On this post we will focus primarily on the hurdles and field events. What a banner year for both sides, there have been multiple NCAA Indoor records broken setting us up for a fantastic outdoor season.

HURDLES

The hurdles has been especially interesting this year. In the women's 100 meter hurdles two former Clemson teammates have dominated the headlines. Bridgette Owens of Florida and Kendra Harrison of Kentucky. Indoors in the 60 meter hurdles Harrison was able to edge out Owens by 0.01. So far this outdoor season has done more than that. She has run a wind-legal 12.62, one of the fastest performances all time in college. She is only bettered by NCAA record holder and former teammate Brianna Rollins of Clemson, Sharika Nelvis of Arkansas State and Virginia Powell of USC.

In the 400 hurdles Harrison has been equally dominant. Her NCAA leading time of 54.94 is a full second ahead of her closes competitor Jaide Steper of USC. Shamier Little of Texas  A&M poses the biggest threat due to amazing speed. Little was the SEC Indoor Champion at 400 meters, she is also the defending NCAA Champion. Little has yet to have her technique meet her speed and that is the current advantage Harrison has over her. With the SEC Outdoor Championship this weekend we may see a change in who the current leader is.

On the men's side Omar McLeod of Arkansas by way of Jamaica broke one of the best indoor records in Reggie Torian's 60 hurdle record. His time of 7.45 put everyone on notice. His dominating performance at the Drake Relays outdoors in cold weather was a reminder to rest of the country of just how good he is. McLeod ran a NCAA leading time of 13.21 in the 110 meter hurdles. The closes performance this season was a wind-aided performance by fellow sophomore from Texas Spencer Dunkerley-Offor. In my opinion he is obvious favorite to win the title and to make the finals at the World Championships in Beijing.

In the 400 hurdles senior Michael Stigler of Kansas has been just as dominant. Stigler ran a NCAA leading time a the Texas Relays clocking in at 48.44. The fastest time in this event in a few years. Stigler has been an All-American mainstay since his freshman year. His time is a full second ahead of closes competitor Eric Futch of Florida who has a personal best of 49.45. After finishing 2nd the last two seasons Stigler is poised for a big win.


JUMPS

On the men's side senior Marquis Dendy of Florida is continuing the tradition of great dual jumpers at Florida. This season he may be out to prove that he might be the best ever. Dendy leap to a double in both the long jump and triple jump this indoor season and is looking to repeat. Although he is not currently leading either event, (currently ranked number 2 in the triple jump) expect for him to take the lead after the conference championship this weekend.

In the pole vault it continues to be the Shawn Barber show. Akron has really done an amazing job of developing word class pole vaulters and in my opinion has earned the title at the top pole vaulting school in the country. Barber one of two athletes currently over 19 feet will look to continue his streak of breaking his own NCAA record this championship season. Except I think his next record breaking performance maybe the world record.

The high jump has found a new star in senior Jacorian Duffield of Texas Tech. Texas Tech long known for their success with great field athletes looks to continue the championship trend with Duffield. He currently leads the NCAA with a leap of 7 feet 7 inches.

On the women's side of the horizontal jumps a new fresh face at Georgia has been shaking things up, Keturah Orji. Orji had an outstanding prep career built on championship medals and record breaking performances. Orji currently ranks number 1 in both long jump and triple jump. She led in the triple jump for most of the indoor season until she again came across defending champion Ciarra Brewer of Florida. Brewer is currently ranked number 2 but has yet to loose this outdoor season. This weekend will be their first outdoor meet up.

In the pole vault two ladies have been attacking the NCAA record on a regular basis. The most consistent athlete would be Stephen F. Austin's Demi Payne. Payne was the top vaulter for a good portion of the Indoor season and had a poor performance at the Championship meet. Rival and fellow top vaulter Sandi Morris of Arkansas took the crown. Both are currently the only two above 15 feet and will look to compete for the outdoor crown later this season.

In the women's high jump Jeannelle Scheper of South Carolina leads the way with a leap of 6'4 3/4. She is currently 2 feet ahead of her closes competitor in the event.

Notable Throwing Event Leaders:



(Tori Bliss-LSU)

Women's Discus: Shelbi Vaughn Texas A&M 201'8.

Women's Shot Put: Tori Bliss LSU 60'8.

Women's Hammer Throw: Brooke Pleger Bowling Green 228'0.

Women's Javelin Throw: Irena Sadiva Virginia Tech 190'4



Men's Discus: Rodney Brown LSU 213'5

Men's Shot Put: Ryan Crouser Texas 69 3.25

Men's Hammer Throw: Connor McCullough USC 248'11

Men's Javelin Throw: John Ampomah Mid Ten State 267'7


Multi Event Leaders:

Women's Heptathlon: Quintunya Champman Georgia 6,146 points

Men's Decathlon: Garrett Scantling Georgia 8,232 points


Next Post: Post 3- Distance

NCAA Outdoor Season So Far Post 1

 

(Trayvon Bromell-Baylor)

Hello all, I apologize for my lengthy absence. I have been dealing with a lot personal issues, family health and my recent unemployment (yeah I know) have kept me out of commission for quite some time. I am back just in time for the championship season. This season has been especially interesting with many great performances. The team competition looks exciting for both men and women. Let's recap what was a good regular season.


SPRINTS

Trayvon Bromell of Baylor and Jenna Prandini of Oregon have been the biggest names in the short sprints. Bromell matched his indoor championship time of 20.19. Prandini ran a 10.92 at the Mt. Sac Relays.

Bromell is of the fastest collegians of all time and expected to complete a double winning both the 100 and 200 going sub 10 an sub 20. Bromell will face a stiff challenge from  USC junior and Canadian sprinter Andre DeGrasse. DeGrasse has also dipped under 10 seconds this season but it was heavily wind-aided. However his 200 time currently ranks him number 1 in the nation with a time of 20.16.

In Prandini's case she also has a tough task of winning the sprint double. Defending 100 meter champion Remona Burchell of Alabama is rounding into post season form and has already ran a 11.0 into a decent headwind. She has already dipped under 11 seconds, running a 10.96 last season. She also set the NCAA record in the 60 meter dash this past indoor season. In the 200 she will have to deal with the only person to beat her in the event all indoor season Kyra Jefferson of  Florida. Jefferson just recently set a outdoor school record with a time of 22.65.

In the long sprints on the men's side three teams have battled for supremacy in the 400. Florida, Texas A&M and LSU. All three programs have great depth in the event and plenty of great recent success. Vernon Norwood of LSU jumped out to take the number 1 time in the country early this season with a time of 44.44. He leads a program with the most depth having four guys that sub sub 46 and a total of five guys ranked in the top 25. Defending champion Deon Lendore has yet to run sub 45 this season but expect him to this coming weekend at the SEC Outdoor Championship. Najee Glass of Florida is also a strong challenger with a season and personal best of 44.79 already run this season.



(Courtney Okolo-Texas)

 



On the women's side it seems as if it's Texas and everybody else. Florida does have a solid group however with Robin Reynolds coming back from injury there seems to be no true threat to the Texas trio of Courtney Okolo, Kendall Baisden and Ashley Spencer. All three have major NCAA Championship hardware. Okolo is the defending NCAA Champion and record holder. Baisden won the World Junior title last outdoor season and Spencer is a former 2-time NCAA Champion is this event in 2012 and 2013. Spencer who has yet to regain that same form from 2013 is still considered a threat. Let's not rule out the possibility of a Texas sweep. For now Okolo and Baisden are pretty solid locks for a 1-2 finish.




Our next post: POST 2- Hurdles/Field Events.