(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
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