Hello collegiate track and field fans its time that I resume our best of series since there have been a lot of coaching changes and hires. This series focuses on what programs are the best in each event. Today's post will focus solely on high hurdles. How each program is ranked is based on a set of factors. How the program performs during the post season, their depth and athletic improvement.
TOP 100 HURDLES PROGRAMS
1, KENTUCKY- Since Eldrick Floreal arrived at Kentucky he has made it an appoint to develop his hurdles. The past two seasons he has had a solid group of hurdlers and last season was no exception. Kendra Harrison would become national champion running the fastest SEC time ever in 12.50. The Wildcats return an outstanding freshman in Jacklyn Howell who looks to carry the torch for the Wildcats whose hurdles consistently improve year after year. With Olympic Gold Medalist Allen Johnson as the hurdles coach expect for the Wildcats to continue to turn out champions.
2. LSU- Head Coach Dennis Shaver has been at LSU forever, since 1995. He has been a head coach since 2004 and has developed some of the best hurdlers LSU has ever seen. That is saying a lot for a program that arguably has the greatest sprints/hurdle history ever for women's collegiate track and field. LSU returns two heavy hitters in Chanice Chase and Daeshon Gordon. Both have personal bests under 13 seconds. Gordon returns as last season's fastest freshman in the SEC and will be a contender for the conference and NCAA title.
3. USC- Caryl Smith-Gilbert hired Loreal Smith to be the women's hurdle coach when she arrived 2 seasons ago. Smith has proven to be a excellent hurdles coach developing All-American talent in back to back season. Last season true freshman Dior Hall set the NCAA freshman and World Junior record running a time of 12.74. Smith has another star freshman in California High School Champion and All-American Jasmyne Graham. Graham has the speed and technique to compete at a high level and should continue the recent success of freshman hurdlers at USC.
4. MICHIGAN- The Wolverines have continued the Big Ten's tradition of strong hurdle programs. They have to give a lot of thanks to the Ofili sisters. Both Tiffany and Cindi have carried the program with the ability to compete high at the Championship level. Tiffany Ofili now Tiffany Porter was the top of Michigan talent that normally left the state and headed south to compete instead she decided to stay home and took the hurdle program to new heights. Her sister Cindy is the same way. Cindy Ofili broke her sister's school record in both the 100 and 100 hurdles and returns at the top the hurdler in the country with a personal best of 12.60.
5. FLORIDA- The Gators had been waiting for their hurdlers to take the step to competing on a high level like the men. The past two seasons Bridgette Owens carried the torch earning back to back All-American honors. Owens set a school record indoors running a 7.87 only to lose to champion Kendra Harrison. This season they return Skylar Ross-Ransom who had a good season a few years ago as a freshman along with Ryan McEnany. Ross-Ransom will have to carry the torch since there will be a noticeable drop-off without Bridgette Owens.
TOP 110 HURDLES PROGRAMS
2. LSU- Under head coach Dennis Shaver LSU has become one of the better high hurdle programs in the country and had a stellar season last season. Jordan Moore returns as the top hurdler on the team and will look continue LSU's success by earning All-American honors. Moore can also be considered a dark horse to win the NCAA title.
3. TEXAS TECH- Other than South Carolina, Texas Tech has been a program that yearly produces multiple top ranked high hurdlers and have had NCAA Champions. Tech returns two hurdlers in Chris Caldwell and Tremaine Maloney who have run under 14 seconds. Caldwell is the defending Big 12 champion in the 110 hurdles and will look to be more competitive at the NCAA Championship meet.
4. SYRACUSE- Syracuse has quietly been one of the best high hurdle programs in the country. A few years Jared Eaton was the All-American leader for the team and one of the best hurdlers in history. Returning for the program is Freddie Crittenden who is ready to take the next step and be the next All-American hurdler for Syracuse.
5. NEBRASKA- Nebraska has been producing All-American hurdlers for a long time. Both hurdle coaches at Nebraska have been apart of the program for at least 20 years. Last season their latest talent true freshman Antoine Lloyd clocked in 13.69. Two sophomores last season also dipped under 14 seconds and that allows Nebraska to return 3 sub 14 second hurdlers. Llyod has the speed and the technique to go to the next level and become an All-American along with his teammates.
Judging hurdling programs is difficult because the coaches shift around so much and often times the coaches who actually coach the hurdlers are volunteer coaches who get no credit. However each of the five programs listed for both men and women have consistently produced and recruited quality talent.
Next Post: 400 Hurdles
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