Preview Razorback Invitational

MEET PREVIEW OF WHAT TO WATCH FOR

(Arman Hall-Florida)

This weekend the University of Arkansas is hosting one of the best regular season meets between top ranked programs. The University also has one of the fastest indoor tracks in the world. Couple that with the news that SEC Network/ESPN will have the meet televised live, a collegiate track and field first for a regular season meet. Top programs such as Florida, Oregon, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida State, Iowa, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Georgia along with the host themselves Arkansas. With this being the final weekend in January and we are now only a month away form Conference Championship weekend things are going to get hot. Here are 6 events to keep an eye on.

WOMEN’S 60 METER DASH

It is very rare that you have both the number 1 and number 2 compete this early in the season. Well that will happen this weekend in the women’s 60 meter dash when Jasmine Todd of Oregon and Shayla Sanders of Florida square off against each other. Todd entered the season as the favorite to win the event at the Indoor National Championships as the top returnee. Todd cemented her status as preseason favorite two weeks ago at the Washington Preview when she debuted at number 1 with a time of 7.24. Sanders debuted last weekend with a time of 7.25 at the Kentucky Invitational. Advantage Todd, Todd has shown to have stronger top end speed and has had a week to rest.

WOMEN’S LONG JUMP

This event is simply loaded with star studded talent. Headlining the group is dual jumping star Keturah Orji of Georgia. Orji has been well recognized for her amazing triple jump talents, including claiming a national title but her Long jump talents haven’t reached that level yet. This event Orji will be pushed by plenty of conference foes such as Darrielle McQueen of Florida, Yanis David of Florida, Nataliyah Friar of LSU, Todd of Oregon and her Georgia teammate Chanice Porter. David defeated Orji in high school in the triple jump and has shown proven skill in the long jump. The event will be competitive all year long between this great group of young women. No favorite here.

WOMEN’S 800 METER RUN

Raevyn Rogers of Oregon seems to be the next great runner in a long line of successful Oregon Ducks. Rogers performed amazingly well last outdoor season culminating in winning the NCAA title outdoors running under 2 minutes. Rogers has yet to run an open 800 this indoor season but has already caught the attention of competitors after running an NCAA leading 600. The event is not contested on the championship level but is an excellent test of speed and endurance for 400 and 800 runners. Expect for Rogers to overtake the number 1 spot with a solid showing against good competition.

MEN’S 400 METER DASH INVITATIONAL

This track has seen many great performances in this event. Perhaps the most memorable would be Florida’s Kerron Clement setting a Indoor World Record of 44.57 in 2005. That time surpassed the great MJ (Michael Johnson), causing many to wonder whether or not Clement should run the 400 open instead of the 400 hurdles. Florida is counting another talented pair performing up to that capability this indoor season. Arman (Gino) Hall is back healthy and has his teammate Najee Glass to push him. They are joined by a class field including LSU’S Michael Cherry and Texas A&M’s Fred Kerley. Hall has already shown his speed this season by running a 6.63 last weekend at the Kentucky Invitational. Hall is likely ready to finally claim the top spot that many though he would already have by now. Hall is the favorite this weekend but his teammate Glass could also put up a good time.

MEN’S 1 MILE INVITATIONAL

Oregon’s Edward Cheserek the king of distance running will be making his indoor debut in the men’s mile. It is still quite possible for Cheserek to try for the triple crown at the Indoor National Championships but for now this a great opportunity for him to set the tone in the men’s mile. He’ll be joined by number 2 ranked 800 meter specialist Andres Arroyo of Florida and Oklahoma State’s Vegard Oelstad. Expect for Cheserek to use this as an opportunity to make a statement.

MEN’S LONG JUMP

This event like the women is loaded with All-American talent. Headlining favorite would be Arkansas’s own senior Jarrion Lawson. Lawson played the bridesmaid during the latter parts of Marquis Dendy of Florida’s career. Lawson’s performances have been great but not enough to win. This final season is all about winning a national title. The field will included Keandre Bates of Florida, Keniel Grant of Florida State and Latario Collie of Texas A&M. Bates is expected to be the next great jumper for Florida and if he is he must improve upon last week’s mark. Competing against Lawson this early in the season is the perfect opportunity to see what he is made of. For Lawson now starts the national championship push against high level competition.