Weekly Recap

Weekend 3 Recap

(Akela Jones-Kansas State)

It was another great weekend in college track and field. There were many high level performances over this past weekend. The many competitive meets help to facilitate performances that garnered national attention. Let’s take a look at our top 5 performances from this past weekend.

5. CINDY OFILI (MICHIGAN) - Ofili entered this season as the top returning hurdler from the Outdoor season. Ofili was not able to finish her indoor season on a high note last year after falling during the semi-final round. This season Ofili got things started early. Ofili raced to a time of 8.04 in the women’s 60 hurdle at the Notre Dame Invitational. She is currently ranked number 1 in the nation and served notice that pre-season expectations of her were warranted.

4. WILLIAM KINCAID (PORTLAND) - You probably forgot about Mr. Kincaid spending so much time in awe of Edward Cheserek. Kincaid has quietly put together an outstanding start to his indoor season. Kincaid is currently ranked number 1 in both 3,000 and 5,000 meter races. This past weekend he became one of only two athletes under 8 minutes in the 3,000 meter race winning the House of Track Invitational with a time of 7:48.89. Which event he competes in at nationals is not known yet but for now he is the star of the show for both of them.

3. FELICIA BROWN (TENNESSEE) - Brown has been the story of the season in the women’s 200 early this season. She has been ranked number 1 in the county since the first weekend and proved her ranking was right by racing to a time of 22.88. Her time is the top time in the world and she is currently the only athlete under 23 seconds. Being coached by Tim Hall Brown has already positioned herself to be a real challenge to defending NCAA Champion Kyra Jefferson of Florida.

2. NETHANEEL MITCHELL-BLAKE (LSU) - Nethaneel has been a main stay at LSU the past two seasons being a part of both sprint relays. This past weekend he proved that he could a threat individually as well. He blasted off to a time of 20.57 in the men’s 200 to claim the title at the Power 5 Conference invitational in Birmingham. Nethaneel is just another top tier sprinter in a long line of greats from LSU. His time puts him in the driver’s seat as an early favorite to win the NCAA title.

1. AKELA JONES (KANSAS STATE) - Yes she is in fact on this list yet again. Jones has been a mainstay on my weekend recaps since the year began. Jones continues to be the talk of the season as a multi-talented athlete. In her first pentathlon of the season she nearly broke the NCAA record set let season by defending champion Kendall Williams of Georgia. If Williams was not aware of Jones then she is certainly aware now. Jones 4,643 point performance was 35 points shy of the national record Williams set last year with 4,678. Jones and Williams should provide a great competitive dual at the Indoor Championships.

HONORABLE MENTION-

*JORDAN MOORE (LSU)- 60 HURDLES NUMBER 1 RANKED TIME OF 7.69

* ANDRES ARROYO (FLORIDA)- 1:47.43 IN THE 800, CURRENTLY RANKED NUMBER 2

* ERIN FINN (MICHIGAN)- 4:40.38 IN THE WOMEN’S MILE CURRENTLY RANKED 4

* FLORIDA’S 4X4 RELAYS- BOTH MEN (3:05.57) AND WOMEN (3:30.51) EARNED NUMBER 1 RANKINGS