OUTDOOR SEASON IS HERE

50.91!

(Jaide Stepter-USC)

Weekend Recap

The outdoor season began two weeks ago but got underway in a big way this past weekend. Many of the athletes who competed at the NCAA Indoor Championships two weeks ago took the first weekend of the season off. This past weekend we saw many top athletes get right back to were they left off.  In this post we will recap the 6 best performances from this past weekend. 

6. RAVEN SAUNDERS (OLE MISS)- Raven Saunders dominated headlines all indoor season long. After a highly successful 2015 freshman campaign season Saunders began this season by setting many records most notably the NCAA record.

However two weeks ago all that was for not when she failed to qualify to the finals due in part to two fouls. She opened the past weekend by nearly hitting 60 feet. Her winning mark of 59-6 3/4 currently ranks number 1 in the NCAA. 

5. ERIC FUTCH (FLORIDA)- Futch has been a nice addition to the Florida Gators track team. He had a up and down year last year and seem to try all season long to getting his footing right as a long sprinting hurdler. Futch had to take a year off due to transfer rules.

This past weekend at the Cardinal and Gold Invitational he lit up the track with a time of 49.45 among a class field. He matches his 2015 best in his first meet of the season. Futch already returns among the top 3 in the nation his performance just cemented his status as a favorite to win the title.

4. JOHNATHAN STEVENS (WASHINGTON)-  Stevens of Washington decided to place in his name in the contender pot with his performance this past weekend. Washington dropped a 3:43.70 in the men's 1,500. His time would have earned him the national title at the NCAA meet last outdoor season.

Although it's early in the season he earned the victory against plenty of top level talent at the Pac-12 vs Big 10 Invitational defeating All-American Mason Ferlic from Michigan. We should expect big things from Stevens this season. 

3. SHAYLA SANDERS (FLORIDA)- Florida had a great weekend at the Cardinal and Gold Challenge. Sanders was a key part in the team having a great weekend. After a disappointing outing at the NCAA Indoor Championships Sanders has begun her outdoor season with a bang.

Sanders tied a school record in the women’s 100 meter dash with a time of 11.13. She also claimed the 200 meter title with a winning mark of 22.77, her personal best. Both times vaulted Sanders to the top of the rankings and her time allows for her to remain as an All-American candidate.

2. SAM MATIS (PENN)- The Ivy League athletes do not get enough press for the amazing performances. Already competing at a demanding academic institution they have to couple that with the challenges of being a competitive athlete. Being successful in both is a true challenge that they are expected to meet.

Sam Mattis of Penn is already starting his outdoor season with a bang. Matting hurled the discus 202 feet and 4 inches. He was only a few feet off of his personal best set at last season’s NCAA Outdoor Championship that saw him win a National title.

     1.   JAIDE STEPTER (USC)- Stepter is having a great season so far.  She was one of the top 400 runners in all of the NCAA this past indoor season and was coming off an All-American outdoor season in 2015. She was already favored to win the 400 meter hurdle title in the Pac-12 conference. The 400 hurdles may be her signature event but it was her performance in the open 400 that caught everyone’s attention. Stepter opened with a blazing time of 50.91. She becomes the first athlete in USC history to run a sub 51 400.

     With a new school record under her belt it may be time to consider whether or not to focus primarily on the 400 or still keep her running the 400 hurdles. It remains to be seen. 

     This coming weekend is a major weekend for collegiate track and field. There are three really big meets, the Stanford Invitational, Florida Relays and the Texas Relays. Stay by your phone and make sure you are following all the action on twitter and Facebook. This weekend should offer many big time performances.