Conference Championship Weekend Review

(Keturah Orji-Georgia)                                                          (Edward Cheserek-Oregon)

Conference Championship weekend as usual did not disappoint. Not only did the major conferences provide us with some fireworks but so did the mid major and smaller conferences. In this recap we will focus on the best of the best from this past weekend in all three disciplines of the sport.

SPRINTS/HURDLES

Women

In the 60 meter dash the highlight of the weekend again goes to NCAA record holder Hannah Cunliffe of Oregon. The talented junior again beat a bevy of her teammates and many conference foes to win the MPSF title. Her time of 7.15 was the top time from a weekend of great performances.

In the 200 meter dash Brittany Brown of Iowa proved to be the best in the Big Ten with her time of 22.79. Her time moved her to the 4^th spot in the country and garnered a qualifying mark heading into the NCAA Indoor Championships. Brown is the latest of a great group of female sprinters coming out of the Big Ten to prove they can compete nationally.

Senior Shakima Wimbley of Miami has proven to be the queen of the 400 this season. She has led all season long and has performed at a higher level than preseason favorite Chris-Ann Gordon of Texas. Wimbley further asserted her ranking as number 1 with a time of 51.20 to win the 400 and lead the Miami Hurricanes to another conference title.

In the 60 hurdles senior Sasha Wallace of Oregon has been number one all year long. She continued that performance this past weekend with her time of 7.95 Wallace has not relinquished her top ranking have ran under 8 seconds nearly every meet this season.

Men

Christian Coleman of Tennessee again has proven to be the best of the best in the 60 meter dash. He went face to face against Kendall Williams of Georgia, the man with whom he shares the number one ranking with. Coleman ran confidently against a loaded SEC field to claim the title with a time of 6.52. His time was just slightly off his number one time of 6.51 and further solidified Coleman as the favorite to win the event at the NCAA Indoor Championship.

In the 200 there was a surprise at the SEC Championship, Coleman entered the race ranked number one and poised to claim the only conference title that had eluded him. However transfer Jereem Richards of Alabama followed Coleman around the curb and came motoring down the straightaway to surpass Coleman and claim the conference title. His time of 20.34 moved him into the number one spot over Coleman.

The 400 finally saw a sub 45 second performance. Fred Kerley of Texas A&M broke the barrier with a time of 44.94 to win against a loaded SEC field. Kerley who sat atop of the ranks with a 45.02 for a couple of weeks only did what he has shown all season, dominate.

In the 60 hurdles Chad Zallow of Youngstown State was the king of the weekend. He won the event at the Horizon League Indoor Championships with a time of 7.61. He also tripled by winning the 60 and 200 meter dash but it was his hurdle time that made him king over senior Aaron Mallet of Iowa and Grant Holloway of Florida.

DISTANCE

Women

Hanna Green of Virginia Tech lived up to the hype defeating a quality field at the ACC Championships in the 800. Her time of 2:02.28 was the top time for the weekend and she still has the number four ranked time in the NCAA this season.

The top mile time from this weekend was also performed at the ACC Championship. Notre Dame’s Jessica Harris had the top mark with a time of 4:33.80. Her time moved her to 8^th in the nation and garnered a qualify mark to the NCAA Indoor Championship.

Gina Sereno of Michigan scored the top time in the 3,000 this past weekend with a time of 9:07.00. Although her time was not the top collegiate time of the weekend it was the top time for a conference champion. Sereno’s win was a part of a few bright spots for the Michigan Wolverines who did not have the best weekend. Sereno now ranks 15^th in the country and has received a qualifying mark to the NCAA Indoor Championship.

The Big Ten had quite the show in the women’s 5,000. Erin Finn of Michigan has not only been the conference favorite but also the national favorite all season long. Finn returns as NCAA runner up and was looking to add more Big Ten hardware to her trophy case. However Katherine Receveur of Indiana proved to be too much for Finn shocking everyone and winning the event with a time of 15:28.89. The time vaulted Receveur to the number one ranking in the nation.

Men

Patrick Joseph of Virginia Tech took down defending champion Robert Heppenstall of Wake Forest. He led a 1-2 finish and sweep of the 800 for Viriginia Tech at the ACC Championships. Joseph crossed the finish line in a time of 1:46.23 and placed himself 2^nd in the nation with his time.

The mile was quite interesting this weekend. Sean Tobin of Ole Miss had the top conference championship time with winning the SEC with a time of 4:00.18. However at the Boston University Last Chance meet Oregon’s senior Edward Cheserek was stunning the crowd with a NCAA record time of 3:52.01. It is his first NCAA record and quite an impressive feat for the senior. Cheserek is obviously the new number one but it remains to be seen if he will compete in the event at the NCAA Indoor Championship.

In the 3,000 John Dressell of Colorado had the top mark from the weekend. His time of 7:51.44 was enough for his to win the MPSF conference title and moved him into 10^th in the nation garnering a NCAA Indoor Championship qualifying mark.

Justyn Knight of Syracuse garnered 20 points for his team by winning the 3,000 and 5,000 meter races at the ACC Championship. His time in the 5,000 was the top time from this past weekend; his winning time was 13:50.27.

FIELD EVENTS

Women

Top Performing Champions

Eleonora Omeregie (Florida State) High Jump 6’2 (Ranked 3^rd Nationally)- Although she is ranked 3^rd is by only a few inches. The talented freshman mad a name for herself this past weekend.

Victoria Weeks (Arkansas)- Pole Vault 15-0 (Ranked 2^nd Nationally)- Weeks led a 1-2 finish for Arkansas women beating a talented field that included her number one ranked twin sister.

Shakeela Saunders(Kentucky)-Long Jump 22-4 ½ (Ranked 1^st Natioanlly)- In a highly competitive race Saunders dominated the long jump at the SEC Championships leading a group of 3 women over 22 feet. Saunders was able to cement herself as number one in the long jump against the best competition.

Keturah Orji  (Georgia)- Triple Jump 46-11 ¾ (Ranked 1^st Nationally)- Against an incredible field at the SEC Championship Orji again found a way to stand out. She set an American Indoor Record with her mark and cemented herself as perhaps the greatest American female triple jumper in history.

Raven Saunders (Ole Miss)- Shot 62-6 ¾ (Ranked 1^st Natioanlly)- Saunders still remain as the only athlete over 60 feet and has been unchallenged so far this season.

Janeah Stewart (Ole Miss)- Weight Throw 76-0 ¾ (Ranked 1^st Nationally)- Joins Saunders to make an incredible sweep in the throwing events at the SEC Championships.

Men

Randall Cunningham (USC) High Jump 7’5 ¼ (Ranked 1^st Nationally)- Cunningham is the defending outdoor champion used the MPSF Championships to show his hand indoors. Cunningham claimed the number one ranking with his jump.

Kyle Prater (Air Force) Pole Vault 18-6 ½ (Ranked 3^rd Nationally)- It’s not every day that a member of our Armed Forces to gets to shine in an athletic arena. Prater proved to be the guy to do it vaulting to a conference title and the number three mark in the country.

Julian Harvey (SIU-Edwardsville) Long Jump 26-9 ¾ (Ranked 1^st Nationally)- Like Prater, Harvey comes from a smaller conference but can perform on the big stage. His mark of 26-9 further cemented the number one ranking he had already acquired mid-season.

KeAndre Bates (Florida) Triple Jump 55-2 (Ranked 2^nd Nationally)- Bates avenged his regular season loss by defeating number one ranked Clive Pullen of Arkansas in the Triple Jump. His mark of 55-2 placed his in the all-time list of Florida and was a part of an impressive double in which Bates won the Triple Jump and Long Jump.

Mostafa Hassan (Colorado State) Shot Put 69-10 ¾ (Ranked 1^st Nationally)- Hassan is a part of a growing theme this year where the smaller schools are producing big time athletes in the field events. Hassan claimed the conference Shot Put title and moved into the number one ranking nationally. It is not entirely inconceivable that he would hit a 70 foot mark at the Indoor Championships.

Grant Cartwright (Michigan) Weight Throw 76-5 ¾ (Ranked 4^th Nationally)- Cartwright used the Big Ten Indoor Championship to not only give his team 10 points but to improve his national position in the event. With the 4^th ranked mark in the country Cartwright has earned the qualifying mark to nationals.

MULTI-EVENT SIBLINGS- It’s not rare to see siblings dominate in the track world. Devon Williams and Kendall Williams both seniors from Georgia are the latest siblings to dominate their respective events. Devon Williams winning the men’s heptathlon after years of dealing with injuries set several personal bests at the SEC Championships and reached a total of 6,047 points moving to the 2^nd position in the nation.

His sister Kendall Williams again cemented herself as perhaps the best collegiate pentathlete ever by winning another SEC title with a total of 4,686 points. She has over 200 points more than her closest competitor. Georgia has built quite the reputation in the field events, these two are the latest champions to leave their mark.

RELAYS:

Women

4x400: LSU defeated the number one ranked Texas A&M Aggies and claimed the title at the SEC Championships with a time of 3:31.50. They now rank 5^th nationally and are rounding into great shape heading in to nationals.

Distance Medley: Colorado had the top time this weekend clocking in at 10:58.68 to win the MPSF. Their time moved them into 7^th position nationally and earned them a qualifying mark to the Indoor Championships.

Men

4x400: It was quite a race at the SEC. Three of the fastest relays in history competed this past weekend. Three teams ran sub 3:03 in the 4x400 and Texas A&M came out on top thanks to a come from behind victory from Mylik Kerley. Their winning time of 3:02.39 is number 1 all time and just barely ahead of runner up Florida who clocked in at 3:02.73. Alabama finished 3^rd with 3:02.92.

Distance Medley: Virginia Tech clocked in at 9:31.05. Their winning performance at the ACC Indoor Championship placed them 10^th nationally and earned them a qualifying mark to the Indoor Championship.

Note: Only one meet to go. March 10-11 is when the best of the best will compete for a chance to call themselves a national champion. 

SEC Championship Preview

(Grant Holloway-Florida)

Will it be the Grant Holloway show?

Conference Championship Preview 4

Power 5 Conference: SEC

This is the conference of champions. Perhaps the most challenging conference in the NCAA is the SEC. This conference is fully loaded with world class talent in every discipline. Two programs in the conference in Arkansas for men and LSU for women have recording setting National Championship streaks and countless Olympians. This year promises to be no different, with a bevy of young talent and solid veterans this promise to be an exciting meet.

SPRINTS/HURDLES

Women

Mikiah Brisco of LSU returns as the defending champion in the women’s 60 meter dash. She leads a loaded sprint core for LSU, which seems to be loaded every year. LSU has a total of four athletes ranked in the top 8. Her time of 7.19 is currently ranked 2^nd in the conference behind senior Javianne Oliver of Kentucky who leads with a time of 7.18. Brisco had a late start to her season and seems to be rounding into shape just at the right time. The two are also national headliners ranked 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.

Senior Jada Martin of LSU leads the conference in the women’s 200. Martin is currently the only athlete in the field with a season’s best under 23 seconds with her time of 22.95. Martin is currently ranked 5^th in the nation. The senior looks to continue LSU’s tradition of dominant SEC Champions.

The Florida Gators do not have the depth that they have had in recent years but they are still quite talented. Sharrika Barnett was a top recruit a couple years ago and this season has more than proved why. Her conference lead of 52.07 has yet to be challenged by anyone this season. The talented sophomore currently ranks fourth in the nation and she is the highest rated underclassmen. Barnett has more than a half second left on her closest competitor and will look to improve upon her time.

In the hurdles Brisco is set to defend here too. She completed the impressive double last season as a sophomore and now looks to continue that success as a junior. Her conference leading time of 7.98 ties her for 2^nd in the nation. She’ll be challenged by Kentucky’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn who like Brisco is a speedy hurdler. Quinn also has the distinction of being the defending NCAA Outdoor 100 meter hurdle champion, an event she won as a freshman. This promises to be an exciting race that could potentially produce a new national leader.

Men

Christian Coleman of Tennessee has been the story of this conference and the nation all indoor season. He has yet to be defeated and has put up world class times all season long. His national leading time of 6.51 in the 60 meter dash and 20.46 in the 200 meter dash are two impressive times for a collegian. The talented junior has been huge for the sprint resurgence of the Tennessee track program. Kendall Williams of Georgia just recently tied his national leading mark in the 60 meter dash and has the best chance of defeating Coleman. Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake of LSU perhaps has the best chance of defeating Coleman since he is the defending conference champion who however still lost to Coleman last season at the National Championship. 

The 400 will be another race to keep your eye on. The top six athletes in this race are ranked in the top 8 in the entire country. This is the SEC’s best individual event from top to bottom. The irony in that is, none of the top six include the defending champion Khamari Montgomery of Missouri. 

Montgomery is currently ranked 11^th in the conference and will have to provide some of that same magic as last year if he wants to defend his title. Fred Kerley leads an impressive group for Texas A&M with his national leading time of 45.02. Kerley will be looking for a sub 45 second performance and 10 huge team points for the Aggies.

True freshman Grant Holloway of Florida is the current leader not only in the conference but in the country with his impressive time of 7.58 in the 60 meter hurdles. Holloway was a top tier recruit and high national champion with an impressive resume. He has backed that up with his phenomenal performances all year long. The Gators will need 10 points from Holloway to secure the team title.

DISTANCE

Women

The defending champion Morgan Scheutz of LSU has not been the talk of this event all season. That is because of Texas A&M’s super sophomore Jazmine Fray who set the indoor collegiate record with a time of 2:00.69. She has a more than two second lead over Schuetz in the event. Her time sent shockwaves through the country after she broke was many thought was a unbreakable record. This sophomore clearly has a bright future ahead of her.

The mile has will be looking to crown a new champion and what better place to start than with an Arkansas Razorback. The Razorback are perhaps more known for their distance prowess than the men nowadays. Nikki Hiltz leads the for Arkansas with a time of 4:35.10. Her teammate senior Therese Haiss is sitting comfortably in 3^rd with a time of 4:37.27, either athlete would be a great win for the Razorbacks who will rely on their distance core for huge team points.

True freshman Taylor Werner of Arkansas is the current conference leader in the 3,000 with a time of 9:06.34. Sitting right behind her is Karissa Schweizer of Missouri with 9:06.60. It can be quite intimidating to compete at the SEC Conference Championships but Werner has done well so far this season and sits ranked 10^th nationally. She is also the 2^nd best freshman in the nation. Werner will not  only look to garner her team the 10 points but to also improve her national standing in a race against a highly competitive field.

Schweizer of Missouri could be potentially double, she is ranked 2^nd in the 3,000 and first in the 5,000. Her conference leading time of 15:37.40 is 16 seconds ahead of her closest competition and ranks her 2^nd nationally. What’s perhaps more impressive about her time is that it has stood since the beginning of the indoor season December 2016.

Men

Senior Andres Arroyo of Florida has had quite a career at Florida. He has had some ups and downs throughout. In 2015 he claimed his first conference title winning the 800. He lost his title last season to a record setting freshman from Texas A&M. This season he has returned to the top of the conference with a time of 1:47.25, a time he has surpassed before. He is also ranked 7^th nationally. 

The Florida Gators will need him to be on his “A” game and garner the 10 team points if they want to win the SEC title. Arroyo can also use this as a platform to improve his national ranking in the event as well.

In the mile defending champion Robert Domanic is a part of an impressive group of milers for Ole Miss. The Ole Miss Rebels have three athletes in the top five in the conference. Domanic is currently ranked fourth in the conference and his teammate Sean Tobin leads with a time of 4:00.09. With this being the SEC Championships expect for the winner to dip under 4 minutes.

Ole Miss senior MJ Erb will look to complete the long distance double by winning the 3,000 and 5,000 meter races. His conference leading times are 7:54.77 and 13:43.55. He is ranked in the top 16 in both events, 14^th in the 3,000 and 7^th in the 5,000. He has a three second lead in the 3,000 and a four second lead in the 5,000. Erb is looking to complete quite the impressive double against a class field but the distance between his time and competitors show that his performance could be quite impressive.

FIELD EVENTS

Women

Defending Champions: Alexis Weeks, Arkansas-Pole Vault; Quanesha Burks, Alabama-Long Jump; Keturah Orji, Georgia-Triple Jump; Raven Saunders, Ole Miss- Shot Put; Kendell Williams, Georgia-Pentathlon

Quite the impressive group of defending champions, in five of the seven field events defending champions will compete. Several of the defending champions are national leaders as well. This is another discipline were the SEC can brag about their prowess.

Alexis Weeks and Quanesha Burks are two of the defending champions who are not ranked number one in the respective events. Weeks is listed as 2^nd in the pole vault behind her twin sister Victoria Weeks who has a mark of 14’10.25. Alexis has a mark of 14’7.25. They’ll both look to continue the tradition of great pole vaulters for Arkansas. Burks has not only an SEC title but in her trophy case is also a national title. Burks sits in the 3^rd position with a mark of 21’4.75 in the long jump behind conference leader Sha’Keela Saunders of Kentucky who has a mark of 22’1. Saunders is the only athlete in the nation over 22 feet.

Keturah Orji, Raven Saunders and Kendall Williams are not ranked number one in the conference in their events but also in the nation. All three also have national championship hardware and Olympic experience. All three competed for team USA in the respective events.

Orji has a leading mark of 46’3.25 in the triple jump and will be challenged by Yanis David of Florida who did in fact beat Orji in their high school days. Saunders likely will not meet a challenger her mark of 62’8 is five feet farther than 2^nd ranked Lloyrdrica Cameron of Florida. Williams leads the pentathlon with a total of 4,476 points. Williams has a nice 200 points lead on her competition and will be looking to improve upon her performance. Williams also is a part of Georgia’s impressive jumps core as she is ranked in the top five in the long jump and high jump in the conference.

Conference Leaders: Madeline Fagan, Georgia-High Jump; Tatiana Gusin, Georgia-High Jump; Janeah Stewart, Ole Miss-Weight Throw

Both remaining conference leaders are from programs that have depth in their field events. Fagin and Gusin are tied for the conference and national lead in the women’s high jump with marks of 6’2.75. They Bulldogs could possibly when every jumping event except for the Pole Vault in the conference. They could also potentially sweep those same events on the national stage. The same could be potentially said for Ole Miss in the throwing events. Stewart leads the Weight throw with a mark of 71’8.75. Her teammate Saunders also has a mark over 71 feet could mark for quite an impressive 1-2 punch.

Men

Defending Champions: Ken LeGassey, Arkansas-High Jump; Clive Pullen, Arkansas-Triple Jump

The jumps have been an impressive part of the championship machine that Arkansas Razorbacks have. They’ll have their hands full this season with a talented young group from Florida. LeGassey is currently ranked 6^th in the conference behind two very impressive freshman. Clayton Brown of Florida leads the nation with a mark of 7’4.50 and Darius Carbin of Georgia sits right behind with a mark of 7’3.25. LeGassey is going to have to have quite the performance if he wants to defend his title.

In the triple jump senior Clive Pullen has pulled away from his closest competitor KeAndre Bates of Florida. Pullen leads the nation with a mark of 56’4.75. Pullen had proven to show up at the big moments when his team needs and they’ll need him this weekend in order to win the conference title.

Conference Leaders: Audie Wyatt, Texas A&M-Pole Vault; Grant Holloway, Florida-Long Jump; Josh Awontunde, South Carolina-Shot Put;  Johnnie Jackson, LSU-Weight Throw; Tim Duckworth, Kentucky-Heptathlon.

Holloway was the national leader in the long jump until a couple weeks ago. He sits comfortable with the number two mark in the nation and the top mark in the conference with 26’5. His teammate Bates is 2^nd with a mark of 25’8.75 and it is important that they finish that way for Florida to win the team title.

Senior Johnnie Jackson of LSU stills leads the nation with his mark of 77’3.75. He has almost a four foot lead on his closest competitor. Jackson will look to add to great throwing tradition at LSU.

Tim Duckworth of Kentucky is currently ranked 2^nd in the nation in the Heptathlon with a total of 6,006. Duckworth and national leader Luca Weiland are the only two in the country over 6,000 points. Although he has over a 100 point lead Duckworth will still need to perform at his best to win the conference. Georgia’s Devon Williams is close behind and the senior has missed a lot of time in recent years due to injury, this is the senior’s last chance to claim a conference title.

RELAYS

Top Ranked

Women

4x400: Texas A&M 3:29.74 (Ranked 1^st nationally)

Distance Medley: LSU 10:57.66 (Ranked 4^th nationally)

Men

4x400: Team A&M 3:02.52 (Ranked 1^st nationally) * NCAA Record

Distance Medley: Ole Miss 9:26.55 (Ranked 1^st nationally)

Big Ten Championship Preview

Conference Championship Preview 3

Power 5 Conference: Big Ten

Let us head to the cold Midwest. The Big Ten is perhaps the most distance rich conference in the nation. It practically used to be a prerequisite that in order to compete you have to have a great distance program. That isn’t necessarily the case anymore but many of the programs in this conference still do. Add to that there has been a recent explosion of speed being added to this conference you have a conference that has become more well-rounded now than it has ever been. This preview will do something different and start off with the distance runners.

DISTANCE

Women

A very talented freshman leads the way for Penn State. Danae Rivers is currently number one in the conference in two events, the 600 and the mile. Whether she competes in the 600 is remained to be seen but Rivers has made some major noise this season as a freshman. Perhaps her best event is the women’s mile, perhaps the most competitive event in the conference. Her time of 4:32.55 has her placed as 3^rd in the nation. There are currently four other athletes with season’s best under 3:40 in the Big Ten indicating this race could be a classic.

The 800 just got a little more interesting thanks to a great final regular season weekend by Ohio State senior Rachel Weber. Weber knocked Rivers down to the number two spot with her time of 2:03.40 this past weekend. Rivers led three events for majority of the regular season and could sit out the 600 to be more prepared for Weber in the 800.

The 3,000 and 5,000 have an outstanding defending champion in Erin Finn of Michigan. The only thing that has stopped her in her career at Michigan has been injuries. She has been a big name ever since she arrived at Michigan. She currently leads the conference in the 5,000 meter race with a time of 15:34.36, 14 seconds ahead of her closest competition. This time also puts her in the driver’s seat for the national title as it moves her to the number one ranking in the NCAA. The 3,000 she currently ranks 3^rd but don’t let that early season time fool you, she’ll be ready.

Men

Isaiah Harris is part of a strong middle distance group at Penn State. The Nittany Lions over recent years have dominated the conference with their great half-milers and milers and this season looks to be no different. Harris is the defending champion from last indoor season in the 800 an event he won as a freshman. This season he returns ranked 2^nd with a time of 1:46.65. Leading the conference is defending 600 meter champion Daniel Kuhn of Indiana with a time of 1:46.42. The irony is for this season Harris leads the conference in the 600 meter run this season. With their times being so close already this looks to be an exciting race from start to finish.

The mile is always a popular event in the Big Ten and there have been many great champions. This year the Michigan men look to continue that trend. Currently they have three runners under 4 minutes for the mile all of whom are ranked in the top 3 in the conference. Leading the way is former Brown University runner senior Ned Willig with a time of 3:58.09. Since Kevin Sullivan’s arrival as the distance coach the Michigan Wolverines are slowly returning back to their championship form sweeping the mile would all but prove that they have permanently returned.

In the 3,000 Morgan McDonald of Wisconsin returns to defend his conference title. The talented junior has a six second lead on his closest competitor Aaron Baumgarten of Michigan. Wisconsin has historically been the dominant distance program in the conference and McDonald looks to continue their success of conference champions.

A freshman will lead them in the men’s 5,000 meter run. Jaret Carpenter of Purdue leads the way here with a season’s best time of 13:57.08 ran a few weeks as the Iowa State Classic. His mark is quite impressive for a freshman and even more impressive since it was performed against high quality field at the Iowa State Classic. The top three athletes in this event all run under 14 minutes and all are underclassmen. Carpenter will have his hands full but with his top ranking will walk into the event with the target on his back.

SPRINTS/HURDLES

Women

Purdue has began to take the reigns as the premier sprint school in the conference. Their sprinters are currently ranked number one in all three sprints events, the 60, 200 and 400. They also currently lead the conference in the 4x400 relay as well.

The 60 meter dash is currently lead by Devynne Charlton. Charlton is also the defending champion in the 60 meter hurdles. Her conference leading time of 7.30 is personal best for her this season. Although she is currently ranked 2^nd in the 60 hurdles Charlton is on a clear path to complete the impressive double of winning both the 60 dash and hurdles. In the 60 hurdles conference leader senior Pedrya Seymour looks to end Illinois drought at hurdling champions and with a time of 7.98 she will present a great challenge to defending champion Charlton.

The 200 talented junior Savannah Roberson steps in. She leads the conference with a time of 23.48. Roberson also doubles as a sprint hurdler but in recent years has shown her hand adept at being a great 200 meter runner. Her teammate Carmeisha Cox is tied for 2^nd in the conference with a time of 23.64. This presents a second opportunity for the Purdue Boilermakers to finish 1-2 in a sprint event.

The 400 is now being lead by Brionna Thomas. Defending champion Elexis Guster has transferred from Iowa to Oregon. Thomas has a leading time of 53.23 which she ran a few weeks ago at the Tyson Invitational. With Guster out Thomas is in great position to take over as the top quarter-miler in the conference.

Men

Senior Jordan Charles of Minnesota did not have a great indoor meet last season. In fact he didn’t even make it to the finals of the men’s 60 meter dash. This season the senior will look to improve upon that performance he currently leads the conference with a time of 6.68. The defending champion Vinnie Saucer of Iowa has a season’s best time of 6.74 and is ranked 6^th. Saucer has a personal best of 6.70 ran last season. He will have his hands full with Charles who is sitting in the driver’s seat with a personal best and more consistent 2017 indoor season.

The 200 will also have a defending champion, Nick Gray of Ohio State. Gray wowed the field last year wining as a freshman and returns this year as the only athlete in the field with a personal best under 21 seconds. He leads the conference with a time of 20.86. His time of 20.71 which won the event last season allowed for him to qualify for the NCAA Indoor Champions in 2016 were he was able to earned All-American honors as a freshman.

The 400 was also won by a freshman last year and that sophomore now is ranked 2^nd in the nation with a time of 45.67. That sophomore is Izaiah Brown of Rutgers. Brown only has one other athlete in the field that has run under 47 seconds this season. Brown looks to be in great position to defend his title and wow the crowd while doing it.

HURDLES (Men)

Defending champion Aaron Mallet returns to set the conference on fire again. The All-American leads the conference with a time of 7.64 which ranks him 4^th in the nation. Mallet is a part of great sprint/hurdling program that is developing at Iowa, this meet will give him the perfect opportunity to improve upon ranking nationally.

FIELD EVENTS

Women

Defending Champions: Janae Moffitt, Purdue- High Jump; Tierra Williams, Nebraska-Long Jump, Triple Jump;

None of the returning champions in the field events are currently ranked number 1 in the conference in any event. In the high jump Moffitt sits ranked 2^nd with a mark of 6’0.50, her competitor Kandie Bloch-Jones of Illinois who is ranked number one has a leading mark of 6’0.75. That quarter of inch does mean the difference between winning and losing but you can bet that Moffitt will be ready to defend her title.

Senior Tierra Williams of Nebraska may have a more difficult time defending her two titles. She currently ranks third in both events. In the long jump her mark of 20’6.50 is a full six inches behind the number one ranked senior Savannah Carson of Purdue, Carson has a mark of 21’0.5. In the triple jump Senior Dannielle Gibson of Penn State leads the way with a mark of 43’9 while Williams has a mark of 42’2.75. As you can see this will be a tough day for Williams but never underestimate a champion.

Conference Leaders: Kiley Sabin, Minnesota-Shot Put; Andrianna Jacobs, Nebraska-Pole Vault, Sade Olatoye, Ohio State-Weight Throw; Georgia Ellenwood, Wisconsin-Pentathlon

Pentathlete Senior Georgia Ellenwood serves as the highest ranked field athlete in the conference. She is currently ranked 4^th in the nation with a total of 4,392 points. She has 300 more points than her closest competitor and in great position to win her first title in the event.

Men

Defending Champions: Landon Bartel, Nebraska-High Jump; Kaiwan Culmer, Nebraska-Triple Jump; Steven Bastien, Michigan-Heptathlon

None of the returning champions are currently ranked number 1 in their event. Perhaps the athlete with the hardest road to defending his title is senior Steven Bastien of Michigan. Bastien currently has a season’s best of 5,843 points. That’s good enough for 7^th in the nation. The number one ranked competitor is senior Luca Wieland of Minnesota with a whopping 6,089 points. His point total was achieved at the very beginning of the season in December. He is ranked number 1 in the nation and only one other athlete in the country has scored beyond 6,000 points.

Bastien has had quite a few personal bests this season but are they enough to score beyond 6,000 and defeat Wieland that remains to be seen. Wieland has not had to compete in the event since December and has consistently improved himself in individual competition.

Conference Leaders:  Jonathan Wells, Illinois-High Jump; Steve Cahoy, Nebraska-Pole Vault; O’Shea Wilson-Iowa; Eric Bethea, Indiana-Triple Jump; Willie Morrison, Indiana-Shot Put

RELAYS

Women

Top Ranked

4X400 Relay: Purdue 3:34.48 (Ranked 11^th nationally)

Distance Medley: Indiana 10:55.94 (Ranked 2^nd nationally)

Men

4x400 Relay: Iowa 3:05.62 (Ranked 9^th nationally)

Distance Medley: Indiana 9:28.14 (Ranked 2^nd nationally)

Note: Indiana has two great Distance Medley Relays. Both ranked 2^nd nationally seem to be the conference best hope of winning the event. 

Big 12 Conference Championship Preview

(Oklahoma State-Men)

(Defending Conference Champions)

Conference Championship Weekend: Preview 2

Power 5 Conference: Big 12

The Big 12 is no longer 12 schools but 10. However that does not change the fact that the Big 12 is one of the most exciting of the power 5 conferences. The Big 12 historically has been one of the best conferences producing NCAA Champions from every discipline in the sport. This year will be no different as there is talent on both the men’s and women’s side that could win individual NCAA titles.

SPRINTS

Women

When you think of Big 12 sprint programs you often think of Texas first. Beverly Kearney certainly made this a feared program with an enormous amount of sprinters. Teahna Daniels is the next in line for the Lady Longhorns, she is the defending NCAA Indoor Champion for the 60 meter dash. She leads the conference this season with a time of 7.21 but has a personal best of 7.11. No one in the field is near hear range and although she did not win last year she should win pretty convincingly this go around.

In the 200 meter dash Taylor Bennett of Baylor is the conference leader with a time of 23.00. She had quite a freshman season last year placing herself among the elite of the conference quickly. Teahna Daniels who has not been known as a 200 meter runner is ranked 4^th in the conference and shouldn’t be discounted as a challenger to Bennett.

The 400 is an event that Texas became known for under Beverly Kearney. Chris Ann Gordon is next in line to join them. She leads the conference by almost a full second with a time of 51.71. Gordon finished 2^nd in the conference last year and 3^rd overall at the NCAA Championship meet. With a large conference lead Gordon is in perfect position to continue the trend.

Men

The 60 meter dash has a 2015 defending champion and now senior in Senoj Jay Givans of Texas and a talented freshman from Baylor in Maxwell Willis. Givans claimed the event in 2015 with a time of 6.59 and was absent from the Indoor Conference Championships in 2016. Givans will look to reclaim his crown and keep a young freshman at bay. They both tie for the conference lead at 6.65.

In the 200 sophomore Andrew Hudson leads the way with a season’s best time of 20.80. His time currently ranks him 14^th in the nation. Hudson is one of three athletes to have dipped under 21 seconds indoors. Hudson was one of the top recruits in High School and looks to have already found his footing in the NCAA. 

The 400 could be won by a Olympian who competes in the 400 hurdles. Senior Byron Robinson of Texas leads the conference with his time of 46.34. However his two closes competitors are extremely close in time including his teammate and fellow senior Aldrich Bailey with a 46.38 and Texas Tech senior Kyle Collins with 46.35. Bailey has the best speed out of the group being the only athlete currently indoors under 21 seconds in the 200. Although Robinson is the leader of the group currently I expect for Bailey to finally win his first conference title.

HURDLES

In the women’s 60 meter hurdles it’s quite possible that Texas women could sweep the event 1-2-3. Currently they have the top three times in the conference and have another athlete sitting at 8^th in the conference. I hope at some point this season they decide to run a shuttle hurdle relay and challenge for the NCAA record. Leading their group of talented hurdlers is freshman Rushelle Burton. Burton has a season’s best time of 8.06 which currently ranks her 8^th in the nation. She is followed by fellow freshman Alexis Duncan with 8.24 and junior Ariel Jones with 8.25. Burton has a noticeable lead on her teammates and has the best shot to represent them on the national stage.

On the men’s side after having spent a season off due to injury Texas junior Spencer Dunkerley-Offor has returned to championship form. He currently leads the way with a time of 7.78. Offor still has had some ups and downs this season but after a year off you expect it. His time of 7.78 shows that she still possess the same talent that got him to Texas.  

ODD EVENT (600 YARDS)

This event is not an event on the national stage, it’s also not a part of most conference championships. However there a few with the Big 12 being one of them that considers this to be a scored event. This event is used by some coaches to develop the endurance of 400 hurdlers and 400 runners and the speed for 800 runners.  On the women’s side Whitney Adams of Kansas leads the way while on the men’s side Jaymes Dennison of Iowa State leads.

DISTANCE

Women

Freshman Aaliyah Miller of Baylor looks to continue Baylor’s recent success of great 800 meter runners. Miller leads the conference with a time of 2:02.89. Her teammate and fellow freshman Alison Andrews-Paul is currently ranked 4^th in the conference and leads a nice 1-2 punch for the Baylor Bears. Sophomore Jasmine Staebler of Iowa State will be in front of her home crowd and with a time of 2:03.08 is close enough to Miller where she could pull out the victory.

The 1,000 meter race is another odd race that is not competitive on the national stage but is at the Big 12 conference. This event is just another distance event to give the distance powers more opportunities to score points. Senior Kaela Edwards of Oklahoma State leads the way here with a season’s best of 2:40.79.

Edwards will also look to defend her conference title in the women’s mile. She has more than a 10 second lead on the field with her time of 4:28.75. Her time also ranks her number 1 in the nation and in line for another special season. Edwards has the distinction of being the defending NCAA Indoor Mile Champion and looks to be in prime position to defend her crown.

The 3,000 and 5,000 meter races may likely crown new champions. Both defending champions have not currently competed in their respective events this season. Seniors Maggie Montoya of Baylor who leads the 3,000 with a time of 9.12:89 and Sandie Raines of Texas who leads the 5,000 with 16:07.74 will look to take their place on top of the podium.

Men

Senior Strymar Livingston of Kansas had a decorated career as a high school kid in New York. He broke at the time the 500 and 600 meter indoor records and had a successful career running the 400 and 800. Now at Kansas Livingston looks to continue his winning ways. The senior leads the conference by almost a full second with her season best time of 1:47.95. He was runner up last indoor season in the 600 yards rest and was runner up in the 800 at the outdoor conference championships. With this being his senior year it’s now or never in regards to finally winning a title.

The 1,000 is currently lead by junior Lukas Koch of Kansas State with a time of 2:23.52. The defending champion in the event senior Joshua Thompson of Oklahoma State is currently ranked fourth with 2:25.22. With Oklahoma State relying heavily on their distance athletes expect for Thompson to defend his crown and garner the 10 team points. Thompson also happens to be the defending champion in the men’s mile as well. Just like Kaela Edwards he is hoping to claim both events. His time in the mile of 3:56.89 leads the conference and is 4^th in the nation.

The 3,000 will be a fun race to watch. Defending champion Senior Craig Nowak of Oklahoma State sits fourth in conference with a time of 8:05.87. His main competition will come from fellow senior and in-state rival Dylan Blankenbaker of Oklahoma who leads with a time of 7:59.67. Blakenbaker is the athlete in the field under 8 minutes and will likely be more than motivated enough to fight off the defending champion.

The 5,000 will likely crown a new champion. The defending champion has been absent from the indoor season. Miguel Bautista of Texas Tech will look to join Blakenbaker and break up the distance party that Oklahoma State would like to have. He leads the conference with a time of 13:58.17 and is the only athlete in the field under 14 minutes and is more than 10 seconds ahead of his closes competitor.

FIELD EVENTS

Women

Defending Champions:  Viershanie Latham, Texas Tech-Triple Jump

Latham is currently the only field athlete on the women’s side who is a defending champion. Latham will have a very difficult time defending her title. She is currently ranked 3^rd in conference with a mark of 43-9. The top ranked athlete in the event is Shardia Lawrence of Kansas State with a mark of 45-1.50. It will be difficult for Latham to make up the distance between her mark and Lawrence’s mark but it is certainly possible.

Conference Leaders:  Senior Baileh Simms, Oklahoma (Long Jump 20-10); Kally Long, Texas (Pole Vault 14-6); Senior Kimberly Williamson Kansas State (High Jump 6-1.50); Jessica Woodard, Oklahoma (Shot Put 57-4.25); Senior Janee Kassanvaoid Kansas State (Weight Throw 70-1.75)

Nina Schultz a freshman from Kansas State is another conference leader in the women’s heptathlon with a total of 4,271 points and is the other athlete in the event over 4,000 points. Schultz has big shoes to fill after the graduation of Akela Jones. Jones was an all-world athlete capable of winning national titles in multiple individual field events. Schultz is headed in the right direction already leading the conference as a freshman.

Men

Defending Champions: Christoff Bryan, Kansas State-High Jump; Hayden McClain, Oklahoma-Triple Jump; Brady Grunder  Kansas State-Weight Throw; Thomas Cheval Oklahoma-Heptathlon

Of all the great returning champions senior McClain of Oklahoma is currently the only athlete that currently leads the conference. His mark of 54’4 in the triple jump currently ranks him as 3^rd in the country. McClain has more than a foot on his closes competitor and in great position to defend his title.

In the heptathlon defending champion Cheval of Oklahoma has not competed in the event all season, however he has competed in multiple individual events. If he does compete he will be hard to defeat.

Conference Leaders:  Senior Jake Albright, Kansas (Pole Vault 18-2); Jacob Fincham-Dukes, Oklahoma State (Long Jump 25-9.50); Nicolai Ceban, Kansas (Shot Put 65-1.50); Trey Culver, Texas Tech (High Jump 7-3.75); Gleb Dudarev, Kansas (Weight Throw 76-11)

RELAYS

-Current Leaders-

Women

4x400: Baylor 3:32.09

Distance Medley: Oklahoma State 11:08.05

Men

4x400: Texas 3:04.95

Distance Medley: 9:28.83

ACC Indoor Championship Preview

(Miami Defending Women's Champion)

Conference Championship Weekend Preview 1

Power 5 Conferences: ACC

The ACC has been one of the top tier conferences in the NCAA this season. They have the makings of a complete conference, great sprint programs, great distance programs, great throwing programs and jumping programs. Notice I say programs as in plural. There are more than one of the programs in this conference that are solid in each discipline. The conference is full of quality and many of the athletes competing this weekend will be competing at nationals.

SPRINTS 

Women

Since Coach Marvin Gibson joined the Clemson coaching staff as its sprints coach the Clemson Tigers have continued their successful run of producing top tier sprinters. This season is no different. The Lady Tigers have a total of three athletes in the top four and a total of five athletes in the top eight. Junior Torie Robinson leads the way in the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.27. Her time ranks her 10^th in the nation and a legit candidate for first time All-American honors.

In the 200 and 400 is where Miami will challenge the Lady Tigers for sprint supremacy. The Miami Hurricanes have the luxury of having Shakima Wimbley. Wimbley has dominated this conference in the long sprints winning both events multiple times at the conference meet. She is the defending champion in both events. In the 400 she is ranked number in the NCAA with a time of 51.28. In the 200 her time of 23.19 ranks her 12^th.

As of right now she could qualify to compete in both events at the national championship. I believe she focus on her best event the 400. Wimbley is nearly two seconds ahead of her closest competition her own teammate Brittny Ellis. In the 200 she will have to contend with Sabria Hadley a senior from Clemson who is looking to add some championship hardware to her trophy case.

SPRINTS 

Men

In the 60 meter dash Florida State continues to be the king on the mountain of short sprinters. Sophomore Darryl Haraway is the latest sprinting prodigy from the Seminoles. Haraway has a season’s best of 6.59 which currently leave him tied for 3^rd in the nation. Myles Valentine of Miami seems to be the only threat to Haraway.

In the 200 Quashawn Cunningham of North Carolina St is the conference’s top performer with a mark of 21.12. Cordelll Lamb of Clemson is a close 2^nd with a time of 21.19. Haraway of Florida State has not ran the 200 that much this indoor season but with a time of 6.59 in the 60 meter dash you cannot count him out.

In the 400 Clemson looks to make it a one-two punch with conference leader Jeffrey Green and senior Michael Cheeks. Green’s top time of 46.49 is currently ranked 17^th in the country. He’ll need to improve and get into the top 16 if he would like to compete at the National Championship. Green is also the only athlete to run under 47 seconds in the conference this season along with being the defending conference champion.

HURDLES

Senior Ebony Morrison of Miami leads the women’s side of this event. Her time of 8.13 slightly edges out Peta-Gay Williams of Florida State. Williams leads a strong contingent of hurdlers for Florida State, they have a total of three in the top eight. Morrison’s time currently ranks her 12^th in the nation and in good position to qualify the National Championship.

On the men’s side senior Freddie Crittenden III is the top leader in the conference with a time of 7.67. He also happens to be the defending champion and All-American. He is currently ranked 5^th in the nation. He has a full step on his closes competitor Kirk Lewis of Clemson. He will attempt to add valuable team points to Syracuse and lead a strong group of Syracuse hurdlers. Syracuse currently has three in the top of the conference.

DISTANCE

Men

The 800 is another event home to a defending champion. Robert Heppenstall of Wake Forest claimed the 800 conference title last indoor season and currently leads the way this season with a time of 1:47.63. The talented sophomore is currently ranked 11^th in the country and will look to defend his title against great competition. His main challenger should be senior Drew Piazza from Virginia Tech who is ranked 2^nd with a time of 1:47.87 good enough for 15^th in the country.

In the mile, 3,000 and 5,000 meter races it is possible for distance star Justyn Knight of Syracuse to sweep all three. He is the defending champion for both the 3,000 and 5,000 meter races and is ranked number in the conference currently for the 3,000. The mile has defending champion Henry Wynne of Virginia that will challenge him along with conference leader Adam Palamar his teammate from Syracuse. The 5,000 is not an event he has ran yet this season but since he is the defending champion and should not be overlooked.

Women

Hanna Green has been a household name in the women’s 800 ever since she defeated Natoya Goule of Clemson a few years back. Green has been routinely at the top of the conference and the NCAA. As the defending champion yet again Green should simply look to improve upon her time of 2:01.91 that currently ranks her fourth in the nation. She is currently a full three seconds ahead of her closest competitor Ersula Farrow of Clemson and her teammate Rachel Pocratsky.

In the mile Grace Barnett of Clemson is the conference leader with a time of 4:33.40. Her time currently has her ranked 6^th in the country. There is no defending champion in the event giving Barnett a much easier path to victory.

Molly Siedel of Notre Dame is the defending champion in the women’s 3,000 and 5,000 meter races. However the talented senior from Notre Dame is still recovering from some very painful injuries and has ran sparingly this indoor season. The conference leaders in the 3,000 which is Rachel Koon of North Carolina St and Erika Kemp also of North Carolina St are in great position to take the crown in their respective events.

FIELD EVENTS

Men

Defending Champions: Damar Robinson of Louisville in the men’s high jump, Nate Richartz of Notre Dame in the men’s Pole Vault , Filip Mihaljevic of Virginia in the men’s shot put and Robert Rohner of Duke in the hepathlon.

Nate Richartz of Notre Dame is perhaps the most vulnerable of the group. Richartz is currently ranked third in his event in conference. The two athletes ahead are both from Virginia Tech with Deaking Volz leading the way with a mark of 18-6 ¾ which currently ranks him number two in the nation.  

Another potential vulnerable athlete would be Rohner of Duke. He has not competed in the heptathlon this season but has competed separately in various individual events.  He cannot be counted out especially since his performance from last season is still better than the current conference leader Jack Lint of Virginia.

In the weight throw Jordan Young is the conference leader with his mark of 75’2. He is one of only two athletes in the field with a mark over 70 feet and the senior is ranked 4^th in the nation.

The Long jump will have a new champion as well with Clemson’s Chris McBride leading the way. McBride is the only athlete in the field with a mark over 25 feet with his season’s best of 25-6 ¾.

Women

Defending Champions:  Bria Matthews of Georgia Tech in the women’s long and triple jump, Emmonie Henderson of Louisville in the women’s shot put and Dolly Nyemah of Louisville in the women’s weight throw.

Bria Matthews is perhaps the most vulnerable defending champion. Matthews has not competed at all this indoor season and will likely not be competing at the conference championship. Jogaile Petrokaite of Florida State leads the women’s long jump and senior Iana Amsterdam of Clemson leads the women’s triple jump.

Madison Heath look of Duke looks to continue their tradition of great Pole Vaulters. The talented junior is currently the only woman in the field with a mark of 14 feet. Her mark ranks her 9^th in the country. She will lead a group of four athletes currently ranked in the top 8 in the conference.

Nicole Green of North Carolina and Eleonora Omoregie of Florida State look to officially break their stalemate. The two are currently tied for the top spot in the women’s high jump with a mark of 6-0.75. They are the only two in the field over 6 feet and are tied for 6^th in the country.

The pentathlon will crown a new champion and senior Melissa-Maree Farrington of Florida State will look to claim the crown. The senior is currently ranked 1^st in the conference with a total of 4,056 points. She is the only athlete in the field with over 4,000 points.

RELAYS

Men

4x400 Relay: Clemson with a time of 3:07.15 is the conference leader.

Distance Medley:  Virginia Tech with a time of 9:31.15 is the conference leader.

Women

4x400 Relay: Miami with a time of 3:31.88 is the conference leader. They are also ranked 5^th in the nation.

Distance Medley: Virginia Tech with a time of 11:12.17 is the conference leader. 

Weekly Recap

7.07!

(Hannah Cunliffe-Oregon)

(New 60 Meter NCAA Record!)

Disclaimer: First I’d like to apologize for my absence last week. I was dealing with a cold and now I am fine.

This past weekend was the mega weekend before the post season starts. There were quite a few big meets at Arkansas, Clemson, New Mexico, Iowa State and at the Spire Institute. Based off the performances this past weekend the team race got a lot more clear along with finding out were some major athletes are health wise. In this recap I focus on the top three performances of each sex from this past weekend.

WOMEN

HANNAH CUNLIFFE (OREGON)- This talented sprinter is picking up right where she left off. Cunliffe broke the NCAA record in the women’s 60 meter dash at the Don Kirby Invite in New Mexico. Her time of 7.07 surpassed the previously held record of 7.08. She followed that up with a new national number 1 time in the 200 meter dash with a mark of 22.60. Cunliffe will look to add to the legacy of great female sprinters from Oregon

JAZMINE FREY (TEXAS A&M)- Breaking a national record seemed to be the theme this past weekend. Frey adds another national record to the ever expanding records at Texas A&M. Frey competed at the Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational in the women’s 800. Frey scorched the track with a winning time of 2:00.69. Not only is that her best indoors but that betters her outdoor best by three 3 seconds. The old record of 2:007.5 set by Nicole Cook of Tennessee was one of the longest running NCAA records. Frey just a sophomore has plenty of time to improve upon it.

ERIN FINN (MICHIGAN)- The long distance star had a break out race this season. Finn has been amongst the best distance runners in the country for quite some time. This past weekend at the Spire Institute Finn laid her claim to the number 1 mark in the women’s 5,000 against a great field. Her time of 15:34.36 was almost 30 seconds ahead of the runner up and garners a three-second lead between her and the number 2 ranked competitor in the nation.


MEN

FRED KERLY (TEXAS A&M)- Kerley competed at the Tiger Paw Invitational this past weekend at Clemson. Kerly launched a time of 45.02 in the men’s 400 dash almost breaking another school and national record. Kerly joins the all-time list for Texas A&M and was extremely close to going under 45 seconds indoors. Kerly already set a national record early in the season running the first leg on the men’s 4x400 relay. With the post-season right around the corner expect to hear and see his name a lot more.

EDWARD CHESEREK (OREGON)- It’s never surprising to see this name on my list. Cheserek is a mainstay to it every season. The senior has been a little more quite this year after being humbled at the Cross Country Championships. This past weekend at the Husky Classic at the University of Washington Cheserek ran a great race against some top tier competition in the men’s 5,000. Cheserek clocked in at 13:32.59 almost 2 seconds more than the runner up. His performance is even more impressive noting that the field had four of the top five performances in the country all season in that event.

GRANT HOLLOWAY (FLORIDA)- This freshman has been on my list multiple times this season and hear he is again. The talented freshman has been quite impressive all season as a hurdler and jumper. The talented superstar hopped in the men’s 60 meter hurdles to again assert his dominance against a stellar field. Holloway did just that clocking at 7.58. His time cemented his number 1 status and placed him amongst the greatest freshman ever.

Relay of the Week: Texas A&M Women 4x400 relay. Their time of 3:29.74 is the first by a team under 3:30 this season.

This weekend don't expect major action. This is a training week for most programs. The conference championships are coming.