Weekend 5 Recap

(KARISSA SCHWEIZER-MISSOURI)

Here we go again. I wonder if there will be a weekend where we do not see a collegiate record broken. This season’s record breaking streak continued this past weekend and the way things are going expect more in the weeks ahead. We also add to that some all-time greats, international records and new number one rankings. This was perhaps the most difficult weak in ranking the best five performances. In this post just being recognized for your performance is enough.

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5.) JOSEPH ELLIS (MICHIGAN)- Joseph Ellis is a part of Michigan’s meat factory. The term used to describe their outstanding throwing group. The Wolverines are ranked high in both the shot put and weight throw with multiple throwers. Ellis this past weekend proved to perhaps be the best of the group. On his home track Ellis out-dueled the number one ranked thrower from NC State in Josh Davis. Ellis won with a throwing mark of 74 feet 6 ¼ inches. His mark still ranks him second in the nation but he beat the number one guy giving him solid confidence for the rest of the season.

4.) MAR’YEA HARRIS (IOWA)- Going under 46 seconds has not happened frequently this season. This past weekend at the Meyo Invitational Mar’Yea Harris a junior at Iowa became the third guy this season to accomplish the feat. He claimed the event title in 45.95 seconds to move him into the number three position in the nation. With conference championships happening in a few weeks expect for more to join this list and Harris to lower his standard. He remains one of the few contenders for the title.

3.) JUSTYN KNIGHT (SYRACUSE)- I guess we should be used to seeing his name on the list now that his season is in full swing. Knight competed at the Millrose Games against all professional athletes. He finished second overall but his time ranks him number one in the NCAA. His time of 7:45.86 gives him almost a seven second lead on his closest competitor. Knight has not officially declared that this will be an event he would compete at NCAA Indoor Nationals but with his recent performance let us hope.

2.) JOSH KERR (NEW MEXICO)- The defending champion in the mile gave everyone reason to believe again. Kerr joined Knight by competing at the Millrose Games against a professional field and he too finished second in his race but claimed the number one ranking in the NCAA. Kerr ran sub four minutes with a time of 3:54.72 a personal record. If there was any doubt who was the number one, he removed it.

1.) DIVINE ODUDURU (TEXAS TECH)- Devine Oduduru is a rare gem that Texas Tech has found. The talented freshman has lit the NCAA on fire this season and this past weekend continued his hot streak. He clocked in a winning time in the 200-meter dash with 20.18. That performances mark him number three in world history. Unfortunately, it was at altitude and has been adjusted to 20.25. His time regardless is a new indoor national record for Nigeria. Oduduru is now ranked number one in the NCAA and has been the latest sprint sensation.

WOMEN

5.) OLIVIA GRUVER (KENTUCKY)- Olivia Gruver further cemented her status as the number one pole vaulter in the NCAA. Her winning mark in front of a home crowd was 15 feet 3 inches. She is one of two athletes over 15 feet and has taken the shine away from the usual Arkansas dynasty. Gruver will compete against the Arkansas athletes’ multiple times later this season including the SEC Championships and likely nationals. Gruver has been the most consistent performer this season and that should continue.

4.) SYDNEY MCLAUGHLIN (KENTUCKY)- I have been waiting to mention this name all season. This stud freshman is an Olympian and came into college with plenty of fanfare. On her home track at the Rod McCravy Memorial she reminded everyone why she is worth the hype. McLaughlin dominated the field winning by almost two seconds with a time of 51.44. Her time is the top time in the NCAA ahead of fellow freshman Lynna Irby. This is McLaughlin’s first open 400 of the season and she is also battling some injuries. With the post season on the horizon expect for that time to come down.

3.) JANEAH STEWART (OLE MISS)- Ole Miss has really become throws university. Raven Saunders has been largely absent from the indoor season but her teammate Janeah Stewart has been very much present. Stewart overtook the number one ranking this past weekend with a throw of 78 feet 2 ¼ inches. Her mark places her among the all-time greats, she is currently ranked 4^th all-time in the collegiate history. She is also ranked third in the US this season. Stewart is in great position to not only defend her SEC title put perhaps claim the NCAA title as well.

2.) MIKIAH BRISCO (LSU)- Mikiah Brisco is not new to be on this list. After all that she has accomplished it should be a surprise that she is still joining all-time lists. Brisco won the 100-meter dash last outdoor season with a time of 10.96. She was still placed behind her teammate Aleia Hobbs who had a faster performance last season. Brisco however set the record straight by breaking the school record in the 60-meter dash and running the second fastest time in NCAA history. Brisco clocked in at 7.08 to defeat a quality field full of her teammates. Her time was adjusted because of the altitude to 7.10. That is still a school record and among the fastest times in NCAA history.

1.) KARISSA SCHWEIZER (MISSOURI)- I feel this is going to be a theme with Karissa Schweizer this season. Every time she is mentioned she is ranked number one. Her performance this past weekend was perhaps even more special than that. Schweizer broke the NCAA record in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 8:41.60. She was pushed against a quality field at the Millrose Games finishing 4^th. The collegiate record however will have to serve as a nice participation trophy. Schweizer is in prime position to double since she currently leads the NCAA in three distance events, the 1,500, the 3,000 and the 5,000. It is unlikely that she will compete in all three but she is certainly capable of winning two of those events.

RELAY OF THE WEEK: STANFORD WOMEN DMR- At the Power Five Invitational at the University of Michigan four of the top five times were performed. Stanford came out on top and became the first team under 11 minutes on the season. Their time of 10:58.93 gives them almost a two second lead on Oregon.