The first major weekend has come and gone. As expected, our NCAA Record breaking theme continues. We have a new NCAA record and one that was tied. I have been covering college track and field since 2007 when I was in undergrad. I do not ever remember such an eye popping MLK weekend. So many incredible performances. In this recap we will discuss the biggest performances.
Record Breakers
I must admit that omitted Ruth Usoro of Texas Tech due to
eligibility rules. Due to Covid-19 some athletes were given an extra year
depending on their current eligibility status. Regardless it is great to have
Usoro back. Like last season she started things out with a bang. She broke the
NCAA Indoor record on her home track with a leap of 48 feet 5 ¼ inches. The
talented Nigerian jumper surpassed 48 feet as the first collegian to do so
indoors breaking the previous record of 47 feet 8 inches. With a mark like that
even when her college days are finished Usoro will be a name we will continue
to hear.
Terrance Jones a freshman teammate of Ruth Usoro by way of
the Bahamas set the country ablaze. The talented freshman launched to a time of
6.45 to win the 60-meter dash. That time ties the NCAA record held by Christian
Coleman. Jones was able to compete in the outdoor season in 2021 but this is
his first indoor season. I can be honest and say no one predicted a time like
this, however the video evidence is all over the internet and there is no
denying his talent. It will be interesting watching him throughout the indoor
season.
All Time Top 10
Grace Stark seems to break records almost every time she
puts on a Gator uniform. Dealing with injuries last indoor season, she was able
to come back outdoors finishing fourth overall at nationals. She broke the U-20
record last year and began this year breaking the school record again. Stark
ran toe to toe with Olympic Medalist and world record holder Kendra Harrison.
Stark held her own with a time of 7.86. Her mark ties her for third all-time in
NCAA history. She is clearly the nation’s number one with mark but is it
possible that we see an even faster time later this season? That question will
soon be answered.
Matthew Boling of Georgia had every reason to leave after
last season. Boling’s coach that recruited to Georgia, Petros Kyprianou was not
returning, and his sprint coach had left to start her own program. Instead, he
stayed and accepted the guidance of new head coach Caryl Smith-Gilbert. Clearly
it is paying off. He debuted in the 200 as the number ranked athlete in the
country with a time of 20.45. However, it is his new jumps coach that should
also receive some praise, James Thomas. Boling leaped to 27 feet 1 inch. After
all that success at Texas Tech, Thomas will look to carry it over to Georgia.
Boling is proof that things are already shifting into their proper place.
Defending Champs
Among the returning champions the throws events,
specifically the shot put, returns both male and female champion. On the
women’s side it is Adelaide Aquilla of Ohio State who won at the Big Ten Midwest
invite with a mark of 62 feet 7 ¼ inches. By far the best throw of this young
season and currently the only athlete over 60 feet.
On the men’s side Turner Washington of Arizona State is
upholding their great throwing tradition quite well. The defending champion had
a throw of 69 feet 11 ¾ inches, this past weekend. Nearly 70 feet in his season
debut is quite impressive but not surprising. The NCAA record holder clearly
has more in store for us this season.
Blazing Relays
I always try to avoid the relay talk so early in the season
because some teams are not finalized. I fully expect for the number one performance
to fluctuate later in the season but the times that were ran this weekend in
the 4x4 I could not ignore.
First on the men’s side Kentucky looked incredibly
impressive, they had absolutely no competition at home and clocked in at
3:05.01 to open the season. What will happen when they run into Texas or
Florida’s A team? We can’t forget LSU and Texas A&M. This will make for an
interesting starting point this season, I believe we are in for another strong
year in this relay.
On the women’s side Arkansas was even more dominant. Their
“A” group ran a national leading time of 3:30.79, nearly sub 3:30. The team
they beat was their “B” team which ran 3:33.93. They currently have the top
team in the country and the fourth ranked team in the country. That level of
depth is simply incredible. They have a little over two second lead on the
entire field and will certainly be hard to beat come championship time.
What a great MLK weekend. We are officially in the middle of
January and things are going to slowly start to get more interesting. Keep in
mind the distance runners have not even gotten started. Brandon Miller of Texas
A&M ran a 1:47.48 800 and will improve upon later this season. More to come
next week.
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