19.92!
As we draw closer and closer to the post season, the
performances continue to be more impressive. There are not only eye-popping
performances in Division 1 but in Divisions 2 and 3. Several names reappeared at
the top of the performance list this past weekend. There was a total of 9 new
number one performances in Division 1 this weekend. I will review those top
performances and look at the weekend ahead.
SPRINTS/HURDLES
Men
Matthew Boling of Georgia has been taking the outdoor season
by storm. In the last post I discussed how he became the fastest wind-legal 100-meter
sprinter in the country. This past weekend he became the fastest 200-meter
runner in the country and his time was still wind-legal. In fact, he ran into a
headwind, Boling dominated the 200-meter race at the Georgia Tech Invitational
winning with a time of 19.92. He is currently the only athlete in Division 1, or
any NCAA Division to have run sub 20 on the season.
Baylor is having quite the season and in one event they look
like the Baylor teams of the 90’s. That event is the 400 hurdles. Clyde Hart
always kept a stable of 400 and 400 hurdler runners which made for great 4x4
teams in the past. This season the Baylor Bears have the number one and number
two performance in the country. Jayson Baldridge took the reigns as the number
one athlete with his mark of 49.10 clocked on his home track at the Michael
Johnson Invitational. He finished as the top collegian and second overall in the
race.
DISTANCE
Women
Mia Barnett of Virginia ran against one of the top professionals
in the world in Michaela Mayer. Barnett was on her home track competing in the
Virginia Challenge. The 1,500-meter times this season have been particularly impressive,
and Mia Barnett joined the party this weekend. Going toe to toe with the world’s
best is a great sign of things to come. In the end Barnett finished as the top
collegian and second in the race to Mayer. Her time of 4:11.32 is the fastest
time in the country and an impressive mark for only a freshman.
In that same meet Katelyn Touhy of NC State was equally
impressive. The sophomore ran a particularly dominant 5,000-meter race. She
claimed victory by more than 10 seconds. Her winning time of 15:14.61 vaulted
her to the top time in the country. Touhy would have had the top time in both
the 1,500 and 5,000 but Mia Barnett thought otherwise. Touhy finished second in
both the 3k and 5k indoors, this outdoor season perhaps she will walk away with
a title.
Men
The lone top distance time on the side of the men is in the 3,000-meter
steeplechase. It seems every week we are discussing a new leader for this event
indicating this event will likely have a very exciting conclusion. Parker
Stokes of Georgetown claimed the top mark this weekend winning the steeplechase
at the Virginia Challenge. His winning time of 8:32.22 was just enough to
surpass Kenneth Rooks of BYU previous top mark of 8:32.75.
JUMPS
The lone top jumps mark comes from the men’s side with North
Carolina A&T. The senior Brandon Hicklin carries the torch for his team and
shows that the Aggies are more than just great sprinters and hurdlers. The senior
leaped to a mark of 26 feet 10 inches (8.18m). That mark not only moves him to
the number one spot but proves he is a serious threat for a title or high
points at the NCAA meet.
THROWS
Women
Adelaide Aquilla of Ohio State took back control of the number
one ranking in the women’s shot put. On her home field at the Jesse Owens
classic defending champion Aquilla launched a throw of 62 feet 1 ¾ inches
(18.94m). She is one of only two athletes in the country over 60 feet and that
mark as strong as it is, is still not her personal best. Aquilla is clearly on
a mission after failing to defend her Indoor title.
Jorinde Van Klinken of Arizona State has practically
appeared on this blog almost every weekend. She again improved upon her number
one ranking in the women’s discus with her throw of 209 feet 1 inch (63.72m). She
remains the only athlete over 200 feet in the discus this season.
Ashton Riner of BYU is proof the Cougars have diversified
their program. They are more than just great distance runners. Riner a senior
had the best performance of her career in the javelin. She had a throw of 198
feet (60.36m). She has over a 10-foot lead on the rest of the field and will
sit comfortably in the driver’s seat.
Men
Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi of Baylor is their second number
one performer of the weekend. Have you thought of Baylor as school for throwers?
If not, well you better start. The talented freshman launched the javelin 266
feet (81.07m). Nnamdi is one two talented freshmen from Nigeria on the team and
with a mark of that type, Nnamdi should have a very successful career for the
Baylor Bears.
UPCOMING
This coming weekend is the Penn Relays. Slowly but surely
colleges are starting to return to this famed event and although the USA vs the
World will not be highlighted this year, colleges will. This is also a great time
to see the great high school races as well. Also, the LSU Invitational should
produce top marks with Florida, Tennessee, Baylor, Alabama and Texas traveling
to the meet. This should be a great weekend for top marks.
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