Preview Razorback Invitational

MEET PREVIEW OF WHAT TO WATCH FOR

(Arman Hall-Florida)

This weekend the University of Arkansas is hosting one of the best regular season meets between top ranked programs. The University also has one of the fastest indoor tracks in the world. Couple that with the news that SEC Network/ESPN will have the meet televised live, a collegiate track and field first for a regular season meet. Top programs such as Florida, Oregon, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida State, Iowa, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Georgia along with the host themselves Arkansas. With this being the final weekend in January and we are now only a month away form Conference Championship weekend things are going to get hot. Here are 6 events to keep an eye on.

WOMEN’S 60 METER DASH

It is very rare that you have both the number 1 and number 2 compete this early in the season. Well that will happen this weekend in the women’s 60 meter dash when Jasmine Todd of Oregon and Shayla Sanders of Florida square off against each other. Todd entered the season as the favorite to win the event at the Indoor National Championships as the top returnee. Todd cemented her status as preseason favorite two weeks ago at the Washington Preview when she debuted at number 1 with a time of 7.24. Sanders debuted last weekend with a time of 7.25 at the Kentucky Invitational. Advantage Todd, Todd has shown to have stronger top end speed and has had a week to rest.

WOMEN’S LONG JUMP

This event is simply loaded with star studded talent. Headlining the group is dual jumping star Keturah Orji of Georgia. Orji has been well recognized for her amazing triple jump talents, including claiming a national title but her Long jump talents haven’t reached that level yet. This event Orji will be pushed by plenty of conference foes such as Darrielle McQueen of Florida, Yanis David of Florida, Nataliyah Friar of LSU, Todd of Oregon and her Georgia teammate Chanice Porter. David defeated Orji in high school in the triple jump and has shown proven skill in the long jump. The event will be competitive all year long between this great group of young women. No favorite here.

WOMEN’S 800 METER RUN

Raevyn Rogers of Oregon seems to be the next great runner in a long line of successful Oregon Ducks. Rogers performed amazingly well last outdoor season culminating in winning the NCAA title outdoors running under 2 minutes. Rogers has yet to run an open 800 this indoor season but has already caught the attention of competitors after running an NCAA leading 600. The event is not contested on the championship level but is an excellent test of speed and endurance for 400 and 800 runners. Expect for Rogers to overtake the number 1 spot with a solid showing against good competition.

MEN’S 400 METER DASH INVITATIONAL

This track has seen many great performances in this event. Perhaps the most memorable would be Florida’s Kerron Clement setting a Indoor World Record of 44.57 in 2005. That time surpassed the great MJ (Michael Johnson), causing many to wonder whether or not Clement should run the 400 open instead of the 400 hurdles. Florida is counting another talented pair performing up to that capability this indoor season. Arman (Gino) Hall is back healthy and has his teammate Najee Glass to push him. They are joined by a class field including LSU’S Michael Cherry and Texas A&M’s Fred Kerley. Hall has already shown his speed this season by running a 6.63 last weekend at the Kentucky Invitational. Hall is likely ready to finally claim the top spot that many though he would already have by now. Hall is the favorite this weekend but his teammate Glass could also put up a good time.

MEN’S 1 MILE INVITATIONAL

Oregon’s Edward Cheserek the king of distance running will be making his indoor debut in the men’s mile. It is still quite possible for Cheserek to try for the triple crown at the Indoor National Championships but for now this a great opportunity for him to set the tone in the men’s mile. He’ll be joined by number 2 ranked 800 meter specialist Andres Arroyo of Florida and Oklahoma State’s Vegard Oelstad. Expect for Cheserek to use this as an opportunity to make a statement.

MEN’S LONG JUMP

This event like the women is loaded with All-American talent. Headlining favorite would be Arkansas’s own senior Jarrion Lawson. Lawson played the bridesmaid during the latter parts of Marquis Dendy of Florida’s career. Lawson’s performances have been great but not enough to win. This final season is all about winning a national title. The field will included Keandre Bates of Florida, Keniel Grant of Florida State and Latario Collie of Texas A&M. Bates is expected to be the next great jumper for Florida and if he is he must improve upon last week’s mark. Competing against Lawson this early in the season is the perfect opportunity to see what he is made of. For Lawson now starts the national championship push against high level competition. 

Weekly Recap

Weekend 3 Recap

(Akela Jones-Kansas State)

It was another great weekend in college track and field. There were many high level performances over this past weekend. The many competitive meets help to facilitate performances that garnered national attention. Let’s take a look at our top 5 performances from this past weekend.

5. CINDY OFILI (MICHIGAN) - Ofili entered this season as the top returning hurdler from the Outdoor season. Ofili was not able to finish her indoor season on a high note last year after falling during the semi-final round. This season Ofili got things started early. Ofili raced to a time of 8.04 in the women’s 60 hurdle at the Notre Dame Invitational. She is currently ranked number 1 in the nation and served notice that pre-season expectations of her were warranted.

4. WILLIAM KINCAID (PORTLAND) - You probably forgot about Mr. Kincaid spending so much time in awe of Edward Cheserek. Kincaid has quietly put together an outstanding start to his indoor season. Kincaid is currently ranked number 1 in both 3,000 and 5,000 meter races. This past weekend he became one of only two athletes under 8 minutes in the 3,000 meter race winning the House of Track Invitational with a time of 7:48.89. Which event he competes in at nationals is not known yet but for now he is the star of the show for both of them.

3. FELICIA BROWN (TENNESSEE) - Brown has been the story of the season in the women’s 200 early this season. She has been ranked number 1 in the county since the first weekend and proved her ranking was right by racing to a time of 22.88. Her time is the top time in the world and she is currently the only athlete under 23 seconds. Being coached by Tim Hall Brown has already positioned herself to be a real challenge to defending NCAA Champion Kyra Jefferson of Florida.

2. NETHANEEL MITCHELL-BLAKE (LSU) - Nethaneel has been a main stay at LSU the past two seasons being a part of both sprint relays. This past weekend he proved that he could a threat individually as well. He blasted off to a time of 20.57 in the men’s 200 to claim the title at the Power 5 Conference invitational in Birmingham. Nethaneel is just another top tier sprinter in a long line of greats from LSU. His time puts him in the driver’s seat as an early favorite to win the NCAA title.

1. AKELA JONES (KANSAS STATE) - Yes she is in fact on this list yet again. Jones has been a mainstay on my weekend recaps since the year began. Jones continues to be the talk of the season as a multi-talented athlete. In her first pentathlon of the season she nearly broke the NCAA record set let season by defending champion Kendall Williams of Georgia. If Williams was not aware of Jones then she is certainly aware now. Jones 4,643 point performance was 35 points shy of the national record Williams set last year with 4,678. Jones and Williams should provide a great competitive dual at the Indoor Championships.

HONORABLE MENTION-

*JORDAN MOORE (LSU)- 60 HURDLES NUMBER 1 RANKED TIME OF 7.69

* ANDRES ARROYO (FLORIDA)- 1:47.43 IN THE 800, CURRENTLY RANKED NUMBER 2

* ERIN FINN (MICHIGAN)- 4:40.38 IN THE WOMEN’S MILE CURRENTLY RANKED 4

* FLORIDA’S 4X4 RELAYS- BOTH MEN (3:05.57) AND WOMEN (3:30.51) EARNED NUMBER 1 RANKINGS

MLK Weekend Recap

This past weekend was the second major weekend of the indoor season. Many athletes have shaken off the holiday rust and either improved from week 1 or introduced themselves in a big way. Let’s take a look back at 5 major performances.

(Donovan Brazier-Texas A&M)

5. CAMERON BURRELL LIFTS OFF- Cameron Burrell of Houston has had to deal with injuries the past few seasons and one could be concerned to see if he would ever live up to the hype of an incredible high school career. If this weekend's performance is indication, he could be the favorite to winning the NCAA title and taking over as the new sprint king. Burrell blasted off to a time of 6.55 in the men's 60 meter dash at the Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational. Burrell currently has the number 1 spot slightly over Christian Coleman of Tennessee and will be a factor coming championship time. 

4. RAVEN SAUNDERS IS A BEAST- Raven Saunders followed her coach Connie Smith to Ole Miss. That seems to be about the only thing that has changed for the amazing thrower. Saunders didn't waste anytime making a statement in the Shot Put. Saunders threw for a season best 61'3". Saunders is currently the only woman in the shot put with a mark beyond 60 feet and also ranks her number 1 in the world so far. It is early in the season but Saunders looks poised to claim the title again. 

3. AKELA JONES CAN DO IT ALL- Akela Jones of Kansas State was apart of my weekend report last week, but that was for 60 hurdles. This week it's for the long jump. It's incredibly rare that an athlete can be ranked in at the top of several different events but Jones is one of them. Not only is she a dangerous threat in several individual events she is also slowly becoming the favorite to win the Pentathlon at the NCAA Championships over defending champion Kendall Williams of Georgia. Jones leaped to a mark of 21-4, her mark currently ranks her number 2 in the country and is the third event were she is either number 1 or number 2. 

2. JASMINE TODD AND EVERYONE ELSE- Jasmine Todd of Oregon is turning into quite the sensational sprinter. With her teammate Jenna Prandini leaving for the professional ranks it is up to her to continue the amazing success of short sprinters at Oregon developed by Robert Johnson. Todd started this season off with a bang running the 60 meter dash in an impressive time of 7.24 at the UW Preview at the University of Washington. Todd is already living up to the hype of pre-season favorite for the 60 meter crown. 

1. DONOVAN BRAZIER IS THE NEXT BIG THING- Many of us in the state of Michigan are not truly shocked at how well Donovan Brazier at Texas A&M is doing. He had an amazing high school career and is translating well at Texas A&M. Just a freshman Brazier blasted off to the 8th best indoor American performance in the 800 meter history. Brazier's time of 1:45.93 set a school record and broke a American junior record that stood since 1982. His time is also the fastest non-championship race time in NCAA history and the fastest since 2001. He did all that in just his first meet, indoors no less. Brazier is big time and is on the path to being a great runner for Team USA in the future. 

TRACK IS BACK

HAPPY NEW YEAR

WEEKEND 1 RECAP

(ERIN FINN-MICHIGAN)

TOP 4 PERFORMERS FROM THIS PAST WEEKEND

4.  CHUKWUEBUKA ENEKWECHI (PURDUE)- Enekwechi is the top returning weight thrower in the NCAA. The senior wasted no time establishing himself as a dominant thrower early. This past weekend at the Gene Edmonds Invitational at his university he threw two great marks in the weight and in the shot put.

His top mark in the weight throw reach a distance 78-0 3/4. He also throw the shot put 63’4.25 inches, both marks place him at the top in the NCAA so far this season. Enekwechi’s shot put mark is his best since 2014.

3. AKELA JONES (KANSAS STATE)- Jones is already a big name to watch. She enters this season as the defending Heptathlon Champion from last season’s outdoor championship. Jones has gotten this season off to a solid start. Jones blazed a 8.17 60 meter hurdle time at the Kansas State Wildcat Invite. Her performance places her number 1 in the NCAA. She has also already surpassed 6 feet in the high jump. She’ll look to use both of those solid performances competing against Kendall Williams of Georgia for the pentathlon title.

(BRYCE ROBINSON-TULSA)

2. BRYCE ROBINSON (TULSA)- Robinson blasted off to the top time in the NCAA in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.62 against a quality field at the Bill Easton Classic. Robinson’s time is still shy of his personal best of 6.59 set last season. Robinson has started early discussion to be the next sprint king in the NCAA

1    1. ERIN FINN (MICHIGAN)- Finn has already established a decorated track and field career at Michigan. This weekend she decided to get a big start to the season. Finn was dominant at the Hillsdale Winter Opener. Finn won the 3,000 meter run in a time of 9:13.41. Finn won the race by more than 30 seconds. Finn primarily a long distance runner will use that performance to fuel what should be a great season.

This upcoming weekend there are plenty of big meets so expect another weekend of great performances and a fuller weekend recap. 

NCAA Indoor Men's Preview

 (Edward Cheserek of Oregon)

(King of Distance Running)

The season began with a buzz before it even started. Two start athletes have given up there remaining eligibility and have turned pro, Trayvon Bromell and Andre DeGrasse. Both athletes in my opinion are a part of the future of international sprinting. Their presence however will be felt on the collegiate level leaving the short sprints wide open to a new champion. As usual the distance events are packed with plenty of talent and with it being an Olympic year will bring added excitement to what should be a fantastic season.

SPRINTS

Although both DeGrasse and Bromell have turned pro neither competed in the finals of the men’s 60 meter dash last indoor season. Both false started in their preliminary races. The top two finishers in the event from last season both return. Defending champion Ronnie Baker of TCU ran a season’s best time of 6.52, won on the fastest times in NCAA history. Runner-up John Teeters of Oklahoma State also ran that same time earlier in the indoor season. With both returning after disappointing outdoor seasons we may see one of the two stars run under 6.5.

The 200 is perhaps the most open sprint event. The top returnee based on time is Brendon Rodney of LIU Brooklyn with a personal best time of 20.69 last indoor season. Tremayne Acy of LSU is the top returnee from last outdoor season. Acy’s performance at the Outdoor Championships was quite impressive and makes him an early favorite to win it all.

The 400 meter dash has two impressive Florida seniors as front runners to win the event. Najee Glass who won the SEC Indoor title and finished third at the meet last indoor season and the injury plagued Arman Hall. Both had amazing prep careers and solid collegiate careers. Neither individually have been able to take the reigns as the top 400 runner. Glass had injuries earlier and in his career and Hall has dealt with injuries since an amazing freshman season that led him to qualifying for TEAM USA at the 2013 World Championships. This is their last chance to claim the crown.

HURDLES

Omar McLeod was another fantastic talent that turned pro early leaving the 60 meter hurdles open for a new champion. Devon Allen of Oregon is ready to be that guy. Allen missed all of last season due to an injury while playing in the College Football Playoff. Allen previously won the 2014 NCAA Outdoor title as a freshman. This is a great time for us to see Allen rebound and return to championship form.

DISTANCE

The 800 is still Bandon McBride’s event to lose. McBride now a senior at Mississippi State claimed the indoor and outdoor title in the event during the 2014 season. His junior season saw him fall short of defending either title. As a senior expect for McBride to attempt to reclaim his crown and return to the top.

Edward Cheserk from Oregon is the only name you need to worry about when discussing the remaining distance events. It is quite possible for Cheserek to complete a triple crown by winning the mile, 3,000 and 5,000 meter races. Cheserek who won the mile last indoor season and finished 2^nd in the 3,000 returns at the top performer in all three distances. After a sensational cross country campaign look for Cheserek to continue the golden success that is Oregon.

Each event will present Cheserek with a respectable challenger. In the mile, Brannon Kidder of Penn State, IN the 3,000 teammate Jeramy Elkaim and in the 5,000 Thomas Curtin of Virginia Tech. Teammate Elkaim may be the best of the three to challenge Cheserek for an individual title.

FIELD EVENTS

In both the long jump and triple jump KeAndre Bates of Florida is the lone gator available to carry what has been recently an outstanding tradition of horizontal jumpers. Christian Taylor, William Claye, Omar Craddock and Marquis Dendy have all claimed NCAA titles in either the Long Jump or Triple Jump. Bates had a great freshman indoor season which saw him claim All-American honors in both events. Each event will present its own set of challenges.

In the long jump sprint and jump star senior Jarrion Lawson of Arkansas is the top returnee based on performance and is the early favorite to win the event. In the triple jump Latario Collie of Texas A&M is the top returning athlete and will perhaps be the most challenging for Bates to overcome. Both athletes come from rival conference schools that will also be in the hunt for the team title. Bates has a tough challenge to keep the championship legacy going at the University of Florida.

Jacorian Duffield left his mark while at Texas Tech claiming the high jump NCAA title. While Duffield moves on Bradley Akins also of Texas Tech is more than capable of stepping into the fold. Adkins finished 2^nd last indoor season to Duffield losing on more jumps taken to clear a height of 2.29 meters. Adkins a senior will look to go out on top and continue a winning legacy at Texas Tech.

The Pole Vault is another event that saw its superstar in Shawn Barber leave for the professional ranks early. Jake Blakenship of Tennessee has been a solid mainstay in the event since his freshman season. Blankenship is the early favorite to win event as the top returnee from last indoor season.

The shot put Ryan Crouser of Texas like Brandon McBride returns as a NCAA Champion from a previous season. Crouser won the NCAA title outdoors both his freshman and sophomore seasons. He also won the indoor title his sophomore season (2014.). Crouser now a senior will look to return to the champions circle and continue the great tradition of Champion throwers at Texas.

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi of Purdue is the top returnee in the men’s weight throw. He is the only athlete in the remaining field with a personal best beyond 80 feet.

The men’s heptathlon will literally be a gathering of old friends. The entire All-American field will return this season to compete for the crown including defending champion Luca Weiland of Minnesota. Weiland out gained Garret Scatling of Georgia by 2 points. This should be an equally quality competition again this year with the inclusion of outdoor decathlon champion also from Georgia Maicel Uibo.

RELAY PREDICTIONS:

4X400: FLORIDA

DMR: OREGON

NCAA Women's Preview

NCAA Women’s Indoor Preview

(Kyra Jefferson-Florida)

(Defending Indoor Champion 200 Meters)

This coming season is during an Olympic year. An Olympic year seems to usually bring out the best performances in every level of track and field, youth, high school, collegiate, professional and even master. This year I expect it to be no different. Although there are a few who have already left for the professional ranks early there is still plenty of returning talent as well as new talent at the collegiate level.

                                     

SPRINTS

With Jenna Prandini turning professional early to sign with Puma and with the graduation of Remona Burchell that leaves the sprints open to a new star.

 In the 60 meter dash Prandini’s teammate from Oregon Jasmine Todd will take center stage. Todd nearly set the NCAA on fire last outdoor season in the 100 meter dash before missing the finals shocking everyone. This indoor season she’ll be the headlining star in an event with a lot of returning talent and looking to avenge herself.

In the 200 returning champion Kyra Jefferson of Florida will look to defend her title from last season and make up for the loss at the Outdoor Championship. Jefferson is one of the few remaining athletes with the ability to run under 23 seconds.

The 400 also features two familiar faces both NCAA Champions. Courtney Okolo of Texas is looking to rebound from a disappointing outdoor season last year which saw her lose her crown. She is the defending champion and will look to set the tone for a special season. Shamier Little is a 400 hurdling superstar. Little earned a silver medal in the event at the 2015 World Championships. She also won the indoor 400 at the SEC Indoor Championship and is a top returnee this season.

HURDLES

In the 60 meter hurdles there will be crowned a new champion. There are a few contenders for the crown, perhaps the strongest would be Cindy Ofili of Michigan. Although she did not garner All-American honors during the indoor season due to hitting a hurdle. She made up for it during the outdoor season with a time of 12.60 in the 100 meter hurdles and is the top returnee in the outdoor event. Dior Hall of USC is another possible champion after setting an American junior record last season. 

DISTANCE

Raevyn Rogers of Oregon has positioned herself to be the next middle distance star. After running a sensational time of 1:59.71 to win the 800 meter run at the Outdoor Championships, Rogers has stepped into super stardom as the next great runner from Oregon. Entering her sophomore campaign the sky is the limit for Rogers.

Rhianwedd Price of Mississippi State snatched the reigns from Shelby Houlihan as the top miler in the country last outdoor season. Price returns alone at the top in the event and she is a easy favorite pick to win it all.

Both 3,000 and 5,000 meter races will look to add new champions. In the 3,000 top returnee from last season based on performance is Elise Cranny of Stanford. In the 5,000 Erin Finn of Michigan looks to return to the top of long distance running after dealing with severe injuries this past season.

FIELD EVENTS

The High Jump could potentially be a Georgia sweep led by defending Indoor Champion Leontia Kallenou. Kallenou leaped to a mark of 6 feet 4 inches last indoor season and will look to defend her title and improve upon her mark.

In the Long Jump and Triple Jump Georgia will look to strut their field event prowess with the help of rising star Keturah Orji. Orji claimed the NCAA title in the women’s triple jump last outdoor season and finished 2^nd during the indoor season. In the long jump Orji was up and down throughout the season but still earned All-America honors as a freshman. In the long jump she will have to fend off outdoor defending champion Quaneesha Burks of Alabama.

The Pole Vault was one of the best events of the year last season on both men’s and women’s side. The national record was in threat every weekend with a multitude of quality performances showing the growth of the event. Top returnee in the event is star Demi Payne who claimed the outdoor title and also set the NCAA record. The Bowerman Award Finalist will look to continue her sensational collegiate career as a senior with another NCAA title.

Raven Saunders now of Ole Miss did everything right last season in the shot put. Saunders won multiple junior awards as a freshman at Southern Illinois including a gold medal at the Pan American Junior Championships. Along with her junior titles she can add to that a NCAA Indoor and Outdoor crown. Saunders can be expected to add to her already large championship trophy case.

In the weight throw the top returnee is Nicole Chavis of NC State. The weight throw saw the top 5 performers all expire the eligibility at the conclusion of the indoor season. Chavis will look to headline a new group.

The Pentathlon is another opportunity for Georgia to show off their dynamic field event program. Kendell Williams will look to defend her title and remain the headlining diva in the event that she has dominated since her freshman season. Last season she set an NCAA record and is expected to improve upon that record.

RELAY PREDICTIONS

Women’s 4x400- Florida

Women’s DMR- Michigan

Best Programs in the NCAA (Hurdles)

Hello collegiate track and field fans its time that I resume our best of series since there have been a lot of coaching changes and hires. This series focuses on what programs are the best in each event. Today's post will focus solely on high hurdles. How each program is ranked is based on a set of factors. How the program performs during the post season, their depth and athletic improvement.


TOP 100 HURDLES PROGRAMS

1, KENTUCKY- Since Eldrick Floreal arrived at Kentucky he has made it an appoint to develop his hurdles. The past two seasons he has had a solid group of hurdlers and last season was no exception. Kendra Harrison would become national champion running the fastest SEC time ever in 12.50. The Wildcats return an outstanding freshman in Jacklyn Howell who looks to carry the torch for the Wildcats whose hurdles consistently improve year after year. With Olympic Gold Medalist Allen Johnson as the hurdles coach expect for the Wildcats to continue to turn out champions.


2. LSU- Head Coach Dennis Shaver has been at LSU forever, since 1995.  He has been a head coach since 2004 and has developed some of the best hurdlers LSU has ever seen. That is saying a lot for a program that arguably has the greatest sprints/hurdle history ever for women's collegiate track and field. LSU returns two heavy hitters in Chanice Chase and Daeshon Gordon. Both have personal bests under 13 seconds. Gordon returns as last season's fastest freshman in the SEC and will be a contender for the conference and NCAA title.


3. USC- Caryl Smith-Gilbert hired Loreal Smith to be the women's hurdle coach when she arrived 2 seasons ago. Smith has proven to be a excellent hurdles coach developing All-American talent in back to back season. Last season true freshman Dior Hall set the NCAA freshman and World Junior record running a time of 12.74. Smith has another star freshman in California High School Champion and All-American Jasmyne Graham. Graham has the speed and technique to compete at a high level and should continue the recent success of freshman hurdlers at USC.


4. MICHIGAN- The Wolverines have continued the Big Ten's tradition of strong hurdle programs. They have to give a lot of thanks to the Ofili sisters. Both Tiffany and Cindi have carried the program with the ability to compete high at the Championship level. Tiffany Ofili now Tiffany Porter was the top of Michigan talent that normally left the state and headed south to compete instead she decided to stay home and took the hurdle program to new heights. Her sister Cindy is the same way. Cindy Ofili broke her sister's school record in both the 100 and 100 hurdles and returns at the top the hurdler in the country with a personal best of 12.60.


5. FLORIDA- The Gators had been waiting for their hurdlers to take the step to competing on a high level like the men. The past two seasons Bridgette Owens carried the torch earning back to back All-American honors. Owens set a school record indoors running a 7.87 only to lose to champion Kendra Harrison. This season they return Skylar Ross-Ransom who had a good season a few years ago as a freshman along with Ryan McEnany. Ross-Ransom will have to carry the torch since there will be a noticeable drop-off without Bridgette Owens.


TOP 110 HURDLES PROGRAMS

1. SOUTH CAROLINA- Head Coach Curtis Frye has been widely regarded as one of the best hurdle coaches in the world.  He coaches Olympic Gold Medalist Allen Johnson and Olympic Medalist Terrance Trammell. Year in and year out South Carolina always has multiple top tier high hurdlers. They return three guys who run under 14 seconds in Dondre Echols, Isaiah Moore and Jermaine Collier. Echols will return as the top high hurdler in the SEC and the number 2 hurdler in the nation. South Carolina has the potential to have 3 all-American high hurdlers.


2. LSU- Under head coach Dennis Shaver LSU has become one of the better high hurdle programs in the country and had a stellar season last season. Jordan Moore returns as the top hurdler on the team and will look continue LSU's success by earning All-American honors. Moore can also be considered a dark horse to win the NCAA title.

3. TEXAS TECH- Other than South Carolina, Texas Tech has been a program that yearly produces  multiple top ranked high hurdlers and have had NCAA Champions. Tech returns two hurdlers in Chris Caldwell and Tremaine Maloney who have run under 14 seconds. Caldwell is the defending Big 12 champion in the 110 hurdles and will look to be more competitive at the NCAA Championship meet.

4. SYRACUSE- Syracuse has quietly been one of the best high hurdle programs in the country. A few years Jared Eaton was the All-American leader for the team and one of the best hurdlers in history. Returning for the program is Freddie Crittenden who is ready to take the next step and be the next All-American hurdler for Syracuse.

5. NEBRASKA- Nebraska has been producing All-American hurdlers for a long time. Both hurdle coaches at Nebraska have been apart of the program for at least 20 years. Last season their latest talent true freshman Antoine Lloyd clocked in 13.69. Two sophomores last season also dipped under 14 seconds and that allows Nebraska to return 3 sub 14 second hurdlers. Llyod has the speed and the technique to go to the next level and become an All-American along with his teammates.


Judging hurdling programs is difficult because the coaches shift around so much and often times the coaches who actually coach the hurdlers are volunteer coaches who get no credit. However each of the five programs listed for both men and women have consistently produced and recruited quality talent.


Next Post: 400 Hurdles