NCAA MEN'S INDOOR PREVIEW

(Edward Cheserek-Oregon)

Men’s Preview

SPRINTS

Cameron Burrell was one of the top recruits coming out of high school. He ran a barely wind aided 10.0 performance in the 100 meter dash and clearly displayed all of the skill set that his world record setting father had. He now enters his junior season absent NCAA Championship hardware. He’s had some major competition recently from Trayvon Bromell, Andre DeGrasse and Ronnie Baker. His time of 6.48 is the fastest returning time in NCAA history and put him in the record books, had it not been for Baker’s 6.47 he would’ve won the title.

Burrell has the luxury of being a student of Carl Lewis and his father Leroy Burrell. Both men have owned the 100 meter world record at one point. Last outdoor season Burrell finished a closely ran race finishing 4th. As a junior he now has the perfect opportunity to put all that behind him and claim the title that has eluded him the past two seasons. Christian Coleman of Tennessee and Senoj-Jay Givans of Texas will be strong challengers but it should be Burrell’s race to lose.

Coleman is a defending champion to keep an eye on for a potential double. Coleman claimed the men’s 200 title last indoor season with a time of 20.55. Coleman also boasts some impressive short speed. Nethaneel  Mitchell-Blake of LSU will also be a threat in the 200. Blake has personal best of 19.95 and was the talk of the sprinting world last outdoor season before his injury anchoring the 4x100 relay. Since Coleman beat a healthy Blake last season he enters the indoor season as the favorite.

The 400 meter dash Michael Cherry of LSU is the top returnee from last season. Although he did not earn individual All-American honors last indoor season he has the top returning time running 44.81 from last outdoor season at the Olympic Trials. Cherry who has large tall frame will likely struggle some with the tight turns of an Indoor track but his speed and strength should be enough to power him to victory.

DISTANCE

Edward Cheserek of Oregon returns to dominate in his senior year. The past year has been a difficult one for Cheserek; he has gone from invincible to beatable. This past cross country season Patrick Tiernan of Villanova claimed the Cross Country NCAA title and Justyn Knight of Syracuse finished 2nd, Cheserek crossed the line in a disappointing 3rd place finish. Although he was unable to four-peat there are still other opportunities for him to make history his senior year.

Cheserek returns at the defending champion of both the 3,000 and 5,000 meter races. Knight and Tiernan will likely be there to challenge him. However Cheserek will want revenge and want to add to his already very large trophy case.

In the mile defending champion Henry Wynne of Virginia returns to defend his title against a great returning field. Oregon returns both All-Americans from last season in Blake Haney and Sam Prakel. Wynne was one of the surprises of the Indoor season but will have to run this season with a target sign on his back against quality competition.

The 800 should be a battle between Shaquille Walker of BYU and Andres Arroyo of Florida. Arroyo a Puerto Rican Olympian is now a senior looking for redemption. After an impressive indoor campaign Arroyo missed the finals at the championship meet and was unable to aide his Florida Gators with much needed team points. Arroyo has solid speed and a strong kick and many have been waiting for him to make the major leap.

Walker on the other hand has made the major leap and earned All-American honors joining a special group of distance runners at BYU. Walker is the early favorite because of his NCAA Championship performance history and his outdoor personal best of sub 1:45.

HURDLES

Freddie Crittenden of Syracuse is the top returnee from last indoor season. Two way sports star Devon Allen of Oregon decided to turn pro this past November after suffering a knee injury during football. Crittenden is a solid technician who has proven that he pays attention detail. Crittenden looks to join another indoor great from Syracuse in Jarrett Eaton. He’ll have great competition in Aaron Mallett of Iowa and Nick Anderson of Kentucky to block him from earning the title.

FIELD EVENTS

Keandre Bates had perhaps his best outdoor season as a Florida Gator last season. He especially performed well when his team needed him too. Bates finished 2nd in the triple jump and third in the long jump and is in the top 3 for returnees for each event. Bates returns as the top triple jumper and will look to continue the championship success established at the University of Florida. Bates will face great challenge in Clive Pullen of Arkansas in the triple jump and Kemonie Briggs of Long Beach State and Roelf Pienaar of Arkansas State in the long jump. Bates will be counted on to provide major team points for Florida to win or have a chance at winning team title.

Trey Culver of Texas Tech prematurely took over the reins last season as the next great high jumper from Texas Tech. Bradley Adkins who returned as the top returnee was no match for his younger teammate who returns as a junior this season. Culver is the top returnee in the event based on marks. However Randall Cunningham of USC lived up to his name and claimed the Outdoor title and will head into the indoor season with some serious confidence. Both are juniors and should put up high quality marks throughout the season.

Filip Mihaljevic of Virginia Tech has been a main stay in the throwing events since his arrival. The Croatian national had quite the impressive season last year and did everything right except win the men’s shot put indoors. However he does have the outdoor hardware and will look to continue that success indoors along with being a part of the great tradition of throwers from Virginia Tech. With the hardware and impressive marks Mihaljevic is an easy preseason favorite to win the title.

Vinny Gjokaj of Michigan State is the top returnee from last indoor season after finishing 9th at the Indoor Championship. This season there will be a new champion along with a new set of All-Americans since the entire top 8 of the field were seniors and none return.

The men’s multi-events has been dominated by Georgia in recent years but last season was different. Zach Ziemek of Wisconsin claimed the indoor title and last outdoor season Lindon Victor claimed the decathlon outdoor title. Lindon returns this season as the early favorite over Devon Williams of Georgia and Harrison Wlliams of Stanford. Williams has had injuries in their past and even with a healthy season Lindon maybe too much to overcome and is the preseason favorite to win the Indoor hepathlon.

The team race will conclude our preview here. This year there is no preseason favorite, with a bevy of returnees and high school super stars expect for this to be a close race. Right now I will lean on Arkansas because of the well rounded talent and the depth that they are returning.

2017 Women's Indoor Preview

OREGON DUCKS

JOY TO THE WORLD TRACK SEASON HAS COME

‘Tis the season for indoor track and field. The indoor season has become an important part of the track and field calendar including more than just the northern schools. There is participation now with nearly every state in the Union competing during this popular season. Last season as expected produced some major stars, it was an Olympic year which usually brings out the best in everyone. 

This season there is the World Championships coming in summer 2017 in London no less and there is still major buzz swirling around the sport. In the college world we are witnessing the development of new stars and the return of old ones every season. As we prepare for what should be an exciting indoor season let us preview of what we expect this season.

SPRINTS 

Ariana Washington of Oregon leads a dominant group of Oregon sprinters. They are reminiscent of the old LSU teams of the 90’s that simply just dominated the sprint events at the National Championships. This past outdoor season Washington returned to her rightful place atop of the sprint thrown winning both the 100 and 200 meter dash. This former California super star has started to live up to the hype surrounding her. After a year of injuries she returned to form at the end of the season.

She’ll be joined by teammates Hannah Cunliffe who was the top sprinter in the NCAA before an injury and Deajah Stevens who went only to be an Olympian for Team USA in the 200 meter dash. It is quite possible that Oregon sweeps the 200 and places two girls in the top 3 in the 60 meter dash.

Defending 60 meter champion Teahna Daniels of Texas will return. Daniels took Cunliffe to the line last indoor season and looks to return to top form after an injury plagued outdoor season that saw some less than stellar times. Daniels having already beaten Cunliffe at her best is the only likely candidate to stop the 1-2 performance Oregon will be hoping for.

In the long sprints there is only one returning All-American and that is senior Chris-Ann Gordon of Texas by way of Jamaica. The talented senior from Jamaica looks to be in great position to carry the torch of great 400 runners from Texas. Shakima Wimbley a senior for Miami will look to rebound after an up and down indoor season 2016 season. The sprinter from South Florida has also ran under 52 seconds indoors before and will look to end her senior season on a high note.

DISTANCE

When you think of distance runners Erin Finn of Michigan should come to mind. She has been on the national scene since she was in high school setting state and national records. Finn has had to deal with her share of injuries and after a great cross country campaign and a solid indoor season last year, Finn looks to finally be ready to garner the one thing missing from her resume. National Champion. Whether it is in the 3,000 or 5,000 now is the best time for Finn to claim the top spot.

Finn’s rival and defending champion at both distances Molly Siedel of Notre Dame is the only challenge to that threat. Siedel too has sat out considerable time due to injury and missed the 2016 cross country season and the 2016 Outdoor Championships. Siedel made the smart decision when she decided to return to Notre Dame and looks to make good on that decision. With Finn having a cross country season under her belt she may be in slightly better shape to compete that Siedel. Each event can go either way, no predictions on the champion here.

In the shorter distances Raeyvn Rogers of Oregon looks to apart of the continued dominance of the Lady Ducks. Rogers now a junior has been quite impressive during her time at Oregon having already won 2 NCAA Outdoor titles and dipped under 2 minutes. Oregon will look to Rogers to provide them with major team points. Olivia Baker of Stanford finished behind Rogers most of the season but has the 400 meter speed to potentially outkick Rogers if it ever comes too it. Expect for Rogers to continue to add winning hardware to her trophy case.

The women’s mile also returns a defending champion in Kaela Edwards of Oklahoma State. Edwards had a disappointing finish to her outdoor campaign finishing 6^th. Her indoor performance was quite impressive and Edwards posses an incredible kick. Edwards will have a class field to compete against but all eyes should appropriately be on her to make up for the disappointment for last outdoor season.

HURDLES

Women’s hurdling in the United States has been on fire in recent years. With so many quality programs at the collegiate level and high school level it’s no wonder that the world and American record fell last year. This year expect for more fire power. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Kentucky had an outstanding freshman campaign. Quinn defeated favorite Cindy Ofili of Michigan at the Outdoor Championships last season to win. Quinn boasts impressive speed; she made the finals of the women’s 200 and holds a personal best of 22.93. With so much room for her to improve she is will ahead of any returning champion in NCAA History. Dior Hall returns this season from a devastating injury and along with Pedrya Seymour of Illinois will be the biggest challenge to Quinn.

FIELD EVENTS

The jumping events simply belong to Georgia. Petros Kyprianou has developed quite the impressive jumps program. Keturah Orji was an outstanding recruit and has turned out to be the greatest female triple jumper in American history. She can also perform at a championship level in the long jump, her teammate Chanel Porter has just simply been better. Both claimed NCAA titles last outdoor season and Orji returns as the defending champion from last indoor season.

This indoor season Orji is the lone threat in the women’s long jump for Georgia. The only thing standing in the way of a jumps double is defending indoor long jump champion Quaneesha Burks of Alabama. All thought she did not finish the season the way she planned it, Burks is more than capable of defending her crown.

In the high jump Georgia could potentially finish 1-2. The Bulldogs have the top returning indoor performer in Tatiana Gusin and outdoor performer in Madeline Fagan. This would further cement their program as the best jumps program in the nation without question.

After a disappointing 2016 indoor season Raven Saunders made up for it during the outdoor season. The talented shot-putter claimed the outdoor title for the second year in a row. The junior returns this indoor season with a plan to reclaim the crown she lost last indoor season. In the weight throw top returnee Dolly Nyemah of Louisville leads a high quality field but should win convincingly.

In the pentathlon senior Kendall Williams of Georgia looks to make it a four peat. A rare feat in the NCAA these days since so many are willing to turn to the professional ranks immediately following a new record or championship performance. Williams is well ahead of the field and should win running away and breaking her record again.

With so many talented athletes moving after the 2016 season this year there will be no early season preview of the 4x400 relay. But a quick note expect for Texas to always field a good team.

The overall team battle looks to come down to Oregon, USC and Georgia. Oregon will likely earn majority of their points in the running events regardless of distance. With the heavy hitters that they possess I believe the Lady Ducks will once again claim the NCAA Indoor Championship. 

NCAA Championship Review

(JARRION LAWSON-ARKANSAS)
(NCAA CHAMPION-100-200-LONG JUMP)

What a weekend. As usual the NCAA Championship provided us with many jaw dropping performances and a few head-scratchers. I have to openly admit that I am a fan of University of Florida so watching the men win it all on Friday night was not only surprising but exhilarating plus relieving. It has been a tough year for this group so for them to win it all is quite impressive. Also watching Arkansas dominate the women’s NCAA Championship was special too. Let’s recap not all of the meet, but the five best performances of the meet.

5. ARMAN HALL (FLORIDA)- Arman Hall has had to deal with injury concerns for the past two seasons. As a freshman Hall set the college a blaze by running under 45 seconds and qualifying for Team USA. The next two seasons along with this past indoor season saw him deal with injuries. His future was truly uncertain. During this post season we have seen Hall get consistently better. This past weekend was a culmination of a long awaited championships. Hall ran a smart race, he waited until the last 80 or so meters to use his devastating speed to surpass the field and win his first NCAA title as a season with a time of 44.82. Hall is currently the only 400 runner in the NCAA who has run under 45 seconds.

4. RAVEN SAUNDERS (OLE MISS)- This has been a year of ups and down for shot putter Saunders. She was a preseason favorite and expected to dominate the competition at the start of the indoor season. She was unable to perform to her capability at the NCAA Indoor Championship and missed out on winning the title. She came into the outdoor season with a few top tier performances but she was not consistent. She answered any questions anyone may have had about this season with a throw of 63-5. Her mark sets an NCAA meet and overall NCAA record. This also adds another NCAA Championship trophy to sophomore Saunders.

3. ARIANA WASHINGTON (Oregon)- To those of us who follow high school track and field we knew the talent that Ariana Washington possessed. Washington dominated the California high school scene winning the 100 and 200 three straight years in a row. Not even Allyson Felix was able to perform that feet. Washington missed last season due to a serious injury. She had a slow start this season and begin to show her true potential mid outdoor season. Her coach Robert Johnson trusted her enough to have her on the anchor leg of the women’s 4x100 relay. This past weekend she proved she was worth all the hype. As a freshman she blazed a 100 meter dash time of 10.96, slight wind-aided and a wind legal 22.21. She has become the first freshman in NCAA history to win both sprints at the NCAA Championships.

2.  DONOVAN BRAZIER (TEXAS A&M)- Brazier comes from my home state, Michigan. We are not surprised that he has made an impact as a freshman. He was quite special here breaking multiple state records and running times in the 800 that even some collegians weren’t running. What is still impressive to many of us here in Michigan and likely to you all as well is the times that he is able to perform and in the dominant fashion he is able to do it in. Brazier ran toe to toe with pre-meet favorite Brandon McBride of Mississippi State on the first lap. In the last 300 meters his kick proved to be far superior than that of McBride. The talented freshman set an NCAA record with a time of 1:43.55. Jim Ryun held the NCAA record for 50 years to the day. Brazier who didn’t think of the Olympic Trials as a priority now should truly be considering it.  

1. JARRION LAWSON (Arkansas)- Lawson entered the meet as a contender in the 100 and 200 meter dash and the meet favorite in the men’s long jump. What he did this past Friday has only been done by Jesse Owens. Lawson who was being counted on for heavy points for Arkansas met everyone’s expectation by winning the long jump. But he shocked the crowd win he won the 100 meter dash, running into a headwind. In the 200 meter dash the NCAA leading Nethanaeel Mitchell-Blake of LSU was a scratch because of a leg injury sustained earlier in the day. However Lawson was still not the favorite, he however found a way to win and celebrated before the finish with a time of 20.19. Lawson’s improbable triple was 30 huge team points for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Three championships in one weekend is quite an impressive feat.

HONORABLE MENTION: CLAYTON MURPHY (AKRON)- As an alumnus of a MAC school (Eastern Michigan) it is great to see the conference still churning stellar track and field athletes. Murphy maybe the best the conference has ever produced. Yes I know that is high praise since there have been Olympic Gold Medalist to come out of the conference but Murphy is young and has a bright future ahead of him. Murphy stepped into a highly talented 1,500 meter field and proved to be the best of a talented group. Murphy got out to a solid lead and decided that he had enough speed to hold up. Well he was right, he was able to play keep away to the time of 3:36.38. His performance and time was one of the best in the event in NCAA history. Murphy defeated pre-meet favorite Izaic Yorks of Washington by more than a second.

There were several other big performances this past weekend but the five mentioned above stood out. Hats off to Oregon again for hosting another great meet. I understand that many feel that they have a strong home field advantage but the visual effect of a full stadium does wonders for the sport of collegiate track and field. Oregon puts on quite a show every year and fans fill the stadium. I expect for many athletes to compete at their respective Olympic Trials. The five names mentioned above are sure to be a part of that group. It remains to be seen who comes back for next season, who will transfer and what will many of the incoming freshman do. This season was quite fantastic and next year should be even better. 

NCAA Championship Preview

STILL THE KING?

(Edward Cheserek)

Oregon

It is finally here, the best event on the track and field calendar. It is NCAA Outdoor Championship time. I look forward to the day were I attend this meet as a regular. A lot has happened since our last post. We had a broken Regional meet that helped determined who attends the national meet and we had injury updates. I consider the regional meet to be broken because the format makes the meet pointless. I absolutely love the indoor format and hope that Outdoors will adopt this same format one day. This weekend has plenty of things for us to discuss.

Perhaps the biggest story on the women’s side is who will be absent. Jasmine Todd of Oregon who has consistently battled injuries will be out in the women’s 100. It’s rad sad considering her level of talent. She will joined by Kyra Jefferson of Florida who will be out in the women’s 200. Her absence is a huge loss for Florida and their team title hopes. In the distance events defending champion Molly Seidel of Notre is out along with Erin Finn of Michigan.

On the men’s side it’s all about who is ready to shine. Many of the events do not have a returning champion and there will be plenty of new champions and stars developed since this is an Olympic year.

Predictions:

WOMEN

100- Morolake Akinosun (Texas) She finished runners-up here last year by one thousandth of a second. With a personal best of under 11 seconds look for her to claim the title against heavy competition.

200- Felicia Brown (Tennessee) She has been dominant all year long and has cemented herself as one of the greats in the event with her stunning performances.

400- Courtney Okolo (Texas) The most decorated 400 runner in NCAA history and the only in the field with a national title and personal best under 50 seconds.

800- Raevyn Rogers (Oregon) Rogers is the defending champion in this event and the only participant to have run under 2 minutes. Rogers has been up and down this season but she has been more up than she has been down. In front of a home crowd expect the same type of magic you saw last year from Rogers.

1,500- Marta Frietas (Mississippi State) Frietas has been number 1 in the NCAA since the end of April and is currently the only athlete in the field with a time under 4:10. Frietas will be challenged by a great field but expect her to win the crown.

3,000 Steeplechase- Courtney Frerichs (New Mexico) Currently she is ranked number 1 in the NCAA and against a deep field should prevail.

5,000/10,000- Dominique Scott (Arkansas) With Molly Seidel of Notre Dame and Erin Finn of Michigan both of these events took a major star hit. However Dominque Scott of Arkansas is still in the field and was on the early season contenders to win the crown for either of these events. She will be huge in terms of team points and should have no trouble winning the title convincingly.

100 Hurdles- Cindy Ofili (Michigan) Ofili has been the preseason favorite since the end of last season. With a personal best of 12.60 and a season’s best of 12.66. Ofili has been number 1 all season long and it should continue this weekend.

400 Hurdles- Shamier Little (Texas A&M) She started off slow to the season running a few pedestrian times. She did not claim the number 1 ranking until the SEC Championships. Her time of 54.72 still stands as the number 1 time. With Hailey of Arizona out of the picture expect for Little to win her third straight NCAA title.

4x100- LSU. Without major injuries the Tigers look to add to their illustrious history in this event. Kentucky and Texas A&M will still be a challenge.

4x400- Arkansas. Their win at the NCAA West Regional Meet against Texas with Okolo running a 49 split showed that they have come a long way. Consistently over the past few years Arkansas has been able to produce great 400 runners and a solid 4x400 relay.

Long Jump- Quaneesha Burks (Alabama) Undefeated is the reason. Burks has yet to lose this season and has been consistently ranked number 1 all year around and beaten her toughest competitors one on one.

Triple Jump- Keturah Orji (Georgia) Orji has had a spectacular career so far at Georgia. She is on the verge of possibly breaking a NCAA record as a sophomore. With a personal best of 47 feet, the best is yet to come.

Shot Put/Discus- Kelsey Card (Wisconsin) Card has been more consistent with being a top level performer this outdoor season. Defending Champion Raven Saunders of Ole Miss is in the field but has not had the type of Outdoor Season that I believe she would have liked. I think Card will be looking to prove herself and outduel Sanders for the crown. She has also been the favorite all season long for the discus and that should not change this weekend.

High Jump- Erica Bougard (Mississippi State) With no Akela Jones in the field, Bougard has the number 2 mark in the NCAA. This could be an easy victory for Bougard.

Pole Vault- Alexis Weeks (Arkansas) One of the few freshman this NCAA season that are favorites to win the NCAA title. Weeks looks to continue the legacy of great pole vaulters at Arkansas and add another 10 points for the team title hopes.

Hammer Throw- DeAnna Price (Southern Illinois) She has consistently been the best at this event all year long and it should carry over to a national title.

Javelin Throw- Hannah Carson (Texas Tech) Carson comes in ranked number 1 based on season’s best. She has a very competitive field to compete against including the Malone Sisters of Texas A&M but should still claim the crown.

Heptathlon- Akela Jones (Kansas State) In perhaps one of the most competitive competitions this event has seen in years Jones is the favorite to be a phenomenal field. It is quite possible that the top 3 of this event will be in Rio for the countries competing at the Olympic Games. Jones is ranked high in a multitude of events and had it not been for a misstep at the Indoor Championships she would have likely won the event with a record performance.

TEAM: ARKANSAS- This might not even be close. The lady Hogs are absolutely loaded and show they have the ability to score in practically every area on the track. The future is also bright for them as well with such a talented group of young women.

MEN

100- Ronnie Baker (TCU) The two time Indoor NCAA Champion at 60 meters was unable to compete last outdoor season due to injury. He enters this outdoor season with only one goal in mind. Baker will have heavy competition from Cameron Burrell of Houston and Tevin Hester of Clemson but just like indoors expect the star to rise to the occasion when the competition is heaviest.

200- Nethaneel Blake- Mitchell (LSU) After having secured one of the fast wind legal times in NCAA history with a time of 19.95. Mitchell will look to continue his successful outdoor campaign and earn his first NCAA title.

400- Arman Hall (Florida) Hall started his career with plenty of notoriety. He was an outstanding freshman who made team USA and at a young age ran under 45 seconds. Add to that he also ran a 43 split later in his career. However majority of his career he has been plagued by injuries and has yet to claim the NCAA title that many expected him to earn. I believe now is the best time for Hall to truly showcase his talent.

800- Brandon McBride (Mississippi State) McBride has returned back to the top of the 800 podium. After a disappointing 2015 season that saw him unable to defend his NCAA title he began this outdoor season with a bang including a personal best of 1:44.63 that placed in the all-time records list. Look for McBride to reclaim his title against a great field.

1,500- Izaic Yorks (Washington) His season speaks for itself. He has had some record breaking performances and all time bests. The only appropriate conclusion to his season is the NCAA title.

3,000 Steeplechase Mason Ferlic (Michigan) He has been at the top majority of this season and the only athlete in the field with a personal best under 8:30. After falling in the water, literally, at last year’s NCAA Championship Ferlic is looking to rebound in a big way.

5,000/10,000 Edward Cheserek (Oregon) I openly admit to taking the easy road here. Cheserek this outdoor season has not been his usual self. He has been outkicked against some pretty big competition, and at home no less. I don’t expect for that continue and neither should you. Cheserek is one of the most decorated athletes in NCAA history and should use this weekend to add to his Championship trophy case.

4x100 & 4x400 (LSU) What program has ever been this consistent in both relays heading into the National Championship? As much as I love the Florida Gators I cannot recall this level of consistency. LSU is in great position to break the NCAA record in both events. I truly believe this is their best assembled team. LSU wins big in both events.

High Jump- Avion Jones (East Carolina) Jones is having quite the outdoor season and used the American Conference Championship as a signal to the rest of the nation. He claimed the number 1 ranking with a mark of 7-7. His mark is 2 inches more than his closest competitor.  Jones wins convincingly.

Pole Vault- Devin King (SE Louisiana) King has been number 1 since late March with his win at the Texas Relays. Without Shawn Barber in the field who left for the pro’s this is perhaps the perfect opportunity for the talented sophomore to be the next great star in the event. His first assignment is living up to the expectation.

Long Jump- Jarrion Lawson (Arkansas) Although he is not currently ranked number 1 in the NCAA we most certainly know what he is capable of. Lawson has been the bridesmaid at the championships quite often. He got his first NCAA title this past indoor season and will look to continue this outdoor season. Arkansas athletes have a habit of showing up big at Championship meets.

Triple Jump- Clive Pullen (Arkansas) Pullen is currently ranked number 2 right now behind Matthew O’Neal of South Florida. If we have learned anything and I have already said Arkansas athletes show up at Championship meets. Pullen earned the Indoor title and like his teammate should win the outdoor title. It will be a challenge though, O’Neal has proven to be a real talent.

Shot Put- Nicholas Scarvellis (UCLA) It’s been a while since we have heard of championship contender in the shot put for UCLA. A school that has produced some greats in the field events has a new contender. Scarvellis now a senior has been perhaps the best in the event all season long and is the obvious favorite to win the event.

Discus- Sam Mattis (Penn) He’s the defending champion and has been ranked number 1 all season long. Expect for that to continue with Mattis adding another championship crown to his trophy case.

Hammer Throw- Rudy Winkler (Cornell) It is clear that the Ivy League has learned how to play with the big boys. Winkler like his Ivy League brother Mattis has been the top ranked hammer thrower all season long and in is the best position for him to claim his first NCAA title.

Javelin Throw- Ioannis Kyriazis (Texas A&M) Kyriazis is being counted on heavily to live up to the top ranking. With Texas A&M in the middle of an intense team battle 10 points are a must for the sophomore. His undefeated record this outdoor season proves that he is more than ready to win his first NCAA title.

Decathlon- Victor Lindon (Texas A&M) Lindon proved his worth by defeating a talented field at the SEC Championship and not allowing Georgia to continue their dominance in the event. Lindon is also an athlete being relied upon to win the NCAA title to help add 10 big points to his the team battle. Lindon will have heavy competition but has proven he can win against the best already.

Team- LSU- They are extremely top heavy and expect a lot out of their competitors. However if everything falls into place they could potentially walk away with 4 titles which in itself is 40 points and puts them in great position to win the team battle.

Challenger- Arkansas- They always show up to this meet and have capable champions in a myriad of different events. They have the ability to score all over the track. Beware of the Hogs and their championships pedigree.  

LESSONS LEARNED

19.95!!!

(Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake)

What have we learned?

I ask myself that question after reviewing the many results from two weekends ago. Conference Championship Weekend has come and gone. We have learned a lot about who is a contender and who is a pretender. This weekend also made the team title hunt picture even clearer. Perhaps the biggest lesson we learned is that the SEC is king...and queen. 

LESSON 1: LSU Men Rules the Relays

LSU had quite a successful SEC Outdoor Championships. Their sprinters as usual had a solid weekend that included many new number 1 marks. Perhaps one of the most notable of their marks was their relay performances against top level competition. The 4x100 relay ran a time of 38.33 with a freshman (Jaron Flournoy from Michigan) as their first leg. Their time is one of the fastest 4x100 relays time in NCAA history. Their 4x400 relay ran time of 3:00.38 to win the SEC title with a 3 second lead. If challenged they have broken their own NCAA record. This group has the potential of setting NCAA records in both events. Let’s hope that the Tigers can continue their positive momentum in the post season.

LESSON 2: NETHANEEL MITCHELL-BLAKE is up NEXT

Blake maybe the spark that ignites the sprint engine at LSU. He has been at the top of the ranks all season long and in both the 100 and 200 meter dash. Blake pulled off an impressive double at the SEC Outdoor Championships winning the 100 meter dash in 10.16 and the 200 meter dash in 19.95. His 200 time is the fastest wind legal time since Walter Dix set the NCAA record in 2007. Also keep in mind that Blake is a junior. There is plenty of talent in this young man and we may see even more at Nationals.

LESSON 3: KETURAH OJRI can really JUMP

Orji is nothing new to anyone who reads this blog. This talented sophomore jumper from Orji has been mentioned multiple times, most notably for her amazing triple jump efforts. At the SEC Championships she again proved she is the queen of the event. She leaped to a mark of 47-11. Unfortunately for us and her it wasn’t quite wind legal. However her mark served notice that she has the potential to set the NCAA record and be considered as the greatest female American triple jumper of all time. A young woman who has yet to reach her prime still has plenty of time to astonish us all.

LESSON 4: LINDON VICTOR is the new favorite in the DECATHLON

Victor a multi-talented junior at Texas A&M had perhaps the stiffest competition this weekend in the decathlon. He went up against the talented two headed monster from Georgia. The Georgia dogs seem to dominate this event at a conference level and at a national level. It took Victor a personal best of 8,446 points to win the men’s decathlon over favorite Maicel Uibo and talented teammate Devon Williams. Both Bulldogs also went over 8,000 points proving the challenging level of competition. Victor is now currently ranked number 1 in the nation.

LESSON 5:  The women’s 10k is wide OPEN

Molly Seidel of Notre Dame announced via her twitter a few days that she will not be competing at the NCAA Outdoor Championships this season. Seidel is dealing with a sacral stress fracture. Without the defending champion we now know a new champion will be crowned. However there are plenty of big names out of the meet including Erin Finn of Michigan who is redshirting, teammate of Seidel Anna Rohrer and Allie Ostrander a true freshman standout from Boise State. This leaves us void many big names. Dominique Scott of Arkansas could potentially be the favorite to win it since she is the top ranked 10,000 meter runner in the NCAA at this time. Scott is currently attempting the double by winning the 5,000 and 10,000. Her contributions are very important to Arkansas if they want the team title.

PRIVATE LESSON: I really tried to not make this all about the SEC but the conference had an outstanding weekend with a few new number 1 marks. This coming weekend is the preliminary or regional round. I admit that I am not a fan of this regional process and hope that this is the last year of a wasteful weekend. The indoor process works best for me, the top 16 in each event selected. I think for an outdoor meet you can select the top 24 or go back to a provisional and automatic qualifying style format. Regionals is a waste of travel money and time. The next time we chat we will hopefully be previewing the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Here’s to hoping that all the favorites make out of this weekend healthy.

May 9th Weekly Recap

10.07/20.39!!

(Christopher Belcher-left-)

North Carolina A&T

This past weekend for majority of the nation was a lay off in preparation for Conference Championship Weekend. However there were some conferences who started the championship early and some schools who decided to use this past weekend as an opportunity to improve their ranking before the regional meet. This recap will focus solely on the performance of this past weekend.

WOMEN

BRONZE: LAURA ROSE  DONEGAN (NEW HAMPSHIRE)- Donegan joins our list after a solid indoor season where she won the 5,000 at the Amerian East Indoor Championships. She joined the top 10 list in the women’s 3,000 meter steeplechase with a mark of 9:49.16 to win the America East Conference Title adding to her championship hardware. Her mark solidified her as number 4 in the nation and as a legitimate contender for the NCAA title.

SILVER: KELSEY CARD (WISCONSIN)- Card has truly stepped into the spotlight as the nation’s best thrower. She is ranked in the top 3 in two events both the Shot Put and Discus. This past weekend she joined defending champion Raven Saunders as one of only two athletes with marks over 60 feet. She launched the shot to a mark of 60’10.75 to win the Wisconsin Twilight and move her to the number 2 ranking in the NCAA.

BRONZE: AMALIE IUEL (USC)- The Pac-12 does things a little differently in regards to their conference championships. They have the multi-event athletes compete in their own conference championships a week before the rest of the athletes compete at the Conference Championship. This allows for the multi-event athletes to compete in consecutive weekends in multiple events outside of the heptathlon or decathlon.

Iuel proved this weekend that she will be able to compete and score in a myriad of events at the general conference championship. Iuel joined Akela Jones as the only other athlete to score over 6,000 points this season. Iuel scored a total of 6,011 points at the Pac 12 Combined Events Conference Championships. She is ranked in several individual events in the conference and similar to Jones has become high level multi-event athlete. Do not be surprised to see if Iuel walks away with another individual title at the general Pac 12 Championships this weekend.

MEN

BRONZE: AARON FLETCHER (BYU)- During the outdoor season BYU is without a conference to compete in. The school is independent in most sports. During the indoor season BYU competes as a member of the MPSF which consists of West Coast schools competing during the Indoor Season. That makes weekends like this past one just as important as all of the other regular season weekends. It becomes an opportunity to improve upon your rankings. Aaron Fletcher took the opportunity and literally ran with it. Competing at the Oxy Invite Fletcher earned the number 6 mark in the nation with a time of 8:39.10 in the men’s steeplechase. Without the challenge of a conference championship Fletcher will be able to compete in the post season with a little more rest than his competitors.

SILVER: RUDY WINKLER (CORNELL)- The Ivy League held their conference championship this past weekend. Winkler had the big mark from the weekend with a throw of 246-5 in the men’s hammer throw. His mark places his in the number 1 position for the outdoor season so far. With conference championship weekend taking place this weekend it remains to be seen if he is able to hold up his ranking. Nonetheless his performance is quite special and gives the Ivy League 2 number 1 rankings in throwing events.

GOLD: CHRISTOPHER BELCHER (NORTH CAROLINA A&T)- Christopher Belcher is having himself quite the season, especially outdoors. His name should garner more attention after the weekend he had at the MEAC Outdoor Championships. Belcher dashed out to quick 100 meter time of 10.07, wind legal. He followed that up with a time of 20.39 to win the 200. His time in the 100 moved him into the number 3 spot in the nation and the fastest wind legal time of the season. Belcher just like Winkler will have to wait and see where he ranks after the dust settles following Conference Championship Weekend but his time definitely proves he is able to compete with the best. 

As you've noticed throughout this article. This coming weekend is one of the biggest weekends on the collegiate calendar for track athletes. It is conference championship weekend. The Pac 12-, Big 12. Big 10, SEC, ACC, American Athletic, Mid-American, Conference USA and a host of others will be holding their outdoor conference championships this weekend. The post season is here and we start to separate the contenders from the pretenders. Expect a preview post this Wednesday. 

Weekly Weekend Recap

1:44.63!!!

Brandon McBride (right)

Mississippi State

April is officially gone and we are heading into the final week of the regular season. For many of the top tier teams the regular season has ended and for many others it is a final opportunity to improve upon their performances prior to the Championship season. This past weekend the Penn Relays were conducted and as usual grabbed the attention of most of the track and field world. There were also several other meets this past weekend that produced some noteworthy performances.

WOMEN

BRONZE: DeANNA PRICE (SOUTHERN ILLINOIS)- Price has proven to be quite the thrower. She does not get the attention that her former teammate Raven Saunders does but has proven to be quite the talent. Price is the defending champion in the women’s hammer throw and is great position to defend her title. This past weekend cemented her number 1 status with a throw of 238’5 in a dual meet against SIU Edwardsville. Her mark keeps at least 14 feet ahead of the competition.

SILVER: TAYLOR ELLIS-WATSON (ARKANSAS)- Watson is having quite the outdoor season. She has ran a personal best in the 200 meter dash running sub 23 and she can now add a personal best in the 400. Her time of 50.78 has placed her in the number 2 spot in the NCAA and garnered her the win at the LSU Invitational. Her time is quite impressive and proves she may be the only one capable of potentially challenging Courtney Okolo. Watson heads into the SEC Championship season as one of the best 400 meter runners in the conference since Natasha Hastings of South Carolina back in 2007.

GOLD: DOMINQUE SCOTT (ARKSANSAS)- Yes another Arkansas Razorback, this would explain why at one point in the season they were ranked number 1 in the country. Scott has certainly been one of the leaders of this great team. Scott has been a fixture of the Arkansas distance program for quite a while. This past weekend she became the NCAA leader at 10,000 meters with a time of 31:56.84 at the Payton-Jordan Invitational. She is currently the only athlete under 32 minutes in the NCAA. Scott attempted the 5k, 10k double last season and finished 2^nd in both events. This season she may do the same but she is in better position to pull it off.

MEN

BRONZE: IZAIC YORKS (WASHINGTON)- Yorks is having quite the season. After a record run indoors at the mile his 1,500 performance outdoors this past weekend at the Payton Jordan Invitational was equally impressive. His time of 3:37.74 moved him front of the rankings in the 1,500 ahead of Henry Wynne of Virginia. During the indoor season he did not compete in the mile at the National Championship instead opting for the 3,000 and finished 4^th. With the time he put up before Championship season one can only hope that he decides to focus on the 1,500 and wow us again.

SILVER: FUTSUM ZIENASELLASSIE (NORTHERN ARIZONA)- As they do every year Northern Arizona has another solid long distance athlete. Zienasellassie is the next great runner from a program that has produced some great champions. His time of 27:52.70 ran at the Payton Jordan Invitational was enough for him to finish 3^rd in the race but vaulted him to the number 1 spot in the NCAA rankings. Perhaps what is even more impressive about his performance is the time. It is a sub 28 minute race and he has over 40 seconds on the closest competitor.

GOLD: BRANDON MCBRIDE (MISSISSIPPI STATE)- Keeping with our distance theme for this week we saw Brandon McBride make history. McBride has not since fallen out the minds of many who follow the sport as a contender for the 800 title since the Canadian last won it as a sophomore at the Outdoor Championships. This past weekend in front a home crowd at Mississippi State he climbed into the all-time rankings with a winning time of 1:44.63, it is the 3^rd best time in NCAA history.  To those who though he had fallen off it is clear that he hasn’t. Let’s call it the magic of an Olympic year. Along with Shaquille Walker of BYU we now have two athletes with season and personal bests under 1:45. 

On a side note there isn't any relay gold. However I will say that I hope to be a regular visitor to the Penn Relays in the near future. This is the last year of my 20's and I was still unable to attend, I hope to get the opportunity in the near future.