If indoors could be like that for 3 months then it would be a truly exciting extension of track and field. As it is it was a great way to end the indoor season. Both Florida and Oregon had their share of adversity, but in the end both showed the grit that it takes to be a champion. On the women’s side, Oregon had to do without distance ace Alex Kosinski who withdrew just prior to the meet with a back problem. Kosinski was highly ranked in both the 3000 & 5000, so her withdrawal meant valuable points for the Ducks – and a threat to their team title hopes.…

Perusing the internet early this morning I came across this article which lists the writers’ ten most untouchable high school records. Prompted I’m sure by the prospect of Ryan Crouser perhaps finally having a shot at Mike Carter’s unbelievable mark – pun intended. Of course Carter’s massive 81’ 3.5” put headlines the list, as it should. I had the privilege of being there when it was set and it was one of the most awesome performances I’ve seen in track and field at any level! But I have lots of reservations with the list after Carter. While I appreciate the attempt and the fact that it gives track and field…

The entries for this years’ NCAA Indoor Championships were released yesterday and can be found here – men, women. The Florida men, and Oregon women look well set to defend their titles from last year. Some events to keep an eye on: Men’s 60 – Oklahoma’s Rakieem Salaam leads on the clock (6.54), but is up against last year’s indoor and outdoor sprint champion in Florida’s Jeff Demps (6.55). Throw in another Florida sprinter and two from Texas A&M and you have some team drama to go with the individual title fight. And the field is tightly matched with the slowest entry at 6.62 – making the spread between the…

The big meet of the weekend was the European Indoor Champs, and the star of the Paris show was home boy Teddy Tamgho (FRA) who improved his own WR by twice leaping 58’ 9.5” to demolish the competition. This was the second time this year that Tamgho raised the WR having done so in Aubiere (58’ 9.25”) last month. His gold medal victory was the highlight of an indoor season that saw him leap over 58’ 9.25” THREE times. More importantly he showed tremendous consistency AND the ability to compete well and jump long under pressure – something that seemed to be missing among his long leaps of last year.…

It’s March, and while there are still a couple of major indoor meets to get out of the way (Euro Champs and NCAA Champs) we’re finally headed outdoors! All over the world we’ll start getting good old outdoor competition. And for a track junkie like me that’s awesome news. From local high school, community college, and college and university meets, to the early season “relay” competitions, there will be plenty of track and field to watch as we finally get from “undercover” and out on the 400 meter ovals. Of course now is the time of year that separates the “real” fans from those who are just interested in seeing…

Now THAT was an exciting weekend of track and field! Hot races, hot team competitions and of course some stellar marks being put down by several athletes. But easily the best of the best on this weekend were a pair of 400 meter runs – a WJR for Kirani James and a National record for L.J. Van Zyl.   Kirani James – 44.80 WJR I said a few weeks ago that Kirani James was one of the young athletes to keep an eye on this year – and he wasted little time in making me look like Nostradamus as he scorched 400 in 44.80 at the SEC Championships. The SEC…

We’re accustomed to hearing “US Nationals” and immediately thinking Tyson Gay, Allyson Felix, Christian Cantwell, David Oliver and a host of other US “stars” of the sport. Such is rarely the case these days however when the word “nationals” is preceded by the word “indoor”. Most global track and field stars use this time of year to establish their base training, and avoid the indoor season with a vengeance. Most prefer to wait until the early meets down under in Australia in March, or elsewhere in April. Making this year’s version of the US Championships like a cloudy night sky – with very few visible stars. But like a cloudy…

For the collegiate athletes the conference weekend is the beginning of their real indoor season – conference followed by national titles. So the best of the collegiates will be on display. That means the Big 12 Conference, the Pac 10 Conference, and the SEC. The sports’ “Big Three” collegiate conferences when it comes to track and field and the sports “Big Three” teams – Texas A&M, Oregon, and Florida! These are the conferences and teams that have emerged over the past decade as the cream of the crop in collegiate track and field – the teams that are always right there in the thick of the national championship battle. Look…

Teddy Tamgho (FRA) is at it again. Last year he set the World Indoor Record in the triple jump with a leap of 17.90m (58’ 8.75”). This weekend in Aubiere, France he went one centimeter better with a new record of 17.91m (58’ 9.25”) – increasing his previous world lead from 17.64m (57’ 10.5”). Tamgho has been quite consistent so far this indoor season. His second best jump here was 17.58m (57’ 8.25). He won in Eaubonne with a leap of 17.59m (57’ 8.5”) and in Lievin with a jump of 17.46m (57’ 3.5”). For comparison, during last year’s indoor season, Tamgho’s second best meet behind the WR was 17.25m…

I ask that question because over the past few days I’ve read many, many complaints about sprinters receiving a “bye” from the first round of the Olympics – based upon the changes to be instituted at this year’s World Championships in Daegu. I raise the question not because I am opposed to the scheduling change as it will apply in Daegu, because I stated in my previous post that I am definitely in favor of that change. Instead I raise the issue because I AM opposed to the change for the Olympics – but NOT for the standard reasons that have been given. First off, let me clarify what I…