The World Championships schedule is out and is quite different from schedules we’ve seen in the past. The IAAF Competition Committee’s attempt at “modernizing” the schedule. While  “change” for the sake of change can become a negative rather than a positive – something done with regularity in this sport – this schedule is actually a step in the right direction in my humble opinion. Many of the changes are cosmetic – trying to balance the number of finals across each day; keeping evening sessions to 3 hours in length; and scheduling qualifying rounds (i.e. first rounds) for morning sessions only. Some however, are much more substantial. The most substantial being…

Lots and lots of high level action this weekend! Let’s start with Chris Solinsky. He opened eyes last year with his outdoor opener in the 100000 where he turned in a new AR becoming the first American under 27 minutes. In his indoor opener in Seattle this weekend he turned in a world leading 3:54.52 in the mile – setting a new personal best in the process. I’m loving the range – from mile to 10000 – because it indicates that he just might be able to hold on in that final sprint in the 5000/10000 come this summer! Speaking of range, Marshevet Myers hasn’t long jumped since her collegiate…

Two facilities with tracks and meets that have reputations for producing top level marks are on tap for this weekend. The Tyson Invitational kicks things off today with action in Fayetteville Arkansas. If you want a sneak peak at the NCAA Indoor meet, look no further as many of the nations top collegiate programs will have squads competing here. Florida, LSU, Texas Tech, Indiana, Oregon, Penn St., Florida St., Auburn, Oklahoma, Georgia, Kansas St., and North Carolina are all top 25 teams. Throw in Kentucky, South Carolina and Mississippi and you also have a preview of the SEC Championships that will take place on the same track in a couple…

My how time flies. It was 10 years ago now – a decade. The indoor season of 2001. Alan Webb was a senior in high school as he became the first high schooler to break the four minute barrier indoors in the mile with his 3:59.86 at the New Balance Indoor Games – a meet where just a few days ago he failed to break four minutes. Webb was the toast of the track world. The heir apparent to Jim Ryun. The next great American miler. His exploits outdoors only fueled the growing legend as he ran 1:47.74, 3:38.56 and 3:53.43 outdoors – breaking Jim Ryun’s high school 1500 and…

Last week was a very quiet week. Not much new to really talk about. I was hoping that the weekend would change that – and while somewhat quiet the weekend did have its moments.  Thank you to the New Balance Indoor meet, which was televised – it served as my lead in to the Super Bowl. Aside from Ethiopia’s Dejen Gebremeskel’s stirring 3000 meter win (7:35.37 while running the entire race with only one shoe)  the performances were just ok – as my grandfather used to say “nothing to write home about”. Don’t get me wrong, Jenny Simpson showed her competitive nature with a strong effort in the women’s 3000,…

A very busy weekend of indoor action saw lots of expected change in the yearly lists as the season began to heat up in earnest. Some of the most exciting marks occurring on the field. None more exciting than Ivan Ukhov’s 7’ 9.75’ high jump on Saturday. The mark was just off his PB of 7’ 10.5” and was the highest jump indoors since 2007. He took a shot at the 8’ barrier before he was done coming up just short. Nonetheless Ukhov looks to be in fine form early. Already leading the world in the triple jump, Teddy Tamgho (FRA) improved his seasonal best to 57’ 8.5” at a…

As I’m checking through results this morning, I see that USATF President Stephenie HIghtower is debating whether or not to “waive” the rule that defending World Champions must compete at our National Championships in order to defend at Worlds. The issue in her mind being that “rules are rules”, and wondering if they would be “setting a precedent” by allowing him to run without competing at Nationals. I’m going to give you my two cents and then you can state your opinion either by voting on the poll to the right and/or leaving a comment. Based on the history of the “Wild Card” for Worlds precedent has already been set.…

With the indoor season now beginning to heat up, it’s time to wrap up previews on athletes to watch this year. So last but not least is my list of Americans to watch this year. A tough list since I have so many favorites and see so much potential for this season. Trying to narrow down the list to only ten was much harder than I thought it would be  – so I extended the field to what I’m calling my “Track and Field Dozen”. Some are names that are everyone’s lips, and some are individuals that may not be. The one thing that they all have in common is…

What has been a relatively quiet indoor season began to pick up the pace this past weekend as we begin to see more of the elite athletes taking the stage. This past weekend we saw several in action. Multi eventers Ashton Eaton (US) and Jessica Ennis (GBR) showed very good early season form. Ennis taking over the world lead in the 60H (8.03) and setting a shot PR of 47’ 11.25”. While Eaton turned in marks of 16’ 8.75” in the pole vault, 7.68 in the 60H and a 1:55.90 in the 800! At this rate both athletes will be forces to recon with in their respective multi events this…

One of the nice things about this sport is watching the development of youth. While it is harder these days to make an impact internationally as a young person, the opportunity is still there for many. Following are ten young people that I think will have that opportunity in 2011.    Kirani James – Granada – 400 meters This young man was just a breath away from running under 45 seconds last year in the quarter (45.01) – and he was only 18 years old! The World Youth Champion in ‘09, he added the World Junior title and NCAA title to his resume in 2010. Next stop, Daegu. And I…