The biggest US indoor competition of the year takes place this weekend as the US Indoor Championships run Saturday and Sunday in Albuquerque New Mexico. On the line will be berths to this year’s World Indoor Championships in Doha Qatar next month. So for many we will be seeing the culmination of their indoor preparation. For me I’ll be taking a look at a few athletes in particular, less in anticipation of Doha, but more to see how they look heading into the outdoor season. Below is my “Watch List” for this weekend’s competition. Ivory Williams – Men’s 60 The last couple of seasons Williams has been one of our…

With the championship portion of the indoor season at hand, we will finally get to see the best of the best going head to head. At least the best of those that have decided to participate during this indoor season. This is the point in the season where we look forward to sizzling times. With the spotlight typically falling squarely on two headline events – the short sprint (60) and the mile/1500. Unfortunately, neither has been too stellar this year – though I fully expect both to pick up considerably when we get outdoors. The mile seems to be lacking that someone with “oomph” this year. That Ryun, Keino, Coghlan,…

I read a series of comments from former athletes regarding the 1980 Olympic boycott and their opinions of then President Jimmy Carter and his decision not to send an American team to the Moscow Olympics. While I can respect these individuals for trying to give politically correct answers, it’s clear that they were all unwilling pawns who were asked to give up their life long dreams as sacrifices in a political move that was of no consequence politically! They were effectively lead to slaughter as casualties of a war they never signed up to fight in. So how does anyone think they “really” felt about the situation? Yes, we can…

With US Indoor Nationals looming and World Indoors just a few weeks away, I find myself once again asking if the indoor season is worth the time and money that is put into it? Not that I haven’t enjoyed watching the couple of meets that have been televised – because I am a track junkie at heart. But when I look at the results of the season so far I’m split down the middle on this season. Only a handful of events have given us truly exciting results. Meseret Defar (3000), Blanka Vlasic (HJ), and Christian Cantwell (SP) have given us the typical sterling performances. And we’ve seen nice breakouts…

Another busy indoor weekend – with a bit of outdoor action thrown in. The big mark was once again laid down by Torrin Lawrence. Previously Lawrence set a collegiate record in the 300, this time around he ran a sensational 45.03 in the 400. Not quite a record, but the mark makes him the #5 performer all time behind Kerron Clement (44.57), Michael Johnson (44.63), Lashawn Merritt (44.98) and Danny Everett (45.02) – all of whom have run under 44 seconds outdoors! It definitely puts Lawrence in the spotlight in the 400 meters. Much the same way as Merritt’s and Clement’s times did when they were in college. BOTH went…

Former British Junior Athlete of the Year Richard Davenport has recently brought a lawsuit against his former coach. The reason? Well he says that his former coach, David Farrow, ignored his complaints of back pain, which in turn caused him to have surgery that in effect has put his career in jeopardy. An interesting situation to be sure. Because with all the handlers and individuals that are involved with track and field athletes at the highest level, it begs the question, in my humble opinion: who is in charge? Once upon a time there was the athlete and the coach – period. A very simple dynamic. But today in addition…

Wallace Spearmon, a long time Nike athlete, just announced that he has signed with Saucony. Yes I said Saucony. Known more for making distance shoes, they’ve made a major leap by going with one of the world’s top sprinters. This is the second shoe company in a week to make a major signing in track and field following on the heels of New Balance signing Jenny Barringer. This is great for track and field as it gets new money flowing into the sport – and the sport can always use more money. I also think it will be a great move for Spearmon. It puts him front and center and…

The last few weeks have been busy ones for Jenny Barringer. On Janurary 22nd it was announced that she signed a multi year endorsement deal with New Balance shoes. No surprise that Jenny turned pro. She ended her collegiate career in awesome style last year setting personal bests over 800 (2:02.56), 1500 (3:59.90), 5000 (15:05.25), and the 3000 steeplechase (9:12.50). Collegiately her 1500 was a college record and she won the NCAA championship in the steeplechase. Internationally she was 5th in the steeplechase at the World Championships in Berlin and set an American Record in the process. She was more than ready for the next stage of her career. Slightly…

Russell vs Chamberlin. Lakers vs Celtics. Ali vs Frasier. Rivalries create excitement, enthusiasm, passion and lasting memories, Boxing enthusiasts still talk about The Thrilla in Manilla. The Super Bowl was born of the rivalry between the AFL and the NFL. Magic vs Bird revived a then struggling NBA. Track and field has had some very storied rivalries in its’ past. Jim Ryun & Kip Kieno, Jim Hines & Charlie Greene, John Walker & Filbert Bayi, Steve Williams & Don Quarrie, Seb Coe & Steve Ovett, and Ben Johnson & Carl Lewis are just a few that immediately come to mind. One of the most hyped events in Olympic Trials history…

It happens every once in a while. The greatest sprint force on the planet loses its way and forgets who it is. We get complacent. Someone rises up and knocks us down. We get up dazed and shaken – and have to remember who we are. Then we get back to basics and come back better than before. That’s the pattern of US sprinting in the modern era. Jim Hines, Charlie Greene, Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Lee Evans and crew were the dominant force in the late 60’s. The early 70’s saw the rise of Eddie Hart, Rey Robinson, Marshall Dill, Larry Black, Willie Turner, John Smith, Vince Mathews and…