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…

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,…