Another weekend of indoor track is in the books, and I must say that without Mary Cain and Galen Rupp burning up the boards things were rather quiet. But that’s how the indoor season typically is as most of the big names are preparing for the more lucrative outdoor season.
Things should be getting better in the next couple of weeks as the season begins to come to a close. That means the NCAA athletes will start having their conference and National Championship meet; various National Championships; and then the World Indoor Championships.
This weekend saw several athletes starting to “peak” for these upcoming meets. Among them the short (60 meter) sprinters who are beginning to clock times in the 6.5x range – typical of what we see in championship settings. Take note of freshman Marvin Bracy (FlSt) who’s PR keeps dropping with every race and is now down to 6.54. My current favorite for the NCAA title. And keep an eye on Murielle Ahoure who is burning up the track in the women’s 60. Unless someone steps up she could run away with the World title.
In the field, the pole vault continues to set the pace. Bjorn Otto and Holly Bleasdale soaring very high this weekend. And outdoors is starting to get underway slowly, this past weekend seeing Jamaican Olympic medalists Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Warren Weir running the 400 – see below.
Look for things to heat up starting next weekend as Millrose will be run with some outstanding fields that I will detail later in the week. Below are some meets’/marks of note from this past weekend.
Dusseldorf
Kevin Craddock (US) takes WL in 60H at 7.50, just ahead of Omo Osaghae (US) 7.52 and Balazs Baji (HUN) 7.57. Leone Clark (JAM) takes 6.52 60 ahead of Jimmy Vicaut (FRA) 6.53 and the Spanish record 6.55 for Angel David Martinez. Murielle Ahoure (CIV) continues to crank out quality marks, this time with a 7.08 60 win. Bjorn Otto (GER) scaled 5.90m/19′ 4.25" as he’s having a tremendous early season. He and Renaud Lavillenie (FRA) should put on quite a show this year.
Tyson Invitational
Marvin Bracy (FlSt) drops 60 PR to 6.57 in the rounds before taking final in 6.54 as the freshman continues to shine early in the season. Teammate Dentarius Locke was right there at 6.56.
Kennedy Kithuka (TxTech) crushed the field the previous WL in the 5000 with his 13:26.65 victory. Aurielle Scott (UCF) upsets Kimberlyn Duncan (LSU) 22.68 to 22.72. Wallace Spearmon (US) opens up his season with a 20.71 deuce.
Husky Classic
Jordan Hassay (ORE) goes 15:46.30 for 5,000. Men’s 5000 was HOT as the top 10 were under the previous WL with Kevin Williams (13:38.57), Shadrack Kipkchichir (13:38.57), and Anthony Rotich (13:38.58) leading the way.
Virginia Tech Invitational
Eddie Lovett (FL) takes 60H in 6.66 and Marquis Dendy (FL) jumps 7.99m/26′ 2.5" to take collegiate long jump lead.
British Indoor Champs
Holly Bleasdale soars 4.77m/15′ 7.75" for WL and new British Indoor record. Asha Philip sprints 7.17 for 60 meters. Now beginning to show some of the promise she exhibited as youth champion. James Dasaolu runs 6.58 to win the men’s 60.
OTHER
Derek Drouin (IND) takes collegiate HJ lead at 2.32m/7′ 7.25". Jamaican sprinters Warren Weir (46.21), Usain Bolt (46.71), and Yohan Blake (46.77) opened up over 400 meters in an outdoor meet in Jamaica.
Looks like you got the years confused. There is no World Indoor Championships this year. They only occur on the even years, when there is no outdoor World Championship.
You’re right .. This year’s “major” indoor meet is the European Championships !! I was thinking World Indoors because they do have them the same year they Olympics are held, like last year ..