The indoor season should heat up nicely this weekend with Millrose, Karlsruhe, and the Aviva Challenge all on the schedule. Lots of big name competitors on tap with Dwight Phillips, Terrence Trammell, Veronica Campbell, Bershawn Jackson and Bernard Lagat, among others, scheduled to compete. I do think, however, that there are four events that bear watching as I expect them to produce some outstanding results.
Millrose – Men’s Shot Put
The men’s shot should be one HOT affair this weekend. Reigning World Champion Christian Cantwell will enter the ring against ’05 World Champion Adam Nelson, and ’07 World Champion Reese Hoffa. All three men have personal bests in excess of 72 feet, and are very competitive against each other. Expect several throws over the 70 foot mark in this meet.
Millrose – Men’s Pole Vault
One of the bright spots that went unnoticed last year was the improvement of French pole vaulter
Renaud Lavillenie. Lavillenie increased his best from 18′ 6″ to 19′ 8.25″ – becoming a serious threat to the 20 foot barrier. He brings his considerable skills to New York where he will go up against Tim Mack who has an identical PR set back in 2004. Add 19′ 2.50″ vaulter Derek Miles to the mix and we should see some very high attempts in New York.
Karlruhe – Women’s High Jump
One of the hottest rivalries of 2009 was between female high jumpers Blanka Vlasic and Ariane Freidrich. Vlasic opened her season earlier this week on a very high note with a 6′ 7″ clearance in Trinec (Czech Republic). As competitive as these two became last year, I expect to see Friedrich reach high heights of her own this weekend – especially since she will be on home soil in Germany.
Glasgow – Women’s 60 meters
Last year Carmelita Jeter became the second fastest woman of all time running 10.64 in the 100 meters (as well as 10.67). This year Jeter has stated that she has her sight set on Irina Privalova’s “ancient” 60 meter record of 6.92. Her chase will begin in Glasgow. Certainly her PR of 7.11 should fall if her late season form of last year is any indication. I’m thinking around 7.05 in her debut. Of course with a decent start we could see something under 7.00 – an exciting prospect indeed.
Of course these aren’t the only individuals that will be competing this weekend. But I do think these are four events that do bear watching. Now it feels like track season.