Among the many meets that were held this past weekend, the Tom Jones Invitational stood out. As usual there was a large field of both top college programs as well as elite athletes looking for high level competition. If you’re a fan of speed, go check out this meet on ESPN where it was streamed and is currently archived, because the result was two days of great track and field. This time of year athletes are looking to begin their competitive build up to June’s Olympic qualifying meets. Based on the results of this meet, the Trials and Games are going to be very very fast.

This meet of highlights began on day one with some blazing 200m runs. Tarsis Orogot running 19.90 in the Invitational section for a new world lead. That lasted until Courtney Lindsey went 19.88 in the Olympic Development section. Lyndsey was a finalist at least year’s national championships. Looks like he is working to be there again. Joseph Faunbulleh ran 20.06 to show that he is back from last year’s injuries. We also got some very fast early season 400 hurdling with Chris Robinson of Alabama running 47.95! Sizzling this early in the season. Friday’s highlights were just the teaser though. As Saturday started hot, and got hotter. It started with a women’s USA squad running a quick 41.94. The middle of this relay featured Abby Steiner and Jenna Prandini who ran the same legs in Eugene at 2022 Worlds. Once again Abby destroyed second leg and passed flawlessly to Jenna. Abby showing that she is back from off season bone spur surgery. She also ran a leg on the winning 4×4 in Florida looking strong. However I was most impressed with her 100m win in her heat at 11.05. A typical poor start, followed by tremendous acceleration. Fourth best time in the Olympic Development section. This section was led by Tamari Davis and Melissa Jefferson, both in 10.94. The run of the day was in the Invitational section where Jacious Sears flew to a 10.77! Sears had a solid start. Then just accelerated through the finish. Suddenly she’s become a potential major player in the event. As her run is a world leader and #2 all time college. Only four women ran that fast last year – Sha’Carri Richardson (10.65), Shericka Jackson (10.65), Marie Josee TaLou (10.75), and Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce (10.77). While the men didn’t produce a 100m of this caliber, the men’s Olympic Development section produced one of the most exciting races of the day with Noah Lyles winning over Kenny Bednarek as both clocked 10.01 – Noah winning by.003. Kyree King (10.02), Hakim Sani Brown (10.04), Joe Faunbulleh (10.07), and Chen Jiapeng (10.08) made it a race with six men within a tenth of a second of each other! The afternoon also saw some high level 400m running. As this year’s indoor find, Christopher Morales Williams, went under 45 for the first time outdoors, winning in 44.91. This kid came out of no where indoors, and hasn’t gone back. At this rate, he’s someone to watch. And should be representing Canada in Paris.

Results aside, the eye test says. Noah Lyles is sharp and ready. Kenny Bednarek seems a tad quicker this year. Melissa Jefferson is back to being the sprinter she was in ’22. Tamari Davis is a more mature sprinter this year. Abby Steiner is ready to do Abby Steiner things. Christopher Morales Williams is a force to be reckoned with. And Jacious Sears could be ready to upset the women’s sprinting landscape. A lot happened in Florida. As the season begins to shift into high gear. Next this coming weekend we have MtSAC, another meet that typically has very good results. Along with the McDonnell, Johnson and Owens Invitationals. April heats up, then mid May we get the collegiate conferences as their seasons wind down. So expect lots of good competition, as everyone gets sharp for championship season.