This past weekend track fans had events from Thursday thru Sunday! An entire weekend of track and field to enjoy. Literally nearly every corner of the globe was hosting a meet of some type. It was great to see so much action, especially with several meets being televised and streamed. I noticed a lot of criticism aimed at athletes who are not performing up to the expectations of some fans.
In sport, timing is everything. It doesn’t matter the sport the most important thing is to be ready when it’s “winning time”. In the NFL and NBA that means playoff time. In track and field that means championship time. Which is different things for many athletes. High school athletes are in that mode as we speak. Californians going through conferences last weekend on their road to state that ends beginning of June. US colleges and universities will have their conference meets within the next two weeks. Followed by Regionals two weeks later and their Nationals two weeks after that. The USATF Championships will be towards that latter part of June. And of course the big one, the Olympics, will be in the latter part of July.
I mention this because everyone isn’t necessarily trying to “peak” at the same time. Yes, if you’re trying to get to the Olympics, everyone wants to be at their best at the Trials. Then have a plan to stay there for thirty days. Of course college and university coaches need their athletes to be ready a tad sooner. High school coaches a little earlier. So it’s no surprise to me to see some high school and collegiate athletes running a bit faster than their elite counterparts. The two are in different stages of their training cycles! This is why you see “youngsters” leading the sprint lists right now. I guarantee you, that will not be the case come Trials time.
That’s what makes this time of the year so interesting. We get to see who is rising up to challenge the established stars. For example, there have been a few surprises this year. I’m start with young Quincy Wilson. A sophomore from Bullis High School who has run 45.19. A very respectable time that right now has him #19 globally. Even more surprising is high school junior Christian Miller who has clocked 9.93 for the world lead in the 100m. I believe both young men have indicated a desire to compete at this year’s Olympic Trials. A daunting task but not impossible. After all Erriyon Knighton made the Tokyo team in 2021 in the 200m.
Courtney Lindsey is not a high schooler, but he’s emerged as a threat to make Team USA with some exciting sprinting this spring. In college last year, Lindsey is now a professional who seems to be having no trouble adjusting. His 19.71 into a -1.5mps headwind currently leading the world along another young sprinter, Letsile Tebogo of Botswana.
So, in spite of the “complaints” the season has been moving right along. As I always say, it ain’t how fast you run, it’s when you run fast! We’ll get another kind of feast this coming weekend with the running of the World Relays in the Bahamas. There is much to be gained this weekend. The top 14 teams in each event will qualify to compete in the Olympics in Paris. The top eight teams will also receive the following prize money:
1. $40,000
2. $20,000
3. $10,000
4. $8,000
5. $6,000
6. $4,000
7. $3,000
8. $2,000
If a world record is broken, that squad will receive an additional bonus of $50,000! So, with all of this on the line, expect to see some extremely competitive races. A few events to keep an eye on.
I’ll start with the men’s 4×1. The US will not know it’s team for Paris until late June after the Olympic Trials. That said, we’re sending a squad of Pjai Austin, Kenny Bednarek, Kyree King, Courtney Lindsey, Kendal Williams, and Noah Lyles. I’ll be watching how well they move the baton, as well as how each handles his leg. Hopefully we’ll see some disciplined execution in this meet. They’ll get to test their passing against the Italian squad that won the 4×1 in Tokyo. Complete with Filippo Tortu and Lamont Jacobs.
I’m also curious to see the Botswana men in the 4×4. Several of their sprinters have looked good in the 400m, both this season and last with times near 44.00. Their squad could end up being formidable in Paris. This weekend could be a preview of just how good they might be. They’ll get a test from the following group of Americans: Champion Allison, Chris Bailey, Bryce Deadmon, Wilbert London, Demerius Smith, and Willington Wright. A pretty solid group. As all but the final two listed have international experience.
On the women’s side of things the Netherlands is sending their top squad in the 4×4. The same group that won last year’s World Championships with Lieke Klaver and Femke Bol. They could win in the Bahamas as well. We’re sending a squad of: Kendall Ellis, Quanera Hayes, Alexis Holmes, Paris Peoples, Na’Asha Robinson, Maya Singlet, Jessica Wright. This will be an excellent opportunity to see how we do without running our hurdlers on the relay. Which could actually be the goal.
It’s a two day competition. Heats on day one. Finals on day two. Buckle up, this should be a lot of fun.