As the outdoor season slowly gets going there were two clear standouts on the track. First would be Iowa State’s Lisa Koll who set a collegiate record in the 10,000 meters. Koll set a new record of 31:18.07 at the Stanford Invitational, taking down the previous best of 31:25.45 set back in 2008. Koll’s mark was a world leader and made her the sixth fastest American ever over the distance. More importantly it puts her very close to the 31:00 barrier, which if she can get under that would put her in true world class and make her competitive against the rest of the world’s top distance runners. Running this well so early in the season bodes well for Ms Koll.

Also turning in a world class performance was Mississippi State frosh Tavaris Tate who blazed a world lead equaling 44.86 at the Alabama Relays. Tate ran un pressed as second in his heat was a country mile back in 48.35! Tate obliterated his outdoor best of 45.48 set last year in leading the nations high school sprinters in the event. He was also nearly a second faster than his indoor best of 45.80.

Interestingly enough Tate was missing from this year’s NCAA indoor championships as he competed instead for the US team in Doha running on the World Championship gold medal winning 4×4, but he gives the NCAA another hot quarter miler. Keep your eyes on the SEC 400 this year with Tate already under 45 seconds and Torrin Lawrence (Georgia), Kirani James (Alabama), Calvin Smith (Florida) and Tony McQuay (Florida) all possibly in line to join him! The NCAA 400 meter championship should run through the SEC.

Speaking of college championships, Texas A&M (39.35) and Florida (39.37) both showed that they will be forces once again at this year’s NCAA championships. A&M had the fastest collegiate time in the nation last year at 38.51, but Florida was national champion at 38.57.

The track should begin to heat up in earnest next weekend as the Florida and Texas Relays will both be on tap. Both typically have good fields, and the wind in Texas is known to kick up a notch here and there causing some hot times!