This past weekend ended the month of March with several outstanding relay meets. Athletes tend to love early season relays, because it gives you a chance to kick things off and see where you are, without actually running your “regular” event. You can run a relay leg of any distance you choose to gauge where you are. In that vein there were a lot of Olympic and Worlds caliber athletes on the track in Austin Texas (Texas Relays) and Gainesville Florida (Florida Relays). Leading to many truly outstanding performances!

In Texas the star of the show was Gabby Thomas who is clearly in fine form. She ran on the winning “USA Red” 4×1 that clocked a nice 42.25. Then proceeded to run a sprint double of 10.88w/22.08. The 200m a world leader, the 100m just barely over the allowable at 2.2mps. In both races she showed strong smooth acceleration and solid speed endurance. The 100m was the best she’s ever run given her PB is 11.00. She looks to be on her way to another clash with Shericka Jackson this summer. Another that looked good was Julien Alfred who anchored a 4×2 to a world best of 1:27.05. I say world best because the team had women from various countries (L. Thomas, Adeleke, & Asher Smith) and World Athletics does not recognize relays of mixed nations for record purposes. A practice that personally I think needs to be changed, because the race happened and their time was the best ever! We also got a world leading throw of 67.98m (223ft) in the discus by Valarie Allman. Who I think often gets overlooked. She’s tremendously consistent and competitive. We have a bad habit in this sport of not giving enough recognition to field event performers. Speaking of, there was also a nice world leading decathlon from Leo Neugubauer of 8708. He’s also been very consistent, and for my money is the early favorite heading into Paris.

While there were mostly collegiate squads in Austin, the stars were out in Gainesville. With several athletes running legs on 4×1’s and 4×4’s. Hottest race of the meet being the men’s 4×1 where a squad of Grant Holloway, Erriyon Knighton, PJ Austin and Joe Faunbulleh ran a sizzling 37.67. A USA Red squad of Brandon Carnes, Christian Coleman, Kendal Williams, and Noah Lyles were with them into the final handoff, but Williams and Lyles didn’t connect. I finally got to see Knighton on a third leg, and the young man didn’t disappoint. If you’ve read my blog at all, I’ve been saying for two years he’s our best hope at third leg. He simply flattened that turn out! He also ran a smooth looking 45.2 leg on a 4×4. He, Lyles, and Tebogo are all looking good early. Indicating that something special could happen this summer when all three step on the track. Wayde van Niekerk, Alison dos Santos, Jereme Richards, and Steven Gardner were among the many international athletes competing and running legs on 4×4’s. And I have to mention that Nigerian Favour Ashe won the 100m in a world leading 9.99. The seasons first legal sub 10.

It’s nice to see “USA” relay squads out putting in work. Especially on the men’s side. In reality relay running is not that difficult. Just a bit of timing is needed. This “relay season” is a great time to do that if we can get people together. With Florida the recent Sprint Capitol of the US, hopefully that will happen. We have the personnel to do some fabulous things if we just move the stick. I’m looking forward to seeing the upcoming World Relays meet (May 4-5). It’s only a month away, and should give us some much needed practice time together before the Olympic Trials in June. I’m going to throw some potential squads out there that I think can win in the Bahamas.

Men 4×1 – Coleman – Kerley – Knighton – Lyles
Women 4×1 – Davis – Steiner – Thomas – Richardson
Men 4×2 – Bednarek – Norman – Knighton – Lyles
Women 4×2 – Prandini – Steiner – Richardson – Thomas

I haven’t seen Norman, Steiner or Prandini yet. Though I did see Prandini indoors. I think Tamara Clark could replace Steiner if she’s not healthy or ready. Fred would do nicely instead of Norman on the 4×2. Norman just runs a better turn. Brittany Brown could also lead off that 4×2. Four by fours are a bit easier to put together based on fitness at that moment. I’d like to see us run our short relays as close to what we expect in Paris however. I think all four of the about groups are capable of producing record runs. I’m also going to suggest that they run full squads both rounds. Because I think we should do the same in Paris. I know the coaches are trying to get as many people as possible medals. First however, we need to get back to the medal winning. You can’t share what you don’t win. Frankly with several more relay meets on tap, hopefully we see more USA squads getting practice in.

And that’s where we are. Relay Season is here. Time to finish putting in that base. Get sharp in May. Championships in June. If the early season performances are any indication this year is going to be a lot of fun!

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