The CHill Zone of T&F: Conway's View From the Finish Line

Post Trials Notes and Paris

Jul 7th, 2012
11:14 am PDT

Everything is happening fast a furious now, and I’ve been a bit under the weather and trying to get caught up. So with the Diamond League already back under way,a few thoughts on Paris and where everyone is at this point with only weeks to go to London. First topic Usain Bolt. In spite of some amazing performances being turned in from several athletes, "what's wrong with Bolt" seems to be leading the conversation Read More...

Kingston Doesn’t Change the London 100

Jun 30th, 2012
10:10 am PDT

The defeat of Usain Bolt at the Jamaican Trials has not changed the Olympic 100 meters. Why? Because as I've said before Bolt has always been beatable. It's not easy to do, and not everyone has the ability, but it's always been possible. It requires two things: a sprinter with serious top end speed and a killer finish; and an average/typical start by Bolt Read More...

Trials Day 3 – Redemption Sunday

Jun 25th, 2012
8:06 am PDT

Today's agenda was short but sweet - 8 events, 7 finals and 1 semi. But when the names involved include Cantwell, Hoffa, Gay, Gatlin, Richards Ross, Merritt, Wariner, and Suhr you're talking about one high powered afternoon. Not to mention a lot of athletes looking for redemption - and most got just that Read More...

Trials Day 2 – Ashton Eaton, 9039 WR

Jun 24th, 2012
7:51 am PDT

Excitement and drama. That's standard when talking about the Olympic Trials. And while there were only three finals, Day Two just might be one of the most exciting and dramatic Trials days ever! Let's start with the decathlon, since it did start the day off. Ashton Eaton entered the day with a score of 4728 pts, putting him on WR pace as he, Trey Hardee, and Bryan Clay looked to be on their way to sending the greatest trio of decathletes ever to the Games Read More...

Trials Preview – Men’s 100 Meters

Jun 16th, 2012
8:22 am PDT

The very nature of the Trials makes this meet exciting - the best in the country come together with only three competitors per event moving on to the Olympic Games. That alone puts a spotlight on every event - and I will be keeping an eye on them all. But some events carry even more intrigue and drama Read More...

Pre–Outstanding Results, Lots of Questions

Jun 3rd, 2012
8:17 am PDT

Trying to put something together on this meet has been giving me fits. Once again the Pre Classic was the best non championship meet on US soil. From the distance races Friday night (streamed live thank you) to the Bowerman Mile that closed out the NBC broadcast, the fields were top notch across the board Read More...

D.oha A.thletes M.ake N.oise!

May 11th, 2012
10:09 pm PDT

D.A.M.N.! If today's meet in Doha was the"opening act" of the Olympic year,  I can hardly wait for the denouement in London - it's going to bring down the house! Today's events were Olympic in quality across the board and began to fuel plot lines that will only be answered by a gathering of all the world's best into one stadium Read More...

The Pieces are Coming Together

Apr 29th, 2012
9:42 am PDT

The great thing about the Penn Relays is that it's the first time we get a large gathering of top athletes together at the same meet. The tough part is that they aren't competing head to head and they're not competing in individual events - so "evaluating" where they are can be a bit more difficult Read More...

8 Must See Trials Events

Apr 28th, 2012
7:58 am PDT

I'm getting antsy, it's Friday night and no big results can be found - everything major will be happening Saturday. So my mind is wandering in the direction of the Trials. After all, once the smoke clears everything comes down to two meets this year - National Trials and the Olympic Games.In some countries the Trials may be the years most important meet, beside if you don't get past the Trials you'll never see the Games - at least not from the stadium in London Read More...

2012 Outdoor Preview – Sprints

Mar 22nd, 2012
11:32 am PDT

Now that we’re completely done with the indoor season, it’s time to start taking a look at how this outdoor season might possibly shape up. More importantly, at how the Games might shape up. So as I go through the various events on the Olympic slate, I’m going to try and Identify those individuals that I feel as of today ill be in the mix – the contenders and potential contenders Read More...