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The Truth About US Nationals
The US Track & Field Championships have come and gone, and that phrase alone pretty much describes them. They happened. There were a handful of exciting races. Noah Lyles stepping on the gas and blitzing to a 9.79 win. Melissa Jefferson Wooden doing the same in the 200m in 21.69. A photo in the 110H finding Cordell Tinch 13.00 an eyelash ahead of Bradley Franklin’s 13.00. Unfortunately, the meet was more notable for who wasn’t at the meet. As a majority of defending champions, record holders, and elite competitors elected to bypass the meet with no global championship berths on the line. Resulting in a rather bland overall championships. Reflecting…
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The Problem With US 4×1’s
Ok, I really thought this was going to be the year. After all, we won the men’s 4×1 in ’19 and ’23, which was the closest thing to a winning streak that we’ve had since the ’90’s. This year we’d dominated at the World Relays running 37.40 without our best team. We showed up to Paris with the group that won in the Bahamas with Fred Kerley and Noah Lyles also ready to go. With Noah and Kenny Bednarek getting ready for the 200m final, our subs ran yet another 37.4 to lead the semis. Then we found yet another way to lose yet another Olympic final! With Noah out…
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Tokyo Recap
I have to admit, I didn’t realize just how tough it would be to watch the Olympics live! Here on the West Coast, that meant getting up at 3:00am. Watching the Games. Then a full day of work. Then more track and field. Then bed long enough to get some rest before repeating – for a week and a half. Literally track and field Nirvana. However, my goal of writing something every day, went out the window on Day 3. So, here is my recap of one of the most interesting Games I’ve watched in my lifetime. For the first time ever, I spent almost the entirety of the Olympics…
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USATF Championships Review
For four days America’s best track and field athletes got together in Des Moines Iowa to decide who would represent the US at the World Championships. Lots to say, some good, some bad, so let’s start with the bad. I’m not sure what the selection process is for championship sites, and I understand that this meet is going to be held in the summer, but how many times have I seen this meet affected by rain? So on Championship Sunday we’re hit by rain yet again. Now we know USATF’s (*cough * Nike’s) affinity for Eugene where it rains most of the year. And similarly Des Moines where it rains…
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USATF Preview
We’re a little over a week from the USATF Championships. No more competitions to watch. The time has finally arrived. And after months of meets – we still don’t know much! With Worlds being so late, some athletes have been very cautious. Then there are the collegiate kids that have already peaked for a championship. Following are my best guess at who will emerge for Doha. Men’s 100 Justin Gatlin has a bye and only needs to show up and run once. Christian Coleman is the leader in the clock and the track. Noah Lyles has decided against the double so now it’s pot luck after Coleman – we get…
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USATF Athletes of the Year
Given the recent articles in the news regarding Max Siegel and his elaborate lifestyle while USATF stagnates, I’ve held off saying anything at all about US track – though I have written a few things that I will begin to post. Today after seeing the choices for male and female athlete of the year, I feel that I should speak my mind, and begin voicing my opinions again. Because clearly USATF lacks direction. First off, the athletes chosen, Michelle Carter (shot put) and Matt Centrowitz (1500) are fine athletes. I can honestly say that they are two of my favorite Americans. Carter has brought American female shot putting to global…
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My Position on Justin Gatlin
Can someone, anyone, explain to me why Justin Gatlin is made out to be the devil of track and field? People are booing him in Rio. Sebastian Coe is praying he doesn’t win. Why? And the American media is the worst constantly bringing up his past – erroneously I might add. Funny, I haven’t heard ANYONE bringing up the fact that Michael Phelps was a dope smoking fiend that had to leave swimming for a while! No one, including Coe who is holier than thou when it comes to "doping and suspensions" has booed, wished ill of, or said that Shelley Ann Fraser Pryce, Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell, or Veronica…
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Events I’ll Be Watching at US Nationals
Typically Nationals is one of the two hottest meets of the year behind only the World Championships or Olympics. This is an "off season" however, that once every four years non championship season. So the full complement of elites looking to make a global team is a bit lighter than usual. My biggest disappointment in this regards is the Men’s 100 which is missing Justin Gatlin and the new kid on the block Trayvon Bromell, as neither of the year’s two fastest Americans is entered in the competition. I think that could have been the match up of the meet. That said however, I think there are several match ups…
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Saturday, A Day of Track and Field
In the year 2014 we finally got what I’ve always known TV could give us - a full day of track & field! The thought of watching track all day on television has been a dream of mine forever.There is an old saying however, be careful what you ask for, you might it. and my day of sitting in the comfort of my home watching track and field had it’s moments. Starting with the "venerable" Penn Relays. I know that the "concept" of "The USA v The World" creates an aura of excitement for Penn and sells tickets, but this year’s squads were really lacking in star power and truly…
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Gay (9.75) & Gardener (10.85) Lead US Champs
We’re halfway through the US Trials and those gusts of wind that have been howling through the stadium seem to be the winds of change as veterans have been dropping like flies in Des Moines. Jeremy Wariner out in the first round. Ditto Angelo Taylor. Walter Dix a semifinal casualty. Doc Patton a DNS. Trell Kimmons won’t be leading off any 4×1’s this summer. The relay is the only way we’ll see Mike Rodgers in Moscow. Maggie Vessey out in the semis, along with Phoebe Wright. Lauryn Williams another semi casualty. Ditto Mary Wineberg. Sanya Richards Ross hanging on by a thread. With so many former championship medalists out before…