{"id":320,"date":"2010-05-07T15:10:00","date_gmt":"2010-05-07T22:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=320"},"modified":"2010-05-07T15:10:00","modified_gmt":"2010-05-07T22:10:00","slug":"where-is-our-1-2-punch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=320","title":{"rendered":"Where Is Our 1, 2 Punch"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"float:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/view.picapp.com\/default.aspx?term=maurice green, jon drummond&#038;iid=3388030\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/cdn.picapp.com\/ftp\/Images\/8\/a\/0\/c\/Norwich_Union_GP_8b32.jpg?resize=380%2C171\" width=\"380\" height=\"171\"  border=\"0\" alt=\"Norwich Union GP\"\/><\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:left;height:0px;overflow: hidden;\"><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"http:\/\/cdn.pis.picapp.com\/IamProd\/PicAppPIS\/JavaScript\/PisV4.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>The Diamond League will be starting in just over a week and so far the most hyped events have been the sprints. Not unexpected with Usain Bolt serving as the current face of the sport. What is surprising, at least to me, is that as we approach the heart of the season we (the US) don\u2019t seem to have that 1,2 punch in the short sprint that has served us so well throughout most of the history of the sport. <\/p>\n<p>Going back to the 1960\u2019s when sprinting truly became global, and automatic timing became the standard, we\u2019ve had pairs such as Jim Hines &amp; Charlie Greene, Eddie Hart &amp; Rey Robinson, Steve Williams &amp; Reggie Jones, Carl Lewis &amp; Calvin Smith, Carl Lewis &amp; Leroy Burrell, Maurice Greene &amp; Jon Drummond, and Justin Gatlin &amp; Shawn Crawford. Duos that were capable of setting records and winning races domestically, internationally and most importantly in the major championships. \u201cGo to\u201d sprinters that would most certainly during their tenures have made my \u201c30 Watch List\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>My initial version of the \u201c30 Watch List\u201d did contain one such duo, with Tyson Gay and Wallace Spearmon both appearing as potential medalists in the 200 meters. But traditionally it\u2019s the 100 meters \u2013 the glamour sprint \u2013 that has gotten the most notice, and where we\u2019ve had great depth. We still have the depth when compared to the rest of the world. Of the 27 athletes that ran faster than 10.05 last year, 12 of them were American. For those keeping track with the sprint battle against Jamaica, 7 were Jamaican. So we are still winning the war of depth. But depth doesn\u2019t win medals, as only 3 athletes gain entry into the World Championships and Olympics \u2013 4 can go to Worlds if one is defending champion. In the battle that matters \u2013 the fight for championship medals \u2013 it\u2019s about what you have on the top end. And it\u2019s there that we\u2019ve been lacking in the 1, 2 punch area!<\/p>\n<p>The last \u201cBatman &amp; Robin\u201d type Dynamic Duo we went to battle with was back in 2004 when Justin Gatlin and Shawn Crawford breezed through the rounds and went 1, 4 in the Athens final. Since then we\u2019ve been lacking in the \u201c#2\u201d department. Yes, we\u2019ve seen the rise of Tyson Gay since then \u2013 and Tyson has been awesome when healthy. But when Tyson has gone down and been at less than his best, there\u2019s been no one there to help carry the load. Nor has there been that strong 1, 2 punch in the sprint relay \u2013 to just put things away!<\/p>\n<p>Instead we\u2019ve seen Jamaica in that mode with Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell playing the roles of Batman &amp; Robin. An act that we perfected over the years and need desperately to reproduce again. So the question today is \u2013 where\u2019s our Robin? Tyson seems to have the Batman spot on lock \u2013 though if someone can rise up and put him into the #2 spot, I\u2019ll take that too! But until then, who is going to be the guy that is will give us a shot at 2 medals in the 100 AND help take back the gold in the 4&#215;1?<\/p>\n<p>Following are the nine men that I think are in contention to become that sprinter:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">Walter Dix<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">9.91 \/ 19.69 \u2013 legal sub 10\u2019s (6)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>At first glance Dix should probably be the guy. He proved at Florida State with multiple titles, and then on the big stage in Beijing with double bronze, that he is capable of producing his best when it matters \u2013 a key if you\u2019re one of the dynamic duo.&nbsp; The fact that he is also very good at the deuce makes it that much better. But if Dix is going to be the man he\u2019s going to have to get down in that 9.8x range, which could be difficult given that he is somewhere in the neighborhood of 5\u20199\u201d and is a notoriously slow starter! Dix finishes like a house a fire. But the 100\u2019s current top three (Bolt, Gay, Powell) are not just a fire \u2013 they\u2019re blazing. Dix MUST develop a consistent start that puts him even with the field over the first 40 meters. If he can do that he can potentially run with \u201cthe big boys\u201d and be a strong contender.&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">Darvis Patton<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">9.89 \/ 20.03 \u2013 legal sub 10\u2019s (6)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Darvis \u201cDoc\u201d Patton has been around for a while, originally making his name running the deuce as he was good enough to score World silver in 2003. But a change in focus in \u201808 to the 100 saw him run 9.89 in both \u201808 &amp; \u201809, and earn spots on both the Olympic and World Championships teams. Unfortunately for Doc, it seems that our national championships is where he hits his peak. He\u2019s run sporadically in Europe, and has run poorly in both majors finishing 8th in both. Not the record you want for a solid #2 guy. Doc has decent size (right at 6 feet tall), though in focusing on the 100 he seems to have lost the stride length he once had in the deuce. He will have to get that back AND improve his start if he wants to stay with the event\u2019s best and have a shot at the podium. Unfortunately at 32, time is not on his side.&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">Mike Rodgers<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">9.94 \/ 20.24 \u2013 legal sub 10\u2019s (3)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Rodgers has teased with several races in the 10.0x range as well as several windy sub10 races- including a windy 9.91 that got him on last year\u2019s World Championships squad. Legally, however, he only has three races under 10.00, and his debut on the big stage in Berlin last year turned up a 5th place finish in his semi \u2013 leaving him out of the final. Rodgers has a solid start and a fair finish, but as another sprinter in the 5\u20199\u201d range, and without much power in his makeup, it may just be too&nbsp; much to ask him to keep up with the taller, stronger sprinters. Rodgers will have to develop an even faster get away at the start to try and create space between he and the fast finishers; as well as develop a stronger finish of his own if he hopes to move to the next level. <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">Travis Padgett<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">9.89 \/ 20.32 \u2013 legal sub 10\u2019s (2)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Padgett is on this list because he has run under 9.90 \u2013 indicating that the potential IS there \u2013 and made two major relay squads. But once again we have a smallish sprinter in what has become a tall man\u2019s event. Padgett can be extremely fast out of the blocks. And when he holds form as he did in his PR run at the Olympic Trials in \u201808 he has the potential to be extremely fast. Too often, however, his form deteriorates late race, causing him to fade badly in the final 30 to 40 meters of the race. This is the stage of the race where most of the podium contenders are in cruise control! Padgett must find a way to relax late race so as not to break down and hold his speed \u2013 his final 40 must become as efficient as his first 40. If he can do this he can get close to the podium. If&nbsp; not he\u2019s just the rabbit in the race. <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">Ivory Williams<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">9.93 \/ 20.62 \u2013 legal sub 10\u2019s (3)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Ivory seemed to be finding himself this indoor season before cannabis had him taking a time out. He\u2019s come back outdoors, however, back in stride and currently leads the world at 9.95. Though he too is in the 5\u20199\u201d range, Williams has a fairly consistent race pattern \u2013 solid start, solid finish \u2013 that could give him an advantage over other sprinters his size. An improved start has him running well early. If he can make similar improvements at the end of his race he could move close to the podium. Technically solid he could become a Maurice Greene type capable of cranking out consistently good times. The key for Williams, as with many, will be how well he can finish in the final 40.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"416\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">Rae Edwards<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"214\">10.02 \/ 20.17 \u2013 legal&nbsp; sub 10\u2019s (0)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Rae is one of the few tall (i.e. 6 feet tall) sprinters that we bring to the table at this level. But as with many young tall sprinters he\u2019s learned to depend too much on his finish \u2013 which he does well. Running with the big boys, however, one can have no deficiencies in race pattern, so Rae must get better in the first 40. Because the days of making the stunning come from behind win \u2013 a la Carl Lewis in Tokyo \u201891 or Donovan Bailey in Atlanta \u201896 \u2013 are a dying breed. His start is what has kept him from being a sub10 sprinter to this point &#8211; his finish is what has gotten him so close. He has one of the worst first 40\u2019s of this group, but that also gives him the potential to have one of the biggest up sides. <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">Ryan Bailey<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">10.05 \/ 20.40 \u2013 legal sub 10\u2019s (0)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Bailey is the most physically gifted of the potential contenders \u2013 and the least experienced at this level. But at 6\u20194\u201d tall he fits the prototype of what is emerging as today\u2019s top sprinter. He has the finish of a big man, but like the man he\u2019s most often compared to (Bolt) he must develop the early race of a smaller man. Seems to have the uber competitive nature of a winning sprinter, which is necessary as the times drop precipitously, but he\u2019s got to get engaged in the race from step one. If he can run with the lead dogs in the first 50, he has the ability to finish with them over the final 50. If he can do that, he can make one heck of a duo with Tyson. <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">Justin Gatlin<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"200\">9.77 \/ 19.86 \u2013 9.85 \/ 20.00 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Yes, Gatlin must be discussed here. Hard to dismiss a man that once won back to back championships (\u201804\/\u201905) and set a WR. Puts him in the same position as current world #1 Usain Bolt. And while the talk will immediately go to \u201cyeah but he was banned, and without taking sides, I have to say that the ban occurred after he won the championships and did not include anything he did in those years (that\u2019s why I gave him two sets of PR\u2019s). I say that because the issue has never been Gatlin\u2019s ability to compete. He\u2019s done that well at every level \u2013 high school, college, professional. The question on the table is: can he return to either form (9.85 or 9.77) after FOUR years away from the sport? If he can get into some decent races (he faces being blackballed in the better events) we will see what he can do. If he can regain form we could have an awesome one, two punch. But right now the odds aren\u2019t in his favor.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>So, having said that where does it leave us? Well, if we take a look at the top three in the event Bolt was 10.02 the season before his breakout year (9.69 the following year); Gay was 10.06 the season before his breakout year (9.84 the following year); and Powell was 10.02 the season before his breakout year (9.87 the following year). So any of these guys could potentially be the one. If I were going to say who I thought had the best chance it would have to be Dix, Williams and Bailey. They have the best overall set of skills to make that move to the next level. Gatlin is the elephant in the room \u2013 the guy that could change everything. <\/p>\n<p>Only time will tell if they, or any of the others, make that move. But if we are going to regain our swagger in the short sprint and the relay someone will have to step up and become a solid 9.8x performer that can be counted on to consistently deliver. This season is going to tell us a lot about who that may be. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Diamond League will be starting in just over a week and so far the most hyped events have been the sprints. Not unexpected with Usain Bolt serving as the current face of the sport. What is surprising, at least to me, is that as we approach the heart of the season we (the US) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-320","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa3DCY-5a","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=320"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}