{"id":395,"date":"2010-09-08T14:55:00","date_gmt":"2010-09-08T21:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=395"},"modified":"2010-09-08T14:55:00","modified_gmt":"2010-09-08T21:55:00","slug":"my-version-of-the-us-4x1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/?p=395","title":{"rendered":"My Version of the US 4&#215;1"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"float:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/view.picapp.com\/pictures.photo\/sports\/11th-iaaf-world-athletics\/image\/1933806?term=iaaf+world+championships%2c+osaka\" target=\"_blank\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/view3.picapp.com\/pictures.photo\/image\/1933806\/11th-iaaf-world-athletics\/11th-iaaf-world-athletics.jpg?resize=234%2C339\" border=\"0\" width=\"234\" title=\"11th IAAF World Athletics Championships: Day Eight\" height=\"339\" oncontextmenu=\"return false;\" ondrag=\"return false;\" onmousedown=\"return false;\" alt=\"OSAKA, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 01:  Leroy Dixon celebrates after he runs the anchor lane and takes the United States of America to victory during the Men's 4 x 100m Relay on day eight of the 11th IAAF World Athletics Championships on September 1, 2007 at the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Japan. The United States of America won in a time of 37.78 seconds.  (Photo by Mark Dadswell\/Getty Images)\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:left;height:0px;overflow: hidden;\"><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"http:\/\/view.picapp.com\/\/JavaScripts\/OTIjs.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Yes I know that the 2010 season isn\u2019t quite done yet. But for my money it\u2019s never too early to put a relay team together. Because one of the most important aspects of relay running is continuity and team togetherness \u2013 and that\u2019s difficult to achieve when team members are practically making introductions prior to stepping on the track to compete! <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s why I think it\u2019s time to start thinking about creating \u201cnational relay squads\u201d that are selected and run together during the course of a couple of seasons or so \u2013 health and injuries permitting \u2013 as opposed to our antiquated system of selecting the first few men that cross the finish line at our national championships each year. Because, as I said <a href=\"http:\/\/theviewfromthefinishline.blogspot.com\/2010\/09\/relay-chat-in-aftermath-of-zurich-3745.html\" target=\"_blank\">previously<\/a>, while speed is important, the 4&#215;1 and the 100 meter dash are two completely different animals. And we need to start treating the 4&#215;1 as the independent entity that it is if we want to get back on the winning track in international competition.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, I know that would be opening up a can of worms, because there would be much politicking to get people on, or off, the squad. Wait a minute. We have that now \u2013 so no change on that front! What we would be able to do is get the best people in place (based on someone, or some groups opinion) and give them an opportunity to work together and actually get good at running the relay together. Something the rest of the world is already doing. I understand that it\u2019s a bit easier for other countries, because we still have the deepest pool of available talent \u2013 Jamaica notwithstanding. But it really isn\u2019t that difficult to separate out who our top people are without running them down the track in a make or break 100 meter dash. And if we are being honest with ourselves, the rest of the world has caught up to us in this event, so just throwing four guys and a baton out on the track is no longer going to get the job done. Because much to the chagrin of the Allen Iverson\u2019s of the world, this event does take PRACTICE.<\/p>\n<p>So, I\u2019m proposing that we select a squad early and give them the opportunity to practice, and work together so we can get the stick around the track and take our rightful place on the podium instead of watching the medal ceremony from afar. With that said, here are my thoughts on who that squad should be. Note that I am looking at speed \u2013 but more specifically what I call \u201crelay speed\u201d. I\u2019m also looking at experience, previous success, and most importantly individual placement because I also think that we should have an advantage in putting together relay teams. For starters, most of our kids have grown up running relays in a high school setting and then in a college setting of some sort. So they shouldn\u2019t be strangers to the baton. I also think we have a very under utilized group of individuals that could be quite helpful \u2013 college coaches. These guys (and gals) put together relay teams for a living! They are not only acquainted with the art of moving the baton around the track, but understand the importance of \u201cwho goes where\u201d in the chess match that is truly the relay. <\/p>\n<p>Final word before my selections. The relay is truly about TEAM \u2013 Together Everyone Achieves More \u2013 because it takes all four members to get the stick around the track and across the line. Some would say that team members need to check their egos at the door, but I disagree. I say they need to bring them to the track. Because each team member needs to OWN his leg. While many people put great emphasis on the anchor leg, there are FOUR legs and each one is important. If you don\u2019t believe that think about team members and how they are remembered. Dennis Mitchell, and Calvin Smith are remembered for OWNING that second turn. Bernard Williams and Leroy Burrell are remembered for OWNING the backstretch. If you say Jon Drummond you might as well be saying Lead Off, just as if you say Carl Lewis you\u2019re saying Anchor. These are all men that took their leg on the relay seriously, and all ran some of the fastest splits ever recorded on THEIR legs. If we want to win gold again and return the WR to the US, THAT is the attitude that must be taken. Each man must OWN his leg and get the job done that he needs to get done. <\/p>\n<p>With that, my squad is:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"116\"><strong>Lead Off<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"284\"><strong>Walter Dix \u2013 9.88 \/ 19.69<\/strong> <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Dix isn\u2019t an exceptional starter, but he is a tremendous 200 meter runner who runs a stunning curve on the relay. He\u2019s got tremendous pick up and is strong enough to push the outgoing runner completely through the zone if necessary without any loss in speed \u2013 i.e. he can move the stick. He also has the ability to catch the outgoing runner should he leave his mark a bit early. Dix is a seasoned veteran who has competed on the sports biggest stage \u2013 the Olympics. A multiple NCAA champion and double sprint medalist in Beijing, Dix doesn\u2019t rattle, doesn\u2019t false start, and is a fierce competitor. He will give maximum effort and should give us an immediate lead from the gun. <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"116\"><strong>Backstretch<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"284\"><strong>Wallace Spearmon \u2013 9.96 \/ 19.65 \/ 45.22<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>If this were just about the 100 meters Wally wouldn\u2019t be in the discussion \u2013 which is why I\u2019m sure many of you are scratching your heads. But this isn\u2019t about the 100 it\u2019s about the relay, and all relays do with Spearmon on the backstretch is win. This year\u2019s Continental Cup team won with Spearmon on the backstretch. The 2006 World Cup 4&#215;1 winners had Spearmon on the backstretch. Arkansas won the 2005 NCAA 4&#215;1 title with Spearmon on the backstretch. This year\u2019s Zurich squad ran 37.45 (#5 all time) with Spearmon on the backstretch. And the last gold medal winning effort for the US in the 4&#215;1 had Wallace on the backstretch (against a Jamaican squad lead by Bolt and Powell). Spearmon rarely wins a 100 meter dash at this level \u2013 because his start is among the worst in the world \u2013 but there are no blocks in the relay! And just as his start is horrible, his top end speed when he is up and running is outstanding. Combine that with the fact that he has great synergy with my selection for the turn leg, and Spearmon is an easy choice for me. Because all he and my next selection do when they run together is win \u2013 they haven\u2019t lost a 4&#215;1 they\u2019ve been on together since the 2004 NCAA Championships! <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"116\"><strong>Turn <\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"284\"><strong>Tyson Gay \u2013 9.69 \/ 19.58 \/ 44.89<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>When you have a man that has run 9.69 and is possibly the best turn runner ever you put him right here! Tyson Gay is a game breaker on the turn as he has shown time and time again. Especially when he has been paired with Spearmon as in all the above mentioned races &#8211; \u201805 NCAA\u2019s, \u201806 World Cup, \u201807 Worlds, Zurich\u2019s blazer this year as well as this year\u2019s Continental Cup. This duo knows how to move the stick, and whatever lead Tyson can get you on the straight \u2013 because everyone wants to anchor him \u2013 he can get you 50% MORE on the turn! Not to mention that his closing speed and experience handing off the baton virtually ensures that whomever your anchor is, Tyson will get to him and get him the stick \u2013 after he has broken the back of the competition. You win relays by getting in front and with Spearmon on the backstretch and Tyson blitzing the competition on the turn we\u2019ve run 37.59 (leading Kaaron Conwright and anchoring Jason Smoots), 37.78 (leading Davis Patton and anchoring Leroy Dixon) and 37.45 (leading Trell Kimmons and Mike Rodgers)!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"116\"><strong>Anchor (A)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"284\"><strong>Justin Gatlin \u2013 9.85 \/ 19.86<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>What\u2019s a relay without a bit of controversy? I\u2019m sure many are scratching their heads over this selection, but here\u2019s why I make this choice. The questions, accusations, issues dealing with his ban aside, he\u2019s done his time and is back in the sport. In what has amounted to about a month\u2019s worth of competition after a four year layoff Gatlin\u2019s at 10.09. Given his current rate of progression, I\u2019m not going to say that we will see him running 9.7 next year, but he should be somewhere under 10.00. Like Wallace Spearmon he\u2019s never been a great starter, instead his strength has always been his top end speed once he\u2019s gotten up and running. And what I\u2019m looking for in an anchor is someone that can Close the Deal \u2013 and Gatlin has the experience to do just that! He\u2019s been twice a double NCAA sprint champion, the 2004 Olympic 100 meter champion, and \u201805 double World Sprint Champion \u2013 all done well before the positive test in \u201806. IF Gatlin is anywhere under 10.00, I want him bringing the stick home because we should have a lead and he won\u2019t be caught \u2013 stronger and faster on the fly than either Smoots, Dixon or Rodgers on any given day!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"2\" width=\"400\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"116\"><strong>Anchor (B)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" width=\"284\"><strong>Ryan Bailey \u2013 9.88 \/ 20.10<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>One should always have a plan \u201cB\u201d, and knowing that Gatlin may not be available \u2013 for any number of potential reasons from he doesn\u2019t get any faster to the \u201cpolitical\u201d\u2013 we could still be in need an anchor. The requirements would still be the same \u2013 I need someone that has great top end speed, and strength. Ryan Bailey fits that bill. Not because of his 100 time \u2013 his two best times were set in magical Rieti \u2013 but because of his closing speed. He\u2019s dropped his 200 time near 20 seconds and he\u2019s run close to Nesta Carter when they\u2019ve raced this year \u2013 closing strongly on him each time. He\u2019s big, strong and competitive. And frankly, should he improve next year the way he has this year, and stay healthy, he could end up being my #1 choice to anchor. Gatlin has him on experience and competitive history at the moment, but Bailey has the most \u201cupside\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>So that\u2019s my squad. I think the rest of the world would have to try and match up with us if we ran this team, and I\u2019m not sure they can. Not talking about on the clock, because we can be matched up with on the clock. The competition can put a potentially \u201cfaster\u201d team on the track based on individual 100 meter times. But on ability and skill sets, if the members of this team bring their egos to the track and each man OWNS his leg, this team can\u2019t be beaten. <\/p>\n<p>The interior duo of Spearmon and Gay is a proven winner. Together they won a World title against a Jamaican squad that had both Bolt and Powell \u2013 with Darvis Patton and Leroy Dixon on lead and anchor, and ran 37.45 with Trell Kimmons and Mike Rodgers! They are the engine that runs the US 4&#215;1, and are as lethal a pairing as Dennis Mitchell to Carl Lewis or Jon Drummond to Andre Cason. Walter Dix is a major upgrade on lead off. He has the ability to match the likes of Jon Drummond and Michael Marsh at this position. If Dix does this, and Spearmon and Gay run to potential, then the job of the anchor man will be to hold the rest of the world at bay, because I don\u2019t see a team out there that can run with this troika for all three legs. And if Gatlin or Bailey are healthy and in form, there is only one man, maybe two, that can run with them on anchor \u2013 and none that can catch them.<\/p>\n<p>If this group runs together and gets the stick around the track it\u2019s gold in Daegu. That\u2019s my story and I\u2019m stickin to it! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yes I know that the 2010 season isn\u2019t quite done yet. But for my money it\u2019s never too early to put a relay team together. Because one of the most important aspects of relay running is continuity and team togetherness \u2013 and that\u2019s difficult to achieve when team members are practically making introductions prior to [&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-395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pa3DCY-6n","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395","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=395"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/trackchill.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}