The U.S. Open Indoor meet will be held this weekend, and there are several events worth keeping an eye on, as there will be many top level athletes competing. So let\u2019s take a look at what I think will be the top competitions.<\/p>\n
Men\u2019s 50 Meters<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n Easily one of the deepest fields of the meet, the men\u2019s 50 has former Olympic & World 100 champion Justin Gatlin (USA); former 100 Meter WR holder Asafa Powell (JAM); and #4 all time in the 100 Nesta Carter (JAM) among the entrants. Powell and Carter are both known as super-fast starters, which should give them an edge in the shortest event on the schedule. The WR for this distance is 5.56 run by Donovan Bailey in 1996, and Maurice Greene in 1999. Only one other sprinter has ever covered the distance under 5.60 \u2013 Leonard Scott (5.58) in 2005. Justin Gatlin has twice run 6.15 for 55 meters, which calculates to 5.59 for 50 meters. So the potential is there for a sub 5.60 clocking. Given his penchant for starting well, I would have to say that Powell should be the favorite. Of course the matchup between Powell and Gatlin is a tad ironic as they were the two sprinters at the top of the heap in \u201804\/\u201905\/\u201906 \u2013 before the rise of first Tyson Gay, then Usain Bolt. We\u2019ll see if this weekend\u2019s race brings back memories for either athlete. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Women\u2019s 50 Meter Hurdles<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n This race brings together three finalists from last year\u2019s World Championships 100 meter hurdles \u2013 Kelli Wells (USA), Dawn Harper (USA) and Tiffany Porter (GBR) \u2013 Harper earning the bronze medal. Interesting to see all three here as World gold medalist Sally Pearson had her way with them in the early stages of races last season \u2013 so it would appear that these women are using the indoor season to sharpen their early race skills. Also in the race will be Lolo Jones (USA) possibly the fastest starter of these women when healthy. Lolo is on the comeback trail from injury however, so this will be a good test for her. Healthy and sharp she wins this. Any hesitation and it\u2019s a \u201cpick em race\u201d. I\u2019m looking for a close finish. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Men\u2019s Mile<\/strong><\/font> <\/p>\n There is something exciting about the mile indoors. The smaller tracks make it seem like a faster race \u2013 at least it changes the tactics and you see a lot more movement to the front early. Silas Kiplagat (KEN) headlines a strong field that includes Bernard Lagat (USA), and Daniel Komen Kipchirchir. Kiplagat was easily the fastest of this field outdoors last year, but as I already alluded to, tactics change indoors \u2013 and Lagat is well tuned to indoor racing. Last year\u2019s fastest indoor mile was \u201conly\u201d 3:54.81 (Russell Brown, USA). My gut tells me that this race is going to be a bit faster than that. The fastest indoor mile run in New York was a 3:52.87 run by Lagat back in 2005 \u2013 the same season he ran 3:49.89 in Arkansas. I\u2019m not expecting anything close to sub 3:50, but running under 3:53 is a possibility. Look for Lagat to try and control the pace on the boards, but Kiplagat is nothing if not a competitor. This should be an exciting race. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Women\u2019s 50 Meters<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n The field won\u2019t be as deep as the men\u2019s, but it will have Veronica Campbell Brown (JAM), and VCB is one of the toughest competitors in the sport. Her stiffest competition should come from Americans Alexandria Anderson and Bianca Knight. Campbell Brown ran 7.11 for 60 meters in Madison Square Garden last year, so expect her to be fit and fast. Anderson doesn\u2019t have the best getaway, but Knight could possibly get in the race early. If she does, it could be closer than people think. The record for 50 meters is 5.96 run by Irina Privalova in 1995. VCB\u2019s 7.11 from last year calculates to 5.93, so with a good start she could get in the ball park. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Men\u2019s 50 Meter Hurdles<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n Another race that is fairly deep with David Oliver (USA), Dwight Thomas (JAM) Aries Merritt (USA) and Terrence Trammell all in town. Oliver was injured late last year and didn\u2019t perform as well as he wanted to in Daegu. He\u2019s run well running 7.03 for the 55 meter version of this race. He\u2019ll get a good test here from the aforementioned individuals, with Trammell being the \u201cX\u201d factor in the race having missed last season to injury. At his best he could take this race. But coming off injury and being the elder statesman, it will be interesting to see if the year off took any of the \u201cedge\u201d off his race. Starter extraordinaire, Mark McCoy (CAN) ran a sizzling 6.25 in this event in 1986! Oliver\u2019s 7.03 calculates to 6.39 \u2013 which could get him into the top 8 all time. <\/p>\n These should be the best matchups of the meet. Also keep an eye on the women\u2019s pole vault as Jenn Suhr will be jumping. With Bleasdale and Isinbayeva jumping well last week it will be interesting to see where Suhr is in her training. I\u2019m also curious as to the fitness of Anna Pierce who will be competing in the women\u2019s mile. Pierce has run 3:59.38 for 1500 meters outdoors and should be among the contenders for a spot to London. So this should be a good fitness check for Anna. I\u2019m also curious to see how Bernard Jackson will do in his 600 yard race. Again, looking to see how fit he is this time of year \u2013 because Bernard did not look like himself for most of 2011. <\/p>\n