Geoff Hollister, Nike Track Legend, Is Dead

Runnerspace is reporting that he died today following a long battle with cancer.

Geoff Hollister–the running community legend and original Nike men who led the shoe-maker to sponsor races and set up running clubs such as Athletics West, the current Nike-sponsored Oregon Project and the two Oregon Track Club Elite groups is dead.

At this time, the exact cause of death is not know.

He admitted several years ago that he was fighting cancer. On Saturday athletes led by Galen Rupp, Matthew Centrowitz, Mo Farah and Ciaran O’Lionaird donned a special tribute singlet at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in honor of the former Nike executive.

Hollister got into early at Nike. He was a small-town Oregon farm boy who went on to the now-legendary University of Oregon to run for coach Bill Bowerman, the man behind Nike.

The former University of Oregon track athlete became a driving influence in leading Nike as a worldwide leader in sports equipment and apparel.

Texas A&M’s Tabarie Henry Q&A

When he started running it never crossed his mind, he would emerge a world class runner. Fast forward to today and Tabarie Henry lead an Aggies mile relay team that is capable of running a sub 3:00 race and will contend for an individual 400 meter NCAA title.

The returning All-American has already has a brilliant career at Texas A&M - leading the Aggies to team an outdoor nation championship.

PreRaceJitters chatted with the 400 meter runner about getting started in the sport and his season plans before leaving for the NCAA Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

PreRaceJitters: What was the first race you ever saw in person?

Tabarie: To tell you the truth I didn’t know anything about track till my 11th grade so my first race probably was Justin Gatlin running the 100 meters.

PreRaceJitters: When did you begin competing in track and field, and what was your first event?

Tabarie: I started track my late 10th grade year and I was sorry, I ran the 800m / 400m and my prs was 2:10 and 54sec.

PreRaceJitters: Did you have Olympic aspirations as a child?

Tabarie Henry: No, not at all I wanted to be a model or actor.

PreRaceJitters: Who was your first role model in life?

Tabarie: My high school coach whose name is coach Brown.

PreRaceJitters: Describe the experience of meeting President Barack Obama in the White House last fall?

Tabarie: It was nice under than all the rules and security it was something I’ll never forget, I actually shook his hand that was fun.

PreRaceJitters: You were named Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week honors on April 5, 2011 after running your first outdoor 400 meter of the season in a collegiate-leading 44.83, at the time.

Tabarie: Yea, it was a great honor cause last year was a long season and I had a great down fall last year so it was cool to get that award.

PreRaceJitters: With that, last year you talked about making the transition from a speed endurance training program to a more sprint-based philosophy at Texas A&M. How well you adapted and how are you feeling with your race today?

Tabarie: Well last year it was new to me that why I had a hard time running like I use to in JUCO but every day I try my hardest to learn the system and listen to my coaches. And till today I’m still learning.

PreRaceJitters: Having already won two team national titles and 4×400m relay national titles. Do you place a lot of pressure on yourself an individual NCAA Championship?

Tabarie Henry: No, not really can’t put a lot a pressure on yourself cause you wouldn’t run fast, so I just go out there and do the best I can and try to give the most points I can give for my team.

PreRaceJitters: At Texas Relays, you 4×400 meter relay team ran a ridiculously fast 3:00.45, breaking Baylor’s 1985 meet record. In your mind, is this team capable of running under 3:00.00?

Tabarie Henry: Yea we can we just have to be ready at the same time, cause every time we get a chance to run fast one of us is ill or hurting so we all have to be ready at the same time.

PreRaceJitters: How has the progression been over the last year in terms of dealing with going from a strength-based program at Barton Community College to a sprint-based training program at Texas A&M?

Tabarie: It’s still coming along I’m still learning till today so the progression will not stop, but this year me and Coach Henry talk and they adding in some of my old workouts from JUCO so it’s been fun this year.

PreRaceJitters: I read once you said that you were too young in 2008 and didn’t understand running while competing for the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 2008 Beijing Games. What’s your mindset looking forward to the 2011 World Championships and 2012 London Games.

Tabarie: Yea I was like 19 at the time I was just out there in space, but now after 09 World Champs, I have a little more trust in myself as long as I keep making finals I’ll be a happy…

PreRaceJitters: What do you have on tap after the NCAA Outdoor Championships?

Tabarie: Well, I want to try to pick up a deal [shoe contract] and run in Diamond League meets and represent my country to the fullest.

PreRaceJitters: Do you still get prerace jitters?

Tabarie: Yea I just get jitters when the pressure on me or my time, I don’t get jitters on who I compete against just my time.

PreRaceJitters: Thank you so much for your time Tabarie and best wishes on the remainder of season.

2011 NCAA Outdoor Championships D1

June 8-11, 2011 - Des Moines, Iowa - Drake Stadium

Full Results
Women’s Start Lists
Men’s Start Lists
Preview

Texas A&M men’s and women’s track and field 2011. Triple double national titles!
Photo (c) Mike Scott 2011.

Day 3 Highlights - Top Performances
Ngonidzashe Makusha (Florida State) 8.40m/27-6 ¾ + 9.89 CR
Damar Forbes (LSU) 8.23m/27-0
Ti’erra Brown (Miami) [55.642
Turquoise Thompson (UCLA) 55.646
Jeshua Anderson (Washington St.) 48.56
Candyce McGrone (Oklahoma) 11.08
Kimberlyn Duncan (LSU) 11.09
Rakieem Salaam (Oklahoma) 9.97
Maurice Mitchell (Florida State) 10.00
Jessica Beard (Texas A&M) 51.10
Kirani James (Alabama) 45.10
Tony McQuay (Florida) 45.14
Mike Berry (Oregon) 45.18

Photo (c) Mike Scott 2011.

Day 2 Highlights - The remaining events have been delayed till Friday via Flashresults…. Men’s 4×400 and Men’s 10K
M110 Hurdles Prelim - Texas Tech’s Omo Osaghae led all qualifiers with a 13.32 clocking in heat 1. The next fastest time were by Andrew Riley of Illinois (13.37 - Heat 1); Texas’ Keiron Stewart (13.44 - Heat 3); LSU’s Barrett Nugent (13.48 -Heat 1.

W100 Hurdles Prelim - USC’s Nia Ali led all qualifiers with a 12.82 (-0.6m/s) clocking in heat 1. The next fastest times were by Christina Manning of Ohio State (12.92 - Heat 2); Leticia Wright of Ohio State (13.01 - Heat 2); Michaylin Golladay of Clemson (13.01 - Heat 3). A&M teammates, Gabby Mayo and Natasha Ruddock, both failed to advance to the finals.

M200 Prelim - Oklahoma’s Rakieem Salaam led all qualifiers with a 20.29 clocking heat 3. The next fastest times were by Maurice Mitchell of Florida State (20.39 - Heat 2); Marek Nitt of Arkansas (20.43 - Heat 2); Horatio Williams of LSU (20.44 - Heat 1)

W200 Prelim - LSU’s Kimberlyn Duncan led all qualifiers with a 22.38 clocking in heat 1. The next fastest times were by Tiffany Townsend of Baylor (22.77 - Heat 1); Nivea Smith of Auburn (22.80 - Heat 1); Aareon Payne of USC (22.97 - Heat 2).

Day 1 Highlights - Demps, Hackett, Tarmoh out of 100 Finals!
M400 Hurdles Prelim - Washington State’s Jeshua Anderson led all qualifiers with a 49.18 clocking in heat 2. The next fastest times were by Amaechi Morton of Stanford (49.31 - Heat 1); Byrce Brown of Texas Tech (49.95 - Heat 1); Jamele Mason of Texas Tech (50.01 - Heat 3).

W400 Hurdles Prelim - Miami’s Ti’erra Brown led all qualifiers with a season’s best time of 55.59 in heat 1. The next fastest times were by Ryann Krais of Kansas (55.68 - Heat 2); Cassandra Tate of LSU (55.99 - Heat 3); Turquoise Thompson of UCLA (55.99 - Heat 1). Meet favorite - Tennessee’s Ellen Wortham (56.43) failed to advance to the finals.

M100 Prelim -  Florida State’s Ngonidzashe Makusha led all qualifiers with a 10.13  clocking into a -1.1 m/s headwind in heat 3. The next fastest times were by Maurice Mitchell of Florida State (10.16 - Heat 1); Rakieem Salaam of Oklahoma (10.26 - Heat 3); Terrell Wilks of Florida (10.27 - Heat 1). Florida’s Jeff Demps (10.40 -Heat 2), who is the defending champion in this event, failed to advance to the finals.

W100 Prelim - Oregon’s English Gardner led all qualifiers with a 11.17  clocking into a -0.4 m/s headwind in heat 3. The next fastest times were by Kimberlyn Duncan of LSU (11.22 - Heat 3); Aurieyall Scott of UCF (11.30 - Heat 2); Jessica Young (11.31 - Heat 2). Co-favorites - Texas A&M’s Jeneba Tarmoh (False Start) and LSU’s Semoy Hackett (11.55) failed to advance to the finals.

M400 Prelim - Florida’s Tony McQuay (photo) posted a career best time of 44.87 in heat 1, to lead all qualifiers. The next fastest times were by Gil Roberts of Texas Tech (45.22 - Heat 1); Mike Berry of Oregon (45.23 - Heat 2); Joey Huges of USC (45.27 - Heat 2).

Photo (c) Mike Scott 2011.

W400 Prelim - Texas A&M’s Jessica Beard posted a season’s best time of 51.24 in heat 1, to lead all qualifiers. The next fastest times were by Diamond Dixon of Kansas (51.64 - Heat 3); Joanna Atkins of Auburn (51.69 - Heat 2); Shelise Williams of Arkansas (51.84 - Heat 3).

M4×100 Prelim - Texas A&M posted the fastest qualifying time of 38.33 in heat 3. The next fastest times were by Florida (38.59) Heat 2; Illinois (38.72) Heat 1 ; Florida State (38.75) Heat 1.

Wx4100 Prelim - LSU posted the fastest qualifying time of 42.94 in heat 2. The next fastest times were by Texas A&M (42.99) Heat 1; Houston (43.38) Heat 1; UCF 43.52 Heat 3.

Women’s Long Jump Final - Southern Mississippi jr. Tori Bowie captured her first national title, with a career best mark of 6.64m/21-9 ½. Ti’Anca Mock of Oklahoma (6.64m/21-9 ½.) and Jamesha Youngblood of Oregon (6.59m/21-7 ½) finished second and third, respectively.

43 Second Wednesday - Jessica Beard

Few, if any have accomplished as much. Jessica Beard has been exceptional. Brilliant. An integral part of a growing dynasty who helped bring the “sprint” title to Texas A&M.

The A&M senior 400 meter runner walks us down deciding to go to Aggie Land, being teammates with some incredible athletes and looks down the road to the NCAA Outdoor Championships and U.S. Outdoor Championships.

PreRaceJitters: Wow, what a meet you had at Big 12 Outdoor Championships. How awesome is it to win the women’s and men’s team titles while taking the 4×400 relay?

Jessica: The feeling is the best one. Even though I did not win the individual title, coming into the meet knowing that it would take the entire team was a great aspect to focus on and it challenged us under pressure to see what we would do and how well we could perform.

Going out and winning both titles my last year, was a wonderful experience, knowing that the seniors had something memorable we could leave with. When we put different people on the relay, it’s always good to see how we can perform so I was very pleased with the way all the girls stepped up and won.

PreRaceJitters: While we are on the subject of history, did you originally come to College Station with plans on re-writing the Aggie record books while at the same time being part of changing the landscape of college sprinting to Aggie Land?

Jessica: I never had a plan to come in and change or re-write anything, I just came in with high hopes of getting better and improving and trying to one day win my own individual title and most definitely a relay and team title.

I just knew that I was in good hands with Coach Henry’s resume, and Coach Anderson’s personality, and I just wanted to come in and prove that I could make the transition and become a better person and athlete.

PreRaceJitters: Why did you leave Ohio for college?

Jessica: TOO COLD!!! Lol, all of my choices were in the south or somewhere warmer than Ohio.

PreRaceJitters: Do you do any workouts with the Aggie 400m men Tabarie Henry and Demetrius Pinder?

Jessica: Lol. No I don’t. They’re very competitive in practice, I like to work on myself and at whatever pace Coach tells us, so I don’t think I could keep that focus or keep up! They’re two of the world’s best.

PreRaceJitters: The NCAA championships, running with great athletes like Porscha Lucas and Gabby Mayo and for coach great coaches - Texas A&M has worked out for you?

Jessica: Yes, A&M has worked out so well for me. When you come into a program, you are not sure what is in store, or how the people and environment will be. Even in the toughest times and through little disputes, I can say that I always have my teammates and they will always have my back.

We encourage each other and we come together like no other during Championships. I have to say that Coach Anderson, is a Coach like no other. He takes the time to learn who we are as athletes, students, and individuals, and that’s a tough job for an assistant coach! Coach Henry tells you what you need to hear, always there to relieve little stresses and always finds ways to motivate us when needed the most!

From Gabby and Porscha, I’ve mainly learned that injury can not keep a talented woman down for long, they’ve bounced back in more ways than one and that is something I keep in mind when things don’t go as predicted.

PreRaceJitters: Speaking of which, what is Gabby Mayo like as a college teammate?

Jessica: Hmmmmmmm. Lol, no Gabby is the crazy one! Loves to compete and loves to proves others wrong, when she thinks she’s right.

I lived with her my freshman year and she loves Fresh Prince! So that tells you she has that goofy side as well. Sweet girl for the most part (just don’t make her mad on the track, she shows out and performs well! Lol).

PreRaceJitters: You’ve earned three NCAA silver medals in the 400 meters? What would winning an outdoor national championship mean to you?

Jessica: Winning the Outdoor NCAA crown would make the indoor one even better. Along with a faster time or pr would be icing on the cake. I just want my senior year to be as memorable as possible.

I’m just going to go out there and give my last race all I have. And if that aids in becoming 3 time national champions, I know that would be the biggest blessing God could ever grant us!

PreRaceJitters: Another year, another championship banner. What does this team need to do to defend its team title in NCAAs?

Jessica: The team needs to focus on the team. We need to qualify to the best of our abilities and compete with courage and heart. We need to make finals and do the unexpected!

We need to listen to our coaches and to our supporters. We need to do what we’ve been doing all year, just at a deeper level. We need to remember who we are and why we came to nationals. We need to be Texas A&M, and nobody else.

PreRaceJitters: Does being a senior on a team coming off of back-to-back championship change the way you prepare?

Jessica: Not really. I don’t think you can just step up and try to be a different person at NCAA or any other big meet, than you are everyday in front of your teammates or how you act towards your teammates.

I think you just have to come with the mindset that this is a new year, a different combination of people, and everyone who has come this far can make it. You just try to improve the little things that you’ve been working on all year, and put it all together.

PreRaceJitters: In 2009, you earned a gold medal as a part of the Team USA 4×400 meter relay competing in Berlin. How does that experience come into play as you stare down a NCAA Outdoor Championships and a U.S. Outdoor Championships in a World Championship year?

Jessica: Well that happened after NCAA but it does show me that I have a big role when it comes to the 4×4 on the collegiate level and that I’m very capable of fulfilling it.

That experience was my first ever, so it was a learning process and I definitely believe that it will help me this year as I go into another World Championship year.

PreRaceJitters: So far, you’ve run 50.79 in your career. Is a sub-50 second 400 meters is within reach?

Jessica: With God ALL things are possible to him [her] that believe. Sometimes focusing on time could be a hindrance instead of a stepping stone. Indoor I just focused on my goals, and I plan to do that outdoor.

I will just have to wait and see what God has in store for me, and hopefully it’s a new PR.

PreRaceJitters: What do you do to wind down?

Jessica: I really just hang out with my teammates and cook and go to the movies. I like to read also in my spare time, but other than that, I just sleep! Lol.

PreRaceJitters: This is kind of a tough question to toss at you at the very end, but can you somehow give us a glimpse of what it means to represent America on the National Team two years ago, and try for the World Championships this year?

Jessica: That year will always be special. Running at the Olympic Stadium where Jesse Owens won his four gold medals, and him growing up in Cleveland Ohio, I don’t think I could really ever put that experience into words, but it was amazing for me, especially since it was my first team.

Now I want to do the same thing, each year, I just want to get better and improve. I believe if I do that, then my chances at another memorable experience will be just around the corner. Each experience is a lesson and hopefully I continue to learn from them!

PreRaceJitters: Thanks for your time and best wishes with the remainder of your season.

NCAA D1 NCAA East Preliminary Round

NCAA Division I East Regional Outdoor Championships

May 26-28, 2011
East Region
Bloomington, Indiana
Host: Indiana University

Men’s Start Lists
Women’s Start Lists
Live Results

NCAA D1 NCAA West Preliminary Round

NCAA Division I West Regional Outdoor Championships

May 26-28, 2011
West Region
Eugene, OR
Host: University of Oregon

Men’s Start Lists
Women’s Start Lists
Live Results

Incredible Performances Highlight Conference Weekend

Welcome New Contributing Editor David Pickett To PreRaceJitters

Please join me in welcoming our new contributing editor David Pickett, as the newest member of the PreRaceJitters.com team.

David is joining our team to help improve elite track and field coverage, covering the sport’s top stories and sharing his unique views on the sport. He has some kick butt plans for PreRaceJitters.

He has been involved with track and field since 2004, as founder and editor of WNCPrepTrack.com covering the North Carolina high school and college running scene.

His presence is already being felt. PreRaceJitter’s Week In Review is a result of David’s leadership to help fill a void publishing a weekly column with the fastest collegiate times in the nation.

I’ve been managing PreRaceJitters since 2006 and look forward to working with someone with so much much passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the sport.

David’s first interview with North Carolina State assistant coach Terry Reese is going Live today.

We’re thrilled to add his keen prose into the mix, and hope that you enjoy it as much as we do. Welcome, David.

2011 College Conference Weekend

Live Results

Date: May 6 - 7 Lafayette College, Lafayette LA

Live Results

Date: May 5 - 8 Rider University Lawrenceville, New Jersey

Live Results

Date: May 5 -7 North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC

Live Results

Date: May 5 - 6 VCU Virginia Common University, Richmond, VA

Live Results

Date: May 7 - 8 Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

Live Results

Date: May 7 - 8 Duke University, Durham, NC

Live Results

Date: May 7 - 8 Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ

Live Results

Date: May 6 - 7 Des Moines, Iowa

Live Results

Date: May 6 - 8 Villanova, Villanova, PA

Live Results

Date: May 6 - 7 UC Irvine, Irvine, CA

Live Results

Date: May 7 - 8 UMBC, Baltimore, Md.

Live Results

Date: May 7 - 8 UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

Live Results

Date: May 11 - 14 Colorado State, Ft. Collins, CO

Live Results

Date: May 11 - 14 Sacramento State, Sacramento, California

Live Results

Date: May 10 - 13 University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii

Live Results

Date: May 13 - 15 University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

Live Results

Date: May 13 - 15 Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Live Results

Date: May 12 - 14 Utah State, Logan, State

Live Results

Date: May 12 - 15 Rice University, Houston, TX

Live Results

Date: May 12 - 15 Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Live Results

Date: May 12 - 15 University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Live Results

Date: May 13 - 15 Northwestern State, Natchitoches, La.

Live Results

Date: May 13 - 15 Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN

Live Results

Date: May 12 - 14 Sioux Falls, SD

Live Results

Date: May 13 - 15 Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa

PreRaceJitters Week In Review Qualifying Standards

Event	Men	Women
100m	10.21	11.42
200m	20.70	23.25
400m	45.60	52.50
800m	1:47.50	2:05.00
1,500	3:41.20	4:15.50
5,000m	13:30.00	15:46.00
10,000m	28:30.00	33:40.00
110 / 100m Hurdles	13.60	13.10
400m Hurdles	50.00	56.50
3000m Steeplechase	8:40.00	10:12.00
High Jump	2.26 (7-5)	1.85 (6-3/4)
Pole Vault	5.70 (18-8¼)	4.40 (14-5¼)
Long Jump	8.00 (26-3)	6.55 (21-6)
Triple Jump	16.30 (53-5¾)	13.40 (43-11¾)
Shot Put	20.00 (67-7½)	17.35 (56-11¼
Discus Throw	61.00 (200-1)	56.50 (185-4)
Hammer Throw	69.00 (226-4)	65.00 (213-3)
Javelin Throw	72.00 (236-3))	53.00 (173-11))
Decathlon	7850	NA
Heptathlon	NA	5900

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