NCAA DI Championship Preview and Predictions: 5 Events to Watch

100 Meter Dash
Leading the field in the men’s 100 meter dash are Jeff Demps of Florida, the defending NCAA champion in this event, and Ngonidzashe Makusha of Florida State, the ACC champion. Demps comes in with a season’s best time of 9.96w, while Makusha comes in with a season’s best time of 9.97. Challenging them will be Maurice Mitchell of Florida State, who turned in a season’s best time of 10.03 at the ACC championships. Mitchell is also a co-favorite in the 200 along with Rakieem Salaam of Oklahoma.

Predictions:
1. Jeff Demps - Florida
2. Maurice Mitchell - Florida State
3. Ngonidzashe Makusha - Florida State
4. Gerald Phiri - Texas A&M
5. Rakieem Salaam - Oklahoma

Jeneba Tarmoh of Texas A&M headlines the field for the women’s 100 meter dash. Tarmoh, who has run a wind-aided 10.94 this season, is the Big 12 champion in this event. Her competition will come from Semoy Hackett of LSU. Hackett has turned in a season’s best time of 10.98w, and is the SEC champion in this event. Others to watch out for are Kimberlyn Duncan (LSU), Lakya Brookins (USC) and English Gardner (Oregon). Duncan and Brookins ran identical times of 11.02w at the SEC meet last month, while Gardner broke Gail Devers PAC-10 meet record with a legal 11.03.

Predictions:
1. Jeneba Tarmoh - Texas A&M
2. Lakya Brookins - South Carolina
3. Semoy Hacket - LSU
4. English Gardner - Oregon
5. Kimberlyn Duncan - LSU

400 Meter Dash
Alabama’s Kirani James has done some remarkable things this season. During indoors, James ran the third fastest time in history at 400 meters. You can be assured he will be looking to better his time of 44.80 from indoors this weekend. Texas A&M teammates Demetrius Pinder and Tabarie Henry will look to pull off an upset. Pinder, who has run 44.87 this season, is the defending NCAA indoor champion in this event. Henry comes in with a season’s best time of 44.83. Also keep an out for Oregon’s Mike Berry, who has run 44.91 this season.

Predictions:
1. Kirani James - Alabama
2. Demetrius Pinder - Texas A&M
3. Tabarie Henry - Texas A&M
4. Torrin Lawrence - Georgia
5. Mike Berry - Oregon

Texas A&M’s Jessica Beard comes in as a co-favorite in the women’s 400 meter dash, along with Diamond Dixon of Kansas. Both have run identical times of 51.55 this season. Dixon defeated Beard at the Big 12 meet last month. Beard comes in as the NCAA indoor champion in this event and will be looking to add a outdoor title in her final collegiate meet. Others to watch out for are Joanna Atkins of Auburn (51.83) , Shelise Williams of Arkansas (52.12) and Regina George of Arkansas (52.31).

Predictions:
1. Jessica Beard - Texas A&M
2. Shelise Williams - Arkansas
3. Diamond Dixon - Kansas
4. Joanna Atkins - Auburn
5. Regina George - Arkansas

100 Meter Hurdles
Eleven women have dipped under 13 seconds this season in the 100 meter hurdles. USC’s Nia Ali comes in as one of the favorites, having run a wind-aided 12.74 this season. Her time is identical to Tiffani McReynolds of Baylor. Christina Manning of Ohio State comes in with the third fastest time of 12.86.

Predictions:
1. Nia Ali - USC
2. Christina Manning - Ohio State
3. Tiffani McReynolds - Baylor
4. Kierre Beckles - South Carolina
5. Gabby Mayo - Texas A&M

400 Meter Hurdles
Five men dipped under 50 seconds in 400 meter hurdles at the West Prelim. Washington State’s Jeshua Anderson comes in as the clear favorite in this event. Anderson is currently ranked second in the world in this event, with a season’s best time of 48.13, which he recorded at the PAC-10 championships. If anyone is to challenge Anderson than Bryce Brown of Texas Tech may be the man. Brown has run 49.04 this season, he’s the Big 12 champion in this event.

Predictions:
1. Jeshua Anderson - Washington State
2. Byrce Brown - Texas Tech
3. Jamele Mason - Texas Tech
4. Reggie Wyatt - USC
5. Amaechi Morton - Standford

Ellen Wortham of Tennessee headlines the field for the women’s 400 meter hurdles. Wortham, who has run 55.70 this season, currently ranks number eight in the world in this event. Her competition will come from LaToya James of North Carolina and Turquoise Thompson of UCLA. James has run 55.83 this season, while Thompson has run 55.84.

Predictions:
1. Elllen Wortham - Tennessee
2. Turquoise Thompson - UCLA
3. Ti’erra Brown - Miami
4. LaToya James - North Carolina
5. Cassandra Tate - LSU

Triple Jump
The triple jump should be the most watched field event. Why? Three guys have jumped over 17 meters this season. Florida teammates Will Claye and Christian Taylor probably get enough of each other, since they practice, travel and compete together. Claye and Taylor are the top two triple jumpers in the NCAA this year. Claye has jumped 17.24 meters and Taylor 17.15 meters, respectively.

Predictions:
1. Will Claye - Florida
2. Christian Taylor - Florida
3. Julian Ried - Texas A&M
4. Zedric Thomas - LSU
5. Tyron Stewart - Texas A&M

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