PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show - Episode 7

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Instant Analysis - Tyson Invitational, Day 1

One of the great strengths and attractions of the Visa Championship Series is the variety of the venues.  There is nothing wrong with the boys and girls having fun.  Great events are more about great competition rather than numbers. Read more

Preview Notes - Tyson Invitational

The Visa Championship Series runs to University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville for the final stop on the indoor season before the USA Track & Field Indoor Championships.

Dates:         February 13, 2009
Where:        Randal Tyson Track, University of Arkansas
Television: ESPN, Sunday, February 15 from 5 to 7 pm, EST
Event Site: Tyson Invitational

What difference a year can make.
This time a year ago, the talk was about Jennifer Stuczynski challenging the American indoor record and how the “Big Three” shot putters were dominating the scene.

This year Adam Nelson, Reese Hoffa, and Christian Cantwell may not be “slumping” as they have posted three out of the four top marks in the world, but we haven’t seen the outer orbit throws such as Adam Nelson cranking out 72 feet 5 inches to win the 2008 Millrose Games. And Stuczynski has something that she did not have last year - the American indoor record.

Jennifer Stuczynski’s hot streak.
She is the freshly crowned American indoor record holder in the pole vault at the Boston Indoor Games and undefeated so far this season after two outings.  At 26, Stuczynski has a major upside in track and field, on January 30 she handily won the Millrose Games competition. Last year the Olympian won this event at the Tyson Invitational with 15 feet 2.75 feet. Competing against her will be Olympians Stacy Dragila and April Steiner.

Men’s Shot Put
Last year, Adam Nelson rewrote the meet record book, throwing 73-6 to win the competition. With Reese Hoffa and Dan Taylor in the mix, this contest is nearly guaranteed to be an exciting event.

How fast will they go?
In a change of events, Kerron Clement is switching the 400 meter hurdles for the 200 meters, in a field including J-Mee Samuels and former NCAA all-american Lionel Larry.

Tyson Invitational Track
The 200 meter banked mondo track with a 60-meter straightaway is fast. Very fast.  Don’t be surprised to see several ridiculously fast times emerge from the Tyson Invitational meet on Saturday.

In 2006, Wallace Spearmon shattered the 300 meter world indoor record on this track, and the 4×400 meter relay comprised of Kerron Clement, Wallace Spearmon Jr., Darold Williamson and Jeremy Wariner ran 3:01.96, shattering the previous world indoor record of 3:02.83.

Brianca Knight - attempting the world record
The 2008 NCAA 200 meter indoor champion and second year professional sprinter announced at the Millrose Games that she will be attempting to break the long standing indoor 200 world record at this meet. Knight will have her work cut out for her but the NCAA record holder boasts a personal best time of 22.40 seconds.

Set back in 1993, the current record is 21.87 seconds held by Merlene Ottey of Jamaica. Knight will be competing against Olympian Natasha Hastings, who won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the women’s 4×400 meter relay.

Galen Rupp vs. Sam Chalenga
The men’s college 5,000 meters is a replay of the 2008 NCAA Cross Country Championships in which Galen Rupp won his first individual cross country title against none other than Liberty’s Sam Chalenga.  It may come down in the end to who has the biggest kick.

John McDonnell Mile
This race is loaded with Beijing Olympic bronze medalist Nick Willis of New Zealand. Last week, he won the Boston Indoor Games in 3:53.54 and narrowly placed second to Bernard Lagat at the Millrose Games.

Entered in the race is Alan Webb, who is coming off running 3:57.64 in his fourth place finish in Boston. Christian Smith and Chris Lukezic make this arguably one of the hottest races at the Tyson Invitational.

Xavier Carter - Year of Redemption?
After running 19.63 in 2006, Xavier Carter has something to prove in 2009. No one is more happy than Xavier Carter to return to the Tyson Invitational, as all eyes will be watching to see if Xavier Carter returns to top form this season.

In 2009, Carter will be competing in his first meet this year on the Visa Championship Series after finishing eighth in the 100 meter final at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials and missing the opportunity to run on the Beijing Olympic team. He suffered a knee injury in 2007 at the 2008 AT&T USA Championships, and he did not fully recover until the beginning of 2008.

Sally Kipyego
Is it possible she may be able to parlay last weeks performance into another strong race? Kipyego is now among greats, as she ran into the history books last week setting a new collegiate record of 8:48.77 at 3,000 meters in the Reebook Indoor Games. She placed second in the race behind Kara Goucher.

You won’t want to miss how she stacks up in the women’s mile that includes: Sarah Bowman, Alice Schmidt, Marina Munica, Brie Felnagle, and even more runners at the starting line.

There are a slew of other athletes to keep your eye on at the Tyson Invitational: Nick Symmonds, Khadevis Robinson, Matt Scherer, Lisa Barber, Shalonda Solomon, and Mike Rodgers.

Instant Analysis: Millrose Games Lagat Undeniable

Millrose Games Results by event | Millrose Official Site | Visa Championship Series

Bernard Lagat (3:58.44) won the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games for the seventh time Friday night to tie Eamonn Coghlan’s record.  He beat New Zealand’s Nick Willis (3:59.48), the Olympic bronze medalist in the 1,500 meters.

Lagat said, “The race was good. I was prepared coming in. I had been training very well. I feel fast, I feel fresh. It’s good to come back and win.  Ending up the season not winning a lot last year because of the injury I had, to start the year with the win, this is not another race for me. This race means a lot.”

Don’t call it a comeback, he’s been here for years.  Veteran, two-time Olympian Terrence Trammell first race since a left hamstring strain knocked him out of the Beijing Games, winning the 60 meter hurdles in 7,45.  Antwon Hicks came in second, while Ron Bramlett back from retirement placed a respectable fourth place in 7.78, ahead of Aries Merritt 8.03.

Bianca Knight made some noise in New York City, winning the women’s 60 dash, beating U.S. Olympian Muna Lee.  “I was a little jumpy at the start. I caused the first false start. It was my first Millrose Games, so to come out with a win, I’m excited. It’s really noisy in here, even after they tell the crowd to be quiet. This year I decided my goal is to break the 200 (world) record indoors at Fayetteville (the Tyson Invitational on February 13).”

The circle produced more riveting performances.  Christian Cantwell threw 67-4.25, then was one upped only  by Adam Nelson, who won his second consecutive Millrose victory with a final throw of 68-2.5.

As we predicted in the preview, the women’s pole vault was close.  Stuczynski cleared 15-5, before taking a shot at the 15-9.75 the American record.  Stacy Dragila vaulted 15-1.5.  Look for battle  Stuczynski and Dragila to battle during the indoor season as Dragila  is healthy.

LIVE at the 2008 adidas Track Classic: Bershawn Jackson Runs Strong!

The men’s 110 hurdles was beset with false starts. A second false start was charged to Eric Mitchum, who was disqualified from the race. Anwar Moore ran well over the hurdles to win in 13.39 and Terrence Trammell hit the sixth hurdle to narrowly place second in 13.40.

Bershawn “Batman” Jackson led from the first hurdle, and the 400-meter hurdle field never caught up to his victorious time of 48.94. Brandon Johnson was the nearest runner in 49.62, and Michael Tinsley was third in 49.68.

The adidas Track Classic also featured the top junior runners from the L.A. area which in the past has produced the likes of Allyson Felix. Lauren Williams won the 8-9 year old fastest kid in LA competition in 11.27 at 80 meters, over Cheyanne Brady who placed second in 11.59, and Amanda VanBuren was third in 11.60.

Allyson Felix did not run the 200 as planned coming into the meet. Coach Bob Kersee thought it best to forgo running a second race for the day. Felix had been dealing with the lost of her boyfriend’s father who passed this week. Muna Lee took the race in 22.30 over Carmelita Jeter in 22.47 over Marshevet Hooker who ran 22.49 for a close second place. Rookie Bianca Knight took sixth in 22.79.

The women’s 400-meter was up for grabs. Natasha Hastings took the early lead before Novlene Williams of Jamaica eventually won the race in 50.38. Mary Winberg ran strong in 50.41 to place second. Hastings took third in 51.09.

Jay Hicks

Bianca Knight Waiting For Shoe To Drop

The University of Texas sprint sensation Bianca Knight has recently signed with agent Mark Wetmore of Boston-based Global Athletics, Inc. Global Athletics also represents pro athletes such as Tyson Gay, Dee Dee Trotter, Jenn Stuczynski, and Liu Xiang.

Pro runners typically earn the bulk of their income on shoe contracts. The track world is waiting to hear the winner of the sneaker battle to woo the services of Bianca Knight. Word is that Nike and Adidas are duking it out to win over the women who blazed the second fastest American time ever in winning the NCAA crown in 200-meters.

If it’s any indication of the market, in 2003 Allyson Felix signed a signed a six-year, six-figure endorsement contract with Adidas just out of high school. Bianca’s legs will make her mad money.

Jay Hicks

Texas Sprinter Bianca Knight Goes Pro

Trackshark.com is reporting that Bianca Knight turned professional, joining a growing number of track athletes leaving the college ranks early. She will forgo her remaining eligibility in collegiate track and field.

The world of elite track and field was introduced to Bianca Knight last Saturday at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field championship meet in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The freshman from the University of Texas broke the NCAA meet record at 200-meters in a stunning time of 22.40. The second fastest time ever by an American runner puts Bianca on the level of the world’s elite sprinter.

If Bianca can deliver similar times at the professional level, she’ll be competitive among the world’s best sprinters. To put her indoor time of 22.40 into proper context, just take a look at the results from the outdoor 200-meter finals at the 2007 World Championships: Allyson Felix won in 21.82, Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell took second in 22.34, followed by Susanthika Jayasinghe in 22.63. Runners typically put up much faster times outdoors.

Given the typically short career span of the average professional sprinter, I think Knight is wise to turn pro if she competes with the world’s best at this age.

Good luck Bianca!