PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show #28, Prefontaine Classic Review with Kenia Sinclair

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The duo run down the races to watch at the 2009 Prefontaine Classic, share their picks and talk with Kenia Sinclair about the great season that she is having. That and much, more on PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show.

-Tyson Gay sends loud message with 19.58 seconds.
-Sanya Richards
-LaShawn Merritt
-PreClassic loaded with distance races.

Special thanks to Kenia Sinclair.

“PreRaceJitters Track & Field Radio Show, where the real playas come to hang out.”

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show #26, Reebok Grand Prix Preview Show with Lionel Larry

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PreRaceJitters Reebok Grand Prix Meet Coverage

Jay Hicks and John W. Davis preview the 2009 Reebok Grand Prix, revealing their picks for the upcoming meet in New York. Former NCAA All-American Lionel Larry stops by to talk about first trip to the Reebok Grand Prix, his first season on the professional circuit, and thoughts on track and field.

• Reebok Grand Prix Official Website
• adidas Track Classic Results
• IAAF World Rankings
• Asafa Powell Ready for New York

PreRaceJitters’ Track and Field Radio Show, where the real playas comes to hang out!

Special thanks to Lionel Larry and the Global Athletics.

LaShawn Merritt, adidas Track Classic

LaShawn Merritt, adidas Track Classic from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

PreRaceJitters catches up with LaShawn Merritt after winning the 200 meters in 20.07.

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show #24, Adidas Track Classic Preview Show

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You don’t want to miss this one.

Jay Hicks is live and direct from Carson, California home of the Adidas Track Classic.  John W. Davis is back in the studio as the duo reveal their picks in the hottest races that include: Jeremy Wariner, Allyson Felix, LaShawn Merritt, Angelo Taylor and many more names.

-Official Adidas Track Classic Website
-PreRaceJitters Adidas Track Classic Live Coverage Site
-Adidas Track Classic Press Conference

PreRaceJitters’ Track & Field Radio Show where the real playas come to hang!

Instant Analysis - MEETING INTERNATIONAL GUADELOUPE

She is hot that, you can’t touch. Carmelita Jeter remains unbeaten at 100 meters throwing down 11.16, ahead of Lauren Williams in 11.38. Jeter came back with a third place finish in the 200-meters in 23.18.

Having already run 10.96 seconds at the Mt. SAC Relays, indicates that Jeter right now is prepared to take on all contender.

The 400 meter Olympic Champion who has started the last couple season with fast starts, did just that again this season. LaShawn Merritt overpowered the 400 meter field in Guadeloupe, winning by over .50 seconds in 44.50. The field included Darold Williamson (45.72), Greg Nixon (45.76), and David Neville (46.26).

Angelo Taylor is picking up where he left off last year that included winning the 400 meter Olympic title in a personal best time of 47.25. Taylor dipped well under 50-seconds, firing of 48.97 seconds.

After running 12.69 earlier in the season at the Florida Relays, Damu Cherry managed a victory in 12.81. Cherry finished fourth at the Beijing Olympics by just .01 seconds.

Lashinda Demus 54.17 took the 400 meter hurdles ahead of Tiffany Williams.  Shawn Crawford gave his bronze medal to from Beijing. This time around, the two-time Olympian locked up the field wining the 200 meters in 20.59 seconds.

After pulling out his heat with a right hamstring injury in Beijing, Terence Tramell is getting his outdoor season off to a good start running 13.45 over the high hurdles. This last victory is in addition to the successful indoor season

Full Guadeloupe  results.

Instant Analysis - Oliver Knocks Off Robles, Powell Gets Faster In Lausanne

Powell Produces Fastest Times Out of Major Competition.

With nothing on the line, you can bet that Asafa Powell improved his 100-meter time to 9.72. Good enough to be the second fastest time in history-behind Usain Bolt of course. The consistent Walter Dix was close to his personal best time in 9.92.

Powell said, “Who knows? Maybe I’m not the guy for those big championships but just the guy to compete in the Grand Prix and Golden League meetings. It’s just unfortunate.”

It was only a matter of time before David Oliver bested Olympic champ Dayron Robles again over the 110-meter hurdles. A fast closing Oliver (13.02) got the best of Robles (13.17), marking the second that this season that Oliver has beaten the Olympic champion and world record holder from Cuba.

The 200-meter record is in jeopardy to fall anytime Usain Bolt laces up his Pumas. Tonight Bolted equaled the stadium record in Lausanne ,as the Jamaican lite up the track in 19.63.

Without Jeremy Wariner on the track, LaShawn Merritt dipped under 44 seconds producing 43.98. What will be interesting is to see which runner holds the fastest time at seasons end.

U.S. Sets Olympic Record in 1,600-Meter Relay

-Beijing-The Team members were all smiles at the “Bird’s Nest” and why wouldn’t they be?

The winner of the 1,600-meter relay was never in doubt.

LaShawn Merritt (44.35) got the U.S. out to a comfortable lead before handing off to Angelo Taylor who blazed a 43.70 leg. On the third leg, David Neville added to the lead before Jeremy Wariner (43.16), nearly ran a 42 second anchor leg that added an exclamation point to the victory.

The team of LaShawn Merritt, the 400-meter champion, 400-meter hurdles gold medalist Angelo Taylor, David Neville bronze winner and Wariner the 2004 gold medalist and 400 silver medalist recorded a time of 2:55.39 in Saturday’s final.

The time was good enough to establish a new Olympic record, in an event that the U.S have dominated. The previous record of 2:55.74 was set by Americans Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Michael Johnson and Steve Lewis in 1992 at the Seoul Games. The U.S. continues a tradition of owning this event, having now won the 1,600-meter relay at the last seven straight Olympic Games.

Olympian Kerron Clement and former Baylor standout Reggie Witherspoon ran in the qualifying heats and also share in the Olympic gold.

That is not a bad way at all to close out the track and field events at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

By Jay Hicks.

Merritt Wins Big Over Wariner In U.S. 400 Sweep

Merritt Upset Wariner’s Effort to Win Gold

-Beijing-LaShawn Merritt did something that many weren’t sure he could pull off. He upset defending Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner.

As I have written, in the past it has been Wariner the runner putting up the race of his life to win big in August. This time it was a brilliant race by Merritt at the perfect time that drew the world’s attention.

Only four runners, have bested the 43.75 that Merritt blazed in the finals. Wariner came off the turn in the lead but faded big time down the stretch finishing second in 44.70.

David Neville clocked 44.80 seconds and secured Team U.S.A. the bronze.

By Jay Hicks.

Merritt and Richards Win and Qualify for Olympic Team!

A pin drop could have been heard before the gun went off in the men’s 400-meters. At this point, everyone knows that LaShawn Merritt (44.00) beat Jeremy Wariner (44.20) in the head-to-head match up. After the race, I had a chance to speak about the race with track legend Michael Johnson, who is also Jeremy Wariner’s agent.

MJ said that LaShawn Merritt is a beast and a force to be reckoned with in the 400-meters. He seemed to alude to the fact that being on top means beating challengers as they arise. The current 400-meter world recorder holder also said that at this point and up to this point, Jeremy is the better 400-meter runner. He thought the race strategy in which Jeremy did not get out was the issue in the race tonight.

Simply put: Jeremy has to put his race together in order to win because Merritt did not run a time that Wariner is incapable of running.

After her race, Sanya Richards was estatic about winning and qualifying for the Olympic team. You got the impression that placing fourth at the U.S. nationals last year is something that she has thought a lot about since that race. As we predicted, Mary Wineberg made the team, and veteran Dee Dee Trotter pulled out her mojo, even with an injured knee to make the team.

It was a great night for track and field.

By Jay Hicks.

The Big 400 Meter Show down!

Tonight’s show down between challenger LaShawn Merritt and reigning champion Jeremy Wariner is arguably the Olympic Trials’ hottest race. The favorite at this point is Wariner, considering how well he has looked in the rounds, coupled with the fact that he has won virtually everything there is to win in the sport. But Merritt has already proved in a win over Wariner to be a formidable opponent. Merritt will probably use his speed to get out quickly the first 200, and Wariner will get out well the first 60-meters and settle into a comfortable pace. Merritt will lead going into the third curve, and Wariner will hit the gas at 250-meters. The homestretch will be about which runner is in the best position and who has the biggest will power to win.

The woman to beat at 400-meters is definately American record holder Sanya Richards. Look for Wineberg, Trotter, and Hastings to all be in contention the final 60-meters. Don’t be surprised to see Wineberg challenge the race from the start, while reigning national champion Trotter has the experience to win the race. Former 400-meter NCAA champion Hastings is also a threat as she’s been putting together her race well throughout the rounds.

Women’s 400 M Final - Lane Assignments:

1 467 Ebonie Floyd Nike 51.49

2 564 Monica Hargrove unattached 51.88

3 423 Debbie Dunn unattached 51.79

4 1387 Mary Wineberg Nike 50.57

5 1081 Sanya Richards Nike 50.75

6 592 Natasha Hastings Nike 51.04

7 1291 Dee Dee Trotter adidas 50.90

8 610 Monique Henderson Reebok 51.07

Men’s 400 M Final - Lane Assignments

1 773 Lionel Larry USC 45.55

2 966 Greg Nixon Asics 45.20

3 1194 Calvin Smith Florida 45.43

4 1382 Darold Williamson Nike 45.16

5 1326 Jeremy Wariner adidas 44.66

6 891 LaShawn Merritt Nike 44.76

7 1390 Reggie Witherspoon Nike 44.99

8 959 David Neville Nike 45.03

By Jay Hicks.

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