Texas Invite - PreRaceJitters’ Live Coverage

May 3, 2009 by Jay Hicks · 1 Comment

-Austin, Texas.

Almost overnight the Texas Invite went to be a low key track meet the place to be. The meets stature was upgraded with the presence of Baylor and Texas A&M.

With U.S. less than six weeks away, a group of talented professional runners such as Tyson Gay, Wallace Spearmon, Andra Manson, Lopez Lomong and Lionel Larry hit the Mike A. Meyers Stadium in Austin, Texas.

He has gotten his season started. 2007 World Champion Tyson Gay finished third in the 400 meters, setting a personal best time of 45.75. The winner Tabarie Henry of Barton County Community College scorched the track in 45.09, ahead of Lionel Larry in 45.27. Speamon finished seventh in 47.33.

Texas senior Tevan Everett won a loaded 800m race in 1:47.39, the fastest collegiate time in the nation. Also in the heat were Olympian Lopez Lomong, All-American Chris Gowell and his brother Tevas Everett.

The first lap Tevas came through the 400 in 49 seconds, with a 16 meter lead over the field. The pack began closing the gap by the 600 meter mark where Gowell and Ali Al-Deraan, and Lopez Lomong had caught up. Tevan dropped a kick in the final ten meters to win the race. Ali Saad Alderaan of Saudi Arabia was second in 1:47.45 and Baylor’s Chris Gowell finished third in 1:47.73.

Spearmon doubled up finished second in the 200 meters running 20.60 to place second in heat behind winner Kellie Willie in 20.45 and ahead of Michael Rodgers (20.61). In heat #2, Brendan Christian won the event overall running 19.98, however the wind (+2.8) was overall the allowable limit. Trey Harts finished third overall, the top collegiate runner, in the men’s 200 meters with a time of 20.33. The time is the second-fastest in the NCAA this season, behind Harts’ 20.29 set at the Michael Johnson Classic.

Baylor’s Tiffany Townsend won the women’s 200 meters with an NCAA-leading time of 22.63, breaking her own school record of 22.75 set at last year

In the men’s high hurdles, Ryan Brathwaite ran 13.05, but the the +3.6 wind at his back was over the allowable limit. BartonCounty’s Alonzo Edward won the 100 in 9.97 but was aided by a +2.3 wind.

Men’s 400 meters, Texas Invite from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.