2010 Indoor Track & Field Conference Weekend Wrap Up

Saturday, February 28, 2010 — New conference champs in the collegiate track and field. The champions were crowned in the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Conference USA, MPSF, SEC, WAC, conference championship meets held over the weekend.

The NCAA meet is set up

With so many noteworthy performances it is difficult to know where start. Up until this point in the season not a lot matters, however the conference weekend is where it all begins.

Is this a dynasty in the making? The Lady Aggies of Texas A&M made some serious noise that will echo at the 2010 NCAA Track & Field Championships in two weeks. For the second year in a row, Gabby Mayo went about her business carving up the track, winning the 60m (7.30) and 60m hurdles (8.05) earning high point honors while helping her team to its fourth consecutive team title.

Jessica Beard wrapped up the 400m, while Porscha Lucas continued her dominance in the 200m and both claim titles in their respective events for the third straight year.  It has to be noted that Lucas lead Texas A&M’s 1-2-3 sweep of the top three spots in the women’s 200m.

Then the women’s 4 x 400 relay finished off the meet by winning for a fourth consecutive year.

“Across the board if you look at everything the team did, they really got after it today,” Aggie head coach Pat Henry said. “It’s a tough meet for us to win.  “You can have a really good team and come in here and be third or fourth, but still have a good track team at the next meet. I’m extremely pleased with the overall effort of our team.”

Already the 2009 NCAA champion in the 60-meter hurdles, Ronnie Ash added another title with his win in the 60-meter hurdles, recording a personal best 7.59. The time is the best among collegians this year and ranks fifth this year by an American on any level.  Ash helped the University of Oklahoma men’s track and field team nab the program’s 18th conference title Saturday when it won the 2010 Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championship

His silence is broken. Charles Clark burst onto the scene, opening up his indoor season with 20.67 winning the ACC 200 meters and registering the top NCAA time as Florida State recorded its’ eighth consecutive, ninth overall, ACC Indoor Championships title. Teammate Kimberly Williams is still on fire, leaping 46-8 1/4 inch winning the triple jump.

On his home court, Lee Emanuel was victorious in the 800, miles and DMR leading New Mexico to a fourth place finish.

Is she college track’s best all-around athlete? Queen Harrison’s record setting day gives her a strong look in the conversation. The Virginia Tech senior ran 7.94, setting a conference meet record and lowering her own school record. But the day was not over as she lowered her own school record in the 400 meters, placing second in 53.06.

The next great Oregon distance runner set the tone in Seattle.  Freshmen Jordan Hasay continues to make her mark, running 4:35.01 a three second personal record to win the women’s mile. That is a new conference meet record and of course an automatic qualifier.

The Oregon women won the MPSF title for the first time in school history with 133 points. Stanford was second with 113 points, followed by Arizona (109) and Arizona State (75).

How the west was won. Lacy Cramer lead BYU’s 1-2-3 sweep in the 800 meter running 2:05.55, ahead of teammates Nachelle Stewart 2:07.06 and Angela Wagner 2:08.90. The BYU men and women emerged victorious at the Mountain West Conference meet in Albuque, N.M.

Not to be overlooked senior Jason Colwick of Rice vaulted a crazy 5.18 meters or 17 feet, setting a Conference USA meet record in Houston and establishing himself as an NCAA title contender.

Day 1 NCAA Champioships, Gerald Phiri - Texas A&M

Day 1 NCAA, Gerald Phiri - Texas A&M from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

Gerald Phiri talks with PreRaceJitters.com after winning his semifinal heat of the 100 meter dash.

Day 1 NCAA Championships, Porscha Lucas of Texas A&M

Day 1 NCAA Champs, Porscha Lucas of Texas A&M from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.

After running 11.14, she stopped by to discuss the 100 meter race with PreRaceJitters.com. Texas A&M’s Porscha Lucas won her preliminary heat of the 100 meter and is tied for the third fastest time of the day.

PreRaceJitters’ Podcast #29 with Porscha Lucas of Texas A&M

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Last year she was with runner up in the 200 meters in 22.67 seconds at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

This year Porscha Lucas is gunnin’ for that #1 spot, qualifying in the 100, 200 and 4×100 meter relay for the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Lucas discusses challenging the collegiate 4×100 meter relay, her own expectations and more.

2009 NCAA Indoor Championships, Porscha Lucas, Texas A&M

2009 NCAA Indoor Championships - Porscha Lucas, Texas A&M from PreRaceJitters on Vimeo.