Weekend Thoughts: 4/10 - 4/11

There were a number of majors this past weekend, notably the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee meet at UCLA, Tennessee’s Sea Ray Relays and Sun Angel Track Classic at Arizona State.

Professionals open season.

All signs are indicating that a number of elite runners are in fabulous shape considering the early time of the year.  Some say that there is little gain in a non-Olympic year and I couldn’t disagree more with this line of thinking.  You have to admit that the best track athletes in the world facing off and exhibiting their talent is a good idea.

It’s his defining feature: An intense focus on being the best track runner in the world.  Regardless of the drama surrounding Walter Dix off the track, the two-time Olympic bronze medalist took a turn on Saturday after running 10.00 in the 100 meters with a 0.0 wind at the Seminole Invitational.

This after news reports surfaced that Dix will be training with Florida A&M’s Rey Robinson, a 1972 Olympian and touted sprint coach. He is leaving former FSU track and field coach Terry Long who was heavily involved Dix’s training last year.  At the present time, Dix is also a contract dispute with agent Kimberly Holland. What kind of a year is in store for Richard Thompson?

Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart is quietly piece her race together, running 22.62 at the Sun Angel Track Classic. Trinidad’s Richard Thompson cranked out 20.6 in the damp, cool conditions in Arizona.

Don’t call it a come back, she’s been here for years.  This year Carmelita Jeter opened the season at the Jackie Joyner Kersee/Rafer Johnson meet in 22.59.  Jeter has recently joined the HSI group and already showing signs that she may have the best season yet of her professional career.

Bringing the heat, Lauryn Williams got her season started running 11.11 at the Miami Elite Invitational, while  2008 Olympic Trials runner-up Damu Cherry flew over the hurdles in 12.43.

Hazel Clark-Riley was spotted at the Sea Ray Relays. She placed 7th in her 1,500m heat at Sea Ray Relays, running 4:31.47.  In another early season race Anthony Famiglietti jumped in the 1500m at Sea Ray Relays, winning the race in 3:42.77 by over three seconds.

College Runners
With so many talented runners, the women’s 800 is already shaping up to be a hot race at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.  Chanelle Price is getting healthier as the season goes on, recording a third place finish in the 800 meters (2:05.54), behind Treniere Clement (2:04.23).

Reigning NCAA 400 meter hurdle champion Jeshua Anderson improved on his season’s best time on Saturday, running 49.44 seconds showing that he is a force to be reckoned with again this season.  In a dramatic race, Allyson Felix ran down Texas A&M’s on the anchor leg of the 4×100 relay to win in 43.46 seconds.

Winning the overall title Ronnie Ash of Bethune-Cookman University took the high hurdles in 13.58, setting a new stadium record in Miami.

The race in L.A. had twist and turns but in the end Tran Howell, Gerlad Phiri, Chris Dykes and Justin Oliver of Texas A&M prevailed in the 400 meter relays over elite runners Craig Everhart, Kerron Clement, Rodney Martin and Shawn Crawford, 39.13 to 39.28.

Alyson Felix provided fireworks on the anchor leg of the 4×100 meter relay. Felix delivered a come from behind win, crossing the line in 43.46 to 43.47 over Texas A&M.

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4. Week Thoughts: Texas Relays lives up to expectations
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