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Pocatello ID
| | 2008 Simplot Games Idaho State University, Pocatello ID
February 14-16, 2008 DyeStat on-site with Rich Gonzalez, Dave Devine
Mike Kennedy, Marc Davis and John and Donna Dye |
Who is Dominick Roberts?
Colorado sprinter answers question with fast pace in 200/400 qualifying
by Richard Gonzalez, editor, DyeStatCal
More than a few people were asking aloud on Friday: "Who is Dominick Roberts?" "Where's he from?" "Where'd he come from?"
Folks, he's been "here" on the sprint scene for a while. And based on Friday's showing at the 30th annual Simplot Games, he's going new places.... really fast.
 To give an idea of his top-end speed coming in, no one needs to look any further than the 21.14 wind-legal time he posted in capturing last year's state 5A title in Colorado. "That's when he beat 'The Great Jeremy Rankin' ", said Coach Tiyo Smith with a not-so-subtle hint of sarcasm. "Yes, Dominic can actually run okay too." Smith was no doubt referencing the most recent edition of "Interval Sessions", DyeStat's weekly prose into the backgrounds of some of the nation's leading athletes. In the most recent installment, it was fellow Coloradan Rankin who was profiled, while Roberts remained a mystery to the masses.
"That's okay," added the casual Smith, his warm smile undercutting a face largely concealed by oversized dark glasses and framed by dreadlocks that draped well past his shoulders. "Dominic will just do his thing."
Despite appearing smooth, controlled and clearly well within himself, the East High of Denver dasher whirled around Holt Arena's banked 200-meter wooden oval in meet-leading times of 49.14 (400 meters) and then 22.36 (200m) to lead Friday's qualifying-round action and set true anticipation of what Saturday's finals may bring. Roberts won his heat of the 400m by over four seconds. From the backstretch of the first lap, it was clear Roberts was the class of the race, humming away from his rivals. New York's Akinto Boone (representing Newburgh Elite TC) at 49.40m in winning his own heat, was the only sprinter within a second of Roberts' time.
Then Roberts returned to roll a 22.36 in the deuce qualifying, 1.44 seconds faster than his nearest challenger in the race and a fifth of a second faster than the next best qualifier overall, North Carolina's Bobby Grier (22.58).
Both of Roberts' time came while wearing flats, as spikes are not allowed at the Simplot Games for qualfying-round action.
"Coach and I talked beforehand and he wanted me to hold back, didn't want a sub-49 but nothing of risk-taking where I don't make the fast heat (of the final, as the top 18 qualifying times advanced to three heats of finals)," said Roberts. "It felt alright, but I know I'm ready to go faster tomorrow."
Roberts likened his first experience at the Simplot Games -- with displays of speed bottled inside an oval and underneath a horde of cheering fans -- to that of another sporting pastime. "This track was fast... flying into and out of those turns," said the senior, who was competing for his MZA Greyhounds club team. "With the crowd and the noise of all the steps on the boards, it felt like a NASCAR race out there!"
While sprinters in recent years have favored lane four as best for negotiating the turns in the dashes, the top seed always lands in lane three. By virtue of his times, Roberts will be in lane three for both finals.
"That's still fine," added Smith. "We wanted a choice lane and if you get too cute out there and hold back too much, you lose those lanes to others." Smith assures Roberts will be a "20.45 type" by the time all is said and done in his protege's prep career and expects North Carolinian J-Mee Samuels' 21.47 meet record to come under assault on
Saturday.
"Look also for better than 48 (in the 400m final)", added Smith, who has coached a cadre of top speedsters over the years. "With how Boone just looked right now in his (heat), we'll need under 48."
With Ohio's Kendall Gregory bringing in glistening credentials of 47.01 outdoors and 47.99 indoors on an oversized track, he will be another key factor in Roberts' quest to emerge as king at Simplot. Should Roberts prevail, maybe the rest of the country will finally take notice. No doubt that Jeremy Rankin already has.
photo by John Dye
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