Oval or Straight, Times Fast in Kentucky

By Steve Underwood

An indoor track as big as the 292-meter oval at University of Kentucky’s Nutter Fieldhouse ought to be conducive to fast times in races of 200 meters or more – and those were present in abundance Saturday. What made the meet really stand out, then, was the fact that the 500 prep athletes from 14 states blazed down the straightaway as well.

Three of the four US#1 marks benefited from the oversized (though unbanked) nature of the track. The stunning 8.41 60-meter hurdles performance by Knoxville West TN soph Jacquelyn Coward, however, was a smooth lightning shot down the straight. Stone Mountain GA sr. Evander Wells blitzed a nation-leading 21.51 200m, but had earlier claimed the 60m in 6.77, just .01 off the USA top time. Detroit MI Mumford jr. Shayla Mahan covered that same 60m in a US#2 7.36, had a little time to wonder how her contemporaries at the Simplot Games were doing (only Bianca Knight beat her time), then powered to a 23.96 200.

“Oh, God,” said a somewhat disbelieving Coward after her hurdles explosion, a national sophomore record. “I’m just so happy and thank God. I really shuffled my feet well between the hurdles.” It was just the first race of an impressive triple for Coward, who would go on to take 3rd in the 400 (55.70) and 2nd in the 200 (24.43).

“The difference is that last year (freshman year), she didn’t do any fall training and this past fall she did,” said her Knoxville TC and Knoxville West HS coach Charles Ryan. “She was a freshman and getting used to the process. This past fall I told her if you want to be the best, you have to put in the work the whole time. Now she’s awesome. She wants to make the world junior team.”

All in all, it was quite a meet in the spacious fieldhouse, intense but casual, and produced 87 DyeStat Elite marks – and probably would have had a few more if it hadn’t been for a surprise snowstorm that shut down nearby I-75 causing some no-shows.

The start of the boys mile with winner Adam Green fourth from right.

 

The distance races were stunning affairs, full of surprise and intrigue. In a girls 800 field that included nationally known quantities Brittany Hall GA, Krishna Curry TN, and Ramzee Fondren MI, who expected relatively unknown Albion MI freshman Amelia Bannister to drop a US#1 2:10.18? Or among a tight 2-mile field headed for a rather average 9:25, who thought Springboro OH sr. Chad Balyo would blast a closing 60 for a 9:13.76?

And there was Franklin Central IN jr. Alex Green (4:16.76) surprising a mile field that included young guns Adam Perkins WI, Billy Matthews AL, and veteran Rob Sorrell TN. And Pass Christian MS 8th-grader Cory McGee taking down a field where she was seeded just 8th in 5:02.06.

You have to start with that girls 800. For whatever Bannister’s hopes were entering the race, she caught a break with a flu-weakened Fondren (5th) less than 100 percent and Curry a no-show. Still, there was Hall, the owner of a 2:08 PR outdoors, stringing out the field with a breathtaking 62 first 400. But Bannister has learned patience at an early age (she’s barely 14) from Coach Mike Jurasek. She split 65 and used her strength and speed to even split and mow down Hall (2:12.31) in the last 100.

“That’s her credo, even splits,” said Jurasek of his amazing sprinter-turned-middle-distance-runner.

Bannister isn’t unknown among youth track fans (she’s won titles at different levels and run as fast as 56 400 two years ago) or serious aficionados in Michigan. But this was truly her coming-out party as a prep. Truth be told, Jurasek has kept her under wraps for much of her youth career.

Meanwhile, Balyo ran a 9:18 3200 as a soph, but was overshadowed by the likes of Jeff See. As a junior he had medical issues that precluded any improvement, but last fall he emerged as the state’s best runner, with a state meet win, a great race at Mideast Meet of Champs, and a near-miss at FL Midwest. He’d run in the 9:20s/4:20s so far this winter, but, as it turns out, had hardly stretched his legs yet. To the uninitiated, it appeared as he moved into the lead midway through the race that he would gradually pull away to something in the low 9:20s maybe.

So when Balyo rocketed away in the final 400 and put 10 seconds on a solid field that included Justin Roeder IN, Bobby Moldovan IN, Sorrell, and Tom Divinnie TN, it was a definite eye-opener. His mile splits were 4:42-4:31.

“I wasn’t sure he had that kind of a kick in him,” said Balyo’s coach, Deron Steinke. “He’s our secret weapon in the 4x400.”

In the boys mile, both Sorrell and Perkins, sub-4:14 runners, were running their season-openers, but were said to be ready to rip. And “rip” Sorrell did in the first 400, splitting 60-high and dragging a reluctant field with him. But no one was ready for that, Sorrell included, and things settled down to 3:17.2 at 1200.

Perkins moved ahead, but Green was equal to the task and after some back-and-forth, outgunned the super soph in the final stretch for a big PR win. “My coach said to go for my arms,” he said of his finish.

“That first 400 was quick, really quick,” said Perkins. “My plan was to go with 600 left, but it felt too early. So I went with a lap to go, but I tied up in the last 100.”

Like Bannister, the young McGee has learned patience from her Moroccan club coach, former Southern Miss runner Yousri El Mejdoubi, and exercised it well in her second indoor race of the year (she won at LSU January 7). She held a few spots back through splits of 1:13-2:30, then took over before the pace slowed to 3:49. Showing plenty of savvy, her 73 last 400 held off Rita Jorgensen TN’s 5:02.51. Later, she was a very solid 3rd in the 800, behind Bannister and Hall.

McGee, whose school’s track was submerged in the fall hurricanes and is still unusable, said she and her coach are always talking about smart pacing. “We’ve talked about that I need to stay in position,” she said.

“Before I met her, she was an aggressive runner,” said El Mejdoubi. “But she’s learned to be patient. She’s applied everything the professionals use.”

AL’s Elisabeth Molen was 4th, but came back to take the 2M in 11:13.19, with Jorgensen again the runner-up.

The boys 800 was no cakewalk, either, with Mountain Brook AL’s Lee Bailey overhauling versatile Lakota East OH star William Johnson, 1:55.20-1:55.49, and two others under 1:56.5. Bailey would also contribute to his team’s winning 8:00.47 4x800 relay.

The field events weren’t quite the spectacular show. It was thought that they might begin and end with history’s #2 prep girls pole vaulter, Homestead IN’s Katie Veith. But with a minor hamstring strain, she sat this one out. But she was in the fieldhouse to cheer on her Ft. Wayne Vault club teammates Hunter Hall (PR 16-0.75, Homestead HS) and Abby Kimball (Carroll HS, 12-0) to victories.

Kell GA freshman Lauren Chambers, fresh off a freshman national record in the 25-pound weight, won the girls shot in 41-3, more than three feet clear of second. Later, Liberty IN jr. Benjamin Stephen joined this year’s 60-foot club at 60-2.

Freshman shot put winner Lauren Chambers.

But back to those sprints … Wells needed everything he had to nose out Justin Christian GA’s 6.79, the best non-winning mark in the country this year, but he was nearly a half-second up in the 200. In the 60, he said breaking a string of bad starts was the key. “I had to focus on getting out,” he said. Amazingly, he was a little disappointed with his 200. “It wasn’t as fast as it would have been nice to run. I was going for the meet record (21.41 Mike Loyd).”

When Mahan dug down deep to beat Coward in the 200, she also topped Stephenson GA’s Joanna Atkins (24.46), who had been spectacular in her own right earlier with what would finish the day as a US#2 54.41 400. “We’ll take those times today,” said Atkins’ coach Darren Hoyle. “We haven’t been doing a lot of work on the 200.”

The boys 400s were impressive as well, with DeMatha stars Jaumale Sykes and Jeremy Samuels taking turns winning sections in 48.53 and 48.83. Coach Bryant left Sykes out of his nation-leading 4x400, however, leaving Samuels to come from behind on his anchor to top Trotwood OH, 3:18.14-3:19.13.

The girls relays went to Georgia Lightning 3:55.71 and Detroit Cheetah TC 9:48.24.

 

97 DyeStat Elite Marks
Event	Mark	By
B-60	6.77	Wells, Evander, 2006, Stone Mountain GA
B-60	6.79	Christian, Justin, 2007, Morrow GA
B-60	6.91	Woods, Ladarius, 2007, Homewood AL
B-60	6.97	Anderson, Gwantaveus, 2006, Warner Robins GA
B-60	6.98	Wims, Scott, 2006, Northrop Fort Wayne IN
B-60	7.03	Gilstrap, Kenny, 2009, Miller Grove Lithonia GA
B-200	21.51	Wells, Evander, 2006, Stone Mountain GA
B-200	21.95	Woods, Ladarius, 2007, Homewood AL
B-200	22.02	Christian, Justin, 2007, Morrow GA
B-200	22.07	Grace, Nathan, 2006, Bearden Knoxville TN
B-200	22.28	Williams, Darison, 2006, Trotwood OH
B-200	22.31	Everson, Cedric, 2007, Detroit MI
B-200	22.36	Gilstrap, Kenny, 2009, Miller Grove Lithonia GA
B-200	22.38	Wims, Scott, 2006, Northrop Fort Wayne IN
B-200	22.42	Anderson, Gwantaveus, 2006, Germantown Memphis TN
B-400	48.53	Sykes, Jaumale, , Dematha MD
B-400	48.83	Samuels, Jeremy, 2006, Dematha MD
B-400	49.17	Hewitt, John, 2006, Franklin TN
B-400	49.20	Grace, Nathan, 2006, Bearden Knoxville TN
B-400	49.21	Robinson, Steve, 2006, Trotwood OH
B-400	49.24	Abercrombie, Colin, 2006, Houston TN
B-400	49.50	Evans, Quinn, 2007, Mounds View MN
B-400	49.59	Gregory, Kendall, 2008, Lake Ridge Academy OH
B-400	49.59	Oatts, Thomas, 2006, Knoxville TN
B-400	49.63	Chambers, Justin, 2009, Kell Marietta GA
B-400	49.68	Ottinot, Miles, 2008, SW Gwinnett GA
B-400	50.34	Lemon, Michael, 2006, Dematha MD
B-800	1:55.20	Bailey, Lee, 2006, Mtn. Brook AL
B-800	1:55.49	Johnson, William, 2006, Lakota East OH
B-800	1:56.07	Bilbrew, Chris, 2007, Smith's Station AL
B-800	1:56.13	Ward, Isaiah, 2008, Detroit Mumford MI
B-800	1:58.41	Douglas, Dezmond, , Lake Ridge OH
B-1600	4:15.26 c e	Green, Adam, 2007, Franklin Central Indianapolis IN
B-1600	4:16.38 c e	Perkins, Andrew, 2008, Watertown WI
B-1600	4:17.72 c e	Sorrell, Robert, 2006, Bolton TN
B-Mile	4:16.76	Green, Adam, 2007, Franklin Central Indianapolis IN
B-Mile	4:17.88	Perkins, Andrew, 2008, Watertown WI
B-Mile	4:19.22	Sorrell, Robert, 2006, Bolton TN
B-Mile	4:21.55	Davis, Thomas, 2006, St. Xavier KY
B-Mile	4:21.75	Hannah, Clay, 2006, Brentwood TN
B-Mile	4:23.03	Chastain, Ryan, 2006, Mitchell IN
B-3200	9:10.36 c e	Balyo, Chad, 2006, Springboro OH
B-2Mile	9:13.76	Balyo, Chad, 2006, Springboro OH
B-2Mile	9:23.88	Roeder, Justin, 2006, Hamilton Southeastern IN
B-2Mile	9:24.24	Moldovan, Bobby, 2007, Northrop IN
B-2Mile	9:25.81	Divinnie, Tom, 2006, Brentwood TN
B-2Mile	9:26.09	Duncan, Ron, 2006, Fleming County KY
B-2Mile	9:28.85	Sorrell, Robert, 2006, Bolton TN
B-2Mile	9:30.95	McClain, Scott, 2006, St. Xavier Louisville KY
B-2Mile	9:31.84	Krapf, Scott, 2006, Schlarman Danville IL
B-60H	8.07	McDonald, Andre, 2008, MO
B-60H	8.07	Brown, Mo, 2006, Westside SC
B-60H	8.19	Daley, Geoffrey, , Dematha MD
B-60H	8.20	Shotwell, Frank, 2006, Medina OH
B-60H	8.24 p	Ross, Martin, 2006, Brentwood Academy TN
B-LJ	22' 4.75	Brown, Mo, 2006, Westside SC
B-PV	16' 0.75	Hall, Hunter, 2007, Homestead Fort Wayne IN
B-SP	60' 2	Stephen, Ben, 2007, Union Co IN
B-SP	58' 2.5	Chambers, Adam, 2007, Glen Este Cincinnati OH
B-4x400	3:18.14	Boys Relay, , Dematha MD
B-4x400	3:19.13	Boys Relay, , Trotwood-Madison OH
B-4x800	8:00.47	Boys Relay, , Mountain Brook AL
B-4x800	8:09.8	Boys Relay, , Smiths Station AL

 

G-60	7.36	Mahan, Shayla, 2007, Mumford Detroit MI
G-60	7.67	Pinckney, Takeia, 2009, Columbia Atlanta GA
G-200	23.96	Mahan, Shayla, 2007, Mumford Detroit MI
G-200	24.43	Coward, Jacquelyn, 2008, Knoxville West TN
G-200	24.46	Atkins, Joanna, 2007, Stephenson Stone Mountain GA
G-200	24.62	McDougald, DeAngela, 2007, Junction City KS
G-200	25.33	Dacus, Jasmine, 2006, Westlake GA
G-200	25.36	Anderson, Jenae, 2007, Knoxville TN
G-200	25.48	Tyson, Bianca, 2007, GA
G-400	54.41	Atkins, Joanna, 2007, Stephenson Stone Mountain GA
G-400	55.26	McDougald, DeAngela, 2007, Junction City KS
G-400	55.70	Coward, Jacquelyn, 2008, Knoxville West TN
G-400	56.20	Byrd, Porche, 2007, Cross Keys GA
G-400	56.82	Dacus, Jasmine, 2006, Westlake GA
G-400	57.79	Brooks, Aieshia, 2007, Marietta GA
G-400	58.20	Humphrey, Erin, 2006, MI
G-800	2:10.18	Bannister, Amelia, 2009, Albion MI
G-800	2:12.31	Hall, Brittany, 2007, Meadowcreek Norcross GA
G-800	2:14.55	McGee, Cory, 2010, Pass Christian MS
G-800	2:14.68	Hine, Virginia, 2008, White Station, TN
G-800	2:17.26	Fondren, Ramzee, 2008, Detroit Renaissance MI
G-Mile	5:02.06	McGee, Cory Ann, 2010, Pass Christian MS
G-Mile	5:02.51	Jorgensen, Rita, 2007, White Station TN
G-Mile	5:05.92	Jackson, Megan, 2006, Northridge IN
G-Mile	5:09.12	Molen, Elisabeth, 2007, Altamont Birmingham AL
G-2Mile	11:13.19	Molen, Elisabeth, 2007, Altamont Birmingham AL
G-2Mile	11:15.84	Jorgensen, Rita, 2007, White Station TN
G-2Mile	11:18.35	Dukes, Kortni, 2006, Scott Taylor Mill KY
G-60H	8.41	Coward, Jacquelyn, 2008, Knoxville West TN
G-60H	8.84	Stowers, Jasmine, 2010, Northside SC
G-60H	9.00	Blair, Bianca, 2007, Austin-East Knoxville TN
G-LJ	18' 6.75	Bryant, Nyosha, 2009, Charlotte NC
G-PV	12' 0	Kimball, Abby, 2006, Carroll Ft Wayne IN
G-SP	41' 3	Chambers, Lauren, 2009, Kell Marietta GA

 

 

 

Kentucky Select T&F Meet: A Center of Attraction

Preview By Steve Underwood

In recent years, the meet known as Kentucky Invitational has been growing in stature as a Mideastern fixture that bridges a regional gap and provides a middle meeting ground for prep track standouts from the Great Lakes states and those from the South. That trend will continue in 2006 as athletes of states ranging from Michigan and Wisconsin to Georgia and Alabama (total of 14) will travel to Lexington to compete on the big 292-meter oval at Nutter Fieldhouse.

The meet isn’t bigger in size than it’s been – and that’s by design. Meet director Don Weber and co-coordinator Jim Kaiser like to keep it that way. With about 500 accepted athletes, it whips along in about seven hours on a Saturday late morning/afternoon with three to seven sections or heats of most events.

Some athletes who have already achieved prominence during the 2006 indoor circuit will be featured – national leaders like pole vaulter Katie Veith IN and the DeMatha MD boys 4x400 team – but this meet is even more about a major meet opportunity for athletes in states without indoor emphasis, like Indiana, Georgia, and some others to a lesser extent. Some of the most outstanding performers will actually be making their seasonal debuts.

Those indoor national leaders, however, can’t help but carry the spotlight. Veith’s 14-foot clearance at the Reno Pole Vault Summit last month made her #2 all-time. Kaiser says Nutter Fieldhouse has proven conducive to high vaults, possibly putting Mary Saxer’s USR 14-2 in danger. Coach Shank of the Ft. Wayne IN Vault Club is also bringing his 16-0 vaulter Hunter Hall and several others from his special group.

DeMatha’s 4x4 is seeded third with a 3:20.79, a mark from Bishop Loughlin in NY, but of course they have run 3:16.39 at New Balance Collegiate since then. Two others are in the field with bests at 3:21 or better, but DeMatha is the only team with all its runners from the same school.

For speed and depth, from top to bottom, the girls 800 could be the best race, with the top three from last year returning. That field contains the third national leader here, Brittany Hall GA, whose 2:10.25 paces the indoor list. But Krishna Curry TN and Ramzee Fondren MI are equally capable. In 2004, in fact, it was Fondren beating Hall here, 2:13.89-2:13.93, and Curry third. Nine others are listed with sub-2:18 PRs, including Pass Christian MS 8th-grader Cory McGee (2:13.79).

With a field completely reflective of this meet’s diversity, the boys mile is also generating a lot of buzz – the field includes arguably two of the best young indoor milers ever and two recent Foot Locker finalists.

Last year, Andrew Perkins WI set an indoor freshman record in the mile, running 4:21.20. Just two weeks ago, freshman Billy Matthews AL ran 4:22.28 at a facility described as a “horse barn,” making it clear he’s a candidate to take the record down.

That’s just part of the mile field, however. Tennessee Foot Locker finalists sr. Rob Sorrell and Clay Hannah will be in the field, as will Tom Divinnie, who just missed San Diego. So will Nicholas Lepley, Matthews’ teammate who was the only runner to beat him at AL Indoor State, and four others with PRs under 4:23.

The throws will feature talent both younger and older. Lauren Chambers GA leads the girls shot field with a 42-foot PR, but she may be even better with the weight, an implement she scored a freshman record with last week in South Carolina. On the boys side, Benjamin Stephens IN (60-7) and Adam Chambers OH (58-9) could make big inroads on the national lists.

More fast and deep fields include the boys 200 (7 with career bests under 22), the girls 400 with 11 under 57, and the boys 800 with 8 under 1:57. By the end of the day, some national indoor lists will surely be revised.

(more to come)