DyeStat Page 1

Columbus Ohio March 13-14, 1999

Nike Indoor Classic Previews

Late Entries Spice Hurdles, 400m, SMR, 800m

by Mike Byrnes 3/6/99

Perdita Felicien - hurdles

One of the finest young hurdlers in the world, Perdita Felicien of Canada, has filed her entry for the Nike Indoor Classic. Thus far this year she’s posted a splendid 8.60 over the 60m barriers but far-off USL Nicole Denby’s 8.33. Denby will be in Boston. In 1998 Felicien blazed a 13.47 over the 100mH earning a medal at the World Junior Championships in France.

Robert Cooper - 400m

Another interesting entrant, Robert Cooper. Cooper recently posted a 48.75 winning the Georgia Invitational but was DQ’ed for a minor lane violation. That would have positioned him #3-US.

He will get a chance to redeem himself when he lines up against what looks to be one of the finest indoor 400m fields ever. Shomari McKenzie, 48.80 this year and 46.60 in ‘98; Blaine Bussey, USL over the 500y distance (57.3 - T#2-AT) and 47.20 in ‘98; Travon Walton, #2-US at 500y (57.5); Antonio Gray, USL at 500m (1:03.58); Joey Handy, 3rd at this distance indoors last year and a 47.3 performer in the spring; Bilal Motley, 48.90 this year; two outstanding kids from Stephenson HS join their statemate from Georgia, Prince Huffman, 49.00 (48.3r) and OJ Hogans, 49.40; junior Mohamed Kanu, 49.13 and Wasim Greaves, 49.25. Now that’s a total of 11 truly outstanding kids. Only six (6) will make the final!

Kearns UT - sprint medley

Kearns, Utah is a small town that the present economic boom has overlooked. The NSSF has made it possible for their Sprint Medley Relay team to fly to Columbus for the Nike Indoor Classic.

“You can’t believe how excited the kids are,” enthused coach Bob Ostberg, “Not just the kids on the team but the kids in school. This is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to any of our teams.”

Kearns currently ranks #2-US in the SMR and hopes to improve upon their 4:06.22 Simplot effort.

Jason Briggs - 800m

Coming in from Indiana, Jason Briggs, considered by his coach Trent Grider, “...one of the toughest competitors I’ve ever met,” has posted an unconfirmed 1:51.0 this season. That sets up a great duel between Briggs and Brett Tipton, 1:51.89ov.

Meet Director Mike Byrnes commented, “This meet has come together in ways we never imagined. It will be a great competition. We’ll have over 1300 athletes representing close to 40 or more states. But far more important than quantity is quality and there are some awesomely talented kids competing in the Nike meet.”