Slew of showdowns set for finals!
O'Neal v. Jones, Coleman v. field, Craddock v. Richardson headline!
Notes courtesy of Rich Gonzalez, DyeStatCal and Track & Field News

60 METERS (2004 national leader: Kevin Crowe, Wasson HS, CO, 6.82A)

By his appearance as he stormed down the straightaway on Friday afternoon, Northern California's Kenny O'Neal looked like a runaway train! Be forewarned. Southern California flash Derrick Jones is the one who can potentially derail him.

O'Neal, the USATF Junior Nationals runner-up in the century last summer at 10.40 (second to Xavier Carter's 10.38 streak at Arcadia last April), powered his massive frame in beeline formation to win his heat of the trials at 60 meters on Friday, hitting the beams in a 6.87 clocking. The time, achieved despite being forced to wear flats (spikes are only allowed in the finals here), moved him to seventh on the all-time California indoor list. Jones, taking his turn on the boards 13 heat later, flashed across the finish in 6.97, setting up a classic showdown between two Golden State talents eager to gain the lead position heading into the fast-approaching outdoor season.

"My start could have been a little better, but I closed well," critiqued O'Neal, a senior at Skyline HS in Oakland and representing Alex Van Dyke Track Club here. "Without spikes, the start was sloppy, but we'll have those tomorrow."

Should a technically flawless race play out today, both O'Neal and Jones (a senior at perennial national speed juggernaut Long Beach Poly HS and competing for Spped City Track Club here) could threaten the shared 6.71 state indoor record first achieved 26 years ago. The big showdown between O'Neal, Jones and the Floridian Carter is set to take place at Arcadia in mid-April, but O'Neal and Jones will establish the early West Coast hierarchy here. Prediction? The winner in 6.73. We picked the time. You pick the winner.

200 METERS (2004 national leader: Adian Sanderson, Ewing HS, NJ, 21.84c)

By the qualifying times, this appears to be Derrick Jones' race to lose. Likely either flying high from a victory or rattled by a bitter defeat in the 60-meter final an hour before, look for the Long Beach Poly phenom (who veteran coach Don Norford has stated is the best-equipped sprinter ever to emerge from the vaunted Jackrabbit speed factory) to have emotion as his biggest adversary here.

Jones galloped to an under control yet without-a-doubt victory in his 200m trial, with his 22.19 clocking nearly half a second swifter than the day's next best qualifier. "I'm working on staying in control," quipped Jones. "Get one race down, then set for my next one, then my next one."

Colorado's Jonathan West is the next fastest on paper, spinning his wheels to a 22.63 heat victory. With O'Neal not viewing himself as the 200m type (and not entered in the event), and the top long sprinters also bypassing the one-lap challenge, Jones could be found chasing one of Poly's stiifer records - a 21.51 all-time school best by Kareem Kelly.

400 METERS (2004 national leader: Elzie Coleman, Newburgh HS, NY, 46.58)

The national indoor recordholder at this distance might have his work cut out for him ... by a sophomore, no less! New York senior blazer Elzie Coleman (Newburgh HS), who scorched the Armory oval to an all-time best 46.58 last month, has reportedly been battling a nagging injury on occasion since. But his controlled 50.31 heat win here could have just as easily been an under-caution effort, or merely a shrewd move to conserve energy for today's very busy day of finals action.

In any case, look for Colorado 10th-grader Jacob Scheuerman to improve upon his event-topping 49.69 qualifier, with a reportedly solid winter of training forecasting a high-47 to low-48 second effort this weekend! Easier said than done for the youngster, and Coleman will surely have plenty to say about that! Texas hurdling star Jason Richardson is also pegged for the two-lap final, with his excellent endurance tabbing him as truly the biggest threat to a healthy Coleman. After all, Richardson's 50.47 qualifier here was just a shade faster than his 50.72 last year for the 400-meter hurdles!

Prediction: Coleman was entered in three races on Friday, so we figure he has to be fairly healthy. Look for Richardson, who runs in the 60-meter hurdle finals about 45 minute before, to give Coleman all that he can handle! With the thin air at altitude, look for a fine time in the mid 47's.

800 METERS (2004 national leader: Victor Gras, Belmont HS, MA, 1:51.73)

Transit Tech speed merchant Michael Webley shouldn't be blamed if he opts to cruise on the anchor leg of his heavily favored sprint medley relay team's outing 90 minutes prior, as he'll liking find himself having to chase down ultra-fast starter Michael Greenwood of Colorado. The New Yorker Webley, who set a torrid pace in 800m qualifying at Simplot a year ago, will have company this time. Although Greenwood anchored his Colorado Striders club team to a berth in the medley final, his club coach his given him the pass to skip the baton event in favoring of focusing on the individual battle, which he will do. Prediction? Whoever endures the early burn best will gasp and double over in victory, just as it should be in our sport's most grueling event! Webley's long weekend schedule might catch up with him, while Greenwood feels he has something to prove.


1600 METERS (2004 national leader: Galen Rupp, Central Catholic HS, OR, 4:10.95/Mile)

Although our flight schedule brought us into Holt Arena just minutes after the start of the meet on Thursday, no surprise was missed. Canadian Aaron Robson, who helped star for his team's victorious 4x800 battle here a year ago, was the top qualifier in 4:27 and change at altitude (worth about 4:18 at sea level). Robson, an ultra-fit talent from the LeDuc Track Club, might have the edge in experience here, but celebrated local entry Aaron Wolfe (Idaho) and Utah talent Patrick Smyth are two very, very tough cookies. Given the thin air, we expect the race to turn tactical before it evolves into a kicker's challenge, which might play into Smyth's hands. Still, we find it hard to hedge against Robson. Look for a time of about low 4:22's.

3200 METERS (2004 national leader: Josh McDougal, Home-schooled, NY, 8:50.40/2M)

Not one known to take his talents indoors, you can bet that Steve Strickland's decision to come to Simplot is not without solid preparation. The leader of the famed distance powerhouse, Strickland was the West Region's alternate to the Foot Locker Cross-Country Nationals in December. His battle here should be a stiff one, with Idaho's Jared Bienlien and Utah's Jared Rohatinsky has plenty of experience to call upon. The drakhorse to watch here is Californian Nathan Huerta, a 9:20's talent at sea level, but one who is competing indoors for the first time this weekend. If he lets others do the work, he's a great upset pick. If he takes the lead too early, look for Strickland to capitalize. The interesting wildcard here could be Jesus Martinez, an unknown commodity representing Mexico.

60 HIGH HURDLES (2004 national leader: Jamal Charles, Memorial HS, TX, 7.81)

Don't look for a national record -- look for two of them!

Jason Richardson of Texas is the real deal, with silky smooth form, deceptive power and amazing agility tabbing him as a major threat to Deworski Odom's 7.62 national standard, assuming a flawless start plays out. Richardson, with international experience under his belt, figures to be a cool cat here. Two national records, you ask? Enter Kevin Craddock, the Northern California megatalent who rates even money to abolish Rickey Harris' 11th-grade national record of 7.74. Craddock has already set a stunning 10 national age-group records over the years, but a superb off-season training regimen has the James Logan HS star on pace to threaten Richardson for the title here. Richardson, by the way, clocked a meet-leading 8.04 in qualifying, with Craddock also a heat winner in 8.08. Might be the most exciting individual showdown of the weekend!

4 x 200 RELAY (2004 national leader: Camden HS, NJ, 1:28.09)

Oh my! Hold on to your hats while you try to control your excitement for this one! Most of the meet's best athletes will converge here, including dashers Derrick Jones (Long Beach Poly/Speed City TC) and Kenny O'Neal (Skyline HS/Alex Van Dyke TC), hurdler Kevin Craddock (James Logan HS), and long dasher Elzie Coleman (Newburgh Elite TC). The key here, however, is backup talent, as one dasher alone cannot handle the load. Alex Van Dyke might have the slight nod here, with a trio of blazers reported sub-22 in on-the-fly clockings, but Poly's cupboard is well stocked too!

4 x 400 RELAY (2004 national leader: Clinton HS, NY, 3:18.40)

On paper, this one's a dandy, with all six qualifiers within a hair of each other on the long-sprint relay. CC Flash of Colorado topped the qualifying, albeit by a mere 1/100th of a second of Northern California power James Logan. Transit Tech and Long Beach Poly are two major players from opposite coasts, with the final event on a long weekend of thrilling action likely going to those with the freshest legs. We could have an upset here!

SPRINT MEDLEY RELAY (2004 nation leader: Transit Tech, NY, 3:32.10)

Although Transit Tech of New York only enjoyed a small edge over other squads in qualifying times from yesterday, don't be fooled. Ace anchor runner Michael Webley posted a relay split more than a dozen seconds slower than his open 800m best, meaning the crew has major, major upside should it need to burn through the competition. In case you didn't notice up above, Transit Tech leads the nation is this event in 2004. One interesting note: Webley has the open 800m final 95 minutes after this one, so he may aim to conserve. Still, the only way Transit Tech figures to lose here is if they botch a baton exchange. Not likely.