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June 19-24, 2007 Indianapolis

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Preview - Men

Many preps are among favorites
Sprints: Bryshon Nellum. 800: Cory Primm. 1500: Sam Borchers, Matt Centrowitz, Ben Hubers, and Craig Forys challenge defending champion Oregon freshman A.J. Acosta. 110H: Johnny Dutch, Terry Prentice. 400H: New high school 300H record holder Jeshua Anderson, Reginald Wyatt and William Wynne. Steeple: Ryan McDermott. Pole Vault: Spencer McCorkel and Casey Roche. Long Jump: Terry Prentice.

by Doug Speck - Editor DyeStatCal.com

This week’s USATF Junior Nationals in Indianapolis, June 20-24th, at the Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer stadium on the Campus of IUPUI has a fine turnout. The meet is the qualifier for the 2007 Pan American Junior Championships in mid-July in Brazil, with a reduced sized American squad planned for the competition. The Junior Championship meet has arrived as a desired one on the elite high school level circuit, with participation quite impressive among the nation’s top preps, even with less national team spots available than in recent years. With reduced level squads at the Youth and Junior team levels, of course, this is real concern as the sport attempts to hold its own among other activities nationally.

It will be a fine competition with some super results.

The preview below was constructed based upon declared entries as of Monday June 18th, with the entry procedure here, requiring declarations and all a bit new to many preps and their entourages, thus allowing some flexibility.

 

100 Meter Dash
Arthur Wims (University of Nebraska) proved himself against the NCAA’s best with a 7th place at the Division I level and 20.61 half lap best to go along with a 10.32 clocking that had him 3rd in his Midwest Regional and a semi-finalist in Sacramento’s DI Championship meet. Rynell Parson (Stevens, San Antonio, Tex) has ripped things up as a soph, with a nation-leading prep 10.32 clocking and Texas State Divisional title. He stumbled and surprisingly had a less than pleasing result at the Golden West two weeks back so he will be here with revenge in mind. The contest here will be interesting. Ryan Bailey (McKay, Salem, Oregon) has held together this spring, with a fine 10.48 for second at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, with local star, Shane Crawford (Winamac, Indiana) a 10.51 State Meet winner by .24, and runner-up at the Nike Indoor Nationals over 60m ahead of yearly prep leader outdoors, Parson. Justin Christian (Morrow, Ga) had an early season 10.42, with others under 10.50 who could press for top spots and relay positions on the US team.

 

200 Meters
We may need the fire trucks to hose down the track after this one, as a couple dynamite half-lappers will battle. Bryshon Nellum raced eight times at the California State Meet in two days, a rarity for a Southern California prep, as that area of the nation typically does not have heats in the same meet, with Nellums’ area avoiding that until the State Meet. One would think the trials and tribulations mentally and physically over two days would take it out of the Long Beach Poly star, but he just seemed to become stronger and stronger, cranking an all-time Golden State best of 20.43 wind legal in his seventh contest of the weekend near the end of a long Saturday in Sacramento. One has wondered how he would do stepping up, with University of Nebraska’s Arthur Wims willing to welcome him to the “big-time,” with the NCAA seventh placer (20.61 best) a Midwest NCAA Division I regional champ, and a quick learner who has adapted to the multi-round collegiate scene in fine style. Kyle Stevenson (Univ Tennessee) had a 20.80 seasonal best and was an NCAA Division I competitor in the championship meet in Sacramento. Antonio Sales (East Chapel Hill, NC 5th here last year) was third at the Nike Outdoor Meet at 21.27, with Ryan Bailey (McKay, Salem, Or) close behind in fourth at 21.29. Dominique Young (Western Carolina Univ) has been 21.09 this season, with Justin Christian (Morrow, Ga) 21.15 indoors for second in the National Scholastic Indoor Meet, and Curtis Eaton (Kent State) a 21.17 in the deuce to go along with a 46.79 400 best.

 

400 Meters
Bryshon Nellum (LB Poly) had a 45.54 along the way in the two week ago California State Meet, with Collegian Terrill McCombs (Western Kentucky) 46.39 and a ninth place finish at the NCAA Midwest Regional meet during May. Nellum was third here last year and helped the US Junior team to a gold medal in the World Junior Championships last summer in Beijing, China. Curtis Eaton (Kent State) was 46.79 during the season, with Florida prep Christ Ward (Evans, Orlando) 46.81 early in the season and 47.06 for sixth at the Nike Outdoor extravaganza.

 

800 Meters
Cory Primm (Westlake, Westlake Village, California) had tuned his racing abilities lately, with a nearly even split 1:48.63 Nike Outdoor win over Dylan Ferris (East Forsyth, Kernersville, NC), who has a 1:49.27 best and was 1:50.12 for third at the Nike meet behind Primm. Adam Hariston (University of Iowa) was 1:49.99 during the season and raced in his NCAA Regional Meet, with Aaron Stockstell (Mid-Prairie Community, Wellman, Iowa) dropping two seconds to 1:50.18 in the Midwest Prep Distance Gala a couple of weeks back.

 

1500 Meters
AJ Acosta (Univ of Oregon) won here last year at 3:45.95 with a big finish, with prep star Samuel Borchers (Yellow Springs, Ohio) 4:03.33 for a full mile last week at the Nike Meet as he ran down Georgia prep, Ben Hubers, who was under 4 minute mile pace until late in the contest. Acosta has had a fine spring, with a 3:42.40 best, 5th in the Pac 10 and 9th in his NCAA Region contest. Some other preps will come to run, with Matthew Centrowitz (Broadneck, Anapolis, Md) 4:03.40 two weeks back and a stunning 8:41.55 full two mile last weekend at the Nike Outdoor meet with a huge last lap. Rival Craig Forys (Colts Neck, NY) was 8:44.53 for second at Nike, with a 4:04 1600 meter relay carry later that featured a sub 59 final 400. Sub 4:10's for 1600 meters or a mile, as tough as they are, have become quite common at the prep ranks, with local star, De’Sean Turner (Warren Central, Indianapolis) a 56.4 final lap during a 4:08.34 1600 state win by 3 seconds, Cory Leslie (Perkins, Sandusky, Ohio) a 4:08.41 1600 while winning by 3 seconds in Ohio, Benjamin Blankenship (Stillwater, Mn) a 4:08.41 1600, and traveled Michael Cinchar (Kentwood, Kent, Wash) a 4:09.67 mile along the way. Marlon Paterson (UCLA) has run 3:47.40, with Georgetown’s Alexander Bean a 3:48.34. Kind of hope this scratches down to a finals only, but heats may take place.

 

5000 Meters
University of Oregon folks prominent here, with Kenny Klotz 14:07.79 in early May and AJ Acosta, with a 14:10.47 on-board! Jacob Nachel (University of Illinois) was 12th in the Big 10 wiht a 14:19.10 best, with Alex Crabil (UCLA) 14:25.57 in early May. Isaac Stoutenburgh, another Oregon athlete, was 14:25.97 this spring, with the Dettman twins, Matthew and Eric (by way of York HS in Elmhurst before heading west to Duck-land) sub 3:52 1500 stars moving up. Hopefully you are not allergic to lime, as if everyone shows it should resemble a cross-country affair!

 

10,000 Meters
Kenny Klotz (University of Oregon) has run 29:50.26 and has quite a ways on the clock on everyone, with the Indianapolis weather (9 pm should be okay) sometimes a bit of a factor. Isaac Stoutenburgh (Univ Oregon), Matthew Llano (Univ of Richmond), Oklahoma prep Kevin Schwab (Mustang HS), and Iona frosh Chris Vizcaino appear capable of a high placing.

 

110 Meter High Hurdles
As the rest of the world struggles to put athletes on the track in the sport also, the hurdle height internationally for juniors has been switched to 39", so the Collegians have to step down in height, which seems like a strange situation but it is true.  There is a good group to challenge the Collegians.  Johnny Dutch (Clayton, NC) was 13.65 in his heat at the Nike Outdoor Meet (and 13.39w in state) before a false start dq in the final.  Terry Prentice (Diamond Ranch, Pomona, Ca) was 13.53w and 25-00w in the Long Jump two weeks back at the Golden West Invitational to go along with his California State High Hurdles title.  Brendan Ames (Cheyenne Central, Wy) has run 13.64 and adds 24-06.75w jumping ability as the sticks move up.  Local star, Bryce Brown (Harrison of Evansville, Ind) has clocked 13.68.  Darius Reed (UCLA) leads those who have run season-long at the 42" hurdles, with a fine record to go along with his 13.81 best and second in the Pac-10.  Omo Osaghee (Texas Tech) was fourth in the Big 12 at 13.99 and sixth in his Midwest Regional Finals race. 

400 Meter Hurdles
A frightening wave of preps is rolling through, with a new National 300 meter Intermediates record of 35.28 by Jeshua Anderson (Taft, Woodland Hills, Ca), who shows a steady step pattern that should not be really bothered by the extra 100 meters. Anderson handled soph Reginald Wyatt (North, Riverside, Calif) out west over the shorter distances in their championship action, with William Wynne (McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga), an eleventh grader, a 50.09-50.10 winner over Wyatt at last week’s Nike Outdoor Nationals, among prep history’s top ten and Wyatt a new National Soph Record Holder off his effort! Ross Harlan (Oklahoma Baptist) was the NAIA champ at 50.99 to lead the College contingent against this stunning group of high-schoolers.

 

3000 Meter Steeplechase
Eric Ashe (Boston University) was 18th in the Eastern Regional NCAA Division I contest, with a 9:03.48 best this spring. Ryan McDermott (Chaminade, Mineola, NY) is the prep yearly leader at a fine 9:08.11, and he looked good in a 2k 5:52.63 Nike Outdoor Meet romp last week. Kevin Schwab (Mustang, Ok) was third at the NON meet at 5:57.55, with Marco Anzures (UCLA) 9:14.49 in April for the full event.

High Jump
Jayson House (Southern University) was an NCAA Division I Finalist in the event with a 7-03.25 best this spring. Eric Thompson (Hemin, Illinois) was a 7-02 prep, who was also a State Meet Long Jump and Triple Jump winner (he went 6-11 the weekend of the triple gold effort). Tyler Boswell (University of Alabama) was second in the SEC at 7-01.5, with a 12th in the NCAA Regional competition. Ehi Oamen (University of Northern Iowa) was 7-01 this spring, and 8th in the Mideast Regional affair. Arizona prep Phil Feinberg (Corona del Sol, Tempe) was 7-01 this past winter indoors. Jonsy Simmons (Agua Fria, Az) and Marlon Woods (Norfolk State) are other 7-footers in the field.

 

Pole Vault
Top preps from last year have moved on to the college level in fine style. Jordan Scott (University of Kansas) had jumped 18-02.5, was the Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor Titlest, and won the NCAA Regional meet. Scott Roth (Univ Washington defending champ here) has jumped 17-10.75 while placing second in the Pac-10, and he was second in the Western Regional competition at the college level. Spencer McCorkel (Bryant, Ark) was 17-07 earlier in the spring, then was down injured for a time before emerging with a 16-07.5 win on misses last week at the Nike Outdoor Meet over dangerous Casey Roche (St. Francis, Mountain View, Ca) who has jumped 17-00 this year, 17-05 last summer. Nick Frawley (Air Force Academy) has jumped 17-05.5 with participation at the NCAA Division I Championships. Corey Shanks (Northrop, Ft Wayne, Indiana) is the latest local out of the Fort Wayne vault factory with a 17-00 soph seasonal best. Christopher Spear (Clemons) was 16-09.75 for fourth in the ACC Meet, with preps Mitchell Erickson (Marian HS, Chicago) and Kevin Schipper (Bishop Dwenger, Ft Wayne) 16-09 this spring as a juniors.

 

Long Jump
A huge group of 24 foot plus jumpers will battle here. Terry Prentice (Diamond Ranch, Pomona, Ca) was out to 25-00w to take the Golden West Invitational two weeks back. Benjamin Otto (Hill-Murray School, Minnesota) has a 24-08.75 and hopes to prove his consistency, with Tranquincey Wilson (Lawrence North, Indianapolis, IN) a local 24-08 jumper who took the state meet by over a foot. Marlon Woods (Norfolk State) is a talented jumper, 7-00 in the HJ, 24-08 here, and 49-06 in the Triple Jump, a Regional qualifier in each! Brendan Ames (Cheyenne Central, Wy) has jumped 24-06.75, with Ashton Eaton (Univ Oregon) 24-06.25 and fifth in the PAC 10 and Western Regional Meets at the Division I College level.

 

Triple Jump
Zuheir Sharif (Texas A&M) had a super collegiate frosh year, closing with a runner-up at the NCAA Division I level and a 52-08.25 best. Troy Doris (Bolingbrook, Il) has jumped 50-09, and looks for competition after a three and a half foot state meet win. Richard Sherman (Stanford) was 50-00 this year and a fifth place effort in the Pac 10 meet. Austin Davis (Northern HS, Durham, NC) was 50-01.5 indoors this winter, with Marlon Woods (Norfolk State) 49-06 a Regional NCAA Qualifier in this event.

 

Shot Put
A mixture of implements here, with the competition involving something at the Jr level, with the 6 kilogram ball between the 12 pound High School and 16 pound Open Shot. Nick Robinson (UCLA) has thrown 58-05.5 with the 16 pound implement and was 64-11.25 with the Junior weight ball at the Jim Bush Invitational in June in Southern California. Joe Canavan (Palm Desert, Calif) heads the prep contingent at 67-01.5, with Colin Boevers (Judge, Salt Lake City, Ut) 66-00.5, and Ben Stephen (Union County, Liberty, In) 65-08 this spring. Korion Morris (Univ Arizona) was 56-02 in early May with the 16 pound implement and will be a factor.

 

Discus Throw
Same thing here as far as the implement, with the 1.75 kg platter between the prep weight and those that the collegian/open athletes use. Darius Savage (UCLA) is one of a ton of great young throwers for Coach Art Venegas at UCLA with a 200-05 seasonal best and 189-01 for 8th in the Conference Meet and 12th in the Western Regional with the platter. Cameron Carter (Colorado State) has improved nicely as a frosh, with a 185-03 best. Bo Taylor, a redshirt at UCLA was 175-10 this spring, with Nick Robinson at Bruin-land 176-05 with the Junior weight implement. A good group of preps will battle here with Derek Johnson (Agoura, Ca) 205-05 and good back-up in a California State Meet win, with Luke Bryant (Clearwater, Ks) 205-05 to win state and 201-07 last week to take the Nike Outdoor National title. Tyler Hitchler (Fremont, Ne) was 201-06 earlier in the year and 187-04 to take his state title.

 

Hammer Throw
Super group here! The preps have to step up from the 12 pound implement they typically throw to the 6 kg ball. Defending Champion Walter Henning (St. Anthony’s, South Huntington, NY) has equalled his 235-00 winning toss from last year in early April, with a new National 12 pound prep best of 255-11 from early May! A dynamite group of preps will follow him against some good first year collegians. Jordan Stray (Centralia, Wash) has thrown 229-10 with the HS ball, the #3 prep throw in the nation this spring, with Tyan Loughney (Tri Valley, Grahamsville, NY) 215-04 with that prep implement, and he was fourth in the NON meet. Zack Richards (Monroe, Wash) is 221-03 with the HS weight Hammer, with Wes Wright (Villa Rica, Ga) 219-07 (HS weight) for third at the NON competition. Michael Zajac (Univ So Carolina) was 208 last year with the prep weight Hammer and 196-10 this season as a college athlete. David Schiedt (Univ Georgia) has thrown 190-03 and was eleventh in the SEC Meet.

 

Javelin
Christopher Hill (McNeese State) was 238-10 for a new US Junior Record at the NCAA Division I meet in qualifying, and threw 229-04 in the Finals for fifth. Iain Trimble (Shawnee Heights, Tecumseh, Ks) leads the preps in fine style this year with a 229-07 best and 222-02 NON win last weekend. Chase Dalton (Tigard, Oregon) is a super all-arounder (6988 Decathlete with 6-08 HJ skills, 11.15 100m, etc.) who has thrown 209-04 this year, with Justin Shirk (Central Dauphin, Harrisburg, Pa) 206-08 as a prep soph. Matthew Megerdichian (St. Francis, College, NY) has a 202-03 best, with 19th in the Eastern NCAA Division I regional meet.

 

Decathlon
Ashton Eaton (Univ Oregon) was second in the Pac 10 with a 7123 total, and he will meet talented prep soph Curtis Beach (Albuquerque Academy, NM), who won the Great Southwest wiht an impressive 7185 total. Nick Adcock (University of Missouri) was 8th in the Big 12 meet with 7078 points, with Cory Roberts (Southeastern Louisiana) 7068 and third in the Southland Conference competition. Ashton Eaton (Tigard, Oregon) was 6988 and runner-up to Beach at the Great Southwest, with Benjamin Kinder (Brentwood Academy, Tenn) a five event state meet winner and 6914 entry mark.




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