Preview of Finals
Boys - Girls
Boys
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.
Girls
Hot Times In The Icy City!
California/Colorado dashers dominate the trials
Recaps of qualifying courtesy of Mike Kennedy, Track & Field News
60 METERS
Californians and Tony Wells' Colorado Flyers dominated the qualifying round, taking 17of 18 places in the three-heat semifinals. But all you had to do was watch the first to realize who would be the overwhelming favorite. Senior Ashley Owens ( Liberty , Colorado Springs/Colorado Flyers) smoothly exploded out of the blocks and moved down the straightaway with nary a break in form to run 7.47�In flats (all prelims are run in flats with spikes used only in the finals). Owens, the current national leader at 7.34, held a huge .13 hundreds advantage over Shalonda Solomon (Speed City/Long Beach Poly) and Carol Rodriguez (TeeKay/Long Beach Wilson), separate heat winners in 7.60. Of the two, Rodriguez appeared to have a smoother run. Just behind the top three was Jennifer Nash (Tracy Flyers/Tracy Merrill West), a heat winner in 7.66. Rounding out the top eight qualifiers were Sarah Matthews (Colorado Flyers/Niwot, Longmont , Colo. ) at 7.74, Kristina Davis (James Logan, Union City) at 7.75, Jasmine Baldwin (Bishop Amat, La Puente) at 7.77 and Ashley Cruder (Colorado Flyers/Eaglecrest, Aurora, Colo.) at 7.81.
200 METERS
The 200 final will be an all- California affair with Rodriguez (24.67) and Solomon (24.72), turning in the top two preliminary times. The two also rank 1-2 in the nation with Solomon at 23.84 and Rodriguez 22.11. Joining the duo in the final are Angelique Smith James Logan, Union City at 25.08, Jennifer Nash at 25.16, freshman Ebony Collins TeeKay/Long Beach Wilson) at 25.28 and Shana Solomon's sister, Shana, at 25.60. Owens chose to compete only in the 60.
400 METERS
Becca Noble (Flying Burritos/Rogers, Spokane , Wa.), who earlier this year ran 54.98 on an oversize track, was very impressive in running 56.12 for the fastest prelim time. Jasmine Lee (Speed City/Long Beach Poly), who ran 52.52 last year, was the second fastest qualifier in 56.92. Deonna Lawrence (Alex Van Dyke/Shelton, Sacramento ), a 52.77 performer last year and third-ranked indoors this season at 54.78, should offer the strongest challenge to the top two. Freshman Sade Williams (Socal Cheetahs/Rancho Cucamonga), who won her heat easily in 58.74, but missed the final by .28, stands a good chance of running close to 56.0 in the first consolation race. Sophomore Jourdan Johnson (Mustang.Muir, Pasadena ), who ran 1:00.79, should contend for first in the second consolation race.
800 METERS
There are no Californian's in the championship final but the race will have a familiar look to Californian's. Heidi McGill ( Mountain View , Orem , Utah ), two-time Arcadia Invitational winner and teammate Heidi Houle were the top too qualifiers at 2:15.71 and 2:28, and Selena Sappleton (Zodiacs/A.P. Randolph, N.Y.C.), another Arcadia Alumni, was the third fastest qualifier in 2:20.14. Another runner to watch is Kasey Harwood (Polson, Mt.), who ran 2:20.97, but has an outdoor best of 2:13.0. Tanisha Cooper (Socal Cheetahs/Rancho Cucamonga), who ran 2:26.45, is the only Californian in the first consolation race. Samantha Allen and Leah Richmond (Speed City/Long Beach Poly) and Ejiro Okoro (Alex Van Dyne) qualified for the second consolation race.
60 HIGH HURDLES
The first heat saw Kira Robinson (Mullen Prep, Denver ), the third fastest hurdler in the nation at 8.71, clipped the first hurdle, hit the second hurdle and smashed the third hurdle causing her not to qualify. Junior Dashanta Harris (Speed City/Poly, Long Beach ), who spent much of last year trying to get well, was the leading qualifier in 8.97. Joining Harris in the final are fellow Californian's, Talia Stewart (James Logan, Union City ) at 9.07, and Long Beach Wilson teammates DeAna Carson and Ebony Collins, at 9.25 and 9.26, respectively. Three Californian's made both of the Consolation finals.
4 x 200 RELAY
California filled all six lanes in the final led by James Logan (Union City) , 1:41.54, Southern California Cheetahs, 1:42.54, TeeKay (Wilson, Long Beach), 1:42.97 and Speed City (Poly, Long Beach), 1:43.60. Wilson has the third fastest time in the nation at 1:39.9. California teams make up one-half of the consolation final led by Mustangs (Muir, Pasadena ), 1:45.79.
4 x 400 RELAY
TeeKay ( Wilson , Long Beach ) which has the fastest time in the nation at 3:47.15 and James Logan ( Union City ) which ranks fourth at 3:49.00, ran 3:56.79 and 3:59.21, respectively. Both made the final where they finished behind two all-star teams and Speed City (Poly, Long Beach ), which ran 3;59.21. Poly, if they chose to in the final, could run the same team that clocked 3:35.78 outdoors for the third fastest of all time.
Field event qualifying was mostly uneventful with approximately 20 in each event qualifying for the finals.
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