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GSW Meet Preview
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by John Samore, GSW
06/02/10
GSW Preview by John Samore
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Albuquerque NM - Great Southwest index - Girls
BOYS TO WATCH
The Sprints and Hurdles
GSW has long been known as a place where speed is not only legal, but you can find it every where you look at UNM Stadium June 5. One of the most intriguing prospects is the chance (finally!) to see of what one of America's best-kept secrets is capable. Texan Aaron Scott has been unrecognized by many tracknuts since his amazing relay anchors wow his admirers but left them wondering what this powerful young man can do in Elite open races. We are all going to find out this weekend.
Sprints - Alamogordo's Taylor Weary will be testing himself in the Elite races against the best in America in the 100 and 200. No one is expected to challenge the 45.48 400 meters that Tavaris Tate (Starkville, MO) blasted here last year for a meet record and nation's leading time, but Texan Bralon Tapol is sixth-fastest this year with his 47.03 and should run in the 46.3 range.
Hurdles - GSW winners missed the national 300 Hurdle record in 2007 and 2008 by barely a tenth of a second. The US mark is safe this year, but Colorado's Trevor Brown is fifth in the US with his 36.81 300 Intermediates, and Jeylin Reed (TX) is barely a stride back. In the 110 Highs, this duo's seasonal best times reverse their rank, so Reed is a narrow favorite off his 13.60.
Middle Distances
800 - Denver's Reggie Humphrey whipped through a1:50.3 800 in 1984, and only one GSW champion has come within a second of that superb time in the 25 years since. Kyle Thompson (TX) is seventh-fastest in the country this year (1:50.39) but will need to be pushed to break that venerable mark. Another intriguing 800 element is the return of Sandia Prep's versatile Bronson Duran, who was second in this race last year, ran internationally last summer, and opened this season with a smooth 1:55.2. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury limited his season and kept him out of the State Meet entirely. Will he return to his 1:52 2009 form -- or even faster? Stay tuned.
3200 - Another long-standing record is Don Janicki's (Mesa, AZ) 3200 meter mark, perhaps, because it was set in Phoenix before GSW made its permanent home in the altitude of Albuquerque ten years ago. Utah's Steve Morrin and Nevada's Wade Meddles are both experienced at altitude and, if unintimidated, could push the time under nine minutes. If fit, Cibola's Montoya twins are definite medal contenders.
1500 - The 1500 is wide open with Paul Smith (AZ) having the fastest time (3:55.0) of the current entries.
Steeple - Dervin Graham (TX) has already run a second under the Steeplechase meet record of Academy's Ben Johnson but will be challenged to beat that 6:05.06 at altitude.
Relays
The deep stables of sprinters in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arizona make those states the traditional favorites in the 4 X 100 and 4 X 400 that open and conclude the Saturday program. So entertaining have these events proven, GSW has added a 4 X 200 to the schedule for yet another chance to see even more young talent display their speed.
The 4 X 800, on the other hand, usually finds Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas as the leading contenders. Who actually wins the gold in any of these events usually depends on how the respective state coaches allocate their talent reservoir.
Jumps
High Jump - GSW has four seven-footers from different states in the High Jump field, headed by David Smith (Georgia), who decided the quality competition and the thinner air of New Mexico was the ideal situation to improve on his already impressive 7'4" seasonal best. He may also hop into a 400, where he has run under 47.0 on a relay. Also on hand are Oklahoma's Dwayne Golbek, Utah's Zach Blackham, and Texas' Kerry Thompson. Any of the four could challenge the 7'2" meet record set by New Mexican Kevin Dotson in 1995.
Long Jump - Bryce Lamb's 25'10" Long Jump record set last year should be safe, and two Texans head that field. New Mexican Larry Durpree is just shy of the 24' range to medal.
Triple Jump - One New Mexican who is a real title contender is Highland's Warrick Campbell, whose 48'6" Triple Jump lags behind only Missouri's Marquise Cushon and Texas' Dave Brown.
Pole Vault - Jack Whitt (Norman, OK) set a meet record that may not be long for the books if Logan Pfbisen (Streeter,IL), the second highest Pole Vaulter in America at 17'2", has a good day. Not only will it be fun to see our world-class Meet Announcer Ron Smith stumble
all over his name, but Pfibsen will have to be on form to beat Casey Wicker (Dallas Jesuit), who is No. 8 in the US.
Throws
Javelin - Johannes Swanepol continues the Kansas tradition for great schoolboy javelin throwers and is a solid bet to set a meet record, having surpassed Preston Chatham's (Covington,LA) record with his 238'4" that ranks second in the US.
SP and HT - The weight events are really quite wide open. Alex Garza (TX) and Brandon Pineda (AZ) head the bunched Shot Put field, James Parker (UT) heads the Hammer Throwers in pre-GSW marks, and no one carries a leader's target in the Discus. All of those meet records should be safe.
GIRLS TO WATCH
Sprints and Hurdles
Coming across the nation to cement her estimable credentials is Octavious Freeman (Lake Wales, FL), whose 11.30 100 is second-fastest in the US and, hold onto your hats, that time was actually run INTO an adverse wind. For all intents and purposes, she is the premier schoolgirl sprinter in America, and not even Texas' swift Jennifer Madu is likely to catch her, at least in the Elite century. Jennifer is also a contender in
the 200, but Jessica Davis(Highland, CA) the season's best time of 23.42, is not far off the meet mark.
Speaking of meet records, one of the ladies' oldest, Eureka Hall's (Safford, AZ) 52.99 400 from 1992, may finally go. Diamond Dixon (Westside, TX) is just that, a brilliant gem, and her 52.90 leads the whole country and no opponent here is likely to be within ten meters at the finish.
Meeting national class competition for the first time is Sandia Prep's sophomore sensation Krista Armstead. This gifted young lady has been untouchable for two years in New Mexico sprints and hurdles, and she will be a medal contender. Watch her light stride, so contrasting to the customary sprinter power, and you may understand why so many see her future as a world class middle distance runner. It's one step at a
time, and we know you will appreciate her fascinating talent.
Each hurdle race features the No. One-ranked athlete in the country, Lauren Blackburn (Sunset, TX), whose13.39 100 Hurdles is the class of that field. Blackburn's 41.08 300 Intermediates is one long stride from Shalina Clark's (IL) 2007 40.4 meet
record.
Middle Distance
Albuquerque Academy's Julia Foster will likely be the favorite in whatever race she chooses to run. New Mexico's Female Athlete of the Year (for all sports) won the state cross-country as an eighth-grader, aurvived several years of victories interspersed by untimely injuries, and has reemerged as a national talent while still only a junior. Among many achievements, she placed second in both the 5,000 meters and two-mile
at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships in New York. She may contest the 1500 or 3200, with the Aragon sisters (Montana) likely to push her in the shorter distance.
Defending champion Eleanor Fulton returns in the rugged 2000 Steeplechase and has no real challenger, save her own meet record of 6:37.3.
Relays
As with the Boys, the Girls three sprint relays are usually a showcase for the deep pools from Texas and Arizona. Just sit back and enjoy.
The 4 X 800 tends to favor the teams from altitude states, such as Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. Tactics and running order play a big role in the outcomes of any and all relays.
Throws
America's top Shot Putter is Kearsten Peoples(Ottawa, KA), off her 51' effort, and she will also be favored in the Discus. Only Jillian Rushin (MO) is likely to give Kearsten any real challenge for either gold medal.
The best Javelin thrower in America is Hannah Carson (Chandler, AZ) is also here to try and best her nation-leading 171'9", which is over ten feet beyond the meet record.
The Hammer Throw features a group of game but inexperienced young ladies who will work hard to medal.
Jumps
Nation-leading Merritt Grace Van Meter (County Day, LA) hopes to improve four inches on her PR nation-leading Pole Vault to break the 14' record set only last year by US champion Shade Weygandt (Mansfield, TX). Pushing her for that elusive mark will be the fifth- and sixth-ranked vaulters, Shaylah Simpson (AZ) and Demi Payne (TX).
Jasmine Todd (AZ) stands (or should we say lands) third in the US Long Jump ranks, and hopes to nudge her 19'11' PR well past the twenty foot barrier. The seasonal Triple Jump leaders are Texans Brianna Richardson and the aforementioned Madu.
Of the entries in the High Jump, only Michael Palu (TX) has scaled six feet, but that is the meet record, which could fall.
BOYS TO WATCH
The Sprints and Hurdles
GSW has long been known as a place where speed is not only legal, but you can find it every where you look at UNM Stadium June 5. One of the most intriguing prospects is the chance (finally!) to see of what one of America's best-kept secrets is capable. Texan Aaron Scott has been unrecognized by many tracknuts since his amazing relay anchors wow his admirers but left them wondering what this powerful young man can do in Elite open races. We are all going to find out this weekend.
Sprints - Alamogordo's Taylor Weary will be testing himself in the Elite races against the best in America in the 100 and 200. No one is expected to challenge the 45.48 400 meters that Tavaris Tate (Starkville, MO) blasted here last year for a meet record and nation's leading time, but Texan Bralon Tapol is sixth-fastest this year with his 47.03 and should run in the 46.3 range.
Hurdles - GSW winners missed the national 300 Hurdle record in 2007 and 2008 by barely a tenth of a second. The US mark is safe this year, but Colorado's Trevor Brown is fifth in the US with his 36.81 300 Intermediates, and Jeylin Reed (TX) is barely a stride back. In the 110 Highs, this duo's seasonal best times reverse their rank, so Reed is a narrow favorite off his 13.60.
Middle Distances
800 - Denver's Reggie Humphrey whipped through a1:50.3 800 in 1984, and only one GSW champion has come within a second of that superb time in the 25 years since. Kyle Thompson (TX) is seventh-fastest in the country this year (1:50.39) but will need to be pushed to break that venerable mark. Another intriguing 800 element is the return of Sandia Prep's versatile Bronson Duran, who was second in this race last year, ran internationally last summer, and opened this season with a smooth 1:55.2. Unfortunately, a hamstring injury limited his season and kept him out of the State Meet entirely. Will he return to his 1:52 2009 form -- or even faster? Stay tuned.
3200 - Another long-standing record is Don Janicki's (Mesa, AZ) 3200 meter mark, perhaps, because it was set in Phoenix before GSW made its permanent home in the altitude of Albuquerque ten years ago. Utah's Steve Morrin and Nevada's Wade Meddles are both experienced at altitude and, if unintimidated, could push the time under nine minutes. If fit, Cibola's Montoya twins are definite medal contenders.
1500 - The 1500 is wide open with Paul Smith (AZ) having the fastest time (3:55.0) of the current entries.
Steeple - Dervin Graham (TX) has already run a second under the Steeplechase meet record of Academy's Ben Johnson but will be challenged to beat that 6:05.06 at altitude.
Relays
The deep stables of sprinters in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arizona make those states the traditional favorites in the 4 X 100 and 4 X 400 that open and conclude the Saturday program. So entertaining have these events proven, GSW has added a 4 X 200 to the schedule for yet another chance to see even more young talent display their speed.
The 4 X 800, on the other hand, usually finds Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas as the leading contenders. Who actually wins the gold in any of these events usually depends on how the respective state coaches allocate their talent reservoir.
Jumps
High Jump - GSW has four seven-footers from different states in the High Jump field, headed by David Smith (Georgia), who decided the quality competition and the thinner air of New Mexico was the ideal situation to improve on his already impressive 7'4" seasonal best. He may also hop into a 400, where he has run under 47.0 on a relay. Also on hand are Oklahoma's Dwayne Golbek, Utah's Zach Blackham, and Texas' Kerry Thompson. Any of the four could challenge the 7'2" meet record set by New Mexican Kevin Dotson in 1995.
Long Jump - Bryce Lamb's 25'10" Long Jump record set last year should be safe, and two Texans head that field. New Mexican Larry Durpree is just shy of the 24' range to medal.
Triple Jump - One New Mexican who is a real title contender is Highland's Warrick Campbell, whose 48'6" Triple Jump lags behind only Missouri's Marquise Cushon and Texas' Dave Brown.
Pole Vault - Jack Whitt (Norman, OK) set a meet record that may not be long for the books if Logan Pfbisen (Streeter,IL), the second highest Pole Vaulter in America at 17'2", has a good day. Not only will it be fun to see our world-class Meet Announcer Ron Smith stumble
all over his name, but Pfibsen will have to be on form to beat Casey Wicker (Dallas Jesuit), who is No. 8 in the US.
Throws
Javelin - Johannes Swanepol continues the Kansas tradition for great schoolboy javelin throwers and is a solid bet to set a meet record, having surpassed Preston Chatham's (Covington,LA) record with his 238'4" that ranks second in the US.
SP and HT - The weight events are really quite wide open. Alex Garza (TX) and Brandon Pineda (AZ) head the bunched Shot Put field, James Parker (UT) heads the Hammer Throwers in pre-GSW marks, and no one carries a leader's target in the Discus. All of those meet records should be safe.
GIRLS TO WATCH
Sprints and Hurdles
Coming across the nation to cement her estimable credentials is Octavious Freeman (Lake Wales, FL), whose 11.30 100 is second-fastest in the US and, hold onto your hats, that time was actually run INTO an adverse wind. For all intents and purposes, she is the premier schoolgirl sprinter in America, and not even Texas' swift Jennifer Madu is likely to catch her, at least in the Elite century. Jennifer is also a contender in
the 200, but Jessica Davis(Highland, CA) the season's best time of 23.42, is not far off the meet mark.
Speaking of meet records, one of the ladies' oldest, Eureka Hall's (Safford, AZ) 52.99 400 from 1992, may finally go. Diamond Dixon (Westside, TX) is just that, a brilliant gem, and her 52.90 leads the whole country and no opponent here is likely to be within ten meters at the finish.
Meeting national class competition for the first time is Sandia Prep's sophomore sensation Krista Armstead. This gifted young lady has been untouchable for two years in New Mexico sprints and hurdles, and she will be a medal contender. Watch her light stride, so contrasting to the customary sprinter power, and you may understand why so many see her future as a world class middle distance runner. It's one step at a
time, and we know you will appreciate her fascinating talent.
Each hurdle race features the No. One-ranked athlete in the country, Lauren Blackburn (Sunset, TX), whose13.39 100 Hurdles is the class of that field. Blackburn's 41.08 300 Intermediates is one long stride from Shalina Clark's (IL) 2007 40.4 meet
record.
Middle Distance
Albuquerque Academy's Julia Foster will likely be the favorite in whatever race she chooses to run. New Mexico's Female Athlete of the Year (for all sports) won the state cross-country as an eighth-grader, aurvived several years of victories interspersed by untimely injuries, and has reemerged as a national talent while still only a junior. Among many achievements, she placed second in both the 5,000 meters and two-mile
at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships in New York. She may contest the 1500 or 3200, with the Aragon sisters (Montana) likely to push her in the shorter distance.
Defending champion Eleanor Fulton returns in the rugged 2000 Steeplechase and has no real challenger, save her own meet record of 6:37.3.
Relays
As with the Boys, the Girls three sprint relays are usually a showcase for the deep pools from Texas and Arizona. Just sit back and enjoy.
The 4 X 800 tends to favor the teams from altitude states, such as Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. Tactics and running order play a big role in the outcomes of any and all relays.
Throws
America's top Shot Putter is Kearsten Peoples(Ottawa, KA), off her 51' effort, and she will also be favored in the Discus. Only Jillian Rushin (MO) is likely to give Kearsten any real challenge for either gold medal.
The best Javelin thrower in America is Hannah Carson (Chandler, AZ) is also here to try and best her nation-leading 171'9", which is over ten feet beyond the meet record.
The Hammer Throw features a group of game but inexperienced young ladies who will work hard to medal.
Jumps
Nation-leading Merritt Grace Van Meter (County Day, LA) hopes to improve four inches on her PR nation-leading Pole Vault to break the 14' record set only last year by US champion Shade Weygandt (Mansfield, TX). Pushing her for that elusive mark will be the fifth- and sixth-ranked vaulters, Shaylah Simpson (AZ) and Demi Payne (TX).
Jasmine Todd (AZ) stands (or should we say lands) third in the US Long Jump ranks, and hopes to nudge her 19'11' PR well past the twenty foot barrier. The seasonal Triple Jump leaders are Texans Brianna Richardson and the aforementioned Madu.
Of the entries in the High Jump, only Michael Palu (TX) has scaled six feet, but that is the meet record, which could fall.