July 2003 Issue
 Here’s a sampling of the exciting stuff you'll find in the July issue of T&FN, which just rolled off the presses.
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| July Issue Index |
The Real NCAA Is Back!
Sacramento, California, June 11–14—In recent years younger fans have surely grown tired of hearing the old codgers say, “You should have seen how incredible the NCs were back in the good old days.”
After the first Golden State staging of the meet since 1968, perhaps they’ll believe them, because this was indeed an NCAA for the ages. …
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
NCAA Men: At Last – No. 10
by Dan Lilot
With double-digit totals of NCAA cross (11) and indoor (17) titles already in his pocket, Arkansas coach John McDonnell finally reached 10 outdoor crowns with a 59–50 win over Auburn, the Razorbacks’ first win since their 8-year streak ended in ’99.
The second day of competition, despite providing only one final, proved to be…
(for more, read the July Issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
An Unlikely 400 Power
by Sieg Lindstrom
Not since Steve Lewis and Danny Everett of UCLA placed 1–2 in ’88 en route to medals at the Seoul Olympics had one school scored as many points in an NCAA 400 as Minnesota did this year.
Juniors Adam Steele and Mitch Potter tallied 16 points, then handled the opening and closing legs on their 3:02.33 relay, which placed 2nd behind LSU. Potter’s 44.5 leg was equal-fastest of the entire baton fest.
“I think everybody’s pretty much stunned by the performances,” says Golden Gopher coach Phil Lundin. …
When Adam Steele entered the home straight with a chance to win, he recalls thinking, “I was like, ‘Well, don’t regret anything. Here we go.’ ”
Steele dug down and…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
Lincoln Double Unplanned
by Andrew Jensen
Daniel Lincoln made a lot more history than he was planning to in Sacramento. The Arkansas senior’s unprecedented double win in the 10,000 and steeplechase capped an improbable career that started as an unrecruited walk-on. He came to town intending to become the first American ever to win three straight steeplechase titles and join Kenyan James Munyala of UTEP (1975–77) as the only individual to threepeat in the event.
But a funny thing happened along the way between the preliminary and final rounds of the steeplechase.…
Lincoln and coach John McDonnell agree that winning the 10,000 will do more for the runner’s pro career now than the threepeat in the steeple. It showed the versatility McDonnell has always bragged on for a kid who has run everything from a 3:58 mile to a 28:20 10K…
(for more, read the July Issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
Wilson Continues Storied Trojan Legacy
by Jon Hendershott
No school can claim more NCAA champions in the high hurdles than USC. And Ryan Wilson is the latest to add his name to the list of victorious Trojans.
The 22-year-old Ohio native became the 12th USC hurdler to win in the meet’s 82-year history…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
BIG Big 12 Putters
by John Crumpacker
While Carl Myerscough and Christian Cantwell are the sort of fellows who tend to stand out in a crowd, they can also be swallowed up in the context of a track & field meet, where the emphasis is typically on the track.
Such was the case on a busy NCAA night. With running events occupying the attention of most fans, the men’s shot final didn’t get the attention it deserved. ’Tis a pity.
In keeping with the event’s recent rejuvenation, the two put on a tremendous show for those who were paying attention to these keen foes, who became friends through their rivalry in the Big 12.
It started modestly enough. Myerscough, who, at 6-feet-10 and 330lb seems too big to fit in the 7ft circle, reached…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
NCAA Women: LSU Sprints To Title No. 13
by Dan Lilot
In our May-issue NCAA predictions, we tabbed LSU as close runners-up to defending champs South Carolina. But the pre-Regionals loss of Gamecock superstar Lashinda Demus opened the door wide for Pat Henry’s squad to take a record 13th outdoor crown. The Tigers’ dominating win over Texas (64–50) completed an in/out sweep for ’03, giving LSU 23 overall women’s track titles.…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
Not Your Ordinary Frosh
by Jon Hendershott
Stepping into the full glare of the national spotlight didn’t dazzle Sanya Richards in the least. From High School Athlete Of The Year last season to NCAA 400 champion this year, the Texas frosh has literally taken it all in her stride.
And her strides have carried her to World and American Junior Records indoors, as well as AJRs and an American Collegiate Record outdoors…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
The Anaerobic Monster
by Dan Lilot
After Tiffany McWilliams won impressive 800/1500 doubles at both the SEC and the Mideast Regional, the plan was for her to run the NCAA 1500 followed by the 2-lapper at USATF.
“But when we were driving down from Sacramento to Palo Alto,” relates Mississippi State coach Al Schmidt, “she told me how easy that [4:06.75] was. And since she’s less than a second off the Olympic [and Worlds] standard [4:05.80], we figured she had to run the 15.”
Those who watched McWilliams run in Sacramento—4:10.60 heat, 4:06.75 final— might figure she was born to run the 1500, such was the ease with which she won in Collegiate Record time.
In the final, McWilliams knew she’d have to run the legs off of Lena Nilsson, who had…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
Magness Misses Sub-4:00 Shot
by Dan Lilot
Eugene, Oregon—It’s not easy being a track fan. Your favorite sport doesn’t get the widespread recognition it deserves.
But don’t let it get you down. Take a trip to the annual Prefontaine Classic. There’s no better treatment for the track & field blues than two hours of nonstop action at Hayward Field. Where else are the stands packed, the shot putters cheered and distance runners worshipped?
And what better race to remind you why you fell in love with this sport than the Bowerman Mile? In this year’s edition, Kenyan Bernard Lagat demonstrated impressive early season fitness with his world-leading 3:50.21 win, beating Canadian Kevin Sullivan (3:53.34) and leading a dozen under 4:00.
But for many fans yelling and stomping in the green and yellow stands, their focus was 10 seconds back of the winner, following the sub-4:00 attempt by high schooler Steve Magness.
Magness, a senior from Houston’s Klein Oak High, was first contacted by meet director Tom Jordan through T&FN’s on-line message board after running 4:01.58 for 1600m (worth a 4:02.99 mile) in April.
Two weeks after winning the Texas State title with a 4:04.69 equivalent, the high-mileage trainer was in Eugene where he met Alan Webb, himself the focus of attention at this race two years before.
“He gave me some advice,” said Magness. “He said…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
Regionals Still Hot-Button Topic
The NCAA Regionals premise was a simple one. Finish in the first 5 in an individual event (or first 3 in a relay) and you were off to Nationals. Finish outside that and you had to have a mark very high on the yearly list…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
Is White The Answer?
by Dan Lilot
Carson, California—Last month T&FN asked the question, “Who will replace Marion Jones as the top U.S. sprinter?” Kelli White, with her impressive 10.79w win at the new Home Depot Invitational coming on the heels of a PR 10.96 win at Pre, has stamped herself as a possible, if reluctant, answer to that question.
Leading from the gun, the 26-year-old Californian stormed out of the blocks and only increased her advantage through the race, riding a 2.3mps breeze to become the No. 10 woman in history under all conditions.
Torri Edwards also dipped under 11 seconds (10.96w) with LaTasha Jenkins 3rd (11.04w).
“I knew I’d run fast because it’s a fast track,” said White of a new Mondo surface which received widespread praise. “You can really feel the difference with this kind of track. It takes a lot less work to get energy back out of it. But 10.79? I’m glad it was windy. That would be a lot of pressure so early in the season.”
But with Marion Jones out and two early-season legal sub-11 clockings, White will certainly…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
Two Superstars Beaten – Bekele Beats Geb, Cherono El Guerrouj
Haile Gebrselassie and Hicham El Guerrouj both suffered notable losses as the ’03 European campaign started to get into high gear.
Bekele Beats Gebrselassie
Hengelo, Holland—Ethiopians running fast 10,000s are nothing new at the Fanny Blankers Koen Games. That the Ethiopian to do so this year was Kenenisa Bekele was new.
The cross country king covered the 25 laps—his first track 10K—in…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
Allyson Felix Continues To Sizzle
Norwalk, California—To the surprise of absolutely no one, Allyson Felix, just as she did last year, dominated the California State meet.
Felix (LA Baptist, North Hills) repeated her sprint double, clocking 11.29 and 22.52. Only two of her own 200s this year, High School Records of 22.51 and then 22.11 (altitude-aided), are faster in prep history.
Felix used a strong surge in the final 50 of the half-lapper to…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
HS PV Records For Skipper & Costa
by Rich Gonzalez
Sacramento, California—Marks at the Golden West Invitational were generally modest… but not in the vaults, where both Tommy Skipper (Sandy, Oregon) and Kira Costa (San Joaquin Memorial, Fresno, California) established new national records.
At this rate, maybe Skipper should fracture his left thumb more often. Who else but “Tommy Terrific” could manage to parlay a bad break into a pro baseball offer, state sprint and team titles and a national record?
“It’s funny how things are working out, but that injury truly was a blessing in disguise,” said Skipper. “Now I just need to decide within a few weeks what I’m going to do next year.”
For Costa, her choices aren’t so varied. She’s focused solely on attending Cal and…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
Two HS Relay Records At adidas Champs
by Pete Cava
Raleigh, North Carolina—A flock of fast baton efforts, highlighted by High School Records on both the men’s and women’s sides, made the headlines at the adidas Outdoor Championships.
Men: Ginn Leads Glenville
Underclassmen and underdogs stood out, like junior Theodore Ginn. He anchored his Glenville (Cleveland) foursome to a national record in the rarely-run 800 sprint medley. The Ohioans ran 1:28.95 to trim the best from the 1:29.68 run earlier this year by Wheeler (Marietta, Georgia).
Later, Ginn upended star Texas hurdlers Jason Richardson and Kerron Clement over the high barriers with his 13.62. Richardson was 0.02 back in 2nd but Clement, earlier the 400H winner at 50.96 from Richardson’s 52.25, slipped to 5th (14.02).
Another junior, Floridian Xavier Carter (Palm Bay, Melbourne), first took command at the halfway point of the 400 before striding home for an 0.36 win in 45.97. Just over an hour later, Carter…
(for more, read the July issue of Track & Field News) |
| July Issue Index |
And in the August issue…
Who’s Going To Paris?
The U.S. season will come to a thunderous conclusion with the staging of the USATF Championships at Stanford. More than just national titles will be on the line, because this is a World Championships year…
The who-qualified August edition will be mailed by July 25. If you aren’t currently a subscriber, just call us at our toll-free 800 number and we’ll take care of your order promptly. 1-800/GET-TRAK |
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