April 18, 2013
NEW ORLEANS – The biggest weekend of the 2013 collegiate track & field season to date is set to get underway, with important meets across the country and between all divisions ranging from big relays to important dual meets to conference championships.
More Info: USTFCCCA Infozone | Weekend Schedule | Broadcast Schedule
A large number of important meets are scheduled for this weekend — with many being broadcast livethroughout the weekend starting Thursday — that have wide-ranging implications for NCAA qualifying, dual meet honors and conference championships.
Teams from all three divisions will be competing at the Mt. SAC Relays out in California one of the biggest meets of the weekend in terms of the number of top-tier teams competing and one of the most competitive with numerous professionals and premier collegians up and down the performance lists.
Conference championship season is already upon us with a handful of conferences across all three divisions determining their champions this weekend, including the ACC in DI and the CIAA in DII.
Amongst the giant relay meets and the conference championships, a number of smaller dual meets are also slated — the Arkansas-Oregon clash in Eugene chief among them.
The CIAA Championship Meet is the top DII Meet of this Week, with five ranked teams between men and women in action, including the indoor champion and No. 1 Saint Augustine men.
Augustana (Ill.)’s Meet of Champions for the men and Viking Olympics for the women are the DIII Meets of the Week with five ranked teams in action, including four on the men’s side.
DIVISION I MEETS OF THE WEEK
Mt. SAC Relays
Apr. 18-20 | Full Schedule | Walnut, Calif. – Hilmer Lodge Stadium
LIVE COVERAGE: FloTrack Pro | Live Results
Ranked Teams (Men): No. 6 Texas, 8. USC, 9. Wisconsin, 13. UCLA, 15. Penn State, 16. Texas Tech, 18. Arizona State, 20. Nebraska, 21. Kansas State, 22. Arizona, 23. Oklahoma State, 24. Minnesota; No. 4 Adams State (DII), 6. Chico State (DII), 12. West Texas A&M (DII), 15. Alaska Anchorage (DII), 16. Academy of Art (DII), 17. Western State (DII), 19. Cal State Stanislaus (DII), 21. Shippensburg (DII), 23. Central Missouri (DII), 24. Grand Valley State (DII); No. 1 UW-Oshkosh (DIII), 21. Central (Iowa) (DIII)
Ranked Teams (Women): No. 3 Oregon, 6. Arizona, 7. Texas, 8. Arizona State, 14. Washington, 15. Texas Tech, 16. Iowa State, 18. Illinois, 20. UCLA, 21. San Diego State, 22. Nebraska, 23. Colorado, 25. Penn State; No. 3 Academy of Art (DII), 4. Grand Valley State (DII), 6. Adams State (DII), 8. Alaska Anchorage (DII), 14. Central Missouri (DII), 15. Tiffin (DII), 16. Seattle Pacific (DII), 17. Chico State (DII), 20. West Texas A&M (DII), 21. Cal State LA (DII), 22. Texas A&M Commerce (DII), 24. Western State (DII); No. 2. UW-Oshkosh (DIII)
With half of the Division I teams ranked within this week’s top 25 — 25 of 50 between men and women — and a total of 50 ranked teams between men and women in all three divisions represented, it is almost easier to ask who isn’t at the Mt. SAC Relays this weekend. All of this makes for elite fields in nearly every discipline with compelling match-ups between not only collegians, but also between collegians and professionals.
A number of big names will compete in the distance events, including some who are making their season debuts. The women’s 1500 Invitational Elite features three NCAA indoor finalists in the mile in Utah’s Amanda Mergaert and Oregon seniors Becca Friday and Anne Kesselring and another at 800 meters in Natalja Piliusina. The men’s race features third-place miler at NCAA indoors Austin Mudd of Wisconsin, finalist Robby Creese of Penn State and a pair of runners from the cross country champs Oklahoma State in Thomas Farrell and Raul Botezan.
Dartmouth’s Abbey D’Agostino will make her outdoor debut after sweeping both the 3000 and 5000 at the NCAA indoor championships. She will be racing at 5000 meters against Washington’s Megan Goethals — runner-up to D’Agostino at the NCAA outdoor championships last season — and Emily Sisson of Providence, who was fourth at the NCAA outdoor 5000 a year ago. Iowa State’s Meaghan Nelson, fourth at 10,000 meters at NCAAs last season, is also in the race.
The 800 is another event to watch for both the men and women. The men’s Invitational Elite section is as star-studded as any event at the meet with Olympian Duane Solomon — fourth in the 800 in David Rudisha’s world-record romp – joining 600 meter American Record holder Eric Sowinski and Penn State’s Casimir Loxsom and Ricky West. The women’s race features Puliusina, indoor runner-up Laura Roesler of Oregon and current 1500 collegiate leader Shelby Houlihan of Arizona State.
The best sprints match-up of the weekend, the women’s 100, will pit three-time Olympic medalist Carmelita Jeter against defending NCAA champ English Gardner of Oregon and Cierra White of Texas Tech.
The field events are highlighted a pair of Olympic high jump silver medalists in Brigetta Barrett of Arizona and Erik Kynard of Kansas State. Arizona’s Julie Labonte, formerly an NCAA champion in the shot put in 2011, and Texas Tech 2013 indoor triple jump champ Bryce Lamb will also compete.
ACC Outdoor Championships
Apr. 18-20 | Full Schedule | Raleigh, N.C. – Paul H. Derr Track
FOLLOW LIVE: ACC Live Stream | Live Results
Though the No. 5 Florida State men and No. 11 Clemson women are the only teams currently ranked within the top 25 on either the men’s or women’s rankings, it would be a grave mistake to dismiss this meet on those grounds alone. Numerous events this week in Raleigh could have significant impact on the national scene as the season moves toward NCAA Outdoor Championships.
The hurdles at the ACC Championships should be among the best in the country this weekend. Clemson’s Brianna Rollins has been unstoppable this season both indoors and out, claiming world-leading times, a collegiate record and an NCAA championship along the way, and she is far and away the top-ranked collegian in the 100 hurdles at 12.54 (+2.1m/s). Teammate Kendra Harrison is just behind at No. 2 in 12.87 (+3.1m/s). Spencer Adams is the No. 2 hurdler on the men’s side at 110 meters, recording a 13.40 (-0.2m/s).
The distance events are shaping up to be arguably the most competitive events at the championships. The 3000 steeplechase features six of the top 30 men in the country, including No. 4 Zak Seddon of Florida State. Five of this season’s top 30 in the women’s 5000 will take the track — led by No. 10 Amanda Winslow (16:00.46) — all of whom are separated by a little more than 13 seconds.
The action in the field is promises to be just as good as that on the track. The women’s high jump features five women who are within 1½ inch of one another, all of whom are in the top 30, while the men’s competition features four of the top 16, including No. 4 James Harris of Florida State (7-4¼/2.24m) and No. 8 Ronnie Black of Virginia Tech (7-3/2.21m). The men’s long jump features four ranked between No, 12 and 19, all separated by 2½ inches. A senior vs. freshman duel is in store in the men’s javelin, with No. 4 senior Ben Lincoln of Wake Forest (247-3/75.36m) against No. 5 freshman Morne Moolman of Florida State (242-3/73.83m).
The men’s competition at 100 meters will include four of the top 20 collegiate sprinters so far this season, with No. 5 Darrell Wesh of Virginia Tech (10.15, +2.1m/s) and No. 9 Marvin Bracy of Florida State (10.20, 2.1m/s). Watch for Bracy’s teammate Dentarius Locke, currently No. 10 at 200 meters, who will also run at 100 meters.
Arkansas vs. Oregon Dual
Apr. 20 | Full Schedule | Eugene, Ore. – Hayward Field | Heat Sheets
FOLLOW LIVE: Pac-12 Network Live Stream | Live Results
Oregon’s track & field program is doing its best Inception impersonation this weekend, hosting a meet within a meet at Hayward Field with a dream matchup. During the second day of the Oregon Relays, the Oregon men and Arkansas men will have a dual meet of their own with National Dual Meet Championship honors potentially on the line.
The Razorbacks, winners of the 2013 indoor NCAA crown, are ranked No. 1 in the latest Track & Field News Dual Meet Rankings released Wednesday, just ahead of the Ducks at No. 2. The two teams aren’t far apart in the USTFCCCA rankings either, with Arkansas at No. 2 and Oregon at No. 4, and both teams boast head-to-head victories over USTFCCCA No. 1 Texas A&M this season — meaning any way you look at it, a clash of epic proportions is brewing.
According to a Wednesday article by the Arkansas Traveler, Arkansas head coach Chris Bucknam is putting it all out there and aiming for the win on Saturday.
"We’re going to put an SEC type lineup into this weekend," he said. "We’re going to put the guys in their strengths. We’re going to try to win this meet.”
More DI Meets to Watch: Kansas Relays, Apr. 17-20; Auburn War Eagle Invitational, Apr. 19-20; Florida Tom hones Memorial Classic, Apr. 20; Cal vs. Stanford "Big Meet", Apr. 20; LSU Alumni Gold Invitational, Apr. 20; Polytan Invitational, Apr. 20; Baylor Michael Johnson Classic, Apr. 20
DI TOP 10 IN ACTION
Men
Rank Team Meet Date
1 Texas A&M LSU Alumni Gold Invitational Apr. 20
2 Arkansas Arkansas-Oregon Dual (at Oregon) Apr. 19-20
3 Florida Florida Tom Jones Memorial Classic Apr. 20
4 Oregon Arkansas-Oregon Dual (at Oregon) Apr. 19-20
5 Florida State ACC Outdoor Championships (at NC State) Apr. 18-20
6 Texas Mt. SAC Relays/Longhorn Invitational Apr. 18-20
7 Auburn Auburn War Eagle Invitational Apr. 19-20
8 Southern California Mt. SAC Relays/CSULA Twilight Open Apr. 18-20
9 Wisconsin Mt. SAC Relays/Musco Twilight Invitational Apr. 18-20
10 LSU LSU Alumni Gold Invitational Apr. 20
Women
Rank Team Meet Date
1 Kansas Kansas Relays Apr. 17-20
2 Texas A&M LSU Alumni Gold Invitational Apr. 20
3 Oregon Arkansas-Oregon Dual (at Oregon) Apr. 19-20
4 LSU LSU Alumni Gold Invitational Apr. 20
5 Florida Florida Tom Jones Memorial Classic Apr. 20
6 Arizona Mt. SAC Relays Apr. 18-20
7 Texas Mt. SAC Relays/Longhorn Invitational Apr. 18-20
8 Arizona State Mt. SAC Relays Apr. 18-20
9 Stanford Big Meet – Cal vs. Stanford Dual (at Stanford) Apr. 20
10 Arkansas Arkansas-Oregon Dual (at Oregon) Apr. 19-20
DIVISION II MEET OF THE WEEK
CIAA Outdoor Championships
Apr. 19-20 | Petersburg, Va. (Virginia State) – Rogers Stadium
Ranked Teams (Men): No. 1 Saint Augustine’s, 11. Johnson C. Smith
Ranked Teams (Women): No. 5 Johnson C. Smith, 9. Saint Augustine’s, 25. Livingstone
With the indoor champ/top-ranked men’s team in action on the men’s side in Saint Augustine’s and a top-10 match-up for the women in No. 5 Johnson C. Smith and No. 9 Saint Augustine’s, this meet was already sure to produce some of the top performances in DII this weekend. Add conference championships stakes to the mix, and it becomes the DII Meet of the Week.
Will this be the year a challenger upsets the Saint Augustine’s men? The last time the Falcons did not take home the CIAA trophy was 1997 when Norfolk State won the title, and championship honors have gone to a team not named Saint Augustine’s just twice since the 1978 championships.
The conference has seen more parity on the women’s side, with three different teams claiming titles in the past three seasons: Virginia State last season, Johnson C. Smith in 2011 and Saint Augustine’s in 2010. The latter two are the top contenders this season, according to the USTFCCCA rankings, but Livingstone lurks at No. 25, aiming for its first CIAA outdoor track & field title.
The most intense action will come in the sprint events. Between Saint Augustine’s and Johnson C. Smith in the men’s 400, six of the top 11 runners — three for each team — this season could be in action, all of whom are between 46.70 (No. 2 Ronaldo Berch of JCS) and 47.25 (No. 11 Winston Brown of JCS). The women’s 400 is shaping up to be nearly as competitive, with top-ranked Quanera Hayes (53.55) of Livingstone leading a field that could feature as many as six top-20 sprinters.
The women’s 100 features 60 hurdles champion Danielle Williams of Johnson C. Smith, who is currently ranked No. 1 at 100 meters this season at 11.34, and also No. 2 in the 100 hurdles at 13.14. Challenging her in the open 100 will be Cam’ree Jackson of Virginia Union, ranked No. 3 at 11.49.
Another important race could be the 400 hurdles, where both the men’s and women’s contests feature three teams with top-25 entries. Top-ranked Elhadji Mbow of Saint Augustine’s (50.53) is the favorite in the men’s race, but valuable points are there to be had for Virginia State (No. 9 Daniel Ross, 52.26) and Johnson C. Smith (No. 17 Patrick Campbell, 53.06). In the women’s race, No. 2 Samantha Elliot of Johnson C. Smith (58.17), No. 8 Jaivairia Bacote of Saint Augustine’s (1:00.96) and No. 10 Alicia Terry of Virginia State (1:01.29) will duke it out for valuable team points.
More DII Meets to Watch: CSULA Twilight Open (Apr. 18); Central Missouri Mule Relays (Apr. 21)
DII TOP 10 IN ACTION
Men
Rank Team Meet Date
1 Saint Augustine’s CIAA Championships Apr. 19-20
2 Grand Canyon Beach Invitational Apr. 19-20
3 Ashland Ohio State Jesse Owens Classic/Kenyon Invitational Apr. 19-20
4 Adams State Mt. SAC Relays/Beach Invitational Apr. 18-20
5 Findlay Ohio State Jesse Owens Classic/Cedarville Collegiate Open Apr. 19-20
6 Chico State Mt. SAC Relays/Woody Wilson Classic Apr. 18-20
7 Pittsburg State Kansas Relays/Central Missouri Mule Relays Apr. 17-20
8 Lincoln (Mo.) Kansas Relays/Missouri A&T Dewey Allgood Invite Apr. 17-20
9 Missouri Southern Kansas Relays/UCM Mule Relays/Missouri A&T Dewey Allgood Invite Apr. 17-20
10 Southern Connecticut UConn Classic Apr. 20
Women
Rank Team Meet Date
1 Grand Canyon Beach Invitational Apr. 19-20
2 Lincoln (Mo.) Kansas Relays/Missouri A&T Dewey Allgood Invite Apr. 17-21
3 Academy of Art Mt. SAC Relays/Beach Invitational Apr. 18-20
4 Grand Valley State Mt. SAC Relays/Brian Clay Invitational/Al Owens Classic Apr. 18-20
5 Johnson C. Smith CIAA Championships Apr. 19-20
6 Adams State Mt. SAC Relays/Beach Invitational Apr. 18-20
7 Angelo State Baylor Michael Johnson Classic Apr. 20
8 Alaska Anchorage Mt. SAC Relays/Beach Invitational/Bryan Clay Invitational Apr. 18-20
9 Saint Augustine’s CIAA Championships Apr. 19-20
10 Wayne State (Neb.) Nebraska Wesleyan invitational Apr. 20
DIII MEET OF THE WEEK
Augie Invite (Women)/Meet of Champions (Men)
Apr. 19/20 | Full Schedule – Women/Men | Rock Island, Ill. – Paul V. Olsen Track
Ranked Teams (Men): No. 4 UW-Whitewater, 8. Augustana (Ill.), 15. UW-Stevens Point, 19. UW-Platteville
Ranked Teams (Women): No. 13 Monmouth (Ill.)
Augustana will hold a women’s meet Friday, followed by a men’s meet Saturday. Both meets offer some intriguing match-ups, with some great field event match-ups in the women’s meet and sprinting duels at the men’s.
The strength of the No. 13 Monmouth (Ill.) women’s team lies in its throws, which will be on display Friday. Raven Robinson and Allison Devor are both ranked within the top 25 in the shot put (3 and 9, respectively), the discus (14 and 23) and the hammer throw (17 and 1), but the pair enters as the underdog in the discus. UW-Whitewater’s Shelby Mahr is No. 9 in the event.
The women’s pole vault is another event to watch as No. 7 Taelar Hillyer of Augustana (12-¾/3.68m) and No. 9 Melanie Pilon of UW-Whitewater (12-½/3.67m) are separated by just one centimeter this season.
Sprints and hurdles take center stage for the men’s meet Saturday. At 100 meters three teams could field sprinters ranked within the top-25, all separated by 0.2. Dylan Crafton of Whitewater is No. 7 (10.68), Aaron Hrubes of UW-Platteville is No. 10 (10.73) and Augustana’s Alex Rindone is No. 23 (10.84).
Another top-10 duel is set for the 110 hurdles, where Platteville’s No. 3 TJ Valley (14.51) could take on No. 9 Marcus Smith of Whitewater (14.76).
More DIII Meets to Watch: UW-La Crosse Phil Esten Challenge (Apr. 20-21); CTC Championships (Apr. 19-20); MIT Invitational (Apr. 20)
DIII TOP 10 IN ACTION
Men
Rank Team Meet Date
1 UW-Oshkosh Mt. SAC Relays/Brian Clay Invitational/Phil Esten Challenge Apr. 18-21
2 UW-La Crosse Phil Esten Challenge Apr. 20-21
3 North Central (Ill.) Don Church Wheaton Twilight Apr. 20
4 UW-Whitewater Augustana Meet of Champions Apr. 20
5 UW-Eau Claire Phil Esten Challenge Apr. 20-21
6 Whitworth Whitworth Twilight Apr. 18
7 Haverford Larry Ellis Invitational/Widener Invitational Apr. 19-20
8 Augustana (Ill.) Augustana Meet of Champions Apr. 20
9 UW-Stout Phil Esten Challenge Apr. 20-21
10 Bates State of Maine Outdoor Championships (at Bates) Apr. 20
Women
Rank Team Meet Date
1 Wartburg Phil Esten Challenge Apr. 20-21
2 UW-Oshkosh Mt. SAC Relays/Brian Clay Invitational/Phil Esten Challenge Apr. 18-21
3 Illinois College Millikin Big Blue Classic Apr. 20
4 Williams Holy Cross Multi-Events/Larry Ellis Invitational/Little Three Championship Apr. 17-20
5 George Fox Lewis & Clark Invitational Apr. 20
6 Ramapo All-American Invitational Apr. 20
7 Illinois Wesleyan Don Church Wheaton Twilight Apr. 20
8 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Off
9 Birmingham-Southern Vanderbilt Invitational/Mt. Laurel Invitational Apr. 19/20
10 Emory Auburn War Eagle/Mt. Laurel Invitational Apr. 19-20
WEEKEND BROADCAST SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013
11:00 AM ET Big South Outdoor Championships
(Lynchburg, Va.) WEB: Big South Network LIVE
$$$
4:25 PM ET /
1:25 PM PT Mt. SAC Relays
(Walnut, Calif.) WEB: Flotrack Pro LIVE
Sub. Required
6:00 PM ET ACC Outdoor Championships
(Raleigh, N.C.) WEB: TheACC.com LIVE
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013
8:55 AM ET /
7:55 AM CT Kansas Relays
(Lawrence, Kan.) WEB: Jayhawk All-Access LIVE
10:30 AM ET Big South Outdoor Championships
(Lynchburg, Va.) WEB: Big South Network LIVE
$$$
1:00 PM ET /
10:00 AM PT Mt. SAC Relays
(Walnut, Calif.) WEB: Flotrack Pro LIVE
Sub. Required
5:00 PM ET ACC Outdoor Championships
(Raleigh, N.C.) WEB: TheACC.com LIVE
5:00 PM ET /
2:00 PM PT Oregon Relays
(Eugene, Ore.) WEB: Pac-12/Oregon LIVE
9:15 PM ET /
6:15 PM PT Arkansas at Oregon (men)
(Eugene, Ore.) WEB: Pac-12/Oregon LIVE
Hammer Throw/5000 Meters
SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013
8:55 AM ET /
7:55 AM CT Kansas Relays
(Lawrence, Kan.) WEB: Jayhawk All-Access LIVE
9:30 AM ET Bluegrass Classic
(Lexington, Ky.) WEB: UKAthletics.com LIVE
10:00 AM ET /
9:00 AM CT Red Raider Open
(Orange City, Iowa) WEB: NWCRaiders.com LIVE
10:00 AM ET Big South Outdoor Championships
(Lynchburg, Va.) WEB: Big South Network LIVE
$$$
2:30 PM ET /
11:30 AM PT Mt. SAC Relays
(Walnut, Calif.) WEB: Flotrack Pro LIVE
Sub. Required
3:00 PM ET /
12:00 PM PT Arkansas at Oregon (men)
(Eugene, Ore.) WEB: Pac-12/Oregon LIVE
4:00 PM ET ACC Outdoor Championships
(Raleigh, N.C.) WEB: TheACC.com LIVE
4:00 PM ET /
1:00 PM PT Oregon Relays
(Eugene, Ore.) WEB: RunnerSpace LIVE
High School Events Only
WEEKEND NEWS AND NOTES
Track & Field News Updated Dual Meet Rankings
The Arkansas men and LSU women maintain their spots atop the National Dual Meet Rankings published by Track & Field News. For full men’s rankings, click here. Full women’s rankings are here.
The Armory Will Host American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships
The American Athletic Conference — formerly known as the Big East — recently acquired its new conference name and now it has a home for its first indoor championships at the Armory. Full story here.
Collegiate Track & Field and Cross Country Teams Running for Boston
Teams around the country have shown their support and solidarity for the victims of the horrific Boston Marathon bombings by participating in the "Run For Boston" movement that encourages runners to upload a photo of themselves and their running group with a sign of support for the Boston victims. A full gallery of teams who have submitted photos can be found here.
Additional photos can be shared to the USTFCCCA Facebook page, tweeted to us as @USTFCCCA or emailed to media@ustfccca.org.
Members of the Boston College women’s team will wear blue and yellow ribbons — the colors of the Boston Marathon — at the ACC Championships in support of the victims.
Springfield (Mass.) is hosting a home meet Saturday, and the program encourages all runners to "Run for Boston" in spirit and support.
U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
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Contact: Kyle Terwillegar
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Kyle Terwillegar
U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
Communications Assistant
1100 Poydras St., Suite 1750
New Orleans, LA 70163
(O) 504-599-8905 (F) 504-599-8909
Email: kyle@ustfccca.org
Follow Us: twitter.com/USTFCCCA
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