OUTdoors Kicks Down the Doors

And it might have been the 16 pound ball that Tom Walsh threw over the weekend down in beautiful New Zealand that did the deed!!
He tossed that baby a mere 74-4.50--or 22.67 metric--giving the Record Keepers something to consider---
Did this make Walsh the arbiter for a new direction for the Shot Put--and other Throws??

Ryan Whiting said that Putters in the 80's were "all dirty"!
(Did he mean the Americans also??)
He implied that Walsh's monstrous toss should be the SP World Record!
Well, it's not this blog's purpose to argue the merits of previous Records, or to say who was clean, and who wasn't!

So let's return to Walsh's throw!

It breaks his own New Zealand National Record.
It's the Age 26 Record!

And it moves him from 17th A-T World, tied with 1 other, to 6th, tied with 1 other!!

Blessing Okagbare broke the All-Africa Record in the 200 with her 22.04!
The wind was 0.5.

This was at the Wes Kittley Memorial, and is the National Record of Nigeria!!

Skipping around, the Half Marathon produced some fireworks over the weekend!

In the Valencia race, Geoff Kamworor reportedly ran his fourth 5000 in 13:01.
Let me repeat that---

Geoff Kamworor--after 15K in 44:13--picked up the pace a bit!

He ran that 5000 in 13:01!!
Please remember that very few Track 5000's have been run that fast in recent years!!

Okay, so he had a powerful wind at his back for 4000 of those 5000 meters!
And yes, 44:13 for 15K is "jogging" for someone like Kamworor!!

Could he have done this on a Track---say, in the 2nd 5000 of an Olympic or WC 10000 while running against, say, Mo Farah??

And could Mo have responded in fashion??

Whatever the case, his end time of 60:02 beat Abe Cheroben by 20 seconds!!
In 14th was the first American--Sam Chelanga's 61:23.

Further back, in 31st, came 43 year old Bernard Lagat, who was a last minute addition to the team!!

The Women's race produced the fastest-ever time for an All-Women's race!!
Netsenet Gudeta's 66:11 beat the heavily favored WR holder Joyciline Jepkosgei by 43 seconds!!
The times were slower than hoped for, but heavy swirling winds affected both races!!
Gudeta now ranks 17th A-T World, tied with 1 other!!

First American was Emma Bates, time of 71:45.

She'd moved ahead of Becky Wade around 15K.

Wade ended 41st, time of 72:31.

In another Half, Mark Kiptoo broke Haile Gebrselassie's Age 40 Record with his 61:04.
It beat Geb's mark by 5 seconds!!
(Before the Valencia race, there had been talk of whether Lagat could get Geb's Record---but the winds interfered!!)

There were some speedy sprint times---some affected by wind!
At the UTEP meet, Tobi Amusan ran the 100H in 12.79--but had an aiding wind of 2.4!

She also ran a legal 100 in 11.31!!
Twanisha Terry and Deanna Hill whipped though 100's of 10.97 and 10.98 at the Power 5 Challenge--but they had a wind of 3.5!!

There WERE some good legal times---
Jade Baylark, an Arkansas Soph, ran an 11.10 , with a 1.6 wind.
I'd never heard of her before!
Michael Norman used a wind of 1.3 to win the Power 5 200 in 20.37!

He also anchored the USC 4X100 team to a speedy 38.88!!

It's not a School record!

The USC Women also ran fast---43.18!

In Jamaica, 15 year old Sachin Dennis sped a 100 in 10:20--the World Age 15 Record!!

A couple of interesting names ran okay 400's!
Nigel Amos--best known for his 800's--won a race in Oregon, time of 45.94.
And Kaylin Whitney--who had an off year in 2017--may be coming back, if a win in 53.11 says anything!!

Maggie Ewen threw the Hammer 237-1 at the PAC 12-Big 10 Dual!
But the Power 5 Challenge produced a couple of List-making marks!!

Stamatia Scarvelis won the HT with her 224.4.
This makes her 17th A-T Collegiate!
Janeah Stewart also PR'ed, her 222-1 making her 24th A-T Collegiate!!
(Ewen also had a DT of 196-10!!)

Anderson Peters, a Mississippi State Junior from Grenada, had a JT of 268-10!

This makes him suddenly 8th A-T Collegiate!
This wasn't a fluke, as he has better marks--but they were thrown AFTER previous year's NCAA meets, so were not eligible for Collegiate lists!!

Grant Holloway LJ'ed 26-3.
Shadae Lawrence threw the Discus 200-5--not a PR!

Tejaswin Shankar HJ'ed 7-4.50, the Collegiate Leader.

Matthew Ludwig PV'ed 18-4.50.
Nina Schultz came within 3 points of her Heptathlon PR of 6021, but her 6018 still ranks as a good early season mark!

Caitlin Collier ran a good 800 opener--2:04.87--the HS leader!
She also dipped under 4:50 over 1600 meters.
And Taliyah Brooks took the Arkansas Invite with her LJ of 22-3 (1.2 wind)!!
This makes her 13th A-T Collegiate, tied with 3 others!

But it also gives the Georgia Crew of Kate Hall, Keturah Orji, and Tara Davis something to ponder!!

Returning to New Zealand---

Valerie Adams is gearing up for the Commonwealth Games, her 3rd SP outing producing a 60-7.75 winner!
And Eliza McCartney took the PV with a height of 15-7.
She took 3 shots at 15-11, but the winds troubled her!

I have a late-breaking mark from the flagging INdoor season!!

John Meyer's SP flew out 70-4.50, moving him from 14th A-T HS to 11th!!

Remember, this was INdoors!!

The European 50K Walk took place in Slovakia, and it was a Slovakian Woman who won in 4:14:25!
Her name is Maria Czakova!
This makes her 6th A-T World!

And Matej Toth Walked his first race since Rio--a winner in 3:42:36!!

A couple of domestic Road races had interesting results--

Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle 8K's were won by Stephen Sambu and Laura Thweatt!!

Thweatt's 26:02 left her all alone at the tape, but Sambu's 23:10 had CLOSE company, as Isaiah Koech and Ian La Mere also ran 23:10's!!

The Carlsbad 5000 was SLOW!!

Sweden's Kalle Berglund took the Men's race in 14:15!

Emilia Gorecka of Great Britain nipped Sarah Brown by a second--16:04 to 16:05!

Not sure what slowed them down--winds, no top name elites, or just tactics!!

I'll close by correcting things I said in earlier posts!

I said that Tarasue Barnett--who threw the DT 192-10--was a Collegiate from Jamaica!
BUT--in the latest eTN from T&FN, , her affiliation is listed as "GCan"!!
What does THAT stand for??

And remember me saying I'd searched my own Blog's Archives for previous editions of my OUTdoor Previews that listed the 24th place marks on my various DDD lists---but came up empty??

Well, I DID do those Previews---TWICE!!

My error came from not looking back far enough!

I checked my Archives from 2015, 2016, and 2017--but not 2014!

That was my 1st such Preview!

I did another in 2016---but it used an entirely different format!!

Also, I didn't do that one until May 19th!!
Thus my not being able to locate them!!
(I hope my NEWEST of those Previews will help you enjoy this season more!!)

The Texas Relays are starting in 2 days!!

There is LOUD controversy regarding Mondo Duplantis's participation in the "elite" PV!!

(Renaud Lavillenie is rumored to have accepted the invitation to compete there BECAUSE Mondo would be there!!)

Let's hope it's resolved--in Mondo's favor--by the time that event begins!!
But whatever the case, the Texas (& Florida) Relays ALWAYS produce the leading marks from the March portion of the OUTdoor season!

There's no reason to believe it won't happen again!!

See you soon!!

To Make the DDD's--OUTdoors 2018

Coulda blown me over with the proverbial feather!!
I was 100% certain I'd done this particular post before--at the onset of other OUTdoor seasons!
But guess not!!
OK, here's the deal!!
In past years, I'd done a post where I provided the 24th place mark on my DDD's--or Top 24 All-Time Performer's lists---for the INdoor season!
And I just assumed (NEVER assume!!) I'd done the same for each OUTdoor season!!
But when I checked my Archives (to see how I'd presented it before!), I couldn't find it!
Not for 2015, or 2016, or for 2017!!
So you are getting a FIRST--it seems!!
(And yes, my memory function is still functioning, thank you!!  LOL)
That said, the guidelines are few---
All marks are the 24th best on my DDD's for OUTdoors, as of this time of writing!
A few events have already seen changes in that spot, but these numbers are as of right now, not a week or month ago!
Where there are NO lists for an event, I put "*****" in place of it!
Unlike INdoors, I don't have lists for the 300, 600, or 2000!!
For HS Men ONLY, the lists for the 110H, SP, DT, and the HT are for HS hurdle heights and US HS-weighted implements!
For the HS Men's Decathlon, my list is that using the International-weighted SP & DT, and 42 inch hurdles!
For HS'ers, NO 1600 or 3200 marks, or marks converted FROM them, are eligible for my lists!!
The only Relay lists are the World 4X100 & 4X400 (Men & Women), and the Collegiate 4X100, 4X400, and the DMR, also both genders!
Take a close look at these numbers, Coaches & Athletes, because these are the Marks you should be aiming for!!
As always, the Men go first!!
The lists, left to right, are for the World, US, Collegiate, and HS!

100             9.87            9.93            9.99            10.24
200             19.81          19.96          20.07          20.57
400             44.13          44.28          44.62          45.52
800             1:42.81       1:44.43       1:45.24       1:48.48
1000           2:14.73       2:17.79       *****         *****
1500           3:29.53       3:34.15       3:37.27       3:45.6
Mile           3:48.40       3:52.2         3:57.6         4:01.89
3000          7:28.93        7:39.81       *****         8:13.27
2 Mile        8:13.47        8:24.14       *****        8:46.68
5000          12:51.34       13:13.32     13:25.19    14:15.5
10000        26:49.90       27:41.05     27:58.3      30:30.2
Half           59:05            62:00          *****        *****
Marathon   2:04:33         2:10:24      *****         *****
3000SC      8:04.45         8:19.27      8:26.83       9:10.8
110H          13.02            13.13         13.36          13.42
400H          47.72            48.18         48.58          50.55
HJ              7-9.75           7-7.75        7-7             7-4
LJ               27-10.75       27-6.50      26-11.75    25-8.75
TJ               58-3              56-4.75      55-8.25      52-5.75
PV              19-6.25         19-0.25      18-8.25      17-7
SP               72-3              71-2.25      68-2.25      70-7
DT              229-8            219-0         211-9          212-4
JT               292-1            263-6         258-6          222-4
HT              270-11          244-0         241-8          231-0
Decathlon   8667             8285          8126            6906
4X100        38.46             *****        38.94           *****
4X400        3:00.82          *****        3:02.16        *****
DMR          *****            *****        9:37.15        *****

Some names missing from the Men's lists--and other observations---
Christian Coleman from the World 200!
Elijah Hall from the US 200!
Michael Norman from the US 400!
Emmanuel Korir from the World 800!
NO Americans are on the World 1500 list, as Bernard Lagat's mark dates from when he was a Kenyan citizen!
The latest Mile marks for the World list date from 2014!!
Jim Ryun's 3:51.1 Mile from 1967 still ranks 12th A-T US!!
NO Americans on the World 3000 list--not even Lagat as a Kenyan!!
NO US Men on the 5000 list either!
Once holder of several American Records, Steve Prefontaine's ONLY presence on a list is 12th place A-T US in the Two Mile!!
(See below!)
The last entry on the World 10K list is from 2014!!
The World 5000 is even worse--latest mark dates from 2013!!
Alan Webb is on EVERY US list from the 800 to the 10000--except for the 1000!
There are already FIVE marks dated 2018 on the World Marathon list!!
The OLDEST World Marathon mark is from 2008!
There are THIRTEEN Marathon marks on the US list dating from between 1979 and 1989--but Gold winner from Munich (& Silver from Montreal!) Frank Shorter is NOT on the US list!!
Rai Benjamin isn't on the US list in the 400H---YET!!
Nor is Grant Holloway on the US 110H list---YET!
Greg Duplantis is still on the US Pole Vault list!
But his son Mondo won't be able to join him--as he's considered a Swede for List purposes!!

Elijah Hall and Divine Oduduru are MIA from the Collegiate 200 list!
Ditto Michael Norman and Akeem Bloomfield from the Collegiate 400 list!
Pre is on the Collegiate list in the Mile, tied with 1 other in 9th place!!
THIRTEEN marks on that Mile list date from between 1964 and 1978!
(ONE race with the best Collegiate 1500 guys running the Mile changes that list almost 100%!!)
Grant Holloway is ABSENT from the Collegiate 110H list---so far!!
Ralph Boston's 27-0.50 LJ dating from 1961 (!!) still ranks 18th A-T Collegiate, tied with 3 others!!
Jordan Geist is MIA from the Collegiate SP list--but I bet not for long!!
He should also make it onto the Collegiate HT list!!
The Top 4 Collegiate DMR marks all date from the late 80's--and they're the only marks on that list from the 20th Century!!

Carl Lewis's ONLY ranking on a HS list is in the LJ!!
He's not on either the 100 or 200 lists!!
Gerry Lindgren's 4:01.5 Mile from 1964 still ranks 19th A-T HS!
(His 3:44.6 in the 1500 ranks 11th, tied with 1 other!)
He never ran faster in those events!
Pre's former HSR 2 Mile of 8:41.5 still ranks 5th A-T!!
He negative split that race---Mile's of 4:26 & 4:15!!
Ed "King" Cheserek's 3000SC time of 9:00.11 as a SOPH still ranks 7th A-T HS!!
The HS Pole Vault list has TWO Father-Son duo's---Jeff & Brandon Bray, and the Duplantis's, Greg & Mondo!!
Trey Knight isn't on the HS Hammer Throw list---YET!!

Now let's move on to the Women!!

100                10.82              10.91               11.05               11.26
200                21.97              22.21               22.42               23.00
400                49.32              50.06               50.83               52.11
800                1:55.96           1:58.65            2:01.37            2:04.19
1000              2:32.77           2:38.48            *****              *****
1500              3:56.50           4:03.59            4:10.55            4:19.34
Mile              4:20.79           4:27.0              4:38.38            4:41.31
3000              8:26.48           8:42.99           9:07.46             9:21.37
2 Mile           9:33.47           10:01.18         *****               10:10.73
5000             14:31.91          15:04.98        15:29.0              16:31.4
10000           30:22.88          31:37.45        32:29.89            36:19.84
Half              66:29               71:01             *****                *****
Marathon     2:19:52             2:28:34         *****                *****
3000SC       9:13.75              9:39.68         9:46.48             10:52.92 (Just 14 listed!!)
100H           12.44                 12.63            12.74                13.29
400H           53.17                 54.21            54.94                57.67
HJ               6-8                     6-4.25           6-3.25              6-1.25
LJ               23-6                   22-6.50         22-1                 20-10.75
TJ               49-2.50              45-7              45-1                 42-9
PV              15-7                   15-1              14-7.25            13-8.25
SP               69-7.50              60-8              59-0.25            51-11.25
DT              230-9                 201-4            198-2               177-0
JT               218-1                 186-6             186-4              162-9
HT              248-5                 226-2             221-2              185-0
Heptathlon 6741                   6209              6021                5210
4X100        42.98                  *****            43.58               *****
4X400        3:26.89              *****             3:29.41            *****
DMR          *****                *****             11:08.83          *****

And from the Peanut Gallery again---
Hannah Cunliffe & Mikiah Brisco aren't on the World or US 100 or 200 lists!
But Valerie Brisco (-Hooks) IS on the World & US 200 & 400 lists!
BTW, the Brisco's are NOT related!!
Val, of course, was one of the 1984 Olympic Heroine's!!

(NOTE--I might be creating a new list for the World 1500 Women!  The Chinese--from 1993 & 1997--have NINE on that list now!  While I accept their times as "legit"---for now!---I'd like to see what a World 1500 list would look like MINUS those 9 entrants!!  I'd keep the Chinese-filled list, but would give more weight to the new one!!  I've already done that for the Place Records for that event!!

Mary Cain is no longer on any OUTdoor DDD!
She was!
Emma Coburn and Karissa Schweizer are both MIA from the US 3000 list!!
I think we'll see them there soon!
It's still a MAJOR embarrassment that the US Two Mile list still has EIGHT marks on there made by athletes still in High School when they ran them!!
And even worse, Katelyn Tuohy and Kelsey Chmiel are not YET among them!!
NO American Women are on the World 5000 list!!
Ingrid Kristiansen's 30:13.74 10K--run in 1986--was a WR by 45 seconds when she ran that!!
She negative split it--15:11 & 15:02!!
No US Women reside on the World Half list either!!
There are THREE Dibaba's--all unrelated!!--on the World Marathon list--Mare, Birhane, and Tirunesh!!
I was amazed to see that Ivana Spanovic is NOT on the World LJ list for OUTdoors!!
And did you know that HJ'er Supreme Chaunte Lowe has a LJ mark of 22-7.75, which ranks 17th A-T US, tied with 1 other??
Olivia Gruver is NOT on the US Pole Vault list---so far!!
Neither is Tori Hoggard!!
INdoor SP "find" Maggie Ewen has yet to make the OUTdoor list for the US!

The 2 fastest INdoor Collegiates in the 200--Gabby Thomas and Ashley Henderson---are NOT on the OUTdoor 200 list!!
MIA from the Collegiate 400 DDD are Sydney McLaughlin and Lynna Irby!
Just a matter of time---so to speak!
Three biggies aren't on the Collegiate 800 list--Sabrina Southerland, Jazmine Fray, and Sammy Watson!!
As with the Men, the Women's Collegiate Mile list is a "frustrating mess"---Thank you, Jimi Hendrix!!
Will someone PLEASE gather the Top 20 Collegiate Milers (1500 gals!), set them off, and watch them COMPLETELY revise this list!!
Same deal with the 3000!!
The NEWEST mark on this Collegiate list is from the year 2000!!!
(And that is the former Kara Wheeler--now Goucher!! LOL)
Karissa Schweizer is MIA from ALL the Collegiate Distance lists from the 1500 to the 10000 (not counting the SC!)!!
Want to find the source of current American Distance strength among the Women??
See who's in the Top 4 positions on the Collegiate 3000SC list---Courtney Frerichs, Jenny Simpson, Emma Coburn, and Colleen Quigley!!
Maggie Ewen isn't even on the OUTdoor Collegiate SP list either!!

Waiting to see HS Frosh Phenom Tamari Davis invade the 100 and 200 lists---soon!
Speaking of Phenoms, Katelyn Tuohy's ONLY appearance on any of my OUTdoor DDD's is in the 1500--where she ranks just 19th!!
She's MIA from the Mile, 3000, 2 Mile, 5000, and the 10000!!
(IMHO, she could be Number ONE on all of them!!)
Tuohy's soulmate--Kelsey Chmiel--is MIA from the 1500, Mile, 5000, and the 10K!
But she's ON the 3000 and 2 Mile lists!!

And again, I PLEAD with the Powers-That-Be to organize a Track 10000 race, to invite the Top 30 Female HS Distancers in the country, then watch them FLY!!
The current HS Women's 10K list is utterly PATHETIC!!
Any runner capable of a 5:00 Mile could make this Top 24 A-T list!!
Give these kids something of VALUE to go after!!

Emily Sloan, Grace Stark, and Jasmine Jones should all join the 100H list this spring or summer!!
Now that Ms Ewen is so good with the SP in College, it's interesting to see just how good she was with that implement while in HS!!
She's actually 4th A-T on the current list!!

Well, it's been a fascinating excursion doing this post!
And I was so sure I'd done the same every year of this blog's existence!!
I had---for the INdoor season!!
Why did I blank out about doing the same for OUTdoors??

Anyway, it's now time to see how good---or bad!---my Predictions were!
This is the last of my OUTdoor Previews for 2018!!
Next post will hopefully be FILLED with Great Records & Marks!!

See you soon!!

OUTdoor Records Predictions--2018

It would be so nice if 50% of all the Records in the 4 core groups (World, US, Collegiate, HS) were broken in any given year!
Good luck!!
And there are so many reasons why they aren't!

Lack of opportunity.
Injury or illness at the wrong time.
Bad weather conditions.
And athletes who fall short of their potential--intentionally or not!

But my job here--as I do every year--is to suggest which Records CAN be broken---if!
What the odds are, and who has the necessary talent!
As always, I'll begin with the Men!!

WORLD RECORDS
Despite Christian Coleman's Super INdoor season, Usain Bolt's 100 & 200 WR's will survive another year!
However, CC could come close in the 100, so let's give him 5-95 odds on that one, and ZERO odds on the half-lap!
NADA also on the 400, 1000, Mile, 3000, Two Mile, 5000, 10000, 3000SC, 110H, HJ, LJ, SP, DT, JT, HT, and Decathlon!
I considered giving the SC and HJ some odds to play with, but previous attempts at those WR's have all come to naught!
The Steeple usually becomes tactical after a fast 1st K, while there's not enough competition to spur someone like Mutaz Barshim on to the highest heights!
The 800 and 1500 have a chance to fall--if that chance is taken!
Will Asbel Kiprop--or someone "new"--tag the rabbit through 1000 in 2:18+?
Will Emmanuel Korir dig in for a 49.0 first lap in the 800, then come through 600 in 1:14.5?
The Half & Full Marathon WR's can go, given the NUMBER of newcomers who run sub-60's or sub-2:05's in their FIRST races at those distances!
(Guye Adola's first 26.2 was a 2:03:46!!)
Give the Half 20-80 odds, and the Full 60-40!!
With Rai Benjamin's flat speed, and his PR of 48.33, I have a feeling that Legendary 46.78 in the 400H will be taken out in 2018!!
70-30 odds!!
Will Christian Taylor--or Pablo Pichardo--finally nab Jon Edwards's 60-0.25 TJ WR??
Let's give them 40-60 odds!
The Relays?
ALL of them CAN go down!!
But they all won't!
Not just because there's no World Relays meet this year!
It's that meets have little desire to change their list of events, so Relays like the 4X1500 or 4 X Mile are usually not included!
Yet, maybe a Club team (NJ/NY TC, or the Bowerman's) might take the lead and go for it!!
Strongest odds go to the 4X400!!
The rest--roll the dice!

US RECORDS
Give CC the 100 AR!!
90-10 odds!
25-75 on the 200!
ZERO on the 400, 1500, Mile, 3000, Two Mile, 10000, Marathon, 110H, HJ, LJ, DT, JT, HT, and Decathlon!
Yes, that means I believe Johnny Gray's 1:42.60 and Rick Wohlhuter's 1000 mark of 2:13.9 will finally fall!!
Both events have a few guys with Record potential--Clay Murphy, Donavan Brazier, Isaiah Harris, Boris Berian!!
If they worked together through 600.....!!!
Give both a fairly strong 55-45 odds!
The 5000 AR needs fixing!
Like maybe a sub-12:50??
Who's gonna give that baby a shot??
If "they" are serious, give "them" 40-60 odds!
Galen Rupp just came VERY close to Ryan Hall's Half AR!
I think he can cut those few extra seconds!
59:30 is possible, given perfect weather & pacing!
But where & when??
40-60 odds!!
As noted above, I think Rai Benjamin has a GREAT chance to get the 400H mark!
Ditto with Mr Taylor in the TJ!
I'm also giving the SP mark 30-70 odds!
Ryan Crouser or Joe Kovacs seem ready to hit that BIG one---and all it takes is ONE!!
See my World Predictions about AR's in the Relays!

COLLEGIATE RECORDS
TOTALLY SAFE are the 100, 200, 3000, 10000, 3000SC, LJ, TJ, PV, JT, and the HT!
With Michael Norman and Akeem Bloomfield around, we just might see that 400 CR fall!
Give it 40-60 odds!!
Michael Saruni has the 600 speed to go under 1:44 this year!
And that takes him into CR territory!
Give him--and it!--60-40 odds!
Justyn Knight--IF he takes the opportunity!!--CAN break the 5000 CR!!
In a race against Pro's--or in his FINAL Collegiate race??
Give him 30-70 odds--and raise them to 70-30 if he races at PJ or Pre!!/'
Am I OVERestimating Grant Holloway's current potential in saying he CAN get Renaldo Nehemiah's Legendary 110H CR in 2018??
He broke the CR for the 60H INdoors!
So---give this one 20-80 odds--in the "perfect" race!!
See my AR Predictions about the 400H!
With TWO guys at 7-7.75 INdoors, I'm giving Trey Culver and/or Vernon Turner 20-80 odds of adding 2.25 inches to those INdoor marks!
Jordan Geist is the most likely to get the SP mark, but he'll have some company--which can only help him!
Give that CR 60-40 odds!
The CR in the DT is 223-7.
Right now, I can't think of any "names" to offer, but that event has certain elements that send that implement flying to unexpected destinations!
So give it 40-60 odds!
The Decathlon CR is "only" 8539 points!
All an athlete needs is to PR in 4 or 6 of his 10 events to see that mark fall!
With that caveat in mind, give this one 30-70 odds!
Give 100-0 odds for the 4X400 Relay!
The others?
Pay attention to "Relays Weekend", when Penn, Drake, and the Arkansas deal goes down!!

HIGH SCHOOL RECORDS
Tyrese Cooper is injured, and won't compete until maybe June!!
But give Anthony Schwartz 30-70 odds in the 100 & 200!
Give Jamal Walton (& Brian Herron??) 40-60 odds of getting the 400 HSR!
Give Josh Hoey 25-75 odds of improving enough to get Mike Granville's 800 mark!
ZERO odds will save the 1500, Mile, 5000, 10000, 3000SC, 110H (both), 400H, HJ, LJ, TJ, SP (both), DT (both), JT, and the Decathlons for next year!
(When I say "both", I mean the HS and Intl standards in the listed events!)
Brodey Hasty SEEMS to like to chase fast times!
Yet his NBIN performances diluted that image a bit!
But if he gets back to the Tasty Hasty I love, give him 60-40 odds of getting the 3K and Deuce HSR's!!
Mondo---Who else??--gets 80-20 odds of reaching 19-5 in the PV!!
He'll have until August 31st--unless he changes his tune on going Pro!!
No Relays Predictions for HS'ers--sorry!!

So let's see if the Women might fare a little better!!

WORLD RECORDS
FORGET any WR's in the 100, 200, 400, 3000, 2 Mile, 10000, LJ, TJ, SP, DT, and Heptathlon!!
I ALMOST gave some odds for the Two Mile, but the last time ANY decent 3218 Meter race was held was in 2014!!!
Can Ajee Wilson break the venerable 800 and 1000 WR's??
(ZERO consideration given to those people with the following initials--CS, FN, and MW!!)
Give her 20-80 odds for each!
With Genzebe Dibaba around & kicking (in the best sense!!), give her 30-70 odds of taking out her own 1500 WR!
If that one goes, it SHOULD follow that the Mile mark should go also!!
Give it 40-60 odds!
That 5000 mark has been targeted for years--by G-D, Almaz Ayana, and 1 or 2 others!
I think 2018 might be the right time!!
Give it 65-35 odds!
I have faith that Mariya Lasitskene will turn consistency into a WR in the HJ!!
Giving her 60-40 odds!
There's too many 16 footers in the PV now--with 2 or 3 more knocking at the door--for me to send that WR into 2019 unscathed!
Give Isi's mark 70-30 odds!
And take your pick of WHO will have the honors!!
Is Barbora Spotakova retired?
(Note that I didn't list her in my Age Records Predictions!!)
Even if she's not, I could see a Sara Kolak nailing the biggie in the JT!
Give this event 25-75 odds!
And give Anita (No last name needed!!) 85-15 odds of improving her own WR in the Hammer Throw!
No Relays Predictions--but let me repeat my URGENT request that SOMEONE organize a 4 X Mile Relay somewhere!!
With the right team, the WR, the AR, AND the Collegiate Records could all fall when "that" team crosses the finish line!!
But I'd take just the World Record!!
LOL

US RECORDS
Once again, forget Flojo's Sprint marks from 1988!!
Add to that list the AR's in the 10000, LJ, SP, DT, JT, and the Heptathlon!!
I'm getting to like Allyson Felix's feistiness!!
She--at age 32, after a LONG career--is insisting that she ain't finished yet!!
So give her 40-60 odds of getting the AR in the 400!!
See above for my thoughts on Ajee Wilson's chances in the 800 and 1000!
Shannon Rowbury may be with baby right now, but Jenny Simpson could still have some company up front if & when she's closing in on AR's in events like the 1500, Mile, 3000, Two Mile, and the 5000!!
Such as Shelby Houlihan, Brenda Martinez, Kate Grace, Emily Infeld, and a few others!
Such is the American talent field in the Women's Distances that I can't even single out the iconic Ms Simpson as "the girl most likely to..."!!
Except for the Deuce (Lack of races!!), give 60-40 odds to ALL the other events!!
Emma Coburn, Courtney Frerichs, and Colleen Quigley get 75-25 odds of taking out Coburn's SC Record!!
I'm giving the 2 longest races (Half & Full Marathon) 60-40 odds of getting broken!
Remember, I count marks from the Boston course!!
Both Hurdles events AR's can fall!
And a Gal named Syd could get the longer race's mark!
That is Sydney McLaughlin, for those just now exiting a cave!!
I'll take a BIG chance, and give Vashti Cunningham 10-90 odds of getting the HJ Record!
Will Keturah Orji improve on her Rio AR in the TJ??
I'll give this graduating Senior 60-40 odds!
If Sandi Morris, Katie Nageotte, and Jenn Suhr all remain healthy, and compete often (Not so SUHR about Jenn!!  LOL), give the PV mark 60-40 odds!
Gwen Berry has broken the AR in the Hammer Throw TWICE!
Well, they say "3rd time's the charm"!!
260 feet???
Give her 5-95 for THAT distance, but 65-35 for the Record itself!

COLLEGIATE RECORDS
Despite some really Class acts in the Collegiate world this year, I'm giving ZERO odds to the following events---the 200, 800, 1500, 3000 (Because it's so rarely run OUTdoors anymore!!), HJ, LJ, and the DT!
While it would take perfect weather & a Pro-type start, I'm giving just 15-85 odds for such as Mikiah Brisco and Aleia Hobbs to cut down Dawn Sowell's 29 year old 100 CR of 10.78!!
But Courtney Okolo's 49.71 CR in the 400 should fall--and maybe by Ms Okolo herself!!
If not her, look around for those Super Frosh--Ms McLaughlin and Lynna Irby!
And let's not ignore Kendell Ellis!
Give that one 40-60 odds!
The Mile mark is so weak--especially when compared to the 1500 CR---that it SHOULD have fallen years ago!!
It would take someone coming through 1500 in 4:12 or a few tenths faster!
75-25 odds if the opportunity arises!
And what kind of tactics will Karissa Schweizer use in her last Collegiate races?
If she GUNS it from the gun (Heh.), give the 5K & 10K marks 60-40 odds!
If she (& others) go for Points, drop those odds to 10-90!!
Eleanor Purrier has the flat speed to drop-kick the 3000SC mark over the wall!!
Give her 70-30 odds!
It would take a LOT of improvement to get both Hurdles CR's!
But it's been done before--going from 12.60'ish to the 12.30's!
As for the 53.21 CR in the full lap race, the ONLY guesswork is by HOW MUCH McLaughlin will send that mark into oblivion!!
The CR in the TJ is 7.25 inches less than Ms Orji's AR!!
So give her 75-25 odds of getting the CR!
Will the former Weeks twins (Lexi Jacobus & Tori Hoggard) do battle with Olivia Gruver in chasing the PV Record??
And if limited to that 3-some, WHO will end on Top??
Give the CR 80-20 odds!!
Raven Saunders is finished with her Collegiate career, but Maggie Ewen gets 20-80 odds of taking out the Raven's CR in the Shot Put!
The JT Record is out there, but this event is one filled with shocking PR's!!
It could happen again!
Give it 20-80 odds!
And Ms Ewen gets 90-10 odds of improving her own CR in the Hammer Throw!
Give the Heptathlon Women--especially Taliyah Brooks and Nina Schultz--40-60 odds of getting that 23 year old Record!!
Again, no Relays Predictions!

HIGH SCHOOL RECORDS
There are three HS'ers who are FAR advanced in comparisons to their compadres!!
They are Briana Williams, Tamari Davis, and Katelyn Tuohy!
That said, I'm still giving ZERO chance for seeing new HSR's in the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 10000, 3000SC, 300H, 400H, HJ, LJ, TJ, PV, SP, DT, JT, and the HT!!
Williams ran 11.13 to open her OUTdoor season, breaking Marion Jones's World Age 15 Record!
But that's still FAR removed from Candace Hill's 10.98!!
And Ms Davis, no matter how precocious, is almost a FULL SECOND from Allyson Felix's iconic 22.11 in the 200!
As for Ms Tuohy, it's entirely up (conceding 100% good health!) to her choosing to CHASE after Records!!
If she REALLY wants them, give her 95-5 odds for the Mile, 3000, Two Mile, and the 5000!!
And if she REALLY goes crazy, add 80-20 odds for the 10000 HSR also!!
The 100H mark of 12.84 has the HSR holder herself (Tia Jones) still breathing!
Add those speedy "newcomers" from INdoors, and stir the pot!!
Give that Record 65-35 odds!
Jasmine Moore is a GREAT TJ'er, but she's more than a foot shy of the HSR!!
But give her 10-90 odds anyway!!
Erica Ellis PV'ed 14-1.25 INdoors, but she's all alone at that height right now!
Give her 15-85 odds of adding 6.50 inches!!
Anna Hall fell 14 points short of Kendell Williams's great INdoor Pentathlon Record!
Can she come close to the OUTdoor Heptathlon HSR--also held by Williams??
Give her 60-40 odds!!
Remembering that Emma Fitzgerald came within ONE POINT of the mark 2 years ago!!

Well, friends, there will be one more OUTdoor Preview post!!
That will list what marks are needed to make my Top 24 All-Time Performers Lists!!

After that, it's time for ACTION---and Results!!

See you soon!!

Age Records--OUTdoors 2018

Records of ANY kind are hard to predict.
There are the twin variables of Opportunity & Opportunity Taken!
In other words, will an Event even be held?
And will the right athlete compete in that event at their very best?
Those components are sometimes as difficult to find as sunshine & warmth on a mid-Winter's day!

That said, here's my guidelines---
My Age Records go from 17 to 40, with the "bookends" being "0-17" & "40 & over", meaning that Records in those categories can be set by athletes up to & including Age 17, or athletes Age 40, or any Age older than 40!!
Every other Age is determined by Actual Full Birthdates!
Thus, an athlete can break TWO different Age Records in less than 24 hours!
I'm offering names of Athletes--if opportunities are given AND taken!!--who I feel capable of breaking those Records!
In many cases, it's a long shot---a VERY long shot---calling for MUCH improvement by said athlete!
But it's fun to do!
I'll begin at Age 40, and continue in inverse order!
These are for OUTdoor Age Records ONLY!!
Men & Women are combined!

Age 40 & over
Age 39
Sorry, but there are ZERO athletes at these Ages capable of breaking the records!

Age 38
Edna Kiplagat needs just a 2:24:07 Marathon, and a Half of ANY speed, as that slot is vacant now!

Age 37
No athletes to offer!

Age 36
Justin Gatlin could have it easy!
He needs to run the 100 in 10.01, and the 200 in 20.14!
Mary Keitany needs to better the Half time of 64:55, or the Marathon time of 2:19:19!
(The latter could happen in London!!)
Wilson Kipsang has an empty Half slot, and needs just a 2:05:27 Marathon time!!
Jenn Suhr has ALREADY broken the Age 36 Record in the Pole Vault--at 15-9.75!
(See earlier post!)
Will this "semi-retired" Great do it again??

Age 35
No athletes!

Age 34
Vivian Cheruiyot has a bunch of marks to shoot for--the 3000 & 2 Mile (8:31.76 & 9:49.93), or the 5000 & 10000 (14:42.06 & 30:23.07).
Viola Kibiwot is going for the 5K & 10K!
Amy Cragg has Half & Full Marathon times of 67:26 & 2:20:21 to aim for!
Catarine Ibarguen needs to Triple Jump 48-10!
Donald Thomas will seek to High Jump---as of July 1st!--7-6.50!

Age 33
As of July 24th, Aries Merritt needs to run the 110H in 12.99!
Eliud Kipchoge has until November 4th to chase Half & Full Marathon times of 59:59 & 2:04:06!
Molly Huddle needs to TIE the American Marathon Record of 2:19:36!
Anita Wlodarczyk has to wait till August 8th to get this EASY Hammer Throw mark---246-1!!
Robert Harting needs a Discus Throw mark of 232-4!
(Did he retire??)

Age 32
Back to Aries Merritt again!
He has until July 23rd to run the 110H in 12.96!
LaShawn Merritt must wait till June 27th to get the 400 Age Record of 43.68!
Anita Wlodarczyk needs a HT of 261-10---but only through August 7th!
As of May 8th, Galen Rupp can chase the Half Marathon mark of 58:55!
Jenny Simpson has a few marks to shoot for--but only FROM August 23rd!!
The 1500 & Mile (3:56.65 & 4:17.44), the 3000 time of 8:22.62, and the Two Mile, which has no current Record!
Tirunesh Dibaba has through September 30th to race the Marathon in 2:18:30!
Allyson Felix has quick times of 21.94 in the 200, and 47.99 in the 400 to aim at!
Impossible??

Age 31
Renaud Lavillenie is opening his season at the Texas Relays!
Yes, I said the Texas Relays!!!
Can he top 19-9??
Yarisley Silva must wait till June 1st to PV 16-0.50!
Marcin Lewindowski has a 1000 time of 2:16.45 to try for, but only from June 13th onward!
Sally Pearson needs a 100H time of 12.47!
She's scheduled to be at the Commonwealth Games!!
Jenny Simpson has through August 22nd to seek the following times--3:56.91, 4:23.40, 8:35.26, 9:53.35, and 14:32.79!
Brittney Reese needs a Long Jump (in every sense!  LOL) of 23-2!
And the returning SAFP--aka Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce--needs 100 & 200 times of 10.70 & 21.64!

Age 30
At this PRIME Age, I have but ONE name to offer!!
Angelika Cichocka needs a Mile time 0f 4:19.98!
The Age Records at this Age are either too difficult, or there are NO athletes capable of breaking them!!

Age 29
Will Evan Jager FINALLY break 8:00 in the 3000SC?
He needs to run it in 7:55.28 for this Age Record!!
Asbel Kiprop has from June 30th to run 2:14.30 in the 1000, 3:27.40 in the 1500, and 3:49.34 in the Mile!
Daniel Rudisha will be trying for 800 & 1000 times of 1:42.90 and 2:14.30!
Joe Kovacs needs to wait until June 28th to throw the SP 73-7.25!

Age 28
Speaking of Mr Kovacs, he has until June 27th to reach a massive 75-2 in his main event!!
Christian Taylor has to wait for June 18th to begin trying for the TJ mark of 57-6.25!
Damian Warner is improving in the Decathlon!
He'll need to score 8900 points for this Record!
Sharika Nelvis can chase the 100H time of 12.26--but only from May 10th onward!
Delilah Muhammed needs a 400H time of 52.47!
Helen Obiri has a Quartet of Distance marks to shoot for--8:22.20 & 9:19.56 in the 3000 & 2 Mile, and 14:31.42 and 30:01.09 in the 5K & 10K!
Ekaterina Stefanidi needs to PV 16-1.25!!
Ivana Spanovic has from May 10th to Long Jump 23-4.50!
And Sandra Perkovic needs to wait until June 21st to try for a Discus Throw of 229-0!!

Age 27
And we'll start here with "Perky"!!
Sandra needs a LONG DT of 237-2--but has only until June 20th to reach that new PR!
Katie Nageotte has an equally tough PR to aim for--a PV of 16-7.25--but she must wait until she turns 27 on June 30th!!
Genzebe Dibaba has her usual slough of Age Records to try for!
A 1000 of 2:31.51, the 1500 & Mile in 3:56.7 & 4:16.56, or the longer ones of 8:23.14, 9:14.09 and 14:18.37!
Will Paul Tanui try for a fast 10000 on the Track??
He'll need a time of 26:46.31.
Emma Coburn and Beatrice Chepkoech (the latter only as of July 6th!) have an easy 3000SC mark to compete for--9:11.97!
Guye Adola has through October 19th to run the Half & Full Marathon in 58:42 and 2:04:08!
Christian Taylor must TJ 57-11--but only until June 17th!
Will Claye--IF he'll be competing and not just making "records" of a musical kind!!--must wait till June 13th for the same mark!
Tori Bowie has until August 26th to race the 100 & 200 in 10.76 and 21.71!
Finally, I'm proud to say that Mutaz Barshim and yours truly share the same birthday--June 24th--but just a few years apart!!
So, as of June 24th, he'll have a MUCH better chance to HJ 7-10.50 than will I!!
LOL

Age 26
Mr Barshim has through June 23rd to HJ 7-11.25!
Luvo Manyonga has a LJ mark of 28-8.50 to leap for!!
Beatrice Chepkoech has through July 5th to run a 3000SC in 8:59.84!
Dafne Schippers and Elaine Thompson both have June birthdates, and both have the same 100 & 200 times to shoot for--10.71 & 21.69!!
Schippers must wait until June 15th, while ET has to wait till June 28th!!
Distance runners usually have a few events open to them--and this goes for Almaz Ayana--in spades!!
A 3000 and 2 Mile in 8:21.42 and 9:16.95!
Or a 5000 and 10000 of 14:25.22 and 30:13.37!
Katie Nageotte--that "rising" star of the PV--has until June 29th to PV 16-6.75!
Sandi Morris must wait until July 8th to try for the same mark!
Tom Walsh will try for a SP of 74-0.25!
At the Commonwealth Games??
Thomas Rohler needs a Javelin Throw of 304-2!!
And Kevin Mayer will seek to become only the 3rd 9000 points man in the Decathlon--his target score being 9026!!

Age 25
Ryan Crouser has a real toughie--a SP of 75-8!!
Laura Muir has from May 9th to run a 1000 in 2:30.6, the 1500 & Mile in 3:53.96 & 4:14.30, or the longer Distances in 8:19.78, 9:12.90, and 14:28.39!
Tall orders all!!
Sifan Hassan shares the same 1500 & Mile goals!
Despite my believing Shelby Houlihan might be America's current best, I'm giving her just one event to try for--a 2 Mile in 9:12.90!
Courtney Frerichs--if the opportunity presents itself--also could try for that Two Mile time!!
Her 3000SC target is a bit faster--9:00.12!!
Johannes Vetter is nearing his target in the JT--308-1!
Sandi Morris has through July 7th to PV 16-1.25!
Sam Kendricks and Piotr Lisek are both seeking to PV 6.00--or 19-8.25--but Lisek has only through August 15th to do so!
Daniel Stahl has until August 26th to reach the DT mark of 228-10!
Kendra Harrison must run the 100H in 12.33!!
Boris Berian has that ancient (1974!!) American Record in the 1000 to try for--2:13.9!!
And my World AOY--Mariya Lasitskene--must HJ 6-9.75!!

Age 24
Ajee Wilson has to wait for May 8th to try to run the 800 & 1000 in 1:54.94 and 2:31.93!
SMU--aka Shaunae Miller-Uibo--need wait only till April 15th to start shooting for 200 & 400 times of 21.78 and 48.83!
Keep in mind she tied the WORLD Record in the INdoor 300!!
Omar McLeod needs a 110H time of 12.94!
Chao Tsun Cheng of Taiwan--who holds the Age 23 Record of 299-9 from last year in the JT!!--must PR at 309-10 to get this Age Record!
Joyciline Jepkosgei has the Half Marathon mark of 66:11 to try for in Valencia this weekend!!
Think she'll make it??
Thiago Braz Da Silva has a PV height of 19-10.50 to reach for!
Fedric Dacres--a real up & comer in the DT--must throw the Disc 235-9!
And Ronnie Baker--he of a 6.40 in the INdoor 60!--will try for a 100 time of 9.74!

Age 23
This Prime age offers very few athletes!
Fred Kerley has to wait until May 7th to try for a 400 time of 43.45!
Consesius Kipruto has a fast 3000SC time of 7:55.72 to aim for!
Sara Kolak has a JT target of 229-9---but only from June 22nd!!
And Nafi Thiam must wait until August 18th to try for 6942 points in the Heptathlon!!
Maybe at Talence??

Age 22
IS Christian Coleman the "next Usain Bolt"??
Well, his targets here are Bolt's World Records of 9.58 and 19.19!
I have strong doubts, but in this crazy sport--Who knows??!!
Karsten Warholm has the flat 400 speed to do so--but he'll need to PR by almost a full second to run the Age Record here of 47.30 in the 400H!
Sara Kolak has until June 21st to throw the Javelin 232-3!
Yulimar Rojas must PR in the TJ at 50-1.75 to get this Age Record!
And Ronald Kwemoi has 1500 & 3000 times of 3:28.86 and 7:25.02 to try for!

Age 21
My favorite KK girl--that is, Ms Konstanze Klosterhalfen of Germany!!--has several marks to try for!
3:56.18 in the 1500, 4:15.8 in the Mile, 8:27.78 & 9:38.44 in the 3000 & Deuce, and 14:24.68 in the 5000!
A trio of PV'ing Women have the same target here--15-9.75!
Lexi Jacobus, Tori Hoggard, and Eliza McCartney are the 3!
If you read my last post, you know McCartney Vaulted 16-0.75 recently!
But it was an exhibition--on a tilted runway!!--and does NOT count--DESPITE Track & Field News listing it as "legal" in their latest eTN!!
Even McCartney herself says she won't even count it as a PR, let along a Record of any other sort!!
But now we know she HAS that capability!!
Watch for her at the CG!!
Rai Benjamin--like Karsten Warholm (See above!)--has that raw speed to run a 400H in 47.45--despite his PR being "just" 48.33!!
But he'll have to wait until July 27th to get this one!!
Will Danyil Lysenko be the next 8 footer in the HJ?
Unlikely, but maybe he'll come close!
He has to wait until May 19th!
Bence Halasz has to wait until August 4th to try for this Age Record in the Hammer Throw--267-7!
Konrad Bukowiecki has a SP target of 71-5.50!!
Noah Lyles must wait until July 18th to seek 100 & 200 times of 9.69 and 19.26!!
And what about Ruth Jebet??
I reported an UNCONFIRMED "drug bust" for her in a recent post!
It REMAINS unconfirmed!!
NOTHING has been said about it since--so I'm beginning to wonder if it was a hoax!!
Anyway, IF she remains in the game--she has the 3000SC time of 9:03.70 to try for!!

Age 20
Noah Lyles has through July 17th to race the 100 & 200 in 9.84 and 19.63!
Bence Halasz (See Age 21!) has through August 3rd to get a HT mark of 264-3!
Neeraj Chopra has the JT mark of 287-5 to aim at!
Clarence Munyai--who recently sped a 200 in 19.69!--must improve that by a few ticks of the watch to get the Age Record here of 19.63!
He can also try for the 100 mark of 9.84!
Rai Benjamin has until July 26th to run a 400H in 47.39!
Michael Norman must improve on his INdoor WR time of 44.52 to run 43.96 for this OUTdoor Age Record!!
Vernon Turner must wait until August 21st to HJ 7-9.75!
Another Trio of Female Pole Vaulters has a target height of 15-9.75 to try for!
They are Robelys Peinado, Olivia Gruver, and Wilma Murto!
But Ms Gruver only has until July 28th to do so, and Ms Murto must wait until June 11th to begin her attempts!
Vashti Cunningham has an equally daunting height to seek, but in the High Jump--6-9!!
Is she ready for that--um--big leap upward??
Another Sky Soarer--Chris Nilsen--has the PV mark of 19-5.75 to attempt!
Yomif Kejelcha has through July 31st to try for a Two Mile time of 8:03.54!
(I'm offering up Two Mile times because I'm the Eternal Optimist--I always think that Meet Directors will offer up Two Mile races (for both Men & Women!!) in their meets!
It's mainly HS meets that do so now--and then only at Brooks PR and the NBN!!)
Jordan Geist must wait until July 21st to try for the SP mark of 70-10!!
He's not that far away!!

Age 19
Hang in there!
I know this post is long already, but I decided to do ALL my Age Records in one post this year!!
Mr Geist has through July 20th to throw the SP 69-4.25!
Vernon Turner has through August 20th to HJ 7-9.25!
Wilma Murto has until June 10th to PV 15-9!
Celiphine Chespol has several times to try for--8:28.83 and 9:20.91 in the 3000 & Deuce, and 14:32.78 in the 5000!
In her specialty--the 3000SC--she has "only" the WORLD Record to attempt--8:52.78!!

Age 18
The Pole Vault gets a lot of action here too!
Emmanouil Karalis and Mondo Duplantis are both wanting a Vault of 19-0.25!
Should be interesting to watch!!
Lisa Gunnarsson may be doing her Vaulting in the NCAA now, but her target is still 15-0.25!!
And Sydney McLaughlin has through August 6th to run the 400 in 49.77, and the 400H in 54.40!
Don't completely "Laugh..." off either!!
LOL

Age 0-17
The Age Records were much easier--in several cases--INdoors than they are OUTdoors!
Thus the thin list of possibles here!!
Let's start with Tia Jones, who has her own Age Record of 12.84 to try for in the 100H!!
Jordan Diaz of Cuba must TJ 56-9.25 for this Age Record!
BTW, this one is his--as he got this mark in 2017 at Age 16!!
And what about the Distances??
As noted above, INdoor Records are easier targets!
But then we think of a certain Ms Katelyn Tuohy, who totally destroyed the INdoor HSR (and more importantly in this context--the Age 15 Record!!) in the 5000!
But THAT mark OUTdoors is deep into the 14's!!
She's just NOT there---yet!
But how about the Mile time of 4:35.24---or the Two Mile time of 9:54.22??
She came VERY close to the latter INdoors--ENROUTE to that 5000 time!!

But T&F is an unpredictable sport--and that's why we LOVE it so much!!
New names, unexpected Records & Marks!!

See you soon with my Predictions in the WR, AR, CR, and HSR departments!!

OUTdoor Schedule--2018

This is the first of my several OUTdoor Previews for the 2018 season!
And the one with the chance for the most mistakes!

So a few caveats---

This Schedule is taken directly from the one printed in the January issue of Track & Field News!
That said, any errors are MINE alone!
As in the past, Schedule changes might occur--cancellations, date changes, events moving INdoors due to lousy weather!!
Thus, I urge you to go to the T&FN website for any updates that might occur, or the meet's or race's website itself!!
In a few cases, I indicate that an actual date hasn't been set, but that it MOST LIKELY will take place at the time listed!
These are based on my own opinion, NOT T&FN's!!
"Major" meets or races are in ALL CAPS!
I'll begin with this next weekend!!

MARCH
23-24     Florida State Relays--PAC 12/Big 10 Invite--Power 5 Challenge
24          World Half (Valencia)--Stramilano Half (Milan)
25          CARLSBAD 5000
28-31    TEXAS RELAYS
29-31    Florida Relays
30         Mondo Invite (Sacramento)

30-31    Raleigh Relays--Stanford Invite

A crossover meet is one that starts in one month and ends in another!
The Carifta Games in the Bahamas is such a meet!

It goes from March 30th through April 2nd!

APRIL

5-7       Sun Angel Classic

6-7       ARCADIA INVITE  (HS)
7          Pepsi Team Invite--Don Kirby Memorial--WA/WSU/BYU/UO Dual--Cal/Stanford Dual--Duke/MI/NC Dual
7-14     COMMONWEALTH GAMES (Australia)

NOTE: Usain Bolt says he'll be there---to watch Yohan Blake race!!
8          Cherry Blossom 10 Mile--Paris & Rotterdam Marathons
13        Jones Memorial (Florida)
14        MJ/JJK Invite
16        BOSTON MARATHON

18-19   Mt SAC Multis
18-21   Kansas Relays
19-21   MT SAC RELAYS
20-21   Cardinal Classic (Stanford)--Duke Invite--Georgia Tech Invite--Owens Classic

21        LSU Alumnai Games
22        LONDON MARATHON
26-28   DRAKE & PENN RELAYS

27-28   NATIONAL RELAYS (Fayetteville)--Scott Invite
28        LSU Invite--Virginia GP
29        USC/UCLA Dual

MAY
High School State meets begin this month!

Week by week, they are scheduled in---
1st       AL/AZ/FL/LA/MS
2nd     AR/GA/HI/NM/OK/SC/TX
3rd     CO/ID/IL (Girls)/IA/KY/NE/NV/NC/OR/UT/WV/WY
4th     AK/DE/IL (Boys)/KS/MD/MO/MT/ND/PA/SD/TN/WA/DC

3         PAYTON JORDAN INVITE
4         DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE--Oregon & Arkansas Twilights
5         Kentucky Relays

5-6      PAC 12 Multis
6         Bloomsday 12K
11       Bermuda Invite
12       SHANGHAI DIAMOND LEAGUE--Oxy Invite--Riverbank 25K

The Major Collegiate Conferences are scheduled for the 2nd week of May!

9-12    Mountain West
10-12  ACC
10-13  Conference USA
11-13  Big 10--Big 12--SEC

12-13  PAC 12

18        Great City Games (Manchester, England)--USATF High-Performance

19        Euro 10000 Cup--Jamaica Invite
20        Alan Webb Mile (Portland)

21        Golden GP (Osaka)

24-26   The NCAA Regionals (East in Tampa--West in Sacramento)

25-26    PREFONTAINE DIAMOND LEAGUE
26         Flanders Cup

26-27    GOTZIS MULTIS
31         ROME (Golden Gala) DIAMOND LEAGUE

May 31--June 2
             Great Southwest  (HS)

JUNE
State HS meets take place the 1st week in CA/CT/IN/ME/MA/MI/MN/NH/NJ/NY/OH/RI/VT/VA/WI

The Track Town Series of meets did NOT have dates listed!

But I'll assume they will take place some time in June or July!
Please go to T&FN or google Track Town Series for the dates--assuming they happen!!

2           Zagreb (Croatia)--Freihofer's 5K for Women Only
3           Hengelo
5           Nurmi Games
6-9        NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
7           OSLO (Bislett Games) DIAMOND LEAGUE
9           Midwest Distance Classic (HS)--Racers GP (Jamaica)
10         STOCKHOLM DIAMOND LEAGUE
13         Ostrava
14-16    USATF Juniors (There is some question if these are the actual dates!  Beware!)
15-17    NEW BALANCE NATIONALS (HS)

The Brooks PR did NOT have a date listed in T&FN!
But this usually takes place in mid-June, and is a GREAT meet!!

16          Grandma's Marathon
21-24     USATF CHAMPIONSHIPS  (Des Moines)
23          Madrid
30          PARIS DIAMOND LEAGUE

June 30--July 1

              National Championships of Great Britain

JULY

4            Peachtree 10K
5            LAUSANNE DIAMOND LEAGUE
8            GP Brazil
10-15     WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS  (Tampere, Finland)
14          RABAT DIAMOND LEAGUE
19          Morton Games  (Hope they have a Two Mile!!)

20          MONACO (Herculis) DIAMOND LEAGUE
21          Heusden-Zolder (Belgium)
24-26     Eberstadt High Jump
27-28     LONDON DIAMOND LEAGUE
28          Bix 7 Mile (Iowa)

AUGUST
7-12      EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
10-12    NACAC (Toronto)
18         BIRMINGHAM DIAMOND LEAGUE

(URGENT MESSAGE:  PLEASE keep those INdoor Birmingham officials AWAY from this meet!!)

18         Goteburg GP
19         Falmouth 7.1 Mile

22         Skolimowska Memorial

24         Roveretto (Italy)
25         Crim 10 Mile
30         ZURICH (Weltklasse) DIAMOND LEAGUE
31         BRUSSELS (Van Damme) DIAMOND LEAGUE

SEPTEMBER
2          ISTAF (Berlin)
3          New Haven 20K
4          Zagreb IWC

5          DecaNation

8          Great North City Games
8-9       IAAF CONTINENTAL CUP (Ostrava)
9          5th AVENUE MILE--Great North Half
15-16   TALENCE MULTIS
16        Philadelphia Half

OCTOBER
7          CHICAGO MARATHON--Twin Cities Marathon--Metronomic 10 Mile (St Paul)--Rock & Roll Half (San Jose)
8          Boston 10K for Women Only
14        Lisbon Half
21        Amsterdam Marathon
28        Frankfurt Marathon

NOVEMBER
4          NYC MARATHON
17        NCAA XC CHAMPIONSHIPS

DECEMBER

1          NXN XC
2          Fukuoka Marathon--Sacramento Marathon
8          FOOT LOCKER XC--USATF Clubs XC

I hesitated giving the "ALL CAPS" designation to the DL's!
Their quality--or lack thereof--is usually a roll of the dice---Pre & Monaco the exceptions!!

BTW, a lot of people say 2018 is an "off" year for T&F!
But there's the Commonwealth Games, European Championships, and the World Junior Championships!!
If that's "off', then let's make EVERY year an "off" year!!


Have fun competing or observing!
And always come to this blog for DETAILED RESULTS of all of the above---if warranted!!
LOL

See you soon with more Previews!

List Revisions Come Early OUTdoors

Well, I WAS going to begin my OUTdoor Previews today with a Schedule of Meets, Road Races, and the like!
And yes, that will be the first of my 2018 OUTdoor Previews!
Later today.
But you see, folks, T&F has a nasty habit of throwing surprises in your face when you least expect them!
In the week or more before the "REAL" start of this OUTdoor season in the United States---i.e. the Texas Relays---several List-revising marks popped up that made me revise---er, my schedule of Previews!!
Records and Marks DO take priority here!!

And the most shocking--and according to some people on the T&FN Message Board--maybe the most questionable also---came from South Africa!
(BTW, when I say the OUTdoor season begins in late March, I'm not ignoring the fact that the OUTdoor season actually begins on January 1st--and goes straight through to December 31st!  But most of the news those first 3 months comes from the "Down Under" countries of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa!!)

Clarence Munyai WAS a 20.2-type sprinter who turned 20 on February 20th!
Now, he's a 19.69 South Africa National Record holder in the 200, beating down one Wayde Van Niekerk's old mark!!
And this was in a HEAT!!!
With a wind of 0.5 AGAINST him!!

Whatever the conclusions of the T&FN crowd, it SEEMS legit!!
This makes him 10th A-T World!!
And it cuts OFF my World list a true legend of the sport---Tommie Smith's 19.83 from 1968!!

BTW, he didn't run the Final--due to a reported injury!!

Then comes news that the "semi-retired" Jenn Suhr is suddenly leading the World in her initial OUTdoor PV!!
She Vaulted just 3 times---with 1st time clearances all!---her end result being 15-9.75!
The 1st two bars were 14-11.50 & 15-5.75!
She gets the Age 36 Record---just as she did INdoors!!

(NOTE:  Eliza McCartney cleared a bar set at 4.90, or 16-0.75!  But it was in an exhibition, NOT a legit meet, so does NOT count for any Records!  Even McCartney noted that she won't count it as a PR!  But it DOES show that she could be the next 16 footer---maybe at the Commonwealth Games!!)

Oh, forgot to mention that Mr Record Machine---aka Mondo Duplantis---got another Class Record!
His recent 18-6 PV got rid of Chris Nilsen's 18-4.75 Senior Class Record!!

But before we continue with this OUTdoor report, I have a couple of INdoor marks worth a mention!!
Like WORLD Records!!!
Yes, I speak of those INdoor Marathons the Armory holds every year!!
Malcolm Richards's WR is 2:19:01, while Lindsey Scherf's is 2:40:55!!
In case you forgot, that entails 211 circuits of the track---minus 5 meters!

OK, back to the Sunshine (or fog & rain??).

Briana Williams is a Jamaican attending a US High School (in Florida) who ran 11.30 last year in the 100!
Now she's a Soph whose 11.13 (1.7) broke the Age 15 Record held by Marion Jones!!
It also ranks her 4th A-T HS, tied with 2 others!

This was in the Bob Hayes meet!
Also starring there was Tamari Davis!
Her 200 time of 23.06 ties the Frosh Class Record!!
While she missed the A-T HS list by 0.06 seconds, I have a feeling that will be taken care of soon!!

Another Age Record goes to Juan Echevarria of Cuba, who surprised in the WC Long Jump!!
His 27-6.75 nets him the Age 19 Record!
But it's 4 inches from the A-T World list!

Brooke Andersen opened her OUTdoor season with a HT of 232-10!!
This big PR moves her from 16th A-T Collegiate to 6th!!
She also  becomes 12th A-T US!!

Alyssa Olin is another who smashed her old PR--this time in the Javelin Throw!
Her 191-6 makes her 14th A-T Collegiate!
And she's even higher on the US list--13th, tied with 1 other!

Sindri Gudmundsson also Spear-chucked his way onto the Collegiate list!
His 264-1 makes him 16th A-T Collegiate!!

Other solid OUTdoor openers included---
Fred Kerley's 200 of 20.41 (0.6)
LSU's 42.65 in the 4 X 100 Relay, which might be the earliest sub-43 ever!!
Denzel Comenentia's HT of 238-3
Sage Watson's 400 in 51.62 (Also a 400H in 56.52)
Jamal Walton's 400 in 45.42!
Keep in mind he ran 44.99 in 2017 as a HS Junior!!
Jacory Patterson ran 20.65 in the 200!
He's a HS Senior.

Tarasue Barnett, a 24 year old Collegiate from Jamaica, threw the Discus 192-10.
Haley Crouser had her best JT since 2012--when she set the then-HSR of 181-2!
Her 2018 opener sailed 177-0!

In a race in Australia, Matthew Centrowitz cruised to victory in the 1500--time of 3:37.96.
Carina Horn ran the 100 in 11.03 for the National Record of South Africa!

The NYC Half-Marathon had strong headwinds and starting temps of 29 degrees hindering any chance at fast times!
But Ben True's 62:39 was enough to beat Dathan Ritzenhein's 62:42.
This was True's initial Half!

In the Women's race, Buze Diriba let Emily Sisson lead most of the way before nipping her at the line, 72:23 to 72:24!

In the much-ballyhooed (by Mile Split!!) Texas Distance Festival, London Culbreath and Carter Cheeseman won the 5000's in respective times of 16:43 and 14:36.
No list-making marks they!!

Stick around!
I'll do the Schedule next!!

See you soon!

2018 INdoors Review

This final INdoors report is more a review of the numbers my T&F Record Book uses.
While it may have some interest for readers of this blog, for the average fan, it probably won't!
However, I like to see just how good (or not!) a season was, based on these numbers!

I'll begin with a chronological listing of all the "major" Records broken or tied during the 2017-2018 INdoor season!
If a mark broke more than 1 Record (such as the AR & CR!), I'll put both on the same line!

Mondo Duplantis               19-1.50            HSR
Katelyn Tuohy                   5:57.46            HSR
Christian Coleman             6.37                 WR & AR
Brian Herron                      32.64               HSR
Michael Saruni                  1:14.79            WR & CR
Taylor Ewart                      13:45.0            HSR
Keturah Orji                       47-8                CR
Bullis TC                           1:35.40            HSR
Katelyn Tuohy                   15:37.12          HSR
USA                                   1:32.67            AR
Shaunae Miller-Uibo         35.45              WR (tie)
USA                                   8:05.89           WR & AR
Karissa Schweizer             8:41.60           CR
Taylor Ewart                     6:17.30            HSR
Taylor Ewart                     6:45.68            HSR
Grant Holloway                7.42                 CR
Kendra Harrison               7.72                 AR (tie)
USC                                  3:01.98           CR
Christian Coleman            6.34                WR & AR
Sharika Nelvis                  7.70                 AR
Kendra Harrison               7.70                 AR (tie)
Mondo Duplantis              19-3.50           HSR
NJ/NY TC                         7:11.30           WR & AR
Josh Hoey                         1:47.67            HSR
Jungle TC                         17:01.82          HSR
Bullis TC                          30.44               HSR
Bullis TC                          1:34.75            HSR
Aleia Hobbs                      7.07                 CR (tie)
Michael Norman               44.52              WR & AR & CR
Kendell Ellis                     50.34              AR & CR
Elijah Hall                        20.02              CR
Gabrielle Thomas             22.38              CR
USC                                  3:00.77           CR
USA                                  3:01.39           WR & AR

SOME athletes showed their season was going to be a good one by performing well in December!!
It's always interesting to follow the progress of those who later break Records---by seeing how their season began!
Here's a few!

Karissa Schweizer ran 15:17.31 in early December!
Gabrielle Thomas "rust-busted" with early times of 7.46 and 37.47!
Eleanor Purrier ran a solid 3000 of 8:55.68 in December!
Sydney McLaughlin started her astounding Freshman year with that 300 of 36.12!!
Annette Echikunwoke showed early peak form with a December WT of 75-11.50!
And Brian Herron began his year with times of 20.95 and 46.43!!

In my AOY post, I gave you some numbers that showed which Event had the most marks dated 2018 on my Top 24 A-T Performers lists!
Here's a more detailed listing!
I give you all events that have 3 or more 2018 marks on the list!
I also tell you which Events had ZERO marks from this past season!!

MEN--World
The 400 led with 7 marks!
The 300 & 4X400 Relay had 4 each!
With 3 apiece are the 60, 200, 800, LJ, SP, and WT!
Striking out---with NO marks dated 2018!!--are the 1000, 2000, 3000, 2 Mile, 5000, and the TJ!!

Looks like the Distances were all tactical & SLOW!!

MEN--US
The 400 & 800 lead with 5 each!
With 3 each are the 60H and PV.
With NO marks are the 600, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2 Mile, 5000, and the LJ!

MEN--Collegiate
The 4 X 400 Relay leads with 7!!
The 400 has 6.
The WT and Heptathlon have 4 apiece.
With 3 each are the 60 & 200.
With NONE are the 1000, 5000, and the TJ!

MEN--HS
The PV and SP have 4 each!
With 3 apiece are the 60, 200, 300, 400, 800, Mile, and 60H!
With ZERO are the 600, 3000, 2 Mile, LJ, and TJ!

Guess the distances suffered across the board on the Men's side!
The Horizontal Jumps didn't do so well either!!

WOMEN--World
The WT leads with 7!
The PV has 5.
The 4 X 400 Relay has 4.
With 3 each are the 60, 400, and the 60H.
Striking out are the 600, 800, 1000, Mile, 2 Mile, LJ, TJ, SP, and Pentathlon!!

WOMEN--US
The 3000 has 9---and is the most for ANY category, Men or Women!!
With 7 are the 2000 and PV!
NOTE: My US 2000 list has several "enroute" marks on it, but these were officially timed, so count as legit 2K times!!
The 400 and WT have 6.
With 4 is the 200!
With 3 each are the 60, 300, 800, 1500, Mile, and 60H!
With NONE are the 1000 and 2 Mile!!

WOMEN--Collegiate
Leading the way--with 5 apiece--are the 400, 1500, 60H, TJ, PV, and the DMR!
The 60, 200, 800, and WT have 4 each!
The Mile, 3000, and the 4 X 400 Relay have 3 each.
Striking out is the 5000!!
NOTE: Schweizer's and Ednah Kurgat's fast 5000 times were run in December, so have "2017" as the year, even though they were part of the 2018 season!!

WOMEN--HS
The 400, 60H, and the TJ lead with 5 each.
With 4 are the 1500 and Mile!
The 1000, 2 Mile (NOT 3200!!), PV, and Pentathlon have 3 each!
With NONE is the 300!!

Here are the Totals!!

The World Men led the Women, 42 to 35!
But the US Women crushed the Men, 68 to 33!!
The Collegiate Women also dominated, 65 to 46!
The HS'ers were also Woman-dominated, 53 to 39!

The Grand Totals were 221 for the Women to 160 for the Men!
The Total--both genders--was 381.

Yes, it was down quite a bit from last-year's 465!!
BUT---the 300 and 600 had a whopping 103 marks on my lists dated 2017!!
The 300 & 600 "action" was DOWN a LOT this year!!
So, overall, this was a pretty solid year!!

OUT of action were Hannah Cunliffe and Raven Saunders!
Also must mention Amber Campbell!!
(There were others, but these were the most unexpected!!)

Rising UP were--among others--Gabrielle Thomas, Katie Nageotte, and Ashley Henderson!

Best Collegiate Frosh were Lynna Irby, Syd McLaughlin, and Tara Davis!

For the Men, we missed Christian Taylor, Ryan Crouser & Joe Kovacs!

Rising UP were Elijah Hall, Michael Norman, and Ed Cheserek!

Best Collegiate Frosh were Jordan Geist and Vernon Turner!

Class Records

MEN
9th Grade--None!
10th--Knight's 83-6.25 & 58-5 (with the Intl WT)
11th--Herron's 32.64 & 46.31
12th--Allen's 32.84, Hoey's 1:47.67, and Duplantis's 19-3.50
Frosh--Oduduru's 20.18, Vedel's 32.80--a tie, Turner's 7-7.75, and Geist's 70-4.50
Soph--Norman's 44.52, Saruni's 1:14.79, Holloway's 7.42, and Lucas's 78-9.75
Junior--NONE
Senior--Hall's 20.02

WOMEN
9th Grade--T Davis's 7.25 & 23.24
10th--Tuohy's 4:23.38, 9:05.26, 9:58.89, and 15:37.12
11th--Hall's 4064, Stark's & T Jones's 8.05's, Moore's 42-11.75, and Ellis's 14-1.25
12th--NONE!
Frosh--McLaughlin's 36.12 and 50.36, T Davis's 7.98, and Watson's 2:02.65 and 2:42.12
Soph--Ostrander's 8:54.35
Junior--Thomas's 22.38, and Jacobus's 15-3.50
Senior--Hobbs's 7.07, Henderson's 22.41, Ellis's 50.34, and Orji's 47-8

We come to Age Records!
My Age Records go from 17 to 40, but the "bookends" are listed as "0-17" and "40 & over".
This means that an athlete Age 15 or 16 can set a Record in the 0-17 category, and an athlete of ANY age over 40 can set a record in the 40 & over category!
By event, but only those where Age Records were broken in 2018!

MEN
60 (Age 21, 24--a tie, 28 & 32)
200 (23)
300 (17)
400 (20 & 25)
600 (22)
800 (22)
1500 (18)
Mile (24)
TJ (33)
PV (18)
SP (20)
WT (18, 19 & 21)

WOMEN
60 (30)
200 (21)
300 (18--in December!--and 23)
400 (18, 19 & 23)
1500 (26)
5000 (Tuohy's mark is an Age 15 Record, but it's also the fastest I have for Women Age 17 or younger!!)
60H (18, 20 & 27)
PV (25--a tie, 35 & 36)
Yes, Jenn Suhr set TWO Age Records, as her birthday is February 5th--mid-season!!
WT (24 & 28)

There werr 7 WR's--5 for the Men, and 2 for the Women, including a tie!
The US saw 5 AR's for the Men, with 7 for the Women, including a tie!
The Collegiate set saw 5 Men's CR's broken, with 5 also for the Women, including a tie!
The HS'ers got 4 HSR's on the Men's side, while the Women got 7!

Finally, a few "opinions"---

Best Meet was the NCAA---no contest!!
The Worst meet was the World Championships!!

Best AND Worst Fake News was Ayesha Champagnie's so called 21-6.25 LJ!!

And that is a WRAP on the 2017-2018 INdoor season!!
Next up will be my Previews for the OUTdoor season---
a Schedule
Predictions for Records in the 4 core groups, and for Age Records
a listing of the 24th place mark on my DDD's---so as to give athletes an idea of what it takes to make those lists!!

OUTdoors, here we come!!!

See you soon!!

INdoor AOY's (World, US, Collegiate, HS)

This blog honors Records & Marks, not Awards & Medals!
So I decided to do ALL of my Awards in ONE post--however long!
As always, I'll do my Athlete of the Year, Performance of the Year, Personality of the Year, and Event of the Year (the event with the most marks dated 2018 on my DDD's).
As with any Award, these are MY opinions and my opinions ONLY!!
I'm a Committee of One!
For the Personality Awards, these can go to someone who was either a positive OR negative model for the sport!
Onward!

World Athlete of the Year--MEN
CHRISTIAN COLEMAN
He wasn't the only Record breaker, but he broke the 60 mark THREE times!!
(Yes, I count the one rejected for ratification by the IAAF!!)
The fact he won USATF and World's didn't hurt!

Honorable Mentions
So many!!
Michael Norman, Elijah Hall, Ed Cheserek, Mutaz Barshim, Luvo Manyonga, and Renaud Lavillenie!

World Athlete of the Year--WOMEN
MARIYA LASITSKENE
In a year that saw NO "major" WR's broken (the 300 and 4 X 800 Relay WR's were tied or broken), I went with "perfection"!
Lasitskene never lost, competed often, and always at the highest level, rarely falling below 2 meters!!
And yes, I honor her as a RUSSIAN winner!!

Honorable Mentions
All those NCAA speedsters get HM's--Gabrielle Thomas, Ashley Henderson, Lynna Irby, and Sydney McLaughlin!
Add Murielle Ahoure, Genzebe Dibaba, Sharika Nelvis and Kendra Harrison, Sandi Morris and Anzhelika Sidorova, another RUSSIAN!!

US Athlete of the Year--MEN
CHRISTIAN COLEMAN
Whenever an American wins the World Award, he or she also gets the American Award!

Honorable Mentions
Norman and Hall also repeat here!
Add Grant Holloway, Trey Culver & Vernon Turner, Sam Kendricks, and Jordan Geist!

US Athlete of the Year--WOMEN
This was my toughest choice--and probably arguable for years!!
But SYDNEY McLAUGHLIN was a Triple-threat!
She began with that fast (36.12) 300 in December, then PR'ed at least twice each in the 200 and 400, as well as provided speedy (if mostly non-winning) Relay legs!!

Honorable Mentions
As in any close contest, there are VERY strong and CLOSE contenders for the Top Award!
Thus, give BEASTLY HM's to Kendell Ellis, Gabrielle Thomas, Lynna Irby, Karissa Schweizer, Sharika Nelvis & Kendra Harrison, Sandi Morris & Katie Nageotte, Maggie Ewen, Keturah Orji, Emma Coburn, Ajee Wilson, and Annette Echikunwoke!

Collegiate Athlete of the Year--MEN
MICHAEL NORMAN!
He broke an "unbreakable" WR with a time of 44.52.  He matched that on a "World Best" Relay team's anchor leg!

Honorable Mentions
Eli Hall here again!
Add Akeem Bloomfield, Culver & Turner, Geist, Michael Saruni, Tim Duckworth, and Mr Holloway!!

Collegiate Athlete of the Year--WOMEN
SYDNEY McLAUGHLIN
For the same reasons listed above!!

Honorable Mentions
Ellis, Irby, Henderson, Thomas, Lexi Jacobus & Olivia Gruver, Keturah Orji, Kate Hall, Aleia Hobbs, Eleanor Purrier, Schweizer, Taliyah Brooks, Maggie Ewen, and Ms Echikunwoke!

High School Athlete of the Year--MEN
Josh Hoey DESTROYED the HSR in the 800!!
But MONDO DUPLANTIS is my AOY for twice breaking his own HSR, but also for his competitions on the World stage!!
His "worst" was probably at least half a foot above any other HS'er!!

Honorable Mentions
Trey Knight for his great marks in the WT, but also for his consistency over 80 feet!
Anthony Schwartz, Brodey Hasty, Kyle Garland, Zach Bradford & Sondre Guttormsen, and Mr Hoey!!

High School Athlete of the Year--WOMEN
KATELYN TUOHY
Watch her SMASH the HSR in the 5000 with her 15:37.12--then tell me she doesn't deserve this Award!!
But when you add her 9:05.26, and her several fast runs at NBIN, well......!!!

Honorable Mentions
The several 60H'ers---Tia & Jasmine Jones, Grace Stark & Emily Sloan for starters!
Add Tamari Davis, Arria Minor, Kelsey Chmiel, Jacqueline Gaughan, Jasmine Moore, Lanae Tava-Thomas, and Anna Hall!!

World Performance of the Year--MEN
MICHAEL NORMAN's 44.52!!
While Coleman's 60 WR's (plural!) were GREAT, Norman broke a VERY tough WR!!
And except for his 45.00 a few weeks earlier, he'd shown no sign of being able to do that!!
Coleman's WR's were more predictable!!

Honorable Mentions
Rai Benjamin's 20.34 and 44.35 Relay leg, Hall's 20.02,  Coleman's 60's, Cheserek's 3:49 Mile, and Kevin Mayer's big Heptathlon score!

World Performance of the Year--WOMEN
SHARIKA NELVIS & KENDRA HARRISON
They each ran the 60H in 7.70--not a WR, but closer than in many a year!!

Honorable Mentions
Morris, Nageotte, and Ekaterina Stefanidi all clearing 16 feet or higher!
Murielle Ahoure's 6.97, Thomas's 22.38, Ellis's 50.34, Dibaba's fast 1500, several of Lasitskene's marks, and Katarina Johnson-Thompson's Pentathlon!

US Performance of the Year--MEN
MICHAEL NORMAN---again!

Honorable Mentions
Coleman, Hall, Holloway's 7.42 in the 60H, Culver's & Turner's 7-7.75 HJ's!

US Performance of the Year--WOMEN
SHARIKA NELVIS & KENDRA HARRISON
They didn't get the WR, but they DID nail the AR of Lolo Jones!!
(About time--as they say!!  LOL)

Honorable Mentions
McLaughlin's 36.12, 22.66, and 50.36!
Thomas's 22.38 & Henderson's 22.41!
Ellis's 50.34!!
Wilson's sub-1:59, Coburn's & Schweizer's fast 3000's, Morris's & Nageotte's 16-footers, Ewen's surprising SP's, and Echikunwoke's long WT!!
Add Erica Bougard's attack on the American Pentathlon Record!!

Collegiate Performance of the Year--MEN
MICHAEL NORMAN's 44.52!
Sorry for being a broken record here--pun sort of intended!  LOL

Honorable Mentions
Again, these are VERY strong contenders for the above Top Award!!
Hall's 20.02, Bloomfield's 44.86, Saruni's 1:45.15 (& earlier 1:45.19!), Holloway's 7.42, Turner's & Culver's HJ's, Chris Nilsen's 19 footer, and Geists's Frosh Class Record in the SP!

Collegiate Performance of the Year--WOMEN
Sooooo CLOSE!!
But I must go with KENDELL ELLIS for her 50.34 CR, which was also an American Record!
I ALMOST gave it to Gabrielle Thomas for her 22.38 CR, but also for its shock value!!
Yet the same could be said for Ellis beating McLaughlin, or Henderson coming so close in the 200!!
YIKES!!
Add Hobbs's 7.07 & Mikiah Brisco's 7.08 60's, Syd's 50.36, Irby's 22.55 and 50.62, Purrier's fast Mile, the CR in the 3K by Schweizer (which EASILY would have won this Award in ANY other year--but she was greatly assisted by being in a race with seasoned Professionals!!)), her 15:17.31 5000, Kate Hall's 22-1 LJ, Orji's 46-9 MR at NCAA's, Gruver's & Jacobus's good PV battles, Ewen's 63 footer in the SP, and Echikunwoke's massive WT!!

High School Performance of the Year--MEN
Mondo or Hoey?
Neither!!
I'm going to go the controversial route, and give this Award to TREY KNIGHT!
Only a Soph, and in an event where the HSR is beyond humongous--and considered unapproachable (by me!) for maybe decades!!--Knight SHATTERED the Class Record, and was consistently over 80 feet--especially at NBIN, where 4 of his 6 throws were over that barrier!

Honorable Mentions
EXTREMELY STRONG HM's to Mr's Hoey & Duplantis!!
But add Hasty's attempts to break 4:00 in the Mile, Brian Herron's 46.31 at NBIN, Schwartz's speedy 60's, Bradford's & Guttormsen's 18 footers, and Garland's good 4169 Pentathlon score!

World Personality of the Year--MEN
In a Bolt-less year (though he was rarely, if ever, seen INdoors!!), I'm giving this one to a newcomer!
In fact, this guy didn't even perform on the WORLD stage--as he is still a Collegiate!
But in a year of drug talk, Records confusion, Nation-transferring freezes, and a World Championships FILLED with senseless DQ's--this beautiful sport NEEDS someone--like Usain Bolt--who FILLS a room--makes interviewers & crowds LAUGH, and is just a bundle of pure ENERGY!!!
(Not to mention having the humongous TALENT to back this all up!!)
So I give this Award to---
GRANT HOLLOWAY!!
Watch his NCAA interviews!!
You'll LOVE this dude!!

World Personality of the Year--WOMEN
If this is too maudlin for you, so be it!
If you're ready to argue that she never even competed this year, so what!!
But you can NOT deny the Spirit & Inspirational energy given out from the fierce heart and soul of GABRIELLE GRUNEWALD!!
Read Twitter to see how MANY athletes--PEOPLE--Men & Women--were inspired by this beautiful Woman!!
Her cancer battles are never-ending--yet she's training hard to be able to race OUTdoors!!
Next time you ache, or are sad, or feel tired, look to Gabe for comfort and a hand to hold--while she needs YOURS!!

US Personality's of the Year--MEN & WOMEN
GRANT HOLLOWAY & GABE GRUNEWALD
Enough said!

Collegiate Personality of the Year--MEN
GRANT HOLLOWAY

Collegiate Personality of the Year--WOMEN
TARA DAVIS
Okay, so she's NOT the best athlete--even though progressing in the 60H, and performing well in the Horizontals!
But if you watch videos of her interviews, or see her MANY Tweets--which often include brief videos--you'll not only know of, but FEEL the FORCE that is Ms Davis!!
Sydney McLaughlin also has a personality to die for, but her higher stature in the sport inspires a more serious demeanor from her!
(Tell me that after seeing her JUGGLE!!)
I hope these "personalities" don't lose the FUN aspect of our sport!
That would be sad.

High School Personality of the Year--MEN
MONDO DUPLANTIS
His camaraderie with the World's best PV'ers--Renaud Lavillenie and Sam Kendricks in particular!--gave him the edge for this Award!
He Vaults like a MAN--but he presents himself as the TEENAGE BOY he is!!
And that is a compliment!!

High School Personality of the Year--WOMEN
I may be a bit biased here, being a fan of the distances, but I have to go with KATELYN TUOHY!!
Her demeanor on the track (Watch her stoic expression throughout that 5000!!) is matched by her personality during interviews!
While Mary Cain was the Energizer Bunny in interviews--talking faster than she ran, ever smiling!--Tuohy is dead-pan serious--despite being a 15 year old Sophomore in HS!!
She responds to questions with the intelligence and confidence of one 10 years older!!
Is that good??
Shouldn't she just be a KID??
Sure, but she just knocked me over with her forceful performance--and her ability to explain it!!

The Event of the Year--for all the major categories--comes down to how many Marks have "2018" listed next to them on my Top 24 All-Time Performers Lists---or DDD's!
I'm going to do one more post about the INdoor season--and will go into more detail there!
So, below, find just the Top numbers for each group!!

Event of the Year--MEN
World (The 400 has 7 marks dated 2018!)
US  (It's a tie--at 5 apiece-- for the 400 and 800!)
Collegiate  (The 4 X 400 Relay leads with 7.  Individual events lead goes to the 400, with 6 marks!)
HS  (The Pole Vault and Shot Put have 4 marks each!!)

Event of the Year--WOMEN
World  (The Weight Throw has 7 marks dated 2018!!)
US  (The 3000 has NINE 2018 marks, proving that SOME people like to run distance races FAST!!)
Collegiate  (It's a SIX-way TIE at 5 apiece for the--400, 1500, 60H, TJ, PV, and the DMR!!)
HS  ("Only" 3 events are tied here--each with 5 marks--the 400, 60H, and the TJ!)

I'll be back in a day or so with my INdoor season Review!

See you soon!