Key Athletes and Events to Watch
Heat Sheets now online (4.6.05-10 p.m.)
The 2004 version of the Taco Bell Track & Field Classic was another banner year. In all, seven new meet records were established, not as many as 2003, but a great year in it's own right. Take a good look at the meet records and you will see high school National Champions, NCAA Champions and an Olympic Gold medalist (Monique Hennagan, Spring Valley HS class of 1994, Gold in 2000 and 2004). The team battles were just as spectacular. A powerful Northwestern (SC) team ran away with the girls title. They showed strength and balance in all events. Redan (GA) edged Westside (SC) for the boys title. Redan was led by sprint star Justin Oliver. Justin is back this year to help his team defend their title. The girls boast three National Record holders, Sarah Bowman of Fauquier (VA), Elan Hilaire of Park (MD) and Kamorean Hayes of Harding University (NC). The 2005 edition of the Taco Bell Track & Field Classic has 2135 athletes from 132 schools representing 10 states. There should be fireworks going off all over the track. So, grab a burger and a Coke, have a seat, put on some sunscreen and enjoy the show!!
Boys Sprints
The biggest name in the sprints is Justin Oliver Redan (GA). Justin ran some super quick times at Mobile last weekend, 21.57 and 46.87. His competition should come from Dennis Boone of Thomas Dale (VA) and Travis Padgett of Crest (NC). Travis beat the X-man at Golden South two years ago while Dennis often shows his speed on the LJ runway. He went 24' 8 in winning the Nike Indoor Nationals on his last jump. Travis and Dennis will run the 100 where they will be challenged by Justin's teammate, David Chaplin. The 100 and 200 fields are very deep and it will take both heats of the two heat final to keep these horses happy.
Girls Sprints
Tiaerra McLaurin from Northwestern (SC) is out with a back injury. That leaves the 100 and 200 wide open. Kharya Brown from Brooke Pointe (VA) is the odds on favorite. This is her third year at the meet and she climbs higher up the awards stand each year. Don't be surprised to see her on the top rung this year. Other likely contenders are local favorite Shantrell Jenkins of Ridge View (SC). Shantrell has already proven she is South Carolina's best 100/200 sprinter this year. Courtney Bryant of Redan should push both girls to the limit. The 400 is perhaps the deepest field at the meet this year. Elan Hilaire of Park (MD) headlines the field. She is the National Freshman Record Holder for the indoor 400 in 54.06. She will also step down and challenge the 200 runners. A total of nine girls have run under 57 for 400 meters, seven of them are sub 56. Look for the future Richmond Spider, Jessica Young of Ridge View, to make some waves in the 400.
Boys Distance
Chase Eckard of South Caldwell (NC) is back to defend his mile title. He will be hard pressed by fellow North Carolinian Jack Bolas of Chapel Hill. Up to seven guys can go sub 4:20, making for a tight pack all four laps. Jack will double back in the 3200 m. If he is leg weary from the mile look for Steven Duplinsky of Georgetown Prep (MD) and Ryan Clay of Alexander (GA) to push the pace. Brandon Jones of Independence (NC) appears to be a runaway with the 800 m. You can bet that Darian Hodges of Spring Valley (SC) and Quinton Byrd of Redan (GA) won't let him get away too easily. Every guy in the top section can run sub 2:00. So look for lots of flying elbows and pushes in the back once the gun goes off.
Girls Distance
The girl's 800 has two national performers. Sarah Bowman of Fauquier (VA) and Katie Doswell of Saint Catherine's (VA) should have an epic battle. Bowman set the National Record in the 1000 m this winter and won the Nike Indoor nationals mile in 4:46.79. Katie ran 2:08 indoors at the USA Indoor Nationals. This is perhaps the best head to head match up of the meet. There are a total of nine girls entered under 2:15. Katie will also run the mile were she will face Kate Niehaus of Spring Valley (SC), a three-time Footlocker finalist and Nike Indoor National Two Mile Champion. Kate's best event is the 3200 m where she has a great shot at breaking Julia Lucas's meet record. Julia is now a stand out runner at NC State.
Boys Throws
Things are always interesting in the throws, when you get that many big boys in one area you better hide your lunch. These guys look at the 12-pound ball as a mere nuisance in terms of weight. This year's field is wide open. 10 different guys have the ability to stand on top of the awards stand this year. The best two entries go the Zach Berg of Fort Mill (SC) and Kenny Stevens of Spring Valley (SC). Most of these guys will walk over to the cage and let it rip in the discus. Lonnie Phifer of Ben L. Smith (NC) returns this year and should be pushed mightily by Justin Shinta of Summerville (SC). A couple of these guys can bounce one onto the track. So be careful if you venture down the right sector line. Hard hat required.
Girls Throws
Khadija Talley of Columbus (GA) set the meet record in the shot last year. It looks like one year is all it will last. Kamorean Hayes of Harding Univerity (NC) threw 48' 11 indoors to set the Sophomore National Indoor Record. The biggest question for Kamorean is not will she win, but by how much. Ayokka Green's meet record in the discus is the oldest girls record at the meet. Kamorean might not just walk out with double gold, but double meet records. Other contenders for the awards stand are Sasha Wilson of Airport (SC), Jessica Wade of Deep Creek (VA) and Kimberly Krueger of Spring Valley (SC).
Boys Jumps
Dennis Boone of Thomas Dale (VA) vs. George Fields of Ridge View (SC), the rematch. George bested Dennis on his sixth and final jump at the Nike Indoor Nationals. Luckily for Dennis he had one jump left, and boy was it a good one, 24' 7.75. What seemed like sure victory for George was quickly swept away. George is ready though, two weeks ago he had three jumps over 24 feet with a best of 24' 8. I hope the pits are long enough. The high jump has one seven footer in Elijah Harrison of Asheville (NC). Chris Hanna of Wheeler (GA) will also have a shot at seven feet, while jumping under the lights Friday night. Georgia record holder Jordan Scott of Oconee County will have a great shot at the meet record of 16' 9 in the pole vault. Franklin County (GA) teammates, Casey Herndon and Cameron Cheek, look to have the best shot at besting Jordan.
Girls Jumps
The long jump has eight girls entered at 18 feet or better. The list leader is Angela Jenkins of Buffalo Gap (VA). Future Gamecock (Go Cocks!!) Brittney James of Dreher (SC) looks to keep her winning streak alive. Two weeks ago she won four events in a local meet that included the long jump and triple jump. Brittney will be hard pressed in the triple as seven girls have gone over 38 feet. The best is Amelia Anderson of Smiths Station (AL). Camelia Morman of Hillside (NC) is also back in both jumps. Look to see her walk out with two medals. In the girls high jump, Deep Creek (VA) sophomore Ashley Gatling has leaped 5' 10. She was the indoor Virginia State Champ. She is the eighth best jumper indoors this past season. Aly Goldfarb of Mountain Brook (AL) leads the pole vault with a jump of 11' 6, but is closely followed by Sallie Gurganus of Watauga (NC). Local favorites Liza Todd of Dreher and Kendall Pope of Spring Valley should represent South Carolina quite well.
Boys Hurdles
What a year for the three steppers. The list is headed by Dennis Martin of Westide (SC). He was second at the Nike Indoor Nationals and was a member of the National Record Shuttle Hurdle team from Westside. He should battle hurdle for hurdle with Taveres Washington of Bainbridge (GA). With eight other guys sub 14.5 it will take a clean run to make it to the fast heat of the finals. In the long hurdles the same group will battle it out. Jeremy Burton's meet record of 52.01 is in serious danger. A 56 hurdler won't even make the fast section.
Girls Hurdles
Aleesha Barber of Redan (GA) is back to defend her title in the highs and improve upon her bronze in the lows. Nicole Okolo of Collins Hill (GA) and Bree Bennett of Decatur (GA) should be with Aleesha the whole flight. It looks like our southern neighbors might own the top three spots on the award stand. The 400 hurdles are a different story. Any of 10 different girls can gain a top three spot. Local favorite Breanna Jones of Spring Valley (SC) and Westside (SC) hurdler Tempest Vance should make a strong run for a metal. Jasmine Dacus of Westlake has the number two seed time behind Aleesha.
Boys Relays
Both the 400 m and 1600 m relays look to belong to Redan (GA), just like last year. Any team that can put the likes of Justin Oliver on a relay is a threat to win. I would hate to anchor a 1600 m relay knowing that the Georgia Flash (Oliver) is coming to get you. Dennis Boone will take his runway speed to the relay and give Thomas Dale (VA) a shot in the 400 relay. Local message boards have talked up Stratford (SC) as being the real deal. This is the weekend to find out if the low country boys can make SC proud. Of course BE Mays (GA) will make waves in all 3 relays. It is almost as if your are not allowed on their team unless you can bring it in the relay. Local Favorite Ridge View (SC) has run 3:19 easily this year. With this level of competition the Blazers might just blaze one. Collins Hill (GA) is the list leader with a 7:57 in the 3200 m relay.
Girls Relays
Just like the boys, the Redan (GA) girls can motor in the 400m and 1600 m relay. I am sure Aleesha Barber will be involved in both of these relays. They will have a tough battle against Ridge View (SC). The lady Blazers earned All-American status last summer at AOC. They have already gone 47.77 this year and have not had anybody within 2 seconds of them all year. The 1600 m relay has 10 teams entered sub 4:00. With all of the great 400 m talent at the meet these races should come down to the final straightaway. Smiths Station is the top seed. Look for them to take control early and try to hold everybody off. The 3200 m relay has some quality depth with five teams under 10:00. Four teams can break 9:45 including South Carolina record holders Spring Valley. The girls from Alabama, Smith Station, just might roll like the tide and gather up metals in all 3 relays.
SCRUNNERS.COM STAFF will be onsite Friday and Saturday at the Taco Bell Classic, covering the meet for the Milesplit.com network.
Kevin Shaw is the Head Girls Track and Field Coach at Spring Valley HS and Co-Taco Bell Classic meet director.