Drake Relays

[SteveB]

Next weekend's Drake Relays will have some very interesting races. The one I am looking forward to is the 200m Inv. Here is the list of participants:

Event 102 Men 200 Meter Dash Special
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Saturday 4/29/2006 - 3:50 PM
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1 DaBryan BlantonUnattached
2 Jared ConnaughtonTexas-Arling
3 Tyree Gailes   Unattached
4 Michael MorrisonFlorida
5 Travis Picou   Air Force
6 Jeremy Wariner Unattached
7 Ricardo WilliamsUnattached
8 John Woods& nbsp;Unattached

Four white athletes in a major sprint event, WOW!Edited by: SteveB

 

[white lightning]

This will be a really good test for Wariner with good competition.If nothing else,he should set a new p.b. while being pushed or pulled the whole way.I'm anxious to see what Connaughton & Woods can do as they step up to the plate.I like Picou too but I don't think he will have much of a chance against these guys.

 

[surfsider]

I think Picou could surprise with a top three finish. Two weeks ago he ran an Academy record 20.73. I think he is a guy that could develop into a 200 specialist ala Kevin Little. His goal is to be selected to the World Class Athlete Program which would allow him to continue his training after graduation. He is only a sophomore so it could happen.

 

[white lightning]

I noticed that Jared Connaughton will be attempting a double.He is in the 100 & 200 meters.This kid is really outstanding.I can see him going above and beyond what Stamer did a couple of years ago.I like the fact that he runs both events because I have always belived that running the deuce helps a sprinters speed endurance in finishing the 100 meters out strong.He ran a 10.28 last weekend wind legal.They have a new surface and we could be looking at some very fast times.I would love to see Jared run in the 10.15 - 10.20 range.We will see what happens.Hopefully he will still be competetive over the 200 meters and try to stay with Wariner & others long enough to post another p.b.

Wariner is only going to run the 200 meters this weekend.He is putting all his eggs in one basket.I will predict a new p.b. of around 20.05 if the conditions are right.Good luck to Wariner.I also hope that Picou and John Woods have great performances.One last note,Buzzard and Potter will be in the 400 meters.It's so great to see Mitch Potter racing again!

 

[surfsider]

http://www.masterstrack.com/news2003/feb26.html

This doesn't have to do with Drake. It is an interview with Marty Krulee. If you remember him and Mark Lutz from the '70' and '80's you are a track fan. The interview briefly touches on the race angle.

 

[white lightning]

Thanks for the great article surfsider.I remember that 10.06 wind aided or was it not wind aided if you know what I mean.How can the official change his mind?Marty was a class act.The really funny thing is how most of these guys from 20-30 years ago were faster than todays white sprinters in the 100! I just can't understand other than the mental war that has destroyed most white men into just giving up certain sports.Even M.Krulee admitted that he NEVER felt inferior to a black sprinter.What does that tell you?We can compete and we can win.Olympic Medals,World Championships,etc.White athletes in general need to get the mental edge back and believe in themselves.I can't wait to watch the Drake Relays tommorow.

 

[SteveB]

Wariner easily won the 200m at the Drake Relays. Kudos go to Jared, who was 3rd despite running the 4x100m relay just before running the 200m. The two white college guys held their own against the pros. Darn wind screwed up the times.

Event 70Men 200 Meter Dash Special
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Name&n bsp;School&n bsp; FinalsWind
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1 Jeremy Warineradidas&nbsp ;20.67 -1.1
2 Ricardo Williams Unattached20.93 -1.1
3 Jared Connaughton Texas-Arlington 21.10 -1.1
4 Marvin AndersonJamaica&nb sp;21.26 -1.1
5 John Woods Unattached21.28 -1.1
6 Travis PicouAir Force Academy 21.36 -1.1
7 Tyree GailesUnattached&n bsp;21.57 -1.1
8 Lamont JohnsonUnattached& nbsp;22.23 -1.1

 

[white lightning]

As they say,a win is a win period.I'm sure that Wariner is dissapointed in the time too but all of the guys had bad times.He will have to run many more 200 meter races to gauge where he is at in that event.John Woods is trying to figure out if he has a chance to go pro.Jared continues to run good and he is only a junior.It's too bad that he false started in the 100 meters.I was really curious to see how he would do today against some of the top guys.

Mitch Potter won the 400 race at the Drake Relays today.A.Buzzard was 2nd so they went 1-2 in bad conditions.Potter is now running for Reebok.It is so good to see him winning races again.He has his confidence back.Edited by: white lightning