Once again the national track and field scene continues to warm up, each weekend presenting more attractive competition to the national audience. This weekend a few meets standout for a variety of reasons. See which meets deserve your attention.
MileSplit's Weekend Preview
Colgate Women's Games #2 (NY)
Colgate Women's Games Meet Page
While the field may be small in this second session of the Colgate Women's Games, the highlight of the day comes from national star Chanelle Price (PA) going for the USATF Indoor Nationals qualifying time of 2:08.50. Price ran a similar time last weekend at the Burdette Indoor Classic, only to be disqualified for a lane violation. You can bet she will be on a mission to make up for last weekend and qualify for USATF Indoor Nationals.
Hispanic Games (NY)
Distance events highlight the fourteenth annual Hispanic Games held at the historic New York Armory. Last year smoking times were seen in the distance events and this year should be much the same. The highlight events are the boys mile and two mile, while the girls mile and 800m dash lead the way on that side.
In the boys two mile, Foot Locker finalists Brian Leung (NJ) and Brandon Jarrett (NJ) face off once again, as this marks an early season bragging rights to who is the best in New Jersey. The boys mile is the deepest field of the day. An automatic berth to the Millrose Games mile can be earned here, so the field has a rash of athletes already under 4:28 in the mile. Willie Ahearn (CT), Kyle Merber (NY), Giovanni Signoretti (NY) and Michael Pierce (PA) all have a shot to win, with each of them running 4:25 or faster, of having the capabilities to do so. Do not discount this race finishing well under 4:20.
The girls distance races are equally as strong. The girls mile is the marquee event, with Suejin Ahn (NY), Kristin Reese (NY), Mary Kate Champagne (NY) and Melanie Thompson (NJ) as four of the strongest in the field. Champagne ran at Foot Locker Nationals this fall, while Thompson, Reese and Ahn have continually proved their strength and speed over the mile event. The girls 800 is also an event worth watching, as Charlene Lipsey and Brianna Welch square off for a re-match of the Marine Corps Invitational 800, where Lipsey beat Welch on the final lap.
U.S. triple jump leader Steve Crouse (NY) highlights the boys field events. He enters on a tear in his event, putting up a big mark last weekend. Expect a few surprises at this weekend's event and of course a lot of great performances.
Reno Pole Vault Summit (NV)
Reno Pole Vault Summit Meet Page
This annual event brings together a traditional sense of anticipation for the pole vault during the indoor season. Marked with elite fields at both the high school and college level, fans attending the event can always expect to see something special. Shade Weygandt (TX) is the headline performer, returning to the event after taking a strong second place in 2007. Jessica Doyle (TX) also plans to compete at the event after tying Weygandt three weeks ago at the Club Altius Season's Greeter.
On the boys side, Nico Weiler (CA) leads the way, entering as perhaps the preseason favorite to capture numerous national titles in the event. Kevin Schipper of Indiana also plans to put up some big marks early on at the event, being overlooked thus far with such little action occuring in the Midwest. Jack Whitt (OK) enters as a heavy favorite as well after winning the Club Altius meet in December with a vault of 16-6.