Many of the top prep boys will converge on Greensboro, North Carolina this weekend for Nike Outdoor Nationals. While numerous athletes will be traveling to Ohio instead to take part in USATF Junior Nationals, Nike Outdoors is still a fine place to be. Leading the story line is the clash between German Fernandez (CA), Luke Puskedra (UT) and Colby Lowe (TX) in the boys two-mile, while Rob Finnerty (MN) looks to push the four minute barrier again after rolling to a 4:01.09 last weekend at the Midwest Distance Gala. See what else is in store this weekend out in sunny and warm North Carolina.
Nike Outdoor Nationals Boys Preview
Nike Outdoor Nationals: Meet Page / Start List / Official Website
Boys 100m/200m Dashes
Similar to last year, many of the top sprint stars at Nike Outdoor are regional. Most of the top athletes in the 100m and 200m dash events live on the east coast or in the south, making it an easy traveling experience to get to Greensboro. Leading the way for the 100m dash event are star sprinters Mike Shaw (Trotwood-Madison, OH) and T.J. Graham (Wakefield, NC). Shaw sat out much of the back half of the regular season due to an ongoing problem with the state association, but is back at nationals trying to prove he is one of the best in the land.
Meanwhile, Graham is entered as one of the favorites based off of last year's results. His spring was fairly consistent, showing late season speed and readiness to run at nationals. Along with Graham, fellow in-stater Faqauwn Greene (New Bern, NC) looks to make some noise in the open 200m. After winning the event with a new personal best last weekend at the Caribbean Scholastic Invitational, Greene should be thinking he can win this event.
However, Greene will be challenged strongly by Connecticut star Dominic Smith (Bloomfield, CT). Smith has shown time and again this spring that he cannot be discounted and that he was the best all-around sprinters in the northeast. He competed very well last weekend at the New England Outdoor T&F Championships and should be ready to roll this weekend.
Athletes to Watch: Mike Shaw (Trotwood-Madison, OH), Horatio Williams (Oxford, MS), Dominic Smith (Bloomfield, CT), Fuqauwn Greene (New Bern, NC), T.J. Graham (Wakefield, NC), Kenneth Gilstrap II (Miller Grove, GA).
Boys 400m Dash
The strongest and deepest sprint event is most certainly the 400m dash. This year's field has an incredible line-up of talent, starting at the top with U.S. #2 Tavaris Tate (Starkville, MS). Tate's season has been one to remember, breaking 47 more than once, earning the top junior status and holding on to the U.S. #1 position for multiple weeks. However, all that means little this weekend, as he'll try to prove he is the best in the country one last time this season.
Tate has a time over a half second faster than second place, which is pretty dramatic in such a fast race, but he will have challengers. Ja-Vell Bullard (Bethel, VA) is in the field. Bullard has big race experience and is rounding into his best form when it matters most. The Virginia star will be looking to break the 47 second barrier for the first time this season, as well as help his team in their sprint relays.
Two others to watch are Daundre Barnaby (Weaver, CT) and Bernard Goodwyn (Newark, DE). Barnaby ran 47.31 last weekend at the New England Outdoor T&F Championships, winning the race by nearly two seconds and setting the meet record in the process. His dominating performance left many wondering just how fast can he run if he's pushed. Goodwyn on the other hand has had a season with little competition. The Deleware senior came into the season as the number two returnee, but hasn't been pushed enough. This weekend offers him a chance to try and get back to that status.
The 400m field is one to watch all weekend long. Having multiple athletes break 47 seconds is most certainly not out of the question, and nearly expected. From top to bottom this is the top sprint event, and with athletes like Tate and Bullard leading the way, the 400m dash could be an event to remember.
Athletes to Watch: Tavaris Tate (Starkville, MS), Ja-Vell Bullard (Bethel, VA), Daundre Barnaby (Weaver, CT), Bernard Goodwyn (Newark, DE), Isaiah Gill (Plainfield, NJ).
Boys 800m Dash
Blazing! That is the best word to describe this year's field at Nike Outdoor Nationals. Many of the U.S. top ten ranked athletes are entered in the fast heat at Nike Outdoors, starting with none other than U.S. #1 Joseph Franklin (Godby, FL) (pictured right wearing #1 on chest, photo by Jason Byrne). The Tennessee-bound senior has put up startling numbers this spring, including a sub-4 mile attempt and a sub-1:49 effort in the 800m of 1:48.97. Franklin enters this weekend's competition as the heavy favorite in the event, but plenty of talent will be on his heels.
One of those athletes is Mac Fleet (University City, CA). Fleet was injured earlier in the season, but came on very strong towards the end. With another few weeks of training under his belt the junior sensation should be looking to make a statement and run somewhere under 1:50.
Mat Smoody (Palatine, IL) and Jason Walton (HIllsborough, NJ) are two others with the talent and experience to take a serious run at the national title. Walton ran a near sub-1:50 effort at his state championships less than three weeks ago, while Smoody easily cruised through his in-state competition all season and finished a strong second in his tune-up race (the Midwest Distance Gala) last weekend.
Along with Smoody and Walton, relatively inexperienced runners Tommy Brinn (Otsego, MN) and Harun Abda (Frindley, MN) are entered as well. Both athletes have shown true star power, running under 1:52 at their respective state meets and Brinn in winning the Midwest Distance Gala this past weekend over a very strong field. These two will be overlooked all weekend long, but they can most certainly not be passed over when talking about potential champions.
Athletes to Watch: Joseph Franklin (Godby, FL), Mat Smoody (Palatine, IL), Tommy Brinn (Otsego, MI), Harun Abda (Frindley, MN), Jason Walton (Hillborough, NJ), Mac Fleet (University City, CA).
Boys Mile Run
While many of the top distance stars will be off running the two-mile Friday night, some of the best in the land are saving their best races for Saturday's mile. The top two enterants in the field however, Rob Finnerty (Burnsville, MN) and Luke Puskedra (Judge Memorial, UT), are both running the two-mile, so it will be interesting to see how they bounce back and if NON officials decide to place both in the fast heat.
Last weekend at the MIdwest Distance Gala, Finnerty ran an exceptional mile race, winning in 4:01.09. Finnerty destroyed a strong field of competitiors on his way to running a U.S. #7 all-time mark. Heading into the meet Finnerty said, "a sub-four attempt was an afterthought, I just wanted the state record (4:05)." Well, with a 4:01 under his belt you can bet the Wisconsin-bound senior is eyeing the four minute barrier.
Puskedra should also be eyeing the mark. The Oregon-bound senior seems ready to roll at nationals. He has run many races over the course of this year which indicate that he is ready to run very fast when put in the proper situation. Both Puskedra and Finnerty are front runners, which means the race should get out very fast.
Other involved are U.S. #3 Jordan Carlson (Rosemount, MN), who ran a great race to finish second to Finnerty last weekend in 4:07.18, while junior Drew Shields (Fishers, IN) also broke 4:10 for the full mile with a 4:09.64 effort. Charles White (Cherry Creek, CO) has had a nice season and will be looking to dip under the 4:10 barrier, while Kyle Merber (Half Hollow Hills West, NY) is a national caliber athlete with plenty of big race experience under his belt.
One of the most overlooked athletes in the field may just be Brett Johnson (Ocean City, NJ). Johnson ran 4:08.51 in a smaller meet, almost as a tune-up to nationals. With more competition and a strong dose of confidence, the junior should be looking to lower that mark even further. Nick Holmes (Limestone, IL) is another strong candidate for top three after a solid season of racing in Illinois, after running a 4:13 1600m indoor by himself for much of the race. Few challenges have come Holmes' way this season while running in central Illinois, which could mean a big time drop is coming his way.
Athletes to Watch: Rob Finnerty (Burnsville, MN), Luke Puskedra (Judge Memorial, UT), Jordan Carlson (Rosemount, MN), Drew Shields (Fishers, IN), Brett Johnson (Ocean City, NJ), Kyle Merber (Half Hollow Hills West, NY), Charles White (Cherry Creek, CO), Nick Holmes (Limestone, IL).
Boys Two-Mile Run
The clash of this century takes place at 8 p.m. eastern time, as German Fernandez (Riverbank, CA), Luke Puskedra (Judge Memorial, UT), Colby Lowe (Southlake Carroll, TX), Rob Finnerty (Burnsville, MN) and the rest of the boys seeded two-mile field take to the track, with possible national record implications on the line. Both Fernandez and Puskedra have stated quite clearly that the U.S. record of 8:36.3 is in their sights and will be chased after from the gun.
With so much talent in the field it is quite clear that the race will get drug out early. Both Fernandez and Puskedra like to take races out very 
fast and after seeing their respective state meet performances, as well as Puskedra's Pre Classic two-mile effort, both are capable of giving the long-standing record a shot. Fernandez is ranked U.S. #1 in the 3200m event with his 8:34.23 effort (converted to 8:37 two-mile) at the California State T&F Championships.
Following on the heels of both athletes should be Colby Lowe (Southlake Carroll, TX) (pictured left by Alex Aldaco) and Rob Finnerty (Burnsville, MN). Lowe seems to peak very well for national competitions, especially this past year where he earned a top five finish at Foot Locker Nationals and a runner-up finish to Puskedra at Nike Indoor Nationals. Lowe has shown signs of speed and strength all season long with some impressive 1600m/3200m victories, while Finnerty looks to lower his PR significantly, especially after his breakthrough 4:01.09 mile performance at last weekend's Midwest Distance Gala.
Trailing those four are a rash of individuals who will all be looking to break nine minutes for the two-mile race. The race time weather should be around 75 degrees with partly sunny skies, perfect weather for attempting something truly special. The depth seen in this year's distance fields has been truly outstanding and the NON two-mile is going to be the ideal race to watch the future of our sport.
Athletes to Watch: German Fernandez (Riverbank, CA), Luke Puskedra (Judge Memorial, UT), Colby Lowe (Southlake Carroll, TX), Kevin Williams (D'Evelyn, CO), Rob Finnerty (Burnsville, MN), Maverick Darling (Ovid-Elise, MI), Max Kaulbach (Germantown Friends, PA), Sean Keveren (Brentwood Academy, TN).
Boys 110m/400m Hurdles
Outside of the distance events, the boys hurdle races may provide the best results of the weekend. Many of the nation's top ranked hurdlers will take to the 110m and 400m events, led by none other than Spencer Adams (Butler, NC) and Chance Casey (Crosby, TX). Adams is currently ranked in the U.S. top three for the 110m hurdles, showing many times this season that he may just be the top hurdler in the land.
Casey on the other hand returns from a successful Caribbean Scholastic Invitational performance this past weekend down in Puerto Rico. Casey won the boys 400m hurdles there and looks to repeat this weekend at NON. His incredible talent over the longer hurdles should mark the junior as the pre-race favorite.
Challenging both Adams and Casey is Brandon Tucker (Lewisville, TX). Tucker is ranked in the U.S. top ten in both events, including a wind-aided 13.44 110m hurdle performance only a few weeks ago. Such speed and strength is rarely seen at such a high level, which could provide some theatrics as well.
Athletes to Watch: Spencer Adams (Butler, NC), Chance Casey (Crosby, TX), Brandon Tucker (Lewisville, TX), Devon Hill (Trenton Central, NJ), Jermaine Lowery (Father Judge, PA).
Boys 2k Steeplechase
One of the strongest steeplechase fields in meet history should provide some excellent fireworks early on at Nike Outdoor Nationals. The boys field this year consists of many of the top distance runners from coast to coast. Taylor Morgan (Central Catholic, OR), Patrick McGregor (Hoover, AL) and Zachary Ornelas (Cedar, TX) are all 4:15/9:00 caliber athletes, which generally means they have the strength to run over the barriers in the steeple and the speed to carry them through the flat sections of the race as well. This race will be interesting and do not be surprised to see someone pushed close to the nine minute mark.
Athletes to Watch: Taylor Morgan (Central Catholic, OR), Patrick McGregor (Hoover, AL), Zachary Ornelas (Cedar, TX).
Boys Pole Vault
Can someone at Nike Outdoor Nationals clear 17-00. That's been a question lingering about for the past six months and now the time has finally arrived to find out if anyone truly can. The top five contestants in the field are Jack Whitt (Norman North, OK), David Slovenski (Brunswick, ME), Jason Pelletier (Bryant, AR), Scott Houston (NW Guilford, NC) and Riley Egan (St. Thomas Aquinas, FL).
Whitt and Slovenski have both cleared 16-09, Slovenski most recently accomplishing the feat last Saturday at the New England Outdoor T&F Championships. Whitt has gone over the 16-06 over a half dozen times this spring. With consistency and late-season top performances, this bodes well that both athletes will challenge the mark.
Pelletier and Houston have both come up big before in national competitions. Indoors, Pelletier captured the audiences attention at Nike Indoor Nationals with a winning vault of 16-10.25. Houston will be vaulting in his last meet in North Carolina as a prep, so that might have some added significance to this strong field.
Meanwhile, Egan has been soaring high all season long, eclipsing the 16-06 barrier at his state meet over a month ago now. That time in between top tier competitions is the only concern, but that could be a blessing as well, offering more time to work on certain technique and prepare specifically for the national championships.
Regardless, while the depth of the field might be lacking, the talent up top is certainly not. 17 feet is never a barrier to mess with, and all the athletes shooting for victory this weekend will be interesting to watch.
Athletes to Watch: Jack Whitt (Norman North, OK), David Slovenski (Brunswick, ME), Jason Pelletier (Bryant, AR), Scott Houston (NW Guilford, NC), Riley Egan (St. Thomas Aquinas, FL).
Boys Jumps
These aren't the deepest of fields but the talent certainly isn't missing. Many of the top jumpers in the country are headed to Ohio, but a few are still scheduled to take part at Nike Outdoors. Perhaps the best of the bunch is Omar Craddock (Killeen, TX), who is entered in the triple jump and should have a lot of momentum on his side after placing first with a leap of 51 feet last weekend at the Caribbean Scholastic Invitational.
Three others to watch in the triple jump are Chris Phipps (Lodi, NJ), Nike Indoor champion David Wilson (George Washington, VA) and Stephen Michel (Laramie, WY). All three of these athletes have the ability to pop a jump well over the fifty foot barrier and have done so this season. Michel is entered in the long jump, as well as the 100m dash and 200m dash, so he'll have quite the weekend ahead of him.
In the high jump Dwight Barbiasz (Milford, NH), Montez Blair (Timber Creek, NJ) and Tyler Campbell (Cordova, AL) will be looking to earn their first national championships. All three athletes have cleared 7-00 this year, with Barbiasz clearing 7-01, and the depth of the field shows that is exactly what it might take to earn the top spot this time around at NON.
Athletes to Watch: Omar Craddock (Killeen, TX), Chris Phipps (Lodi, NJ), David Wilson (George Washington, VA), Stephen Michel (Laramie, WY), Montez Blair (Timber Creek, NJ), Tyler Campbell (Cordova, AL), Dwight Barbiasz (Milford, NH).
Boys Throws
Perhaps the best set of events all weekend long come in the boys throws. Across the board many of the top throwers in the country will fly in to Greensboro with hopes of taking home a national title. Both the shot put and discus throws are headlining events, with numerous U.S. top ten ranked athletes entered.
In the boys shot put fans will be able to observe some of the best throwers we've seen in some time, as athletes like Nick Vena (Morristown, NJ), Stephen Saenz (Rio Grand City, TX), Mason Finley (Buena Vista, CO), Brandon Pounds (Lawrence North, IN) and Mike Alleman (Scotch Plains, NJ) try to prove they are the best in the country. Eight of the top ten ranked athletes are entered in the event, including U.S. #2 Vena, who is only a freshman, and will be looking for his first outdoor national title. Vena's top throw of 67-10.25 and Saenz' 67-06.75 make these two the only two in the field with throws over 67 feet.
Leading the way in the discus throw is Mason Finley (pictured left by Alan Versaw), assuming he throws, since he is entered in both events at USATF Junior Nationals as well. The Colorado junior broke the junior class record earlier this season when he threw 222-01, a throw that ranks him U.S. top five all-time. Since then Finley has won multiple state titles and both the shot put and discus titles at the Great Southwest Championships. His consistency makes him the early favorite in this event.
Training closely behind in the discus is Stanford-bound Geoffrey Tabor (Ardmore, OK). Tabor finished up his season last year ranked U.S. #1 in the event and looks to do much the same this time around. He is not entered in the shot put, meaning he only wants to focus his attention on the discus and really giving himself the challenge to go over 220 feet. Hayden Baillio (Whitesboro, TX) and Dayshan Ragans (Foothill, CA) are two others to keep an eye on in both the shot put and discus, flying underneath the radar this season but certianly capable of some big-time throws.
One other event of the throws to watch is the boys hammer throw. There is a lot of competition here, but Wes Wright (Villa Rica, GA) seems to be shining brightest. Wright will join his other Throw 1 Deep club teammates, hoping to earn a national title. With his biggest rival Conor McCullough (Chaminade, CA) at USATF Junior Nationals, Wright is the heavy favorite, especially after throwing 210-06 two weeks ago in a tune-up meet in Georgia.
Athletes to Watch: Mason Finley (Buena Vista, CO), Nick Vena (Morristown, NJ), Mike Alleman (Scotch Plains, NJ), Stephen Saenz (Rio Grand City, TX), Geoffrey Tabor (Ardmore, OK), Wes Wright (Villa Rica, GA), Brandon Pounds (Lawnrence North, IN), Dayshan Ragans (Foothill, CA), Corey Jones (Boonville, MO), Haydon Baillio (Whitesboro, TX), Dan Kwiatkowski (McDowell, PA), Mike Gama (Bishop Hendricksen, RI).
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