WATCH DAY 4 LIVE

The final day of action at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships is here, and if Day 4 is anything like the one that preceded it, we should be in store for some historic action. 

 

Even on a wet surface, there were blazing times all over the track on Friday. Whether it was Ngoni Makusha of Florida State turning in a 9.89 in the 100 after long jumping over 27 feet earlier in the meet,  Robby Andrews of UVA kicking like mad over the final 80 meters to catch Charles Jock of UC Irvine at the line in 1:44.71, or Jessica Beard of A&M closing well in the 400 and capturing the title in the fastest time of the season…the action was unbelievable on Friday.

 

Saturday could be even better, particularly because they are calling for better weather in Des Moines. Regardless, the matchups will be great. Here are some things to watch today at Drake Stadium…

 

Can Texas A&M win both 4x100relays? The Aggies have gotten out of the blocks slow at this National Championships, particularly on the men's side. They are going to need a couple of huge performances in this relay if they want to garner the team title.

 

On the men's side, Florida and Florida State will be breathing down A&M's necks. Heck, with how well Makusha and Maurice Mitchell did in the 100 (9.89 and 10.00), I guess you would have to say A&M will be trying to catch FSU. The Seminoles have shown up huge so far this meet, and there in no reason it can't continue. With this relay and Mitchell in the 200, You could see a quick 20 points for Florida State before Ciaran O'Lionaird takes the track for the 5k.

 

The A&M women will do battle against the LSU Tigers in this event, and it should be a good one. As with the men, the Aggies will need big points here as they are down in the team standings heading into the final day of competition. A&M always seems to show up in this event, and with how good Beard looked they could be untouchable. However, Kimberlyn Duncan nearly won the 100 and Semoy Hackett will now be rested after missing the final, so LSU could be just the team to beat them.

 

Jordan Hasay of Orgeon was the heavy favorite going into today's 1500, but after watching Sheila Reid of Villanova dominate last night's 5k in the final 400 meters, the tables may have turned. Reid unleashed a furious last 200 to claim the 5k title, but look for Hasay to try and push earlier to take the sting out of Reid. Lea Wallace looked off in the 800, failing to move in the final 100 meters. Can she regain top form in the 1500 final, or was her decision to double taking the zap out of her legs a bit too much? A darkhorse could be Renee Tomlin of Georgetown. With how good Georgetown looked at Penn Relays and how good Infeld looked last night, I would not be surprised to see Tomlin competing for the win today in the 1500.

 

The men's version should be terrific. Matthew Centrowitz of Oregon has to be the favorite after getting second last year and looking so good this entire year. But he will have great competition from Dorian Ulrey of Arkansas (who looked great in the semi's), Chris O'Hare of Tulsa, Miles Batty of BYU and others. Batty ran a 3:36 at Sac and won indoors, but will he be able to outkick this crew if the pace is pedestrian? Here's to hoping the pace is honest through 800 and we see a solid time (a sub 3:35.50 'A' Standard perhaps?) Obviously, the conditions would have to permit.

 

Don't plan on as much drama in the women's steeple. Emma Coburn of Colorado should be the class of this field. Furthermore, her 9:40 at Payton Jordan was a race in which she led start to finish. Expect Emma to put it away early and cruise to a win. Can she run 9:30's? If the fast times last night are any indication, it could be a fast second day of competition as well. Matt Hughes of Louisville (8:24) proved that this is a great place to steeple.

 

While Coburn could win big in the steeple, the men's 5k should be a much closer contest. Sam Chelanga of Liberty ran well last night but was devastated by a fierce kick from Iona's Leonard Korir. Will he claim a title in the 5k. It will be difficult against the fresh legs of Thomas Farrell (OK State) and Lawi Lalang (Arizona). After last night's race, it would be fun to see Chelanga try and push the pace much earlier and see if Lalang, Farrell and Co. can hang in. You have to think he will try to make it honest, as his strength is, well, his strength.

 

Likewise, Kimberlyn Duncan may have the best strength out of the short sprinters. The LSU Tiger looked great in the 100, nearly capturing the win in a race that was more likely going to go to her teammate, Semoy Hackett. But Duncan has shown up so far this meet. With the 200 being her specialty, it will be interesting to see if she can deliver a win here. You have to think Hackett will be hungry for redemption here, but that will be tough out of lane 1. The biggest threat should be Jeneba Tarmoh of Texas A&M. If Hackett and Duncan can produce big here, LSU could lock down the team title.

 

The men's 200 could be the Rakieem Salaam (Oklahoma) and Maurice Mitchell (FSU) Show. Mitchell blazed to a 10.00 3rd place finish in the 100, while Salaam was even better in clocking a 2nd place 9.97. However, with both men traditionally excelling more over 200 meters, this race could be historic. The Drake Stadium record is 20.05 and the NCAA Meet record is 19.87. Do they have a shot at history here?

 

The 4x400 relays are always a treat, particularly with how much figures to be riding on the races. A&M got out to a slow start on both sides (men are 7th and women are 4th), but both have potential for big points on Day 4. The 4x400 could produce two winners alone, as both teams will be favorites going in. The A&M men have been undefeated in the 4x400 this entire season, but they've looked human in these championships. Are they still the team to beat? Will they (or LSU, Baylor, etc.) break 3? 

 

It is sure to be a great final day of competition.