On the face of it, the 4th place finish by both the men and women is disappointing, but it reflects the fact that there are injuries on both sides. There were also disappointments. Schnulle has had a rough indoors and Bates jumped poorly in both the long jump and triple jump. However, looking at it from the perspective of nationals, it was a positive performance. Today the NCAA announced those who have qualified for nationals. For the men it is Ryan Clark in the 60, Arman Hall in the 200, Hall and Glass in the 400, Yanick Hart in the 60H, Arroyo in the 800, the 4x400 relay team(which is ranked #1) and Bates in the long jump. If Hall and Glass are 100% and Bates gets his head on straight, 2nd place is doable. Oregon will likely score 50 points, but Florida could score over 40 if things fall right, even higher if Hall and Glass perform as champions. On the women's side it is even better. Sanders is #1 in the 60, Jefferson 2nd in the 200m, Jefferson, Reynolds (who was injured at the SEC meet) and Francis in the top 10 in the 400, McQueen 6th in the LJ, David 2nd and McQueen 3rd in the triple jump and the 4x400 relay 3rd. Sklyer-Ransom also qualified in the 60H, but is unlikely to score. That would result in a score of 50 at the NCAA meet, which should be good enough to win. Really hope everyone is healthy.
Also followed the state of Virginia indoor championships and the fantastic trio did not disappoint. Noah and Josephus Lyles and Grant Holloway dominated. In the 55m, Josephus surprised by winning, Noah 2nd and Holloway 3rd (nationally they also rank 1, 2 and 3), in the 300m Noah beat Josephus (nationally 1st and 2nd), in the 500m Holloway beat Josephus (rank 1-2 nationally), Holloway won the LJ (he is ranked #1 nationally and would be 4th best in NCAA), Holloway won the 55H (he owns the national record in the event at 7.05) and Holloway and Noah Lyles went 1-2 in the high jump (both jumped 6-8, but Holloway won on fewer jumps). Holloway has jumped 7-1 previously, so he is a potential scorer in the HJ as well. Given the fact that Noah is only 5-9, that is some serious hops. Keep in mind that they also signed a high jumper/triple jumper from Jamaica who already has best jumps that would score at the NCAA meet. In short, the cavalry definitely arrives next season so long as the Lyles brothers do not turn pro, which is a possibility if they make the Olympics. I think that is a stretch, but Lyles is convinced he can run low 19 in the 200m and ran a 20.19 last season as a junior, so I would not put it past him. Jospehus is a longer shot, which is why I think they do not turn pro because I doubt Noah goes pro on his own. Those 3 are seriously talented track athletes.
Also followed the state of Virginia indoor championships and the fantastic trio did not disappoint. Noah and Josephus Lyles and Grant Holloway dominated. In the 55m, Josephus surprised by winning, Noah 2nd and Holloway 3rd (nationally they also rank 1, 2 and 3), in the 300m Noah beat Josephus (nationally 1st and 2nd), in the 500m Holloway beat Josephus (rank 1-2 nationally), Holloway won the LJ (he is ranked #1 nationally and would be 4th best in NCAA), Holloway won the 55H (he owns the national record in the event at 7.05) and Holloway and Noah Lyles went 1-2 in the high jump (both jumped 6-8, but Holloway won on fewer jumps). Holloway has jumped 7-1 previously, so he is a potential scorer in the HJ as well. Given the fact that Noah is only 5-9, that is some serious hops. Keep in mind that they also signed a high jumper/triple jumper from Jamaica who already has best jumps that would score at the NCAA meet. In short, the cavalry definitely arrives next season so long as the Lyles brothers do not turn pro, which is a possibility if they make the Olympics. I think that is a stretch, but Lyles is convinced he can run low 19 in the 200m and ran a 20.19 last season as a junior, so I would not put it past him. Jospehus is a longer shot, which is why I think they do not turn pro because I doubt Noah goes pro on his own. Those 3 are seriously talented track athletes.
Last edited:
