Articles | Bios | Blogs | News

The Week Ahead

February 6, 2008

This past week was filled with action in all of the levels of track and field. The Millrose Games were a hit with Adam Nelson and Bernard Lagat stealing the show in to completely different fashions. Lagat took his six consecutive Wanamaker title, while Adam Nelson entertained as always and threw a meet record of 72ft 5in. On the womenâ€™s side Kara Goucher out lasted Sara Hall in the womenâ€™s mile to prove she is the whole package. If this stuff doesnâ€™t get you excited than I donâ€™t know what would. From the look of things from these first couple of pro meets the â€œTrialsâ€ are going to be crazy. This weekâ€™s big meet will be the New Balance Collegiate Invitational, which will feature top teams like FSU, Arkansas, Villanova, Tennessee, Texas, and Illinois. Expect some top times in the college, nation, and world rankings to be established this weekend.

However, that won't be the only exciting meet this weekend there is also the Boston University Valentine Invitational, Nebraska Adidas Classic, Texas Tech Invitational, Virginia Tech Elite, and the Meyo Invitational. With close to a month until nationals most teams are starting to get into action. Each meet from now on will be important in determining who will compete in the Indoor Nationals. Flotrack will be on site at both the Boston University and Meyo Invitational so make sure to check out the website for the latest news, results, and videos.

â€œThe Meyo Invitational continues to be one of the premiere collegiate track and field meets in the nation. Featured in the meet will be the `Meyo Mile' and for the first time, the Ryan Shay 3000-meter run, in honor of former Notre Dame standout, Ryan Shay.â€(Notre Dame Website)

I am so glad that Notre Dame has decided to honor Ryan in this way. Hopefully this race will be run for decades to come and may his name be remembered for his heart and determination.

This weekend will mark the one-year anniversary of Sammy Wanjiru breaking the then half-marathon record with a time of 58:53 at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon. Sammy wonâ€™t be making it to this yearâ€™s half, but Patrick Makau and Paul Kosgei will be headlining the event this year. Make sure to check dyestat.com to check out the lastest on high school track and field. Here are this week's updated Team Indoor Rankings! Check out the SEC they have four teams in the top ten in both the men's and women's side.

USTFCCCA Division I women's indoor track and field rankings Feb. 6, 2008

Rank School Points Last Week
1 LSU 171.94 1
2 Tennessee 129.32 2
3 Texas A&M 112.59 3
4 Arkansas 104.84 4
5 Oregon 95.34 23
6 Michigan 90.79 5
7 Baylor 82.67 13
8 Florida 73.40 11
9 Virginia Tech 70.15 6
10 Arizona State 66.85 21

USTFCCCA Division I men's indoor track and field rankings Feb. 6, 2008

Rank School Points Last Week
1 Tennessee 95.85 2
2 Florida 91.32 11
3 Arkansas 88.82 1
4 UCLA 87.18 NR
5 BYU 85.43 13
6 Boise State 80.06 4
7 Oklahoma 76.10 3
8 Oregon 75.34 NR
9 Texas Tech 70.11 5
10 Kentucky 65.05 NR

Division II Men's Power Rankings - #2

Rank Points
1. Ashland 248.35
2. Shippensburg 239.22
3. Northern St. 225.19
4. SIU-Edwardsville 224.59
5. Grand Valley St. 221.01

Division II Women's Power Rankings - #2

Rank Points
1. Ashland 241.65
2. Missouri Southern St. 207.83
3. Hillsdale 205.93
4. Lewis 204.72
5. Shippensburg 201.28

Division III Men's Power Rankings - #1

Rank Points
1. North Central College 215.81
2. Augustana (Ill.) 207.45
3. Tufts University 203.23
4. Ohio Northern University 202.68
5. Wisconsin-La Crosse 196.86

Division III Women's Power Rankings - #1

Rank Points
1. Tufts 198.14
2. Illinois Wesleyan 197.68
3. North Central 195.38
4. Chicago 184.50
5. Augustana (Ill.) 184.32

Good luck to all the teams competing this weekend be safe and run fast! Always make sure to check out the News and Results on the Flotrack Website for any extra information!

Nathan Haskins
â€œNews and Results Guyâ€

*(Picture from Runner's World)