Verzbicas Chases History

Photo courtesy Photorun.net

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How on earth can one start off a recap the day after an NCAA Championship with something other than an event at these collegiate championships? When history is made elsewhere.

 

Just about the time the Texas A&M men's team was wrapping up a dramatic comeback win in Des Moines, Lukas Verzbicas was in New York looking to gain membership into one of the most exclusive clubs around. Going into Saturday's Dream Mile at the adidas Grand Prix, there were four American high schoolers ever to break the 4 minute barrier for the mile. The last to do so, Alan Webb, accomplished the feat (already?) 10 years ago. Jim Ryun, the first to do so, was on hand at Icahn Stadium in case history was repeated.

 

Verzbicas delivered with a huge performance. Battling not just an elite field of competitors, but inclement weather, the University of Oregon-bound senior outraced the clock to come home in 3:59.71. A week after rewriting the record books in the 2-mile at the Prefontaine Classic (8:29 new American HS Record), Verzbicas came into the Dream Mile as one of 3 or 4 runners with a real opportunity to break the historic mark. 

 

The Illinois prep star ran a perfect race, sitting on Jantzen Oshier of California (who ran 4:00 for 1600 last week) for the better part of the first 1000 meters. However, after a fast opening lap (57 high) the pace stalled and a record seemed out of reach. Coming through in 2:01, the clock seemed to have the upper hand. This is where Verzbicas took matters into his own hands. Just passed 950 meters, Verzbicas appeared to glance at the clock and realize that the pace was off.

 

Heading into the curve, Verzbicas started to put the hammer down, passing Oshier and chasing the clock. Lukas passed the 3 quarter mark at just over 3:01, meaning that a 58 was necessary for a historic mark. He held off Oshier around the curve, and fought off a furious rally by another Californian in Elias Gedyon. Coming into the final straight it was apparent that the race was his. But Verz did not let off, knowing that he needed everything he had to finish off the race and join the sub-4 club.

 

Lukas wrapped up the race with a 58 second last lap, dipping under the mark for a 3:59.71 winner. In doing so, Verzbicas also became just the second prep runner ever to break 4 in an all-high school race. What a terrific last couple of weeks for the young Duck-to-be. Congratulations to Lukas and here's to hoping that Oshier, Edward Cheserek of new Jersey, Austin Mudd of Indiana or Gedyon join the exclusive club very soon (While Verzbicas is done for the summer, many of these runners have a few more opportunities to break the mark.)

 

A&M Double 3-Peat

FULL NCAA CHAMPS COVERAGE

While Verzbicas may have stolen the spotlight on this day, there was no shortage of absolutely unbelievable performances at the collegiate level. 

 

The final day of competition at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines was a whirlwind of mind-boggling performances. While rain, clouds and lightning hampered some of the earlier days of competition, the final day was absolutely ideal. The athletes took advantage. 


Photo courtesy Imageofsport.com

 

None more so than the Texas A&M Aggies. Coming into Saturday, the Aggie men were sitting 7th and the women were 4th. Both squads buckled down and completed with ice in their veins in Day 4. In dramatic fashion, the team title on both sides came down to the 4x400 relays. 

 

On the women's side, Texas A&M, Oregon and LSU all had an opportunity to win the overall title going into the last event. Only one problem for the Ducks and Tigers…

 

There is only one Jessica Beard.

 

Oregon fought valiantly, handing off to the anchor leg just ahead of the Aggies in second. Beard was the ultimate equalizer, however, and flew past the Ducks off the curve. Beard then spent the rest of the race tracking down Kai Selvon of Auburn. The two fought down the straightaway, but Beard's 49.14 split was just too good for the Auburn sophomore. The A&M women were once again 4x400 champions and wrapped up their 3-peat.

 

Even more more exciting was the finish on the men's side. It was high drama at the end of the meet for the overall team title. It was assumed throughout the day by most spectators (and the CBS crew) that the battle was down to Florida vs. Florida State for the team title. With the dominance of Ngoni Makusha and Maurice Mitchell in the short sprints Friday and Saturday, the team title seemed to be theirs for the taking. A&M hung around, though, scavenging points in the 110 hurdles and 200 meters. Florida was right there too, heading into the 4x400.

 

Because Florida State had no 4x400 team, all they could do was hope that somebody (other than Florida) beat A&M. If so, the Seminoles would be champions. It was not to be, however, as Texas A&M did what they have done without fail all year - dominate the 4x4. On pace to break 3 through 2 legs, the Aggies finished up in 3:00.62 for the win and a 3-peat of their own. (Florida has to wonder what may have been had they not dropped the baton in the 4x100 relay…)

 

Other HUGE performances Saturday

Photo courtesy Imageofsport.com

Matt Centrowitz of Oregon and Sheila Reid of Villanova employed nearly identical race plans, as both sat and waited throughout, happy to wait until the last 200 meters to unleash furious kicks in their respective races. 

 

Centrowitz looked untouchable throughout the rounds (and the preliminaries two weeks ago, for that matter). He seemed in complete control of this race, although Dorian Ulrey of Arkansas did offer up a worthy challenge, ultimately finishing second. But today was Centro's, as the Oregon junior captured his first individual title and starts to build his own legend. 

 

Sheila Reid was all smiles after Friday's 5k, where she was able to outkick rival Jordan Hasay for the win. While Hasay got the upper hand at the indoor championships, it was all Reid at these champs. Reid doubled back in the 1500 and it was more of the same. Hasay did all she could to take the race over with 300 meters left, but Reid's kick was just too lethal. Sheila charged into the curve with 200 left with a purpose. While Lucy Van Dalen of Stony Brook was able to answer, Reid found another gear with about 80 meters left and wrapped up an impressive double win.

 

Another who got redemption from this past indoor championships (and from Friday's 10k) was Liberty's Sam Chelanga. Chelanga learned from history, opting to keep this race honest throughout to take a little bit out of Leonard Korir's kick. Chelanga and freshman Lawi Lalang battled throughout the race, just ahead of a pack that included talent like Korir of Iona, Chris Derrick of Stanford and Diego Estrada of Northern Arizona. Chelanga wraps up a legendary collegiate career that saw Chelanga win multiple titles and walk away the fastest collegiate 10k runner ever. Happy trails, Sam Chelanga.

Photo courtesy Imageofsport.com

Kimberly Duncan, on the other hand, has two more years at the collegiate level. Lucky us. Duncan propelled herself to an entirely different level at these championships. After pulling off a surprise runner-up finish (nearly  a win) in the 100 and anchoring the LSU 4x100 to a win over Texas A&M, Duncan kicked it up a notch in the 200. Duncan blazed her specialty race in a world-leading 22.24 seconds, cutting .15 seconds off her best time this season. With two years left, do we have the makings of a legend in the making here? Perhaps.

 

Overall, I can't remember a meet with so many world-class marks to go along with such terrific competition. The weekend at Drake Stadium was one for the history books. For a recap of the final day of action, enjoy our crack recap below…