T&F post-season starts today and I'm looking forward to some great performances at the conference meet. Early on I was thinking our women might make a run at another NCAA championship, and hopefully that will still happen. We were ranked one or two for most of the season (rotating with Oregon) but dropped to #5 in the last two regular season polls. I expected that as those last rankings removed points based on last year's top marks, and only calculate 2014 performances. We have a number of athletes who haven't matched, or bettered last season's results yet, but hopefully we'll see some good times/marks this weekend. Currently our 4x400 and Petrillose/PV are both first on the collegiate lists, and Spencer has the second best time in the 400. In addition we have 4 of the nation's top 20 performers in the 400, including two in the top 5. The athletes Coach Buford-Bailey brought with her are making a big impact thus far (Spencer - 2nd/400, 13th/200 and 4x400/1st, and Akinosun - 4th/60m). But if we're going to have any chance at winning the national meet we'll need other potential scorers to peak at the right time, and equal or better last season's results. Currently Snow has the nation's 13th best time in the 60h (8.23); her top time from last season (8.11) would put her 6th; Brisco was placed 2nd in the HJ for most of the season based on last year's 6'2 mark, but is currently 12th with a season's best 5' 11 1/2; Sutherland is looking good and currently 13th in the 5000, just a few seconds off her best from last season (which would put her 8th); Udoh's 2013 best of 23:13 in the 200 would put her 6th, but she's currently way down the lists (outside of the top 40). But it seems like Udoh, Snow and Brisco have always come on strong late in the season, so hopefully we'll see some great performances from all three this weekend. Brannon would have had the 12th best returning mark in the LJ but she hasn't competed yet this season, so perhaps she's injured. We will definitely need Snow, Brisco, Sutherland and Udoh to be in form, and score some points at nationals if we're going to compete for the title. And hopefully we'll have two, or perhaps even three make the 400 final at the NCAA meet. Should be an exciting end to the season!
400 Meter Finals A.Spencer 51.54 1st place and C.Okolo 51.56 2nd Place Good times ladies K.Baisden 4th place with 52 sumthing.
Women win with men second (4 points behind OSU). Not bad for a school who cannot afford a proper indoor track to practice on. (The track itself - a lot of differences from outdoor tracks.)
Indoor NCAA qualifiers have been announced and the women look strong in several events. We have the top qualified 4x400, Petrillose is #2 in the PV, and we have the 1st, 2nd and 11th fastest qualifying times in the 400. Akinosun is the #6 qualifier in the 60, and also made the 200 field despite being ranked 25th (a result of other qualifiers declining their spots to focus on other events). Sadly, several who were among the top returning performers in their event from last season didn't make the field (Snow 60h, Udoh 200), though Brisco did just make the HJ field (tied for last qualifying spot). Hopefully she'll return to form as she had the #2 returning jump in the country, but hasn't equaled last year's results as of yet. We dropped another spot to #6 in the most recent Indoor poll, but I think we still have a shot at the team title if everyone performs to their abilities. We would probably need all three 400 qualifiers to make the final, with a couple of top three finishes, and for the 4x400 and Petrillose to win their respective events. But equally important will be for Akinosun, Brisco and Sutherland to improve considerably on their qualifying spots, which is possible based on past performances. It should be an exciting meet!
Agree, three of the top four qualifiers in the 400 is a fantastic result. And congrats to Petrillose for setting a new collegiate record in the PV. Going into day two the Horns have a chance if everything goes their way, but on paper Florida looks to be in the best position right now. Based on Friday's prelim qualifying times, plus seed positions in remaining field events, relay, pentathlon and one distance event, their point total would be considerably ahead of both Texas and Oregon. The Ducks have more potential scorers overall, but expected points are fewer. And they are starting the day with a 13 point deficit to the Gators. For the Horns to pull it out they would need qualifying positions to hold up in the 400. If we can take three of the top four places, with one coming first, and our relay pulls out the win (seeded 1st), we would still be looking at a likely 2nd or 3rd place team finish. We could get in the mix if Akinosun finishes top 4 in the 60, and Briso returns to form and pulls out a top finish in the HJ. Shanay tied for the last qualifying spot, but is a former NCAA champion; if she can manage to place in the top two, and the Gators stumble a bit, we might have an outside shot at the team title. Right now I would say Florida wins, with Texas second, Oregon third and Georgia 4th. But anything is possible, and we certainly looked very good yesterday.
Wow. Talk about drama; one event left and GA is in the lead with 40.5 points, but don't have a 4x400 relay in the final, so they're done. Horns and Florida are tied for 2nd with 35.5 points each. Oregon is close behind in 4th with 34 points. And, Horns, Gators and Ducks are seeded 1, 2 and 3 in the 4x400...qualifying times are 3:30.12, 3:30.16 and 3:30:52, so virtually nothing between them. Whichever of the three wins, or just places ahead of the other two, will win the title. One race for the NCAA team championship, start time in less than 10 minutes!
Heartbreaking loss but amazing final day for the Horns. They finish two one-thousands of a second behind Oregon in 4x400, and lose the NCAA team title by 1/2 a point. Congrats to the team on a fantastic performance!
Texas Women's got 2nd Place in the Team Standing.And 2nd Place in the Mile Relay 3:27 sumthing. Good Job Ladies.
Great effort by the Ladies and a great season but gosh - we sure are having trouble getting past the 50 in NCs.
