WAF Instant Analysis -Merritt Prevails and Jones Nears Victory

-Stuttgart, Germany-As I have been writing all along, this World Athletic Final meet in Stuttgart, Germany is a gut wrencher for many of the top runners.

Fatigue has set in both mentally and physically as they have been running since April and peaked for the Olympic Trials and Beijing.

In the 110-meter hurdles Lolo Jones (12.56) was a close second to Spain’s Josephine Onyia (12.50). Jones has had a riveting season that has even attracted non-traditional track fans to join the ranks of her fan club.

A $100,000 checked was earned on Saturday. The women’s javelin record fell today to Barbora Spotakova (72.28 meters) of the Czech Republic. It's great to see her break the bank and establish herself among history as a great javelin throw.

It was the same three Americans from the 2007 World Championships that included: Jeremy Wariner, LaShawn Merritt, and Angelo Taylor. It was the continuation of the back and forth today as Merritt (44.5) out leaned Wariner (44.51) in the final two steps, as Merritt lounged and ended up on the track. Each time one athlete seem to be on a roll then it changes. The sports best rivalry continues and the sport is better off for having these two great runners.

By Jay Hicks.

Instant Analysis - Oliver Knocks Off Robles, Powell Gets Faster In Lausanne

Powell Produces Fastest Times Out of Major Competition.

With nothing on the line, you can bet that Asafa Powell improved his 100-meter time to 9.72. Good enough to be the second fastest time in history-behind Usain Bolt of course. The consistent Walter Dix was close to his personal best time in 9.92.

Powell said, "Who knows? Maybe I'm not the guy for those big championships but just the guy to compete in the Grand Prix and Golden League meetings. It's just unfortunate."

It was only a matter of time before David Oliver bested Olympic champ Dayron Robles again over the 110-meter hurdles. A fast closing Oliver (13.02) got the best of Robles (13.17), marking the second that this season that Oliver has beaten the Olympic champion and world record holder from Cuba.

The 200-meter record is in jeopardy to fall anytime Usain Bolt laces up his Pumas. Tonight Bolted equaled the stadium record in Lausanne ,as the Jamaican lite up the track in 19.63.

Without Jeremy Wariner on the track, LaShawn Merritt dipped under 44 seconds producing 43.98. What will be interesting is to see which runner holds the fastest time at seasons end.

By Jay Hicks.

Where is the Love? It's Not For Track & Field.

Track and field has always struggled with its identity. Who hasn't? But the latest onslaught is a slap in the face to the sport.

Michael Phelps is everywhere.

The guy the world has almost grown weary of seeing, greeted a cheering crowd during a parade at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park in Orlando on Friday. And you know Michael Phelps was paid A LOT for his services.

In addition, he will host the season premiere of "Saturday Night Live", pen a book, host the video music awards, and make a cameo appearance on HBO's "Entourage."

When the money is being handed out, where are track and field Olympic gold medalists such as Bryan "World's Great Athlete" Clay or LaShawn Merritt? First the sport was given the stiff arm by NBC and now the snub by Madison Avenue of track and field's best athletes continues after the Beijing Olympics.

I get it. The general public isn't 100% sold on track and field as a marketable product - no thanks to the sports governing body. But track and field is the sport that most consumers consider to be the Olympic Games.

So, how about the corporate sponsors start showing track and field the love and respect that it so rightfully deserves?

By Jay Hicks.

Instant Analysis - Bolt Makes It Reign In Zürich

Usain Bolt meet the world’s sports fans. World sports fans meet Usain Bolt of Jamaica—the track's newly crowned megastar.

-Zurich, Switzerland-The Golden League meet in Zürich was the perfect setting for lightening quick times. A sold out crowd of 22,000 spectators provided an electric atmosphere that produced some extremely fast times. A bit of fatigue from the Olympic Games appeared evident on the part of distance runners, but the sprinters put down some fast times.

Before the gun went off, it was the usual routine. Usain Bolt was bobbing and weaving and playing it up before getting into the blocks. When his name was called out, the fans gave went wild for the man who less than two weeks ago was apart of three world record performances. The Olympic champion could have at least made it look somewhat difficult. Bolt gave the fans their money's worth. He got out to a slow start before blazing 9.83 seconds over 100-meters. The reigning Olympic champion was ahead of Walter Dix (9.93) and Richard Thompson (10.09).

Where was his kick when Wariner needed it the most two weeks ago? Reigning Olympic champ LaShawn Merrittt had the inside lane today, but it was not good enough to beat Jeremy Wariner. Coming down the final turn, Wariner had a one step lead that he opened up to about five meters winning in 43.82 over Merritt (44.43).

Lolo Jones picked up where she left off before hitting a hurdle in Beijing. The U.S. Olympic Trials champion won in 12.56, beating a field which included 110-meter hurdle Olympic champion Dawn Harper. Harper (12.73) finished in a distant seventh place.

It was certainly a win, but it was not the win that Sanya Richards has been dreaming about for quite some time. After winning bronze in Bejing, Richards won a commanding race today in a season’s best time of 49.75. There have been assertions that Richards choked in the 400-meter Olympic final. The real story is that Richards didn’t run fast enough to beat the world’s best. The looming question is why this season the American record holder has not been within a second of the 48.70 that she ran back in 2006.

The 110 hurdles was a close one. David Oliver, the only man to defeat Olympic champion Dayron Robles of Cuba, almost accomplished that feat for a second time this season. Oliver raced Robles down to the end, but came up short.

It may not have been as clean as the 400 hurdle victory in Beijing. But Angelo Taylor (48.07) took it out extremely hard the first half of the race before finishing ahead of Kerron Clement (48.20) of the U.S. and Jamaica’s Danny McFarland (48.40). Bershawn Jackson (49.18) finished in seventh place.

By Jay Hicks.

U.S. Sets Olympic Record in 1,600-Meter Relay

-Beijing-The Team members were all smiles at the “Bird’s Nest” and why wouldn’t they be?

The winner of the 1,600-meter relay was never in doubt.

LaShawn Merritt (44.35) got the U.S. out to a comfortable lead before handing off to Angelo Taylor who blazed a 43.70 leg. On the third leg, David Neville added to the lead before Jeremy Wariner (43.16), nearly ran a 42 second anchor leg that added an exclamation point to the victory.

The team of LaShawn Merritt, the 400-meter champion, 400-meter hurdles gold medalist Angelo Taylor, David Neville bronze winner and Wariner the 2004 gold medalist and 400 silver medalist recorded a time of 2:55.39 in Saturday's final.

The time was good enough to establish a new Olympic record, in an event that the U.S have dominated. The previous record of 2:55.74 was set by Americans Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Michael Johnson and Steve Lewis in 1992 at the Seoul Games. The U.S. continues a tradition of owning this event, having now won the 1,600-meter relay at the last seven straight Olympic Games.

Olympian Kerron Clement and former Baylor standout Reggie Witherspoon ran in the qualifying heats and also share in the Olympic gold.

That is not a bad way at all to close out the track and field events at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

By Jay Hicks.

Merritt Wins Big Over Wariner In U.S. 400 Sweep

Merritt Upset Wariner's Effort to Win Gold

-Beijing-LaShawn Merritt did something that many weren't sure he could pull off. He upset defending Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner.

As I have written, in the past it has been Wariner the runner putting up the race of his life to win big in August. This time it was a brilliant race by Merritt at the perfect time that drew the world's attention.

Only four runners, have bested the 43.75 that Merritt blazed in the finals. Wariner came off the turn in the lead but faded big time down the stretch finishing second in 44.70.

David Neville clocked 44.80 seconds and secured Team U.S.A. the bronze.

By Jay Hicks.

Mr. August – Jeremy Wariner Saves His Best For Late Summer

The Texan is the favorite to win gold tomorrow.

The jury is in, Jeremy Wariner is officially the man to beat tomorrow. The former Baylor standout knows how to win the big races and now the long awaited 400-meters showdown is finally here.

Wariner should be called “Mr. August,” for delivering clutch performances when it counts. In 2004, Wariner won took the NCAA title, indoors and outdoors, won the Olympic Trials, and then grabbed the Olympic Games. Since then he has won every honor, title, and achievement except that of the world record held by Michael Johnson.

So what about Wariner makes him so special?

Well for starters it is his mission and vocation in life to run the one lap race. On top of that, he has an analytical mind, and is a strong race strategist. Lastly his work ethic is unparalled. Wariner's drive keeps him hungry to continue training hard. His confidence is supreme because he knows that he has put in the work in practice.

Wariner could have ducked Merritt until the Olympic Trials but did not.

To put things in perspective, here is a small list highlighting some of Wariner's big races and fast times. Just keep in mind that last year in Osaka, he reeled in LaShawn Merritt to win the world title in the fastest race he has ever run.

• 2004: Olympics – 44.00 – Personal Record – August 23
• 2005: Helsinki WC – 43.93 – Personal Record - August 12
• 2006: Rome – 43.62 – July 14 -(non- World Champion year)
• 2007: Osaka WC – 43.45 – Personal Record – August 31

However this time around, expect Wariner's new rival LaShawn Merritt to put himself in a better position, so it will be a battle of will in the final 80 meters of the race between the two great 400-meter runners.

Prerace Jitters Predictions:

Jeremy Wariner: 43.35 – Personal Record
LaShawn Merritt: 43.80 – Personal Record

By Jay Hicks.

Wariner & Merritt Move Forward to Semi-Finals

Drum beats of athlete battle.

-Beijing-The 400-meters have not seen any surprises, yet. All three U.S. runners ran well qualifying but everyone is waiting to see the battle looming for the finals. Right now, it is the calm before the storm.

Reigning champion Jeremy Wariner advanced in 45.23 for the semi-finals along with rival LaShawn Merritt in 44.96. Both easily winning their respective heats.

Merritt is ready to battle:”It's time to go, time to showdown and throw down. I went home, got my confidence up and mentally got ready to perform. I train to win and when I do it gives me a good boost.”

The third place finisher at the U.S. Olympic Trials, David Neville who finished second in his heat in 45.22 to advance said “You know I thought I'd be able to run a little slower. I did what I had to do to make it through. For me, I'm just going out there and doing the best I can do. I'm representing the U.S. to the best of my ability."

Jeremy Wariner whose wants is the world record to fall in Beijing but goal is winning a second medal in the event said the following after the race: “We have a chance to get top three. It will take a lot of work but anything is possible.”

Anything less than a U.S. sweep of the event would amount to a colossal failure. The Prerace Jitters Predictions for the 400-meter finals are as follows:

1st: Jeremy Wariner – 43.35
2nd: LaShawn Merritt – 43.80
3rd: David Neville 44.63

By Jay Hicks.

Exclusive Interview w/ LaShawn Merritt at U.S. Olympic Trials

Jay Hicks & John W. Davis land exclusive interview with LaShawn Merritt.

While at the Olympic Trials, I teamed up with John W. Davis, a talented videographer and news reporter, to interview some of the biggest names in track and field. In our projects, my role included interviewing the athletes, and John filmed then edited our conversations.

After the 400-meters, we caught up with LaShawn Merritt minutes after his 400-meter victory. In the interview, LaShawn speaks with us exclusively about the difference between placing second at the World Championship last year and defeating Jeremy Wariner at the Olympic Trials.

Click here to watch the exclusive interview with LaShawn Merritt after the 400-meter finals at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

By Jay Hicks.

Instant Analysis on IAAF Golden League Paris, France Meet!

Image details: IAAF Golden League - Gaz de France served by picapp.com

Wariner Reigns Supreme Over Merritt in Paris.

Paris, the city known the world over for love and romance, was anything but that today to LaShawn Merritt. Jeremy Wariner (43.86) showed no love for new rival LaShawn Merritt (44.35), in a race that Wariner dominated every aspect of the race except the start.

Today, Wariner ran a bold and daring race strategy that has become his trademark as he broke 44 seconds for the second time this outdoor season. With 100 meters to go, Wariner was too much for Merritt, laying on his kick and opening up a blow out win over Merritt down the homestretch.

You knew it wouldn't take very long before the times starting dropping. Over the last month, as the media has been writing about what is wrong with Wariner, I have been curious what the race would look like when the times dipped under 44 seconds. Today, we got a great show as to what that race looks like.

The three previous races between Wariner and Merritt have been in Merritt's comfort zone, ranging anywhere from 44 flat to 44.5, and today, the stakes were raised--literally. This latest development in the 400-meter rivalry is far from over. Merritt will go back and analyze his race today and come back firing in the next race and in Beijing. That is the beauty of this sport.

Did Dayron Robles even touch a hurdle today? He ran like a beast, crossing the line in 12.88 - just a hair off his current World Record of 12.87 which he set earlier in the season. The Cuban hurdler won because of his technical precision.

Can anyone catch Pamela Jelimo? She ran 1:54.97, nearly 4 seconds ahead of the next fastest 800-meter runner.

In the women's 200, Sanya Richards (22.56) pulled out an upset victory over Muna Lee (22.59), who won the 100-meters and placed second in the 200 (21.99) at the U.S Olympic Trials less than two weeks ago. The winning time was not impressive, but racing is about winning, so it was a good win for Richards in that respect, especially considering the 400 is her specialty event.

Is the U.S. setting up to run a 400-meter hurdle sweep in Beijing? Today, three American 400-meter hurdlers ran under 49-seconds. Kerron Clement (48.43) is on a tear winning his second straight race since losing to Bershawn "Batman" Jackson at the Olympic Trials earlier this month. Clement won, because he ran with reckless abandonment over Angelo Taylor (48.91), and "Batman" in fourth place with (48.92).

By Jay Hicks.

Who Will Win Wariner vs. Merritt IV?

When Jeremy Wariner sat down before the season with his agent Michael Johnson and his coach Michael Ford, it was recognized that LaShawn Merritt would be a foe to be dealt with in the ’08 season.

Not that Wariner could have ever forgotten the man he had to run down in final 30-meters in Osaka to win the 400-meters at the 2007 World Championship.

What could not have been anticipated before the season is the hamstring injury suffered by Wariner on May 9 in Doha, Qatar, that slightly set back his conditioning and training. The tightness in the right hamstring is a recurring injury dating back to his Baylor days and is a recurring issue from time to time.

Another unforeseen development is LaShawn Merritt currently leads the matchup 2 to 1 over Jeremy Wariner this season. In the first show down Merritt won over Wariner in Berlin, Germany on 1 June, at the opening leg fixture of the ÅF Golden League 2008. Their tussle could not have been much tighter - 44.03 to 44.07. In a big upset Merritt (44.00) edged Wariner (44.20) at the the U.S. Olympic Trials.

There is a certain feeling in being a marked man. The freshly minted World Record holder Dayron Robles (12.87) is running with a bulls eye on the back of his uniform in the 110-meter hurdles. Rising U.S. star David Oliver ran close to the world record at 12.87 with a +3.2 wind at the Olympic Trials, making the head-to-head match interesting. Oliver is running with tremendous confidence making this one of the highlight events of the meet.

The women’s 100-meter hurdles promises to be thrilling on Friday. Fresh off a U.S. Olympic Trials championship Lolo Jones (12.29 with +3.8 wind) is poised to take on the red hot Brigitte Foster-Hylton (12.50). The heat will also come from Josehine Onyia (12.50) Delloreen Ennis-London (12.54) in the race.

The women’s 200 is another loaded event. The dominant Kerron Stewart of Jamaica comes into the meet with the second fastest time in the world in 21.99. The third fastest time of 22.11 in the world is owned by Jamaica's Sherone Simpson, who will also be in the race. Sanya Richard is dropping down from 400-meters again to work on speed but she may very well have met her match in these two runners. The U.S. Olympic Trials champion at 400-meters ran her seasons best time of 22.49 last week in Rome.

By Jay Hicks.

Wariner Beats Merritt and Powells Pulls Up in Rome!

-Rome, Italy.

The ÅF Golden League 2008 resumed today with fireworks in Rome.

It has been a rough week for world-class sprinters in the crazy world of track and field. First Tyson Gay went down in the 200-meters after running four of the fastest 100-meter races ever recorded.

Now, Asafa Powell pulled up in his 100-meter heat after feeling something in his groin, which will certainly put a dent in his preparation to take on countrymen Usain Bolt in Beijing. Powell’s manager Paul Doyle talked to reporters afterward to explain the latest turn of events.
“It's nothing," Paul Doyle told reporters. "He just felt his groin cramp up. He'll be fine, but he's not going to take any chances in an Olympic year.” "He's had problems with his groin in the past and got over them every time."

Who said track lacks excitement? It was a quick role reversal in Rome today. Last week challenger LaShawn Merritt upset Jeremy Wariner at 400-meters to win the U.S. Olympic Trials.

This week Wariner beat Merritt by .01 seconds. Wariner (44.36) had a big lead before LaShawn Merritt (44.37) poured on his kick down the stretch, making it a close race. Merritt is a formidable opponent. Are we witnessing the beginning of a new rivalry since both of the runners will be around for a while?

Afterward, Merritt said, “He was ahead at 300; I knew how the race was going to play out. I feel good about the race and as you can see, the part of the race that I’ve been working on is coming, the finish. So when I put it together, there’s going to be problems.”

Allyson Felix (50.25) is making a strong case to be included on the U.S. 4x400-meter relay in Beijing. But the U.S. women had better pick up the pace or Sanya Richards will be the lone American contender to win an individual medal in Beijing. Mary Wineberg ran 51.27 and hopefully there is an reasonable explanation such as she was fatigued from the Oly Trials or there something ailing her. Otherwise 51 seconds at this point in the season is not close to being among the top runners in the world.

Running at the U.S. Olympic Trials combined with a flight across the pond did not deter 100 hurdler Candice Davis from placing third (12.72) against top end competition of Jamaica’s Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Delloreen Ennis-London. Even though Davis did not make the U.S. Olympic team, she is a young, talented runner with a lot of upside especially if she improves on the first three hurdles of her race.

In a change of events, Sanya Richards ran the 200-meters to continue working on her speed in the races leading up to the 400-meters at the Olympic Games. Richards ran a very respectable 22.49 against winner Kerron Stewart (22.34) of Jamaica.

The gloves have come off in the 400-meter hurdles, and the fight will continue all the way to Beijing. Last week Bershawn Jackson beat favorite Kerron Clement to win the U.S. Olympic Trials. After the race Clement was visibly shake and disappointed by the loss. This week Kerron Clement (48.23) narrowly beat Bershawn “Batman” Jackson (48.34) in the 400-meter hurdles.

Jennifer Stucyznski was named USA Track and Field Athlete of the Week for improving her own American record to 16 feet, 1.75 inches on Sunday at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Today, Russian, World, Olympic, and European pole vault champion Yelena Isinbayeva sent an international message to her rivals in just her first competition of the outdoor season. She improved her world record in the women’s pole vault at the IAAF Golden Gala meeting in Rome. Isinbayeva vaulted 16 feet, 5 inches. Stucynzski will certainly have her hands full in Beijing.

By Jay Hicks.

Sights of the Day!

It's great to be queen for a day says Sanya Richards...

Mary Wineberg, runner up in the women's 400, tells NBC she is happy to be on the team.

It was good to be LaShawn Merritt tonight, as the clock reads 44.00.

Making it through the preliminary round was all that Jenn Stuczynski was concerned with tonight.Winner Sanya Richards chatting it up with the press after running 49.89.
Can anyone say "sweep", says LaShawn Merrit (l) and David Neville (r).

All photos and content by Jay Hicks.

Merritt and Richards Win and Qualify for Olympic Team!

A pin drop could have been heard before the gun went off in the men's 400-meters. At this point, everyone knows that LaShawn Merritt (44.00) beat Jeremy Wariner (44.20) in the head-to-head match up. After the race, I had a chance to speak about the race with track legend Michael Johnson, who is also Jeremy Wariner's agent.

MJ said that LaShawn Merritt is a beast and a force to be reckoned with in the 400-meters. He seemed to alude to the fact that being on top means beating challengers as they arise. The current 400-meter world recorder holder also said that at this point and up to this point, Jeremy is the better 400-meter runner. He thought the race strategy in which Jeremy did not get out was the issue in the race tonight.

Simply put: Jeremy has to put his race together in order to win because Merritt did not run a time that Wariner is incapable of running.

After her race, Sanya Richards was estatic about winning and qualifying for the Olympic team. You got the impression that placing fourth at the U.S. nationals last year is something that she has thought a lot about since that race. As we predicted, Mary Wineberg made the team, and veteran Dee Dee Trotter pulled out her mojo, even with an injured knee to make the team.

Tonight was a great night for track and field.

Read my full article as it appears on TheFinalSprint.com.

By Jay Hicks.

Instant Analysis--Prefontaine Classic!

The big winner of the day was Brad Walker (19 feet, 9 ¾ inches) setting a new American Record in Eugene, Oregon. He has to be more than pleased with that unconscious performance on the same track where the Olympic Trials will be hosted in just three weeks.

The standout moment of the day was Mozambique’s Maria Mutola (1:55.57) winning a stacked 800-meters for the 16th and final time. She has the heart of a champion. High school sensation Chanelle Price (2:01.61) held her own with a 6th place finish and the second fastest high school time ever.

Wallace Spearmon broke Michael Johnson’s 200-meter meet record running 20.13. Commentator Ato Bolden said today what I’ve been thinking about Spearmon for quite some time. The former University of Arkansas All-American rarely seems to be at 100%. It’s scary to think what he is capable of running in the deuce when he explodes through the first 100 meters of the race.

The biggest recipient of Jeremy Wariner leaving Coach Hart is Sanya Richards. The former University of Texas standout didn’t run a particularly outstanding time (50.1), but she won. That cannot be underestimated at this point in the season.

No one is talking about Torri Edwards in the 100, but she is a sleeper who can wreck havoc at the Olympic Trials. The fourth place finish by Allyson Felix in the 100 is concerning. Felix was saved by the first false start charged to Torri Edwards when she was left sitting in the blocks after the gun. Given a second chance, Allyson never made up the two meter lead that she gave up to the eventual winner Torri Edwards (10.94) at the start. Felix has not run a crisp 100 since the 10.93 she ran in Doha on May 9.

The 110-meter hurdles is shaping up to be one of the premier events in Beijing. Forget the fact that Liu Xiang of China has been the event’s leading man for the last four years. After Xiang was disqualified for a second false start, then Anwar Moore easily jogged 13.09.

LaShawn Merritt is not letting the victory over Jeremy Wariner last week in Berlin go to his head. Merritt ran strongly (44.65) in his victory, but tied up the last 10 meters. The biggest surprise of the 400 was Canadian Tyler Christopher’s disappointing (45.52) fourth place finish.

By Jay Hicks.

2008 ÅF IAAF Golden League Brings New Age of Sport

Many of the sport’s biggest names are heading to the IAAF Golden League meets in Europe. Jeremy Wariner, LaShawn Merritt, Lolo Jones, and Bershawn “Batman” Jackson are running at the first stop on Sunday, June 1st at the DKB-ISA meet in Berlin, Germany.

What is surprising is that many big name stars have opted for the meets in the United States. This is a major coup for fans in this country but the decision to not run in Europe by some top athletes has left me scratching my head.

The IAAF meets in Europe have a $1 Million AF Golden League Jackpot. Both women and men athletes are competing for all or a portion of the winnings. On top of that, the bigger name stars get appearances fees and travel costs to run in Europe. Meets held in the U.S. offer performance money and travel costs--which is significantly less money.

The Adidas Track classic was fabulous and matchups at the 2008 Prefontaine Classic are ridiculous. Fans have complained about track & field in North America but the adidas Track Classic and Prefontaine Classic are now putting together meets that are normally reserved for the European circuit. But running in these U.S. meets means runners are walking away from potentially $40,000 to $1 million.

The improvements have come about because Adidas and Nike have put a great amount of resources into getting a superior product on the track at their U.S. track meets. The rival shoe giants have gone so far as to include the participation in U.S meets as a stipulation in athlete’s contracts.

More high profile meets in the U.S. means that low to mid-range athletes are getting pushed out of U.S. meets. Meet officials say athletes must be top 50 in the world at their respective events but there are eight lanes on the track. Real talk--it’s tougher than that. Athletes have to be top 10 to get in the Pre Classic depending on the event. Some of the low to mid-range athletes are getting pushed out of the U.S. races and struggle to get in good races in the weeks approaching the Olympic Trials.

Which means that some pros are sitting home this weekend during the Reebok Grand Prix, or running in a last chance meet. Moreover they certainly are not running in the IAAF Golden League meets because the European meets require even faster times.

By Jay Hicks.

LaShawn Merritt On Top of the World

At the Guadeloupe meet in the Caribbean, LaShawn blistered the track in the 400-meter with 44.34. He was followed by Angela Taylor in 45.06 and David Neville in 45.08.

LaShawn’s world-leading time continues to seesaw with the times of Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner. Before this race Wariner held the top time this season, and prior to that Merritt held the honor. For now at least, Merritt lays claim to the leading time in the world.

If you are looking for a runner that can break Wariner’s current winning streak, just look to LaShawn Merritt. He has proven to have razor sharp speed, posting 19.80 in the 200, and the ability to execute a precise one lap race. This topic may be revisited very soon. Jeremy is set to run the 400-meter at the Adidas Classic on May 18, and he is sure to want to send a message to Merritt.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.

The Final Lap: Fast Times Galore!

• Fast times at the Michael Johnson Classic. Jeremy Wariner and Sanya Richards put up world leading times on their “home” track in Waco. Wariner ran 44.56 and Richards ran 50.47. Read Star-Telegram
  

• 400-meter runner LaShawn Merritt drops down to the 200 with eye-popping results. Merritt just proved again that he has crazy speed in running 19.80 with 3.20 wind at North Carolina A&T. That’s quite impressive in April even considering the wind.

• Also running at the North Carolina A&T meet, David Oliver came up big in the 110-meter hurdles, running 13.08.

• Lolo Jones is peaking at the right time heading into Drake Relays. The Des Moines native had her best season opener ever at LSU alumni gold meet in 12.72.

• Bershawn Jackson came into the season to prove he’s a legit contender at 400-meter hurdles after failing to make the finals in Osaka last year. He is making believers after running 48.32 at the Kansas Relays on Saturday. Is this the year Jackson dips under 48 seconds again? Read Star-Telegram

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist.

Photo courtesy runlolorun.com.

Young and Fast: Merritt Opens Strong

If anyone thinks that they have a reserved spot on the Team USA headed to Beijing they couldn’t be further from the truth. On Friday LaShawn Merritt ran the fastest 400-meters in the world this year with a time of 44.72 at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, NC on March 28. He started this season exactly where he left off last season: crazy fast.

Merritt bested Jeremy Wariner’s 44.82 to lead the list of world best 400-meter times.

The evolution of Merritt began last year at the world outdoor champions in Osaka. The 21-year-old, Virginia native finished second in 43.96 behind Jeremy Wariner, the winner in 43.45.

Merritt led at the 300-meter mark in Osaka last year with the world title on the line but couldn’t hold off Wariner’s late charge in the final 50 meters. Both athletes set personal bests in the race.

The young, explosive runner is arguably the sprinter with enough speed to disrupt Jeremy Wariner’s plans of winning back-to-back Olympic 400-meter titles. It will be telling how Merritt performs against reigning Olympic champion, Jeremy Wariner, in the races leading up to the Olympic Trials in July. Stay tuned this is must see television.

By Jay Hicks, a.k.a. Track Evangelist