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 Prefontaine Classic Preview!

Sunday June 8, 2008
NBC, Live, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time

The women’s 100 will again be the race to watch at Pre. Who will win without Veronica Campbell-Brown in the mix? The race is loaded with Lauryn Williams, Allyson Felix, veteran runners Kerron Stewart of Jamaica and Torri Edwards. The always vibrant Carmelita Jeter placed is a baby’s breath away from putting the picture perfect race together. Muna Lee of Jamaica is fearless competitor that will be in the middle of this race.

The men’s 200 feature two men who will be battling for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team. Xavier “X Man” Carter vs. Wallace Spearmon will go down on Sunday.

Predictions are old hat—unless of course you own the world record. Can Kenenisa Bekele break his 10,000 world record as he predicted? The loaded field will contend every step of this race.

Alan Webb has been located in good health and rested. He is back on the scene at 1,500-meters and will face stiff competition from Daniel K. Komen of Kenya.

The women’s 800 may be the changing of the guard. This will be the last two lap dash for legend Maria Mutola of Mozambique. Mutola has announced her retirement which is effective at the end of this season. This will be one of the last races American fans will get to watch Maria because unlike boxer, it’s doubtful she will come out of retirement. She has won the Preclassic a record breaking 15 consecutive races. High school phenom Chanelle Price is set to run the race after putting down a sizzing 2:02.38.

The men’s 800 will feature rivals Nick Symmonds and Khadevis Robinson. But look out for Yusuf Kamel (Bahrain) and newcomer to the scene Matt Scherer who is running on his home turn.

These two just can’t enough of each other. Bernard Lagat of the U.S. and Craig Mottram of New Zealand will meet in the two mile.

A second Ethiopian will try to break a world record June 8 at the Nike Prefontaine Classic. Meseret Defar will attempt to break her world 5,000-meter mark in a race to be held immediately after countryman Kenenisa Bekele goes after his world 10,000 record, meet officials said Wednesday.

By Jay Hicks.

Price Dominates & Shatters National 800 Record!

We wouldn't be going overboard by saying this is the best high school victory you’ll ever see.

Chanelle Price took out what looked to be a 60 meter lead during the first lap as she delivered a thunderous 800 (2:02.90) at the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association (PIAA) last Saturday at the Track and Field Championships in Shippensburg.

She won the race 10 seconds ahead of the second place finisher Shaniel Chambers of Chester (2:12.18).

The 17-year-old’s time broke Joetta Clark-Digg’s four-time Olympian Joetta Clark-Diggs’ National Federation of High Schools record (2:04.50) and two-time Olympic medalist Kim Gallagher’s 28-year-old PIAA meet record (2:05.47).

She will run next at the Prefontaine Classic. Price’s performance might signal a changing of the guard. Former Olympic champion Maria Mutola of Mozambique returns for her 16th and final appearance in the PreClassic 800 at the Prefontaine Classic on Sunday, June 8, 2008.

The young phenom, Price will attempt to make the Olympic team at the USA Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Ore., which begin on June 27.

Click here to see the Chanelle Price video.

By Jay Hicks.