Spearmon Rolling to Jamaica?

Has Usain Bolt and companies' dashing show in Jamaica made Jamaica the new center of the track universe and the place-to-be for elite sprinters?

According to the Jamaican Gleaner News, Wallace Spearmon Jr., is considering joining the high-profile MVP Track Club under coach Stephen Francis and switching his training base to Jamaica for the upcoming season.

This would make the second coaching change in two season for the University of Arkansas alum. Last season Spearmon ended his relationship with Coach Lance Braumon to train under his father Wallace Spearmon Sr. His father, Wallace Spearmon Sr. was a two-time All-American sprinter for coach McDonnell at Arkansas and was a part of the first national championship team in 1984.

Ray Flynn, Spearmon’s manager, speaking to The Gleaner from the United States, said he "cannot confirm" his client would join the group, but said it was an option.

It probably does not hurt that Spearmon is reportedly long-time friends with fellow sprinter Usain Bolt and hey man it's Jamaica.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

GB Grand Prix Instant Analysis - Tyson Gay Back On Track!

A number of runners competing in Gateshead, Great Britain had arrived in Beijing several weeks ago with gold on their mind, but things did not quite work out as they had originally planned.

The races in Aviva British Grand Prix for Lauryn Williams, Tyson Gay, Wallace Spearmon, and Asafa Powell were partly about exacting revenge but more about proving to themselves and the world that they are still great athletes despite the results in Beijing. The Olympic Games are history and each got back to having success in their own right.

He seems to be a decent enough guy. Despite inclement weather conditions Asafa Powell ran 9.87 in the cold rain.

Which provokes the idea that maybe Powell should employ the services of a sports psychologist. It might be money well spent considering that Powell ran 9.95 in the finals to place fifth in Beijing. He might regret it years from now if he does not exhaust all means to achieve at the highest level.

"Pretty easy, 9.87, I'm very happy," said Powell.

It was great to see the Tyson Gay of old win in 20.25, over OlympianWallace Spearmon (20.41). Gay did not make the highly touted 100-meter Olympic final after losing conditiong from the hamstring injury sustained at the Olympic Trials. Spearmon had locked up bronze medal in the 200-meter finals in Beijing, or so he had thought until learning that he had been disqualified after stepping on the line during the race.

"Getting the victory means a lot, it's nice to get a win under my belt," Gay told the BBC after the race.

Reflecting on his Olympic experience, Gay said: "It was very frustrating, I was going there to get the gold.

"It was tough to watch (Bolt), I know I would have given him a better race."

Lauryn Williams 11.24 won over the Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser (11.29) from Jamaica. Williams placed fourth in Beijing behind three Jamaicans. Later in the meet Williams won the 200-meters in 22.65.

She has nothing to prove and no regrets. Reigning World and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu of Britain won the 400 meters, in an unimpressive 51.27 seconds.

Click here to watch the Universal Sports video on demand of the Aviva British Grand Prix track meet.

By Jay Hicks.

Bolt Inching Towards History

Usain Bolt is the man to beat in the 200-meters. He is still riding high off of his 100-meter world record and hoping to become the first man since Carl Lewis to win the 100 and 200 double.

The men semi-finals took place in the evening after the athletes ran opening rounds in the morning.

Bolt (20.29) narrowly edged out Shawn Crawford (20.42) to win his semi-final heat. Walter Dix (20.27) worked a little harder in the final 30 meters than he probably wanted to while finishing second in his heat.

When will Wallace Spearmon start running the turn?

He poured it on down the stretch to take second in his heat with 20.39. If Spearmon doesn't improve at the first half of the race, he may very well find himself too far out of position to contend for a medal in the finals.

At this point, Dix and Bolt have run a total of six races. With that, it is unlikely that we will see Michael Johnson's world record of 19.32 fall in the finals.

Never before has Bolt come into the finals of a championship race with a full round of 100-meter runs under his belt. The best strategy to challenge Bolt in the finals is for Dix or Crawford to get out the first 30 meters like they have junk yard dogs on their tail.

It is lights out in the finals if Bolt comes off the turn with lead.

By Jay Hicks.

Exclusive Interview with Wallace Spearmon

We have done it again, this time catching up soon-to be Olympian Wallace Spearmon during the heats of the 200-meters at the U.S Olympic Trials. I performed the interview and John W. Davis filmed and edited all of the action.

In this piece, Spearmon talks about the rich tradition of running in his family.

Click here to watch the Wallace Spearmon interview with Jay Hicks and John W. Davis.

By Jay Hicks.

Instant Analysis: Day 2, Aviva London 2008 Super Grand Prix

Jamaicans dominate day 2 in London.

Team USA may very well win the final medal count at the of the Olympic Games, but the Jamaicans could possibly win Olympic gold in some of the marquee races. In past Olympic Games, the U.S. has grown accustomed to crushing the competition. The rest of the world may have very well caught up.

Yesterday Asafa Powell (9.94) of Jamaica ran on cruise control while winning the 100-meters. Sherone Simpson (22.80) who also represents Jamaica, managed to pull out a close win in the women’s 200 meters.

Today Bolt (19.76) blew away a field that included Wallace Spearmon (20.27) of the U.S. in the 200-meters, setting a new British all-comers Crystal Palace record. Bolt was nearly a half second ahead of Wallace Spearmon.

Afterwards Bolt said, “Looking to Beijing, I think I have a good chance in the 200m and 100m - I'd love to do both," said the Jamaican. I'm still waiting to see what will be going on with that, my coach is making that decision maybe in a week or so.”

Going into Beijing, the Jamaican sprint star has put together a body of work that gives him the "favored" status in both the 100 and 200-meters. The looming question is whether Bolt decides to attempt the elusive double.

Jamaican superstar Veronica Campbell-Brown won the women’s 100-meters in 10.86. Runner up Shelly Ann-Fraser, also from Jamaica ran 10.95. Torri Edwards who will be representing the U.S. in Beijing took fourth (11.09) in the race. Allyson Felix was scheduled to participate in the 100-meters, but she decided to pull out of the race.

In race displaying his consistency, Kerron Clement (48.36) dominated the 400-meter hurdles.

By Jay Hicks.

A Look Back at The Olympic Trials!

Withdrawal from the Olympic Trials has been setting in since returning from Eugene and coming down from the adrenaline rush. Part of that is because eight days is a long time sleeping on a hotel mattress, and I have finally gotten some good sleep since returning home.

I've found myself communicating with colleagues that shared the Eugene experience because we shared something very special in Eugene '08, which turned out to be a de facto track and field national holiday.

What is there not to miss? Eight days of riveting action on the track, coupled with an exhilarating atmosphere. The days were spent comparing and contrasting athletes of today and the past, while interviewing the world's best track athletes about the greatest sport on the planet.

Here are a few pictures of the athletes and the action.

The tough Bershawn "Batman" Jackson puts his heart on the line to win the 400-meter hurdles.

Is Hyleas Fountain the greatest female athlete in the world today after her compelling win in the heptathlon at the Trials? "I'll be back" says 37-year-old Allen Johnson. The 1996 Olympic champion has at least several more seasons left in the tank.

Mary Wineberg (l), Sanya Richards (c), and Dee Dee Trotter (r) are looking for a 400 sweep in Beijing.

"No, I was never worried during the race about making the 200 team," says Wallace Spearmon.

Count em' four, that is the number of Olympic teams high jumper Amy Acuff has made in her illustrious career.

Raw emotions of joy were going through champion Lolo Jones' body after her victory.

Usain who? Tyson Gay after running a crazy 9.68 (+4.1) to win the Olympic Trials.

Usain Bolt is the real deal says legend Michael Johnson.

All pictures and content by Jay Hicks.

Tyson Gay Injury Troubling!

-From Eugene, OR

Today was definitely a hard day at the office for the athletes, but who would have ever thought that Tyson Gay would not be in the 200-meter final? It was hard to watch a warrior fall, but after the 100s I was wondering how much all of those sub 10 second 100-meter races took out of him.

The injury is reported as a ‘severe cramp', and everyone should hope that is the extent of the injury. Tyson was complaining of soreness in the hamstring during the 100-meter rounds.

The men’s 200-meter is completely wide open. Wallace Spearmon is a likely figure to win the race, but Walter Dix has been running extremely well. And don’t count out the reigning 2000 Olympic champion Shawn Crawford. The winning time will probably be under 20 seconds.

Another warrior, Allen Johnson, did not make it to the finals of the 110- hurdles due to an injury.

Everything seems to be falling into place for Lolo Jones in the women’s 100 hurdles. She told me that she is feeling good and feels that she is in a good place going into the finals. The reigning Olympic champion, Joanna Hayes, is putting together her race through the rounds, so look for a good final tomorrow.

Check out my full coverage on TheFinalSprint.com.

By Jay Hicks.

Clermont, Florida the Place to Be!

At this point, can anyone break Veronica Campbell-Brown’s strangle hold on the women’s 100? At a meet on her home track in Clermont, Florida the reigning 100-meter World Champion ran an astounding 10.88. I’m sure that premiere performance is what she and her coach Lance Braumon are looking for going into the Jamaican Olympic Trials in a couple weeks.

At the same meet, high school runner Jeff Demps ran 10.21 (+2.2) in the 100, letting any doubters know that he is ready to compete at the highest level.

The very capable Natasha Hastings won (51.45) the 400 over reigning World Champion Dee Dee Trotter (51.95) in Clermont. It’s not clear what to make of the results except that Hastings is further establishing her presence in the event. But Dee Dee is not a runner to count out because she has tremendous 400 experience.

Dyron Robles’ recent World Record in the 100-hurdles did not go unnoticed by David Oliver. Oliver won (13.10) the hurdles in his third fastest time of the year. Which shows that the top ranked American hurdler is sharp just two weeks before the Olympic Trials.

I’m ready for Wallace Spearmon to have a break out race this season in the 200-meters. He ran comfortably (20.4) to victory in Clermont but it is looking as though he will have to run sub-20 seconds to make the U.S. Olympic team in the heavily stacked event.

By Jay Hicks.

Usain Bolt Nears World Record in Jamaica!

The times coming of the Jamaican Invitational are jaw dropping. Incredible. Jamaica’s Usain Bolt redefined this seasons outlook for the 100-meters. He won in 9.76 with 1.8 wind, nearly breaking his countrymen Asafa Powell’s world record of 9.74. The time is stunning. The performance is sure to get Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, and the world’s attention.

Second in the race was America’s Wallace Spearmon in 10.08 and Antiguan Daniel Bailey placed third in 10.12.

Sanya Richards crossed the line first at the 400-meters in 50.60. The top three finishers ran personal best times in the women’s 100. Kerron Stewart wons the women's 100m in 10.96, Marshavett Hooker ran second in 11.01, 18-year-old Bianca Knight took third in 11.11. The wind measured +.9 during the women’s 100 making it a legal race.

Kerron Clement won the men’s 400 hurdles in 47.79. In another amazing race, newcomer
Bianca Knight won the women’s 200 in 22.62 in her first professional meet. Knight beat veteran Veronica Campbell on her home turf. Campbell placed second in 22.9.

American champ Tyson Gay continued his winning steak taking the men’s 200-meters in 20.00.

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

Men’s 4 x 100: USA vs. The World

The men’s relay pool at Penn Relays is a preview of the Olympic Games. The race included national teams from the United States, Jamaica, the Bahamas, the Netherlands Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, and Great Britain.

The historical relay woes continued for the U.S. as the heavily favored Team Red in Lane 7 had a disastrous hand off between Leroy Dixon and Wallace Spearmon. It appeared that Dixon was hit in the face near the exchange. Spearmon was poised and slowed to get the stick before handing off to Tyson Gay. Gay was able to bring the Red team to fourth place in 39.38.

Team Blue made up of John Capel, Xavier Carter, Michael Rodgers, and anchored by Shawn Crawford placed second in 39.14.

The Jamaican’s won in 39.04, without 100 world record holder Asafa Powell. The Jamaican national team passed the stick along very well in their victory in front of an estimated 10,000 Jamaican fans.

Click here to view the final results.

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

Texas Relays Produce World’s Fastest Times!

The high school participation at the Texas Relays was down due to a scheduling error that placed the Texas high school sectional meets on the same weekend. It happens.

The pro runners competing at Texas Relays delivered on prerace expectations. The years line up of pros with the assistance of USA Track & Field High Performance Relay Project is arguable one of the best in years.

The Waco All-Stars, featuring Olympians Darold Williamson and Jeremy Wariner, handily won the invitational division of the 1,600 meter relay. Wariner led the Waco All-Stars to 3:00.65, the fastest time run in the world this year.

Coming into Texas Relays conventional wisdom said that USA Red Team made up of Kerron Clement, Wallace Spearmon, Derrick Brew, and Andrew Rock would compete with the Waco All-Stars. However, USA Red Team finished in a distance fourth in 3:04.68. Team USA Blue featuring Tyson Gay on the lead off leg did not finish the mile relay.

The women’s invitational 1,600 meters saw USA Red team win in 3:23.49. The Red team, featuring Natasha Hastings, and Sanya Richards, ran strong from start to finish. Sanya Richards & company beat a talented relay team made up of Torri Edwards, Carmelita Jeter that finished second.

Former Longhorn Sanya Richards ran the anchor leg for the USA Red team that won the women's invitational 400 relay with a time of 42.25, also the fastest in the world this year.

The 400 meter relay featuring Tyson Gay and Mike Rodgers won in 38.63 to edge out the USA Red team led by Wallace Spearmon and JJ Johnson.

Keep on eye on LSU senior Richard Thompson who won the invitational 100 with a very fast time of 10.0 seconds. This is a world-leading time at 100-meters.

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

Wallace Spearman Jr. Eyes World Record!

I believe I can fly!

Prerace Jitters is excited to announce that at the Tyson Invitation on February 15, Wallace Spearman is looking to break the World Indoor Record at 200-meters!

The record of 19.92, currently held by Frankie Fredericks, is sick. That’s not running—that’s teleporting!

Sources tell PRJ that, at this point, Spearman’s training is ahead of schedule. Wallace thinks he is in the best shape of his life.

Spearman couldn’t find himself at a more ideal facility to break the record than the Tyson Invitation on the University of Arkansas campus. The 200-meter banked mondo track is one of the highest quality and fastest indoor running surfaces in the world.

Within the last three years, the 400-meter world indoor record and 4 x 400 meter relay indoor U.S. record have also fallen in Fayetteville.

Wallace set the 300-meter world indoor record on this track in 2006. This ain’t his first rodeo.

All eyes will be on Wallace Spearman!

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