This final Tech indoor meet has a little different purpose than the previous 2. Most of the teams attending are the usual schools from this region. The only additional schools are Lamar (which has pretty good distance runners) and Louisiana-Monroe, which has a well-founded team. More Tech runners will rest and not compete. The ones who are competing are looking to try to improve times/marks from earlier meets in a low-key setting OR trying to make enough of an impression to warrant traveling to future meets and/or conference.
The list of kids resting is pretty long: Lamont Adams, Jamaal Butler, Anthony Flemons, Nathan Lowry, Omo Osaghae, Brian Porter, Waylon Randolph, Gil Roberts, Justin Turner, Jonisha Boleware, Trudy Clarke, and Terra Evans. Tech will not run a 4X400 for the men or the women.
However, there will be a few kids competing for the first time this weekend, with the headliner being Julius Walker in the 55. Also, Bernard Hammonds in the TJ. Plus, Nick Green is at this very moment, competing in his first ever indoor heptathlon (which takes place tonight and Friday night).
I still think we could see several national qualifying marks this weekend. Some of the kids who have already made provisional marks and who have a good chance of getting automatic marks are: Amanda Alley in the PV, DeDe Carter and Patience Knight in the SP, Ozie Okolie in the Weight throw.
I think the other kids with a good shot at hitting their first qualifying marks of the year include: Markus Henderson in the 200, Bill Lawhorn in te 400, Jamele Mason and Brandon Tucker in the 55H, Julius Walker in his 2009 debut in the 55, Asia Diaz in the mile, Amanda Dowdy in the HJ (this freshman is looking very good), Sandra Iwunze and Tori Smith in the 55H, GLadys Kipsang in the 800 and Sage Lasater in the PV.
Also, don't forget that Gilbert Limo in the mile and Sally Kipyego in the 3,000 are running in Boston this weekend. Sally should run a great time in the 3K and I would be surprised if Gilbert didn't run very close to a 4 minute mile.
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