Runnerspace is reporting that he died today following a long battle with cancer.

Geoff Hollister–the running community legend and original Nike men who led the shoe-maker to sponsor races and set up running clubs such as Athletics West, the current Nike-sponsored Oregon Project and the two Oregon Track Club Elite groups is dead.

At this time, the exact cause of death is not know.

He admitted several years ago that he was fighting cancer. On Saturday athletes led by Galen Rupp, Matthew Centrowitz, Mo Farah and Ciaran O’Lionaird donned a special tribute singlet at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in honor of the former Nike executive.

Hollister got into early at Nike. He was a small-town Oregon farm boy who went on to the now-legendary University of Oregon to run for coach Bill Bowerman, the man behind Nike.

The former University of Oregon track athlete became a driving influence in leading Nike as a worldwide leader in sports equipment and apparel.

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Webcast Schedule

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Track and Field is a series of falls and recoveries. USA hurdler, Kellie Wells can vouch for this, having suffered a hamstring injury in 2008, during the semifinals of the Olympic trials.

After a couple of down years, Wells has returned to the top spot. She won the USA indoor 60 hurdles title in February, with the third fastest time in history. Wells heads into the USA Championships this weekend, as the world leader in the 100 hurdles, with a season’s best time of 12.58.

PreRaceJitters caught up with Kellie to discuss her preparation for the USA Championships.

PreRaceJitters: You’re off to a fast start this season, having run a personal best time of 12.58 in the 100 hurdles, in Doha. How did you feel about your performance?
Kellie Wells: I was very pleased with the time that early in the season. I know my fitness is there so now we are just focusing on staying healthy and executing races correctly.

PreRaceJitters: Going into the meet did you think you would run so well?
Kellie Wells: Yes, we had been training well and preparing for the Diamond League series and we knew what type of times and  training that would require.

PreRaceJitters: You’re obviously ahead of the game already. What’s different about this season than last season?
Kellie Wells: In 2008, I had a season ending injury and it kept me off of the track from the Olympic trials and the majority of 2009, so 2010 was my first year back and I was finding my rhythm. Now in 2011, I am finally healthy and back to my old self and training has come together  this year. My coach asked for my patience thru my healing process and I believed in him and we are in a good place now.

PreRaceJitters: The championship season is around the corner. What are some things you’re doing in training to prepare?
Kellie Wells: We are making sure I am getting plenty of treatment, rest,  and staying sharp and executing in practice. I’m keeping my mind calm and having fun with everything. I’m looking forward to the US championships!

PreRaceJitters: You’re the USA champion in the 60 hurdles. What did it mean to you to win the indoor title?
Kellie Wells: It was so wonderful to earn a US title, a lot of people don’t look at an indoor title as much to talk about, but I ran the third  fastest time in US history and went on an undefeated season. It was my first title and it came at a great time. I’ve worked hard to be where I am and to see it come to life was amazing.

PreRaceJitters: How have you carried the momentum from indoors into outdoors?
Kellie Wells: Indoors made me hungry for outdoors! It made me want to go harder to see what my body could do. The fear of the hurdle is gone finally and I have let go of my ill feelings of getting hurt again and I’m having such a wonderful time.

PreRaceJitters: You’ve set the bar high this season. What will it take for you to maintain your presence at the top?
Kellie Wells: Just trusting in the lord and in the tools he has given me to do what I love to do.I have to do all I can to ensure my body stays healthy and not put too much pressure on myself. My main focus is to have fun and to do my best!

PreRaceJitters: Track and Field is a series of falls and recoveries. What is the biggest obstacle that you’ve had to overcome in your career so far?
Kellie Wells: In 2008, I tore my hamstring in the semifinals of the Olympics Trials. I had run my personal best of 12.58 and as I was slowing down I got a third degree tear in my hamstring and could not compete for over a year. I was in pain daily and couldn’t do what I loved. I contemplated quitting a few times, but my coach and my family kept my head on straight.

PreRaceJitters: Do you get pre-race jitters? If so, how do you overcome them?
Kellie Wells: LOL of course I do, but I welcome those feelings because they help me run faster. I love the Adrenalin rush!

PreRaceJitters: Looking ahead towards the USA championships… What are you looking to accomplish?
Kellie Wells: I just really want to make the US team. It would be my first team ever, and it means so much to me to make the US team. We have so much talent in our country, so to wear my flag on my chest would be an amazing honor!

PreRaceJitters: Thank you for your time and best wishes on the season.

David Pickett is a Contributing Editor at PreRaceJitters.com writing about the exploits of collegiate and elite track and field.

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The returning All-American has already has a brilliant career at Texas A&M - leading the Aggies to team an outdoor nation championship.

PreRaceJitters chatted with the 400 meter runner about getting started in the sport and his season plans before leaving for the NCAA Track & Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

PreRaceJitters: What was the first race you ever saw in person?

Tabarie: To tell you the truth I didn’t know anything about track till my 11th grade so my first race probably was Justin Gatlin running the 100 meters.

PreRaceJitters: When did you begin competing in track and field, and what was your first event?

Tabarie: I started track my late 10th grade year and I was sorry, I ran the 800m / 400m and my prs was 2:10 and 54sec.

PreRaceJitters: Did you have Olympic aspirations as a child?

Tabarie Henry: No, not at all I wanted to be a model or actor.

PreRaceJitters: Who was your first role model in life?

Tabarie: My high school coach whose name is coach Brown.

PreRaceJitters: Describe the experience of meeting President Barack Obama in the White House last fall?

Tabarie: It was nice under than all the rules and security it was something I’ll never forget, I actually shook his hand that was fun.

PreRaceJitters: You were named Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week honors on April 5, 2011 after running your first outdoor 400 meter of the season in a collegiate-leading 44.83, at the time.

Tabarie: Yea, it was a great honor cause last year was a long season and I had a great down fall last year so it was cool to get that award.

PreRaceJitters: With that, last year you talked about making the transition from a speed endurance training program to a more sprint-based philosophy at Texas A&M. How well you adapted and how are you feeling with your race today?

Tabarie: Well last year it was new to me that why I had a hard time running like I use to in JUCO but every day I try my hardest to learn the system and listen to my coaches. And till today I’m still learning.

PreRaceJitters: Having already won two team national titles and 4×400m relay national titles. Do you place a lot of pressure on yourself an individual NCAA Championship?

Tabarie Henry: No, not really can’t put a lot a pressure on yourself cause you wouldn’t run fast, so I just go out there and do the best I can and try to give the most points I can give for my team.

PreRaceJitters: At Texas Relays, you 4×400 meter relay team ran a ridiculously fast 3:00.45, breaking Baylor’s 1985 meet record. In your mind, is this team capable of running under 3:00.00?

Tabarie Henry: Yea we can we just have to be ready at the same time, cause every time we get a chance to run fast one of us is ill or hurting so we all have to be ready at the same time.

PreRaceJitters: How has the progression been over the last year in terms of dealing with going from a strength-based program at Barton Community College to a sprint-based training program at Texas A&M?

Tabarie: It’s still coming along I’m still learning till today so the progression will not stop, but this year me and Coach Henry talk and they adding in some of my old workouts from JUCO so it’s been fun this year.

PreRaceJitters: I read once you said that you were too young in 2008 and didn’t understand running while competing for the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 2008 Beijing Games. What’s your mindset looking forward to the 2011 World Championships and 2012 London Games.

Tabarie: Yea I was like 19 at the time I was just out there in space, but now after 09 World Champs, I have a little more trust in myself as long as I keep making finals I’ll be a happy…

PreRaceJitters: What do you have on tap after the NCAA Outdoor Championships?

Tabarie: Well, I want to try to pick up a deal [shoe contract] and run in Diamond League meets and represent my country to the fullest.

PreRaceJitters: Do you still get prerace jitters?

Tabarie: Yea I just get jitters when the pressure on me or my time, I don’t get jitters on who I compete against just my time.

PreRaceJitters: Thank you so much for your time Tabarie and best wishes on the remainder of season.

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The bigger you are, the faster you run? Not the case for Darius Law. Standing 5 feet, 2 inches and weighing about 95 pounds during his freshman year of high school, he was cut from the football, basketball and baseball teams at Southeast Raleigh. Scared of rejection, Law decided to start running track during his sophomore year of high school, because it was the only sport that didn’t have cuts. In his senior season, he had recorded one of the fastest 400 meter times (47.24) ever run by a North Carolina high school athlete. For his efforts, he earned a scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The 26-time Atlantic 10 Conference champion, recently completed his studies in business management, earning a perfect 4.0 GPA through four years of college. Law is headed back to the NCAA’s for the second consecutive year in the 400 meters, he’ll be hoping to end his collegiate career as a Charlotte 49er on a high note.

PreRaceJitters caught up with the true student-athlete for the Pre-NCAA installment of Sub 10 Second Tuesday.

PreRaceJitters: At the East preliminary, you ran 46.33 in the 400 meters, to advance back to the NCAA championships for the third consecutive year.
How do you feel about your performance?

Darius Law: Most importantly, I’m pleased that I achieved my primary goal of advancing to the 2nd round of the NCAA Championships in the 400m. Although I was hoping to run under 46 seconds, I’m just thankful and grateful that I survived and will get another chance to run versus some of the best 400m runners in the nation in Des Moines, Iowa. However, based solely on times, the 46.33 that I ran doesn’t quite compare to the 45.29 that I ran last year in the 400m or the 45.77 that I ran my sophomore year during this same time period.

PreRaceJitters: You’re quite the accomplished track athlete, having won 26 Atlantic-10 Conference titles in a number of events, such as the 200, 400, 4×100 and 4×400.
What does it mean to you to have accomplished this much?

Darius Law: All of my accomplishments and awards are truly blessings, but I don’t really focus on winning awards and getting recognition. Instead, I just focus on trying to be the best student, athlete, and person that I can be. While I’m very fortunate that I was able to leave my mark on the Atlantic 10 Conference, I just hope that people respect my academic accomplishments and community activism just as much as my athletic achievements. I want my legacy to be much bigger than anything that I have ever accomplished on the track because I firmly believe that as an athlete I do more than just run; I motivate; I inspire; I uplift; I achieve; and I lead…by example.

PreRaceJitters: Standing 5 feet, 10 inches and weighing about 125 pounds - many would guess that you were a distance runner instead than a sprinter. Does being a undersized in comparison to the prototypical sprinter give you a source of motivation?

Darius Law: I would definitely say that my size does give me a source of motivation because I always notice spectators pointing fingers at me before my races begin. I would guess that they are saying, “That boy D-Law is little… but he can still fly”. I would sum it all up by saying that I have never had height or weight, but one thing that I have always had is heart…and you can’t measure heart in a form of inches or pounds.

PreRaceJitters: You’re the true definition of a student-athlete. You recently completed your studies in business management, earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average through four years of college. What does it mean to have that accomplishment under your belt?

Darius Law: I have always put academics before athletics, so being able to graduate with Business Honors and a perfect cumulative 4.0 GPA was like running 43 or 44 seconds in the 400m. Walking across the stage on May 14th, 2011 really felt like I had won an Olympic Gold Medal. Just like an athlete training for the Olympic Games, earning my undergraduate degree was the accumulation of four hard years of studying day in and day out. It was also validation of many sacrifices that I’ve made over the past four years. What many people don’t realize is that I have been able to emerge as a top sprinter without being fully committed to Track & Field. Track has always been secondary to my education, which has caused me to make some major sacrifices as an athlete. In four years at Charlotte, my sleeping schedule has been unhealthy and I have never really lifted any weights. There have been track meets where I’ve stayed up studying and competed off of only 4 hours of sleep. My coach would say, “D-Law you need to get your rest”, and I would tell him that I had to do what I had to do and that lack of sleep was just one of the sacrifices that I was willing to make. In terms of weight lifting, it wasn’t that I was lazy; I just didn’t have enough time in the day to devote to both track practice and weight training. Once again, my coach understood that sprinting for excellence in the classroom was more important to me than sprinting to excellence on the track.

PreRaceJitters: You were recently awarded the Nish Jamgotch Jr. Humanitarian Student Award for your outstanding achievements in the community. How does it feel to have earned this honor?

Darius Law: First off, I just want to thank Dr. Nish Jamgotch Jr. for creating such a prestigious award. It is truly a blessing and honor to be recognized for the one thing that is most important to me, which is helping others. Like I personally expressed to Dr. Jamgotch, I look forward to the day in my life when I can pay it forward by establishing the Darius Law Humanitarian Student Athlete Award to recognize future students for his/her achievements.

PreRaceJitters: What are some of the community service activities that you have been involved in over the past four years at Charlotte?

Darius Law: In addition to leading a campus wide effort to raise awareness, money, and shoes for Samaritan’s Feet and the 300 million children that wake up every morning without a pair, I have helped organize efforts to donate new unwrapped toys for children for Toys for Tots, volunteered my time to tutor middle school children, participated in a date auction to help raise money for breast cancer, and even visited a detention center to talk to juveniles about attending college and the importance of goal-setting.

PreRaceJitters: What motivates you to give back to your community?

Darius Law: I have already noted that I have always put academics before athletics, but more importantly, I have always put helping other people before all.
My mother, who raised me as a single parent, instilled in me the importance of always helping others and giving back to the community at a very early age. Growing up in Raleigh, NC, I witnessed my mom change the lives of many children by serving as a therapeutic foster parent and welcoming children suffering from severe social, emotional, and/or behavior problems into our home with open arms full of love and joy. My rare life experiences growing up listening to the stories of children who had previously been abused, mistreated, neglected, and/or absent of a relationship with his/her biological parents is what lead to my humanitarian efforts and willingness to go above and beyond in terms of helping other people.

PreRaceJitters: How were you able to balance your academic, athletic and social lives all four years?

Darius Law: I don’t think it was very difficult at all. Although I was a 4.0 student-athlete, I had lots of fun in college and really got the full experience. For me, it was all about strategizing, keeping my priorities in order, managing my time, and understanding that having fun was necessary and healthy. I didn’t want to just be a bookworm. Therefore, I planned ahead and made sure I took care of business in the classroom and on the track first and then rewarded myself by having fun and hanging out afterwards. Finally, I mastered a lot of studying techniques early on as a college student and had a great strategy which was really the key to my success. I hope that I am able to share my true secrets and philosophy with student-athletes around the world one day.

PreRaceJitters: Talk about your four years at Charlotte, as a student-athlete. What will you remember most about being a 49er?

Darius Law: I will always remember the continuous support that the entire university and the Charlotte community provided me with. I can’t even describe how amazing this journey has been, but I can say that it has been, by far, the best four years of my life. Although I’m looking forward to everything that my future has in store, I will never forget the place that I call home and the opportunities that Charlotte presented me with. I will always be a Charlotte 49er, and I will always bleed GREEN.

PreRaceJitters: You have the ability to compete for a spot on the US team in 2012, but you’re also thinking about law school. What direction will you take?

Darius Law: Growing up, I never had dreams of becoming a professional athlete; I always had dreams of becoming a lawyer. And with the last name Law, I think it was all written from the beginning. However, instead of going directly to Law School, I have decided to take some time off to be fully committed to Track & Field (for the 1st time) with hopes of earning a spot on the US team in 2012. This upcoming year, I’m going to finally hit the weight room hard and really start doing the little things, such as eat and sleep right, that I haven’t been able to do in the past because of my extreme focus on school. Reflecting on my track career thus far, I just can’t stop running now because I know in my heart that I have so many opportunities to get better and so much unfulfilled potential. If I ran 45.29 barely getting by, then I know I have the potential to run 44 seconds or even faster once I finally commit and get serious about Track & Field. It’s almost unheard of for an elite sprinter to run fast without lifting weights, and I have been ducking and dodging the weight room for several years now. But those days are finally over, it’s time for me to step up to the plate and work just as hard on the track and in the weight room as I have worked in the classroom over the past four years. I also think this decision will help me in the long-run as taking advantage of an opportunity to earn a spot on the US team in 2012 should help me standout amongst thousands of other law school applicants in the near future.

PreRaceJitters: Do you get pre-race jitters? If so, how do you overcome them?

Darius Law: YES, I do have pre-race jitters. In addition to reciting Deuteronomy 31:6 and Philippians 4:13 over and over and over again, I overcome my pre-race jitters by talking to myself. I say, “D-Law this is the time! Get focused! Let’s go D-Law!”

PreRaceJitters: Looking ahead towards NCAA’s…It’s your final meet in a Charlotte 49er uniform. How do you want to end your career?

Darius Law: I just want to end my career doing what I always do, which is step on the track and give it my all. No matter the outcome, I know I will have always have support from Charlotte and will always be a winner in their books. But being the competitor that I am, when I step on the track to race, please believe that I’m in it to WIN IT!

PreRaceJitters: Thank you for your time and best wishes on the season.

David Pickett is a Contributing Editor at PreRaceJitters.com writing about the exploits of collegiate and elite track and field.

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Just a junior, Tennessee’s Ellen Wortham has emerged as one of the top 400 meter hurdlers in the country this season. After missing the finals last year at the NCAA’s, Wortham is back and in great position to win the NCAA title this year.

At the East preliminary, Wortham recorded her eighth consecutive victory. She is currently  ranked eighth in the world, with a career best time of 55.70.

PreRaceJitters caught up with Ellen for the Pre-NCAA installment of Sub 10 Second Tuesday.

PreRaceJitters: At the East preliminary, you recorded your eighth consecutive victory in the 400 meter hurdles. Rainy and windy weather in Bloomington, not the best conditions for hurdling. However you still manage to post a solid time of 56.95, but more importantly you punched your ticket to the NCAA’s. What was the plan going in?

Ellen Wortham: My plan going in mainly was to qualify for NCAA’s with a smooth race, but also stay focused and not relax too much.

PreRaceJitters: You’re headed back to the NCAA’s for the second-straight year. What does it mean to you to return to nationals?

Ellen Wortham: It is a great opportunity for me to race against the fastest collegiate 400 hurdlers in the country and really get a chance to compete to the best of my ability.

PreRaceJitters: Having competed in nationals last year, you know what to expect heading in to competition. Do you feel more mature after last year’s experience?

Ellen Wortham: I definitely feel more prepared at this point from experience in racing at nationals, and I am excited to go out and run my best.

PreRaceJitters: You’ve run some fast times this season, 55.70 being the fastest, which you ran at the SEC Championships. Could you briefly recap that race?

Ellen Wortham: It was a very tough race, because I had to stay relaxed in the beginning when my main competitor, Cassandra Tate, went out really fast the first 200 meters. I had to trust myself to be able to finish strong and run my race and not get too emotional. Sticking to my race plan paid off, and I was able to catch her in the last few meters.

PreRaceJitters:As the meet favorite, do you feel any pressure, if any to perform at a high level to what fans are accustomed to seeing you perform at?

Ellen Wortham: I feel confident and relaxed at this point. Going in last year I was going to have to run my best time to make it into finals. This year I know I will be able to do that without stressing myself. I don’t feel too much pressure from fans or anyone else. I know I will be able to get done what I need to get done if I trust myself.

PreRaceJitters:Running in college your force to compete in a lot of meets. Talk about your health going into the NCAA’s. How are you feeling mentally and physically?

Ellen Wortham: At this point in my career I am accustomed to long seasons, thankfully. I am healthy physically and relaxed mentally. I am excited and ready to go.

PreRaceJitters:What have you been doing in your training to prepare for NCAA’s?

Ellen Wortham: At this point in the season we are just focusing on fine-tuning and keeping the body fresh and maintained for competition. We have been doing lots of recovery and preventative treatments getting ready for the NCAA’s.

PreRaceJitters:What’s life like outside of track?

Ellen Wortham: I have been able to spend more time with my family now that school is out, because I am from the Knoxville area. Most of my time is spent just taking it easy and relaxing from school, and I’m very happy to do so.

PreRaceJitters: Do you get pre-race jitters? If so, how do you overcome them?

Ellen Wortham: Sometimes I get a little anxious earlier in the day if I have to wait a long time to race. I like to listen to relaxing music to help me from getting hyped up too early before my race.

PreRaceJitters: What are you looking to accomplish at NCAA’s?

Ellen Wortham: I am going in hoping to win. More importantly I want to focus on bettering my own race, because I know that doing that will most help what I need to get accomplished. I am also excited to help out our 4×4 and 4×1 relays.

PreRaceJitters: Thank you for your time and best wishes on the season.

David Pickett is a Contributing Editor at PreRaceJitters.com writing about the exploits of collegiate and elite track and field.

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100 Meter Dash
Leading the field in the men’s 100 meter dash are Jeff Demps of Florida, the defending NCAA champion in this event, and Ngonidzashe Makusha of Florida State, the ACC champion. Demps comes in with a season’s best time of 9.96w, while Makusha comes in with a season’s best time of 9.97. Challenging them will be Maurice Mitchell of Florida State, who turned in a season’s best time of 10.03 at the ACC championships. Mitchell is also a co-favorite in the 200 along with Rakieem Salaam of Oklahoma.

Predictions:
1. Jeff Demps - Florida
2. Maurice Mitchell - Florida State
3. Ngonidzashe Makusha - Florida State
4. Gerald Phiri - Texas A&M
5. Rakieem Salaam - Oklahoma

Jeneba Tarmoh of Texas A&M headlines the field for the women’s 100 meter dash. Tarmoh, who has run a wind-aided 10.94 this season, is the Big 12 champion in this event. Her competition will come from Semoy Hackett of LSU. Hackett has turned in a season’s best time of 10.98w, and is the SEC champion in this event. Others to watch out for are Kimberlyn Duncan (LSU), Lakya Brookins (USC) and English Gardner (Oregon). Duncan and Brookins ran identical times of 11.02w at the SEC meet last month, while Gardner broke Gail Devers PAC-10 meet record with a legal 11.03.

Predictions:
1. Jeneba Tarmoh - Texas A&M
2. Lakya Brookins - South Carolina
3. Semoy Hacket - LSU
4. English Gardner - Oregon
5. Kimberlyn Duncan - LSU

400 Meter Dash
Alabama’s Kirani James has done some remarkable things this season. During indoors, James ran the third fastest time in history at 400 meters. You can be assured he will be looking to better his time of 44.80 from indoors this weekend. Texas A&M teammates Demetrius Pinder and Tabarie Henry will look to pull off an upset. Pinder, who has run 44.87 this season, is the defending NCAA indoor champion in this event. Henry comes in with a season’s best time of 44.83. Also keep an out for Oregon’s Mike Berry, who has run 44.91 this season.

Predictions:
1. Kirani James - Alabama
2. Demetrius Pinder - Texas A&M
3. Tabarie Henry - Texas A&M
4. Torrin Lawrence - Georgia
5. Mike Berry - Oregon

Texas A&M’s Jessica Beard comes in as a co-favorite in the women’s 400 meter dash, along with Diamond Dixon of Kansas. Both have run identical times of 51.55 this season. Dixon defeated Beard at the Big 12 meet last month. Beard comes in as the NCAA indoor champion in this event and will be looking to add a outdoor title in her final collegiate meet. Others to watch out for are Joanna Atkins of Auburn (51.83) , Shelise Williams of Arkansas (52.12) and Regina George of Arkansas (52.31).

Predictions:
1. Jessica Beard - Texas A&M
2. Shelise Williams - Arkansas
3. Diamond Dixon - Kansas
4. Joanna Atkins - Auburn
5. Regina George - Arkansas

100 Meter Hurdles
Eleven women have dipped under 13 seconds this season in the 100 meter hurdles. USC’s Nia Ali comes in as one of the favorites, having run a wind-aided 12.74 this season. Her time is identical to Tiffani McReynolds of Baylor. Christina Manning of Ohio State comes in with the third fastest time of 12.86.

Predictions:
1. Nia Ali - USC
2. Christina Manning - Ohio State
3. Tiffani McReynolds - Baylor
4. Kierre Beckles - South Carolina
5. Gabby Mayo - Texas A&M

400 Meter Hurdles
Five men dipped under 50 seconds in 400 meter hurdles at the West Prelim. Washington State’s Jeshua Anderson comes in as the clear favorite in this event. Anderson is currently ranked second in the world in this event, with a season’s best time of 48.13, which he recorded at the PAC-10 championships. If anyone is to challenge Anderson than Bryce Brown of Texas Tech may be the man. Brown has run 49.04 this season, he’s the Big 12 champion in this event.

Predictions:
1. Jeshua Anderson - Washington State
2. Byrce Brown - Texas Tech
3. Jamele Mason - Texas Tech
4. Reggie Wyatt - USC
5. Amaechi Morton - Standford

Ellen Wortham of Tennessee headlines the field for the women’s 400 meter hurdles. Wortham, who has run 55.70 this season, currently ranks number eight in the world in this event. Her competition will come from LaToya James of North Carolina and Turquoise Thompson of UCLA. James has run 55.83 this season, while Thompson has run 55.84.

Predictions:
1. Elllen Wortham - Tennessee
2. Turquoise Thompson - UCLA
3. Ti’erra Brown - Miami
4. LaToya James - North Carolina
5. Cassandra Tate - LSU

Triple Jump
The triple jump should be the most watched field event. Why? Three guys have jumped over 17 meters this season. Florida teammates Will Claye and Christian Taylor probably get enough of each other, since they practice, travel and compete together. Claye and Taylor are the top two triple jumpers in the NCAA this year. Claye has jumped 17.24 meters and Taylor 17.15 meters, respectively.

Predictions:
1. Will Claye - Florida
2. Christian Taylor - Florida
3. Julian Ried - Texas A&M
4. Zedric Thomas - LSU
5. Tyron Stewart - Texas A&M

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June 8-11, 2011 - Des Moines, Iowa - Drake Stadium

Full Results
Women’s Start Lists
Men’s Start Lists
Preview

Texas A&M men’s and women’s track and field 2011. Triple double national titles!
Photo (c) Mike Scott 2011.

Day 3 Highlights - Top Performances
Ngonidzashe Makusha (Florida State) 8.40m/27-6 ¾ + 9.89 CR
Damar Forbes (LSU) 8.23m/27-0
Ti’erra Brown (Miami) [55.642
Turquoise Thompson (UCLA) 55.646
Jeshua Anderson (Washington St.) 48.56
Candyce McGrone (Oklahoma) 11.08
Kimberlyn Duncan (LSU) 11.09
Rakieem Salaam (Oklahoma) 9.97
Maurice Mitchell (Florida State) 10.00
Jessica Beard (Texas A&M) 51.10
Kirani James (Alabama) 45.10
Tony McQuay (Florida) 45.14
Mike Berry (Oregon) 45.18

Photo (c) Mike Scott 2011.

Day 2 Highlights - The remaining events have been delayed till Friday via Flashresults…. Men’s 4×400 and Men’s 10K
M110 Hurdles Prelim - Texas Tech’s Omo Osaghae led all qualifiers with a 13.32 clocking in heat 1. The next fastest time were by Andrew Riley of Illinois (13.37 - Heat 1); Texas’ Keiron Stewart (13.44 - Heat 3); LSU’s Barrett Nugent (13.48 -Heat 1.

W100 Hurdles Prelim - USC’s Nia Ali led all qualifiers with a 12.82 (-0.6m/s) clocking in heat 1. The next fastest times were by Christina Manning of Ohio State (12.92 - Heat 2); Leticia Wright of Ohio State (13.01 - Heat 2); Michaylin Golladay of Clemson (13.01 - Heat 3). A&M teammates, Gabby Mayo and Natasha Ruddock, both failed to advance to the finals.

M200 Prelim - Oklahoma’s Rakieem Salaam led all qualifiers with a 20.29 clocking heat 3. The next fastest times were by Maurice Mitchell of Florida State (20.39 - Heat 2); Marek Nitt of Arkansas (20.43 - Heat 2); Horatio Williams of LSU (20.44 - Heat 1)

W200 Prelim - LSU’s Kimberlyn Duncan led all qualifiers with a 22.38 clocking in heat 1. The next fastest times were by Tiffany Townsend of Baylor (22.77 - Heat 1); Nivea Smith of Auburn (22.80 - Heat 1); Aareon Payne of USC (22.97 - Heat 2).

Day 1 Highlights - Demps, Hackett, Tarmoh out of 100 Finals!
M400 Hurdles Prelim - Washington State’s Jeshua Anderson led all qualifiers with a 49.18 clocking in heat 2. The next fastest times were by Amaechi Morton of Stanford (49.31 - Heat 1); Byrce Brown of Texas Tech (49.95 - Heat 1); Jamele Mason of Texas Tech (50.01 - Heat 3).

W400 Hurdles Prelim - Miami’s Ti’erra Brown led all qualifiers with a season’s best time of 55.59 in heat 1. The next fastest times were by Ryann Krais of Kansas (55.68 - Heat 2); Cassandra Tate of LSU (55.99 - Heat 3); Turquoise Thompson of UCLA (55.99 - Heat 1). Meet favorite - Tennessee’s Ellen Wortham (56.43) failed to advance to the finals.

M100 Prelim -  Florida State’s Ngonidzashe Makusha led all qualifiers with a 10.13  clocking into a -1.1 m/s headwind in heat 3. The next fastest times were by Maurice Mitchell of Florida State (10.16 - Heat 1); Rakieem Salaam of Oklahoma (10.26 - Heat 3); Terrell Wilks of Florida (10.27 - Heat 1). Florida’s Jeff Demps (10.40 -Heat 2), who is the defending champion in this event, failed to advance to the finals.

W100 Prelim - Oregon’s English Gardner led all qualifiers with a 11.17  clocking into a -0.4 m/s headwind in heat 3. The next fastest times were by Kimberlyn Duncan of LSU (11.22 - Heat 3); Aurieyall Scott of UCF (11.30 - Heat 2); Jessica Young (11.31 - Heat 2). Co-favorites - Texas A&M’s Jeneba Tarmoh (False Start) and LSU’s Semoy Hackett (11.55) failed to advance to the finals.

M400 Prelim - Florida’s Tony McQuay (photo) posted a career best time of 44.87 in heat 1, to lead all qualifiers. The next fastest times were by Gil Roberts of Texas Tech (45.22 - Heat 1); Mike Berry of Oregon (45.23 - Heat 2); Joey Huges of USC (45.27 - Heat 2).

Photo (c) Mike Scott 2011.

W400 Prelim - Texas A&M’s Jessica Beard posted a season’s best time of 51.24 in heat 1, to lead all qualifiers. The next fastest times were by Diamond Dixon of Kansas (51.64 - Heat 3); Joanna Atkins of Auburn (51.69 - Heat 2); Shelise Williams of Arkansas (51.84 - Heat 3).

M4×100 Prelim - Texas A&M posted the fastest qualifying time of 38.33 in heat 3. The next fastest times were by Florida (38.59) Heat 2; Illinois (38.72) Heat 1 ; Florida State (38.75) Heat 1.

Wx4100 Prelim - LSU posted the fastest qualifying time of 42.94 in heat 2. The next fastest times were by Texas A&M (42.99) Heat 1; Houston (43.38) Heat 1; UCF 43.52 Heat 3.

Women’s Long Jump Final - Southern Mississippi jr. Tori Bowie captured her first national title, with a career best mark of 6.64m/21-9 ½. Ti’Anca Mock of Oklahoma (6.64m/21-9 ½.) and Jamesha Youngblood of Oregon (6.59m/21-7 ½) finished second and third, respectively.

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The featured Performances were selected using qualifying standards to identify the top of the performances throughout the week.

NCAA Division I East Preliminary Round - May 26-28 (Bloomington, IN)
Men’s 100 Meter Dash - Preliminaries
Jeff Demps (Florida) 10.16 -1.0
Maurice Mitchell (Florida State) 10.20 +0.7

Men’s 100 Meter Dash - Quarter-Finals
Jeff Demps (Florida) 10.19 +0.8

Women’s 100 Meter Dash - Preliminaries
Kenyanna Wilson (LSU) 11.25 -0.1
Aurieyall Scott (UCF) 11.36 -0.4
Semoy Hackett (LSU) 11.43 +1.0
Sheniqua Ferguson (Auburn) 11.43 -0.4

Women’s 100 Meter Dash - Quarter-Finals
Lakya Brookins (South Carolina) 11.31 +1.0
Semoy Hackett (LSU) 11.32 +1.0
Kenyanna Wilson (LSU) 11.33 +1.0
Sheniqua Ferguson (Auburn) 11.33 +1.0
Aurieyall Scott (UCF) 11.41 +0.8
Chastity Riggien (Southern Miss.) 11.42 +1.0

Women’s 200 Meter Dash - Preliminaries
Sheniqua Ferguson (Auburn) 23.17
Nivea Smith ( Auburn) 23.19
Aurieyall Scott (UCF) 23.24

Women’s 200 Meter Dash - Quarter-Finals
Kimberlyn Duncan (LSU) 23.04
Semoy Hackett (LSU) 23.22
Sheniqua Ferguson (Auburn) 23.22

Women’s 400 Quarter-Finals
Jenna Martin (Kentucky) 52.30

Women’s 800 Meter Run - Quarter-Finals
Kate Grace (Yale) 2:03.41
Chanelle Price (Tennessee) 2:04.54
Carolina King (Boston College) 2:04.79

Women’s 100 Hurdles - Quarter-Finals
Letecia Wright (Ohio State) 12.97
Kierre Beckles (South Carolina) 13.01
Christina Manning (Ohio State) 13.03
Michaylin Golladay (Clemson) 13.03
Ti’ erra Brown (Miami) 13.05
Bridgette Owens (Clemson) 13.08
Chelsea Carrier (West Virginia) 13.08

Men’s 110 Hurdles - Quarter-Finals
Devon Hill (Miami) 13.54
Terence Somerville (Cincinnati)
Spencer Adams (Clemsom) 13.55

Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles - Preliminaries
Ti’erra Brown (Miami) 56.39

Women’s 400 Meter Hurdles - Quarter-Finals
Cassandra Tate (LSU) 56.36

Women’s 3000 Steeplechase
Stephanie Garcia (Virginia) 9:54.76
Alyssa Kulik (Clemson) 9:58.49
Ashley Higginson (Princeton) 10:00.78
Genevieve LaCaze (Florida) 10:05.92
Katie Hursey (Syracuse) 10:08.44
Sarah Pease (Indiana) 10:09.14
Nicol Traynor (Richmond) 10:11.26
Meghan Cunningham (Connecticut) 10:11.57

Men’s 3000 Steeplechase
Matt Hughes (Louisville) 8:35.74
Travis Mahoney (Temple) 8:36.10
De’Sean Turner (Indiana) 8:39.40
Andrew Benford (Richmond) 8:39.71

Women’s Hammer
Dorotea Habazin (Virginia Tech) 67.51m/221-06

Men’s Hammer
Marcel Lomnicky (Virginia Tech) 73.91m/242-06

Men’s Javelin
Craig Kinsley (Brown) 74.02m/242-1
Brian Moore (Georgia) 73.23m/240-03
Ignacio Guerra (Western Kentucky) 73.16m/240-00
Stipe Zunic (Florida) 72.73/238-07

Men’s Long Jump
Ngonidzashe Makusha (Florida State) 8.07m/26-05.75

Men’s Triple Jump
Christian Taylor (Florida)16.72m/54-10.25
Will Claye (Florida) 16.52m/54-02.50

Women’s Triple Jump
Ganna Demydova (Southern Miss.) 13.56m/ 44-06.00
Patricia Mamona (Clemson) 13.50m/44-03.50

Women’s Shot Put
Faith Sherrill (Indiana) 17.51m/57-05.50

Women’s Discus
Annie Alexander (Tennessee) 192-02
Mary Angell (Kentucky) 184-07

Full Results

NCAA Division I West Preliminary Round - May 26-28 (Eugene, OR)
Women’s 100 Meter Dash - Preliminaries
Jessica Young (TCU) 11.21 +1.4
Tiffany Townsend (Baylor) 11.30 +2.3
Jessica Davis (USC) 11.32Q +0.8
Amber Purvis (Oregon) 11.35Q +0.8
Grecia Bolton Houston11.35 +1.2
English Gardner (Oregon) 11.39 +1.2

Men’s 100 Meter Dash - Preliminaries
Rakieem Salaam (Oklahoma) 10.21 +0.6

Women’s 100 Meter Dash - Quarter-Finals
Tiffany Townsend (Baylor) 11.30 +1.7
Jeneba Tarmoh (Texas A&M) 11.36 +0.6
English Gardner (Oregon) 11.39 + 1.7

Women’ s 200 Meter Dash - Quarter-Finals
Jeneba Tarmoh (Texas A&M) 22.62 +2.1
Candyce McGrone (Oklahoma) 22.81 +1.2
Jessica Davis (USC) 22.91 +2.1
Dominique Duncan (Texas A&M) 23.00 +2.1
Aareon Payne (USC) 23.04 +1.2
Christy Udoh (Texas) 23.09 +1.2
Tiffany Townsend (Baylor) 23.11 +0.8
Grecia Bolton (Houston) 23.15 +2.1
Jessica Young (TCU) 23.23 +0.8

Women’s 400 Meter Dash - Preliminaries
Jessica Beard (Texas A&M) 51.81
Regina George (Arkansas) 52.31
Whitney Jones ( Arkansas ) 52.41
Ciara Short (Cal St. Fullerton) 52.41

Men’s 400 Meter Dash - Preliminaries
Josh Mance (USC) 45.47

Women’s 800 Quarter-Finals
Stephanie Brown (Arkansas) 2:02.59
Laura Roesler (Oregon) 2:03.12
Anne Kesselring (Oregon) 2:03.49
Lea Wallace (Sacramento St.) 2:03.69

Men’s 800 Meter Run - Quarter-Finals
Elijah Greer (Oregon) 1:45.98
Charles Jock (UC Irvine) 1:46.27
Cory Primm (UCLA) 1:46.36
Harun Abda (Minnesota) 1:46.81
Joe Abbott (Washington St.) 1:46.84
Joey Roberts (Texas A&M) 1:46.89
Edward Kemboi (Iowa State) 1:47.25

Women’s 100 Meter Hurdles - Preliminaries
Nia Ali (USC) 12.82 +3.8
Tamika Robinson (Illinois) 13.06 +3.8

Women’s 100 Hurdles - Quarter-Finals
Nia Ali (USC) 12.92 +1.1
Natasha Ruddock (Texas A&M) 13.04 +1.4
Lauren Blackburn (USC) 13.09 +1.4

Men’s 110 Hurdles Preliminaries
Andrew Riley (Illinois) 13.53 +1.3
Brendan Ames (USC) 13.57 +2.2

Men’s 110 Hurdles Quarter-Finals
Andrew Riley (Illinois) 13.32 +0.5
Omo Osaghae (Texas Tech) 13.32 +0.5
Brendan Ames (USC) 13.44 +1.1
Keiron Stewart (Texas) 13.46 +1.7
Ronald Brookins (Sacramento St.) 13.47 +1.7
Jeffrey Julmis (Kansas State) 13.54 +1.1
Ray Stewart (California) 13.56 +1.1
Wayne Davis II (Texas A&M) 13.58 +1.1

Women’s 400 Hurdles Quarter-Finals
Turquoise Thompson (UCLA) 56.06

Men’s 400 Hurdles Quarter-Finals
Jeshua Anderson (Washington St).49.59
Bryce Brown (Texas Tech) 49.74
Jamele Mason (Texas Tech) 49.74
Reggie Wyatt (USC) 49.94
Amaechi Morton (Stanford) 49.99

Women’s 3000 Steeplechase
Emma Coburn (Colorado) 9:55.03
Shalaya Kipp (Colorado) 10:00.03
Claire Michel (Oregon) 10:02.55
Melanie Thompson (Oregon) 10:06.83
Martina Tresch (Kansas State) 10:06.98
Rebeka Stowe (Kansas) 10:07.20
Eva Krchova (San Francisco) 10:08.55
Hannah Moen (Arizona) 10:10.61
Margaret Callahan (Arizona) 10:11.77

Women’s 10,000 Meter Run
Tonya Nero (Wichita State) 3:24.12
Dani StackS (Iowa State) 33:28.36
Betsy Saina (Iowa State) 33:28.59
Stephanie Marcy (Stanford) 33:31.95
Aliphine Tuliamuk (Wichita State) 33:32.11
Ruth Senior (RNew Mexico) 33:33.23
Tara Erdmann (Loyola Marymount) 33:33.63
Jennifer Bergman (Arizona) 33:34.32
Bronwyn Crossman (Oregon) 33:36.74
Jessica Engel (Oklahoma) 33:38.99

Women’s Javelin
Marissa Tschida (Washington St.) 174-10

Women’s Shot Put
Julie Labonte (Arizona) 17.10m/58-10

Women’s Hammer
Amanda Bingson (UNLV) 67.92m/222-10
Jeneva McCall (Southern Illinois) 67.24m/220-7

Women’s Discus
Anna Jelmini (Arizona State) 57.09m/187-3

Men’s Javelin
Kyle Nielsen (Washington) 77.24m/253-5
Sam Humphreys (Texas A&M) 75.50m/247-8
Nick Lynos (Baylor) 73.79m/242-1
Alex Wolff (Oregon) 73.72m/241-10
Tim Glover (Illinois State) 73.28m/240-5

Full Results

NCAA Division II Championships - May 26-28 (Turlock, CA)
Men’s 100 Meter Dash - Finals
Kimour Bruce (Lincoln Mo.) 10.15 +3.1

Men’s Hammer
Ryan Loughney (Ashland) 70.15m/230-2

Men’s Long Jump
Josh Como (Cal St. LA) 16.52m/54-2 ½

Women’s 100 Meter Dash - Prelim
Judith Riley (Lincoln Mo.) 11.32
Indira Spence (Adams State) 11.38

Women’s 100 Meter Dash - Finals
Judith Riley (Adams State) 11.42

Women’s 100 Hurdles - Prelim
Indira Spence (Adams State) 13.10 +2.0

Women’s 100 Hurdles - Finals
Shermaine Williams (Johnson C. Smith) 12.9 +3.2
Indira Spence (Adams State) 13.05 +3.2

Women’s 10,000
Sarah Porter (Western Washington) 33:17.39

Full Results

NCAA Division III Championships - May 26-28 (Delaware, OH)

Full Results

NAIA Championships - May 26-28 (Marion, Ind)

Full Results

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Few, if any have accomplished as much. Jessica Beard has been exceptional. Brilliant. An integral part of a growing dynasty who helped bring the “sprint” title to Texas A&M.

The A&M senior 400 meter runner walks us down deciding to go to Aggie Land, being teammates with some incredible athletes and looks down the road to the NCAA Outdoor Championships and U.S. Outdoor Championships.

PreRaceJitters: Wow, what a meet you had at Big 12 Outdoor Championships. How awesome is it to win the women’s and men’s team titles while taking the 4×400 relay?

Jessica: The feeling is the best one. Even though I did not win the individual title, coming into the meet knowing that it would take the entire team was a great aspect to focus on and it challenged us under pressure to see what we would do and how well we could perform.

Going out and winning both titles my last year, was a wonderful experience, knowing that the seniors had something memorable we could leave with. When we put different people on the relay, it’s always good to see how we can perform so I was very pleased with the way all the girls stepped up and won.

PreRaceJitters: While we are on the subject of history, did you originally come to College Station with plans on re-writing the Aggie record books while at the same time being part of changing the landscape of college sprinting to Aggie Land?

Jessica: I never had a plan to come in and change or re-write anything, I just came in with high hopes of getting better and improving and trying to one day win my own individual title and most definitely a relay and team title.

I just knew that I was in good hands with Coach Henry’s resume, and Coach Anderson’s personality, and I just wanted to come in and prove that I could make the transition and become a better person and athlete.

PreRaceJitters: Why did you leave Ohio for college?

Jessica: TOO COLD!!! Lol, all of my choices were in the south or somewhere warmer than Ohio.

PreRaceJitters: Do you do any workouts with the Aggie 400m men Tabarie Henry and Demetrius Pinder?

Jessica: Lol. No I don’t. They’re very competitive in practice, I like to work on myself and at whatever pace Coach tells us, so I don’t think I could keep that focus or keep up! They’re two of the world’s best.

PreRaceJitters: The NCAA championships, running with great athletes like Porscha Lucas and Gabby Mayo and for coach great coaches - Texas A&M has worked out for you?

Jessica: Yes, A&M has worked out so well for me. When you come into a program, you are not sure what is in store, or how the people and environment will be. Even in the toughest times and through little disputes, I can say that I always have my teammates and they will always have my back.

We encourage each other and we come together like no other during Championships. I have to say that Coach Anderson, is a Coach like no other. He takes the time to learn who we are as athletes, students, and individuals, and that’s a tough job for an assistant coach! Coach Henry tells you what you need to hear, always there to relieve little stresses and always finds ways to motivate us when needed the most!

From Gabby and Porscha, I’ve mainly learned that injury can not keep a talented woman down for long, they’ve bounced back in more ways than one and that is something I keep in mind when things don’t go as predicted.

PreRaceJitters: Speaking of which, what is Gabby Mayo like as a college teammate?

Jessica: Hmmmmmmm. Lol, no Gabby is the crazy one! Loves to compete and loves to proves others wrong, when she thinks she’s right.

I lived with her my freshman year and she loves Fresh Prince! So that tells you she has that goofy side as well. Sweet girl for the most part (just don’t make her mad on the track, she shows out and performs well! Lol).

PreRaceJitters: You’ve earned three NCAA silver medals in the 400 meters? What would winning an outdoor national championship mean to you?

Jessica: Winning the Outdoor NCAA crown would make the indoor one even better. Along with a faster time or pr would be icing on the cake. I just want my senior year to be as memorable as possible.

I’m just going to go out there and give my last race all I have. And if that aids in becoming 3 time national champions, I know that would be the biggest blessing God could ever grant us!

PreRaceJitters: Another year, another championship banner. What does this team need to do to defend its team title in NCAAs?

Jessica: The team needs to focus on the team. We need to qualify to the best of our abilities and compete with courage and heart. We need to make finals and do the unexpected!

We need to listen to our coaches and to our supporters. We need to do what we’ve been doing all year, just at a deeper level. We need to remember who we are and why we came to nationals. We need to be Texas A&M, and nobody else.

PreRaceJitters: Does being a senior on a team coming off of back-to-back championship change the way you prepare?

Jessica: Not really. I don’t think you can just step up and try to be a different person at NCAA or any other big meet, than you are everyday in front of your teammates or how you act towards your teammates.

I think you just have to come with the mindset that this is a new year, a different combination of people, and everyone who has come this far can make it. You just try to improve the little things that you’ve been working on all year, and put it all together.

PreRaceJitters: In 2009, you earned a gold medal as a part of the Team USA 4×400 meter relay competing in Berlin. How does that experience come into play as you stare down a NCAA Outdoor Championships and a U.S. Outdoor Championships in a World Championship year?

Jessica: Well that happened after NCAA but it does show me that I have a big role when it comes to the 4×4 on the collegiate level and that I’m very capable of fulfilling it.

That experience was my first ever, so it was a learning process and I definitely believe that it will help me this year as I go into another World Championship year.

PreRaceJitters: So far, you’ve run 50.79 in your career. Is a sub-50 second 400 meters is within reach?

Jessica: With God ALL things are possible to him [her] that believe. Sometimes focusing on time could be a hindrance instead of a stepping stone. Indoor I just focused on my goals, and I plan to do that outdoor.

I will just have to wait and see what God has in store for me, and hopefully it’s a new PR.

PreRaceJitters: What do you do to wind down?

Jessica: I really just hang out with my teammates and cook and go to the movies. I like to read also in my spare time, but other than that, I just sleep! Lol.

PreRaceJitters: This is kind of a tough question to toss at you at the very end, but can you somehow give us a glimpse of what it means to represent America on the National Team two years ago, and try for the World Championships this year?

Jessica: That year will always be special. Running at the Olympic Stadium where Jesse Owens won his four gold medals, and him growing up in Cleveland Ohio, I don’t think I could really ever put that experience into words, but it was amazing for me, especially since it was my first team.

Now I want to do the same thing, each year, I just want to get better and improve. I believe if I do that, then my chances at another memorable experience will be just around the corner. Each experience is a lesson and hopefully I continue to learn from them!

PreRaceJitters: Thanks for your time and best wishes with the remainder of your season.

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