I finally have time to do my Texas Tech Track Preview for 2020. Last year at this time, I was saying that the Red Raiders truly had a shot at winning the NCAA NC in track and field. This year, it is fun to say that winning that men’s NC was sweet and the men fully met expecations. I wish I could predict a repeat victory, but the losses were severe for the Tech men’s team and I just don’t think I can predict another NC. BUT, the men’s team will still be a contender for a top-10 national finish and the women’s team will be much stronger than the past few years. I could see both the men and women being serious contenders for a conference title. And, with the transfer portal being so active in track and field, Tech could still pick up a difference-maker or two at mid-term.
Just like the past few year, the Tech track and field team roster is so big, I will split the preview into 6 parts – by specialty area – the order goes like this: 1) sprints (100, 200, 400); 2) throws (shot put, discus, hammer, javelin); 3) distance (steeple, 5K, 10K); 4) hurdles (110H, 400H); 5) middle distance (800, 1500); and finish with 6) jumps, vault, multis. I will try to post a new preview every 2-3 days leading up to the Corky Classic on January 17-18.
SPRINTS – this area has become a HUGE area of strength for the Red Raiders! I don’t see that changing this year, even with some of the losses from both men and women.
MEN – okay, there is no way that the Red Raider sprinter men will be as strong as last year, losing Divine Oduduru, who in 2019 had the greatest season of sprinting in NCAA history, capping it off with the 100/200 sweep at nationals. Tech also loses Andrew Hudson, who was quite possibly the 2nd greatest sprinter in Tech history. Still, there are some good returnees and the future (2021) looks bright as Tech has already announced the signing of Terrence Jones, the top teenage sprinter in the Bahamas; and Courtney Lindsey, one of the top JC transfer sprinters.
Returning – one-half of the 4x100 relay returns that finished 3rd at nationals (Jacolby Shelton and Keion Sutton) and the sprint relay should again be a national points-contender.
Redshirt – Ryan Champlin had to redshirt last year because of being a double-transfer – he ran for TCU in 2017 and Memphis in 2018 (5th in The American Conference 400). After sitting out last year for Tech, he will have 2 years left. He will need to drop about 1 second from his time to be a factor in the Big 12 – he has run in the high 46’s and will have to drop to the mid-to-high 45’s to really contribute.
Newcomers – I am still hoping to see Tech add a transfer or two here at midterm.
WOMEN – the Red Raiders lose to graduation Tiffani Johnson, who placed several times in the sprints at conference (8th in the 100 this past year) and Taylor Rockwell, who was a key member of the 4x400 relay for 4 years. Also, JC transfer Robyn Byrd is not listed on the roster any longer. She was rather disappointing last year, although she did score on the 4x100 relay at conference.
RETURNEES – solid base of returnees:
NEWCOMERS – the 3 new sprinters will undoubtedly change the lineups for both relays:
The Tech women have the potential of getting both relays to nationals in 2020 and the sprinters could be a big contributors if the Red Raiders contend for the conference title.
Just like the past few year, the Tech track and field team roster is so big, I will split the preview into 6 parts – by specialty area – the order goes like this: 1) sprints (100, 200, 400); 2) throws (shot put, discus, hammer, javelin); 3) distance (steeple, 5K, 10K); 4) hurdles (110H, 400H); 5) middle distance (800, 1500); and finish with 6) jumps, vault, multis. I will try to post a new preview every 2-3 days leading up to the Corky Classic on January 17-18.
SPRINTS – this area has become a HUGE area of strength for the Red Raiders! I don’t see that changing this year, even with some of the losses from both men and women.
MEN – okay, there is no way that the Red Raider sprinter men will be as strong as last year, losing Divine Oduduru, who in 2019 had the greatest season of sprinting in NCAA history, capping it off with the 100/200 sweep at nationals. Tech also loses Andrew Hudson, who was quite possibly the 2nd greatest sprinter in Tech history. Still, there are some good returnees and the future (2021) looks bright as Tech has already announced the signing of Terrence Jones, the top teenage sprinter in the Bahamas; and Courtney Lindsey, one of the top JC transfer sprinters.
Returning – one-half of the 4x100 relay returns that finished 3rd at nationals (Jacolby Shelton and Keion Sutton) and the sprint relay should again be a national points-contender.
- Jacolby Shelton anchored the sprint relay all year as a true freshman and ended up being a huge pickup for last year’s freshman class. He finished 11th at conference in the 100, but should get into the top 8 in 2020.
- Derrius Rodgers was terrific indoors (top 4 in both the indoor 60 and 200 at the Big 12 meet), but was injured early in the season outdoors and only competed sporadically and never ran on the 4x100 at all. Could be a strong addition to the relay in 2020.
- Keion Sutton proved to be a really nice addition in 2019 after a transfer from South Plains, getting 8th in the Big 12 200 outdoors and holding down a spot on the 4x100 all year.
- Kesean Carter – looked pretty good indoors, but never really found his sprinting rhythm after spring football. Still got to go to nationals as an alternate on the sprint relay. I believe he will really step out in 2020 to be a dominant college sprinter.
- Lavone Brown was the 6A state 400 champ in 2018, but he struggled indoors in the transition to college sprinting. Towards the end of the outdoor season, he began to round into running shape and he placed 10th in the Big 12 400 prelims, missing the finals by a tenth of a second. He scored at the conference meet on the 4x400 relay which finished a very disappointing 8th place (the Red Raiders already had the conference title wrapped up long before the 4x400 relay and ended up running 4 runners who had not scored at conference yet).
- ·Josiah MacInnis – scored at conference as one of the 4 members of the 8th place 4x400 relay. JMc has always been just outside of the top 4 for the relay on a regular basis.
- Chancellor Stephenson – ran very well indoors, even placing at the conference meet in the 600y run, but he has dealt with major injuries every season he has been at Tech and just can’t seem to stay healthy enough to be a factor. If Chance can stay healthy throughout his senior year, he could be a major factor for the 4x400 relay.
Redshirt – Ryan Champlin had to redshirt last year because of being a double-transfer – he ran for TCU in 2017 and Memphis in 2018 (5th in The American Conference 400). After sitting out last year for Tech, he will have 2 years left. He will need to drop about 1 second from his time to be a factor in the Big 12 – he has run in the high 46’s and will have to drop to the mid-to-high 45’s to really contribute.
Newcomers – I am still hoping to see Tech add a transfer or two here at midterm.
- Ashton O’Conner – freshman from Pearland Shadow Creek – the 5A state champ in the 100 last year (ranked #18 in the U.S.), should be an instant contender for points in the 100 and on the 4x100 relay.
- Kevin Modesto – freshman from DeSoto – 4th in the 6A 400 in 2019, he will be a big addition to the 4x400 relay
- There are a couple of walkons who are interesting: Luke Ray, 3rd in the 4A 400 for Panhandle; and D’Ante Thomas, 7th in the Region II-6A 200 for Waco Midway. Will wait and see if either one of them develop.
WOMEN – the Red Raiders lose to graduation Tiffani Johnson, who placed several times in the sprints at conference (8th in the 100 this past year) and Taylor Rockwell, who was a key member of the 4x400 relay for 4 years. Also, JC transfer Robyn Byrd is not listed on the roster any longer. She was rather disappointing last year, although she did score on the 4x100 relay at conference.
RETURNEES – solid base of returnees:
- D’Jenne Egharevba had a really good season for the Red Raiders after a transfer from Illinois State, getting 2nd in the 200 at the indoor Big 12 meet and 7th outdoors and running on the 4x100 relay and even the 4x400 occasionally. Should have a strong senior season.
- Jadsia Warden came to Tech as a last-minute addition from HS back in 2017 and had turned into a solid conference quartermiler – getting 8th in the event indoors and 10th outdoors and running a strong leg on the 4x400 relay. If she continues that improvement trend, she could well be a top 5 runner in 2020.
- Peyton Ricks – a walkon in 2018, she emerged as a legit conference competitor in 2019, making the finals in the 100 and forcing her way onto the 4x100 relay that placed 4th at the conference meet and qualified for the national meet. If there was an award given to the “most improved”, I would think that Peyton would have won that award in 2019.
- Daja Gordon – after an excellent debut season in 2018 (placing in the Big 12 100 as a true freshman), Daja suffered through an injury-marred sophomore season in 2019. I truly think she has All-American potential and a healthy junior season could prove that.
NEWCOMERS – the 3 new sprinters will undoubtedly change the lineups for both relays:
- Kailei Collins – from Cypress Ranch, had a fantastic HS junior year – 2nd in the 6A 100 and 4th in the 400 (ranked #10 in the U.S. in the 100 and #12 in the 200), but she struggled in her senior year, not making the state track meet in either sprint event, although she was still ranked #12 in the U.S. in the 100 based on her time in her area meet. She could be a contender at conference.
- Le-Taija Jackson – from Mesquite Horn, where she was 6th in the 6A 400 and ranked #65 in the U.S. in the 400. Also a good 200 runner.
- Amanda Crawford – transfer from St. Augustine’s in North Carolina, a powerhouse D-2 program. She was 5th in the D-2 400 last year and in 2018, she had the 51st fastest time in all collegiate ranks in the 400. She has run a legit 54 flat – she drops that by 1-1.5 seconds and she is a serious conference contender.
The Tech women have the potential of getting both relays to nationals in 2020 and the sprinters could be a big contributors if the Red Raiders contend for the conference title.
