The Red Raiders will host the final meet in the inaugural season competing in the beautiful Sports Performance Center tomorrow, Friday, February 16. The "Matador Qualifier" will be a low-key meet primarily designed to allow many D-II, JC, and NAIA athletes to get national qualifying marks. The contingent of Tech athletes competing will be the smallest group of Tech athletes at any SPC meet this year -- most will be resting and training through to the Big 12 meet, which starts a week from tomorrow.
That said, there are still some important performances to look for at the meet:
That said, there are still some important performances to look for at the meet:
- First and foremost, the meet will be the debut of Sean Hooper in the 600 meter run. Sean was the crown jewel in this year's recruiting class -- one of the top-rated recruits in the nation as a senior. Sean will be a game-changer in the 400 when he is finally healthy. After he did not run last year, I thought he was being redshirted for certain as he rehabbed an injury from last fall. However, he is running the 600 meter this week - a low-key debut in an event that is longer than his usual distance - no doubt to check to see if he has the endurance needed to compete at conference. If Sean is near 100%, you will see a dazzling performance in this race.
- Charles Jones will run the 800. One of the top half-milers in the country, CJ had been fighting shin problems all year. He made his season debut last week in the 600 and ran easily through that race - very smooth, very restrained - and ran the 3rd fastest 600 time in the Big 12 this year. He will probably run the 800 this week in the same style -- not opening it up all the way, but running smooth. This race will keep the Big 12 coaches guessing whether CJ will run the 600 or 800 at conference next week.
- Norman Grimes, who is already ranked #10 in the 600 and #3 in the 60 hurdles, will run the 800 this week. No doubt testing his foot injury to see if he can run the 600 effectively at conference the next week.
- There are other Tech athletes who are competing at the Matador Qualifier who are certainly going to the conference meet the next week, but are using this meet to stay sharp: Duke Kicinski (#4 in the SP, #6 in the WT); Brandon Bray and Drew McMichael (#2 and #4 in the pole vault); Dorian Williams (#7 in the 60H); Brianna Johnson (#5 in the TJ); and Crystal Onwukaife (#7 in the SP).
- There are others who are on the bubble of competing at conference and they are trying to cement their place on the traveling team to Ames: Hunter Wigington, Hunter Carlton and Hagen Stoute in the men's PV; Megan Wood, Chloe Wall, and Tayler Jameson in the women's PV; Kameron Washington and Dalton Rigdon (#19 and #21 in the LJ); Seasons Usual and Happiness Okeke (#12 and #17 in the WT); Kyla Glenn (#16 in the women's 60H); Ardran Carr and Caleb Richmond (#14 and #15 in the men's 60H); Jadsia Warden (#18 in the 400); Braden Darrow (#11 in the SP); Daja Gordan (#11 in the women's 60); Joel Latson (#20 in the men's 60) and Faith Roberson (#13 in the 600). I think that Faith Roberson may be a real standout in this group - I talked with some people who know her last week and she is finally beginning to adapt to the heavier training regimen of a college runner and "feeling her feet back under her". She could have a particularly excellent time this week.
- There is another interesting matchup this week. Jessica Gallardo and Lauren Offerman are both running the 1000. I am guessing the coaches are trying to decide who will run the 1200 meter leg (the leadoff leg) on the distance medley relay next week at conference and the winner of this race should get the honor of doing so. The women need to pick up a few points in the DMR at conference.
