Saturday, February 20, 2010

Records Falling Indoors

Shana Flanary, competing for Monroe this year, started the record ball rolling in January by adding two feet to her state record in the 20lb weight throw (45-7.5). Ten days later she smashed it again, reaching 48-4.5 at Jenison Fieldhouse in East Lansing.

Then Dynasty McGee shocked at last Wednesday's meet at Saginaw Valley, hitting a 19-8 in the long jump that surpasses Trinette Johnson's 21-year-old record of 19-6.5. She came back in the triple jump and broke her own best of 37-4 with a 39-1. In the process, the junior improved her own PRs by eyebrow-raising margins (old bests 18-1 and 37-4). The fields at the Saginaw meet were small: five girls in the long jump and only two, the McGee sisters, in the triple. To be honest, I'll be hoping she betters the marks again at the state finals to eliminate any questions.

The record threat is certainly not over yet. Watch for possible marks from Sarah Birkmeier, who's at 12-6 now, just under her own PV record of 12-8. Bridgette Owens-Mitchell just cranked an 8.49 in the hurdles at Kentucky, second only in state history to the 8.46 by now-world class Candice Davis. Megan Goethals has hit 10:25.66 for 3200 on an oversized (non-record) track. The state 2M best is 10:22.96 for the full yard distance. Youngster Kendall Baisden might have a chance at the 200/400 bests of 23.90 and 54.79.

On the guys side, watch for Bedford's Nick Kaiser. He just ran an oversized 1:53.17 in Kentucky. The state record on a legal track is 1:52.80. And if Omar Kaddurah and Mike Atchoo keep improving, look for them to threaten the 1600 best of 4:09.0. I also wouldn't count out Max Babits, who is at 16-2 in the vault now (the record is 16-10.25).

If you want to have all the facts at your fingertips, make sure you get the 2010 Michigan Track Yearbook. Order it online, or, if my shipment gets here in time, you can pick one up at the state indoor. To order, click this link!

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