by Tom Borish (3/16/04)

Brendan Christian of Texas ran 20.29 in the 200 last season (Kirby Lee/The Sporting Image)

MEN

:: 100 meters ::

There are so many names to mention that the list could be a mile long in this event. With the installment of the regional qualifying last season, everyone had to adjust to peaking at the right time.

Mardy Scales of Middle Tennessee State will look to defend his title at the NCAA Division I Championships in Austin, Texas this June. The senior is coming off a second place finish in the 60 meters during the indoor season as well.

Washington State's Anthony Buchanan will look to get back to top form once again after a hamstring injury that caused him to pull out of the NCAA Championships. Buchanan entered the regional's with a best of 10.10 which was tied for the second fastest in the nation.

Although TCU will be missing Erick Wilson, the former national junior college champion in the 100 and 200 meters, due to a torn ACL to his knee, the Horned Frogs still have enough firepower in their arsenal. Michael Frater returns after taking third at the national meet and boasts a personal best of 10.13 set last season.

Tyson Gay of Arkansas had an outstanding indoor season and will be one to reckon with as the outdoor season rolls along. As only a freshman last season, Marc Burns of Auburn placed fourth in the 100 meters and clocked 6.61 in the 60 during the indoor season.

Although he can't compete at the NCAA Division I level quite yet, let's not forget about Steven Mullings of Barton Community College. The Jamaican born sprinter holds a best of 10.00 (5.3w) and is coming of winning the NJCAA 60 meter title in 6.59.

More names you should be aware of include: Sean Lambert of Tennessee, DaBryan Blanton of Oklahoma, Oliver Williams of Nebraska, Dusty Stamer of Nebraska and Stanford Routt of Houston.

:: 200 meters ::

Leo Bookman of Kansas, the defending NCAA Division I 200 meter champion, will not represent the Jayhawks this outdoor season due to a late decision to redshirt in order to focus on the U.S. Olympic Trials.

The title during last outdoor season nearly went to Jerome Mathis of Hampton as he was edged by Bookman by .01 seconds. Mathis should be hungry enough once again to claim what was well within his reach.

Houston's Stanford Routt has been very productive under the tutelage of head coach Leroy Burrell. The third place finisher from last season has the capabilities to step up and take the title in the longer of the two short sprints.

Tyson Gay of Arkansas lit the indoor scene on fire with his showing of 20.40 at the SEC Championships. However, the former Barton CC star could not take advantage of his home track with his fifth place performance at the NCAA indoor meet. Look for Gay to avenge the performance with what could be a great outdoor campaign.

More names you should be aware of include: Kenneth Baxter of Purdue, Brendan Christian of Texas, Kyle Farmer of Florida, Domenik Peterson of Arizona State, Wallace Spearmon of Arkansas, Rodney Martin of South Carolina and PaulVince Obuon of Virginia Military.

Lewis Banda of Arizona State could be the dark horse for the 400 title (Kirby Lee/The Sporting Image)

:: 400 meters ::

This could be one of the fastest 400 meter crops ever produced at the collegiate level in one season. After suffering some minor injuries during the indoor season, Adam Steele of Minnesota hopes to be back on a roll once again that saw him win the title last year in 44.57.

Not too far behind with his 44.58 in the final was Steele's teammate, Mitch Potter. The senior failed to make the indoor 400 meter final, but it's all open lanes during the outdoor season and it could be an even faster outdoor final.

Jeremy Wariner of Baylor just seemed to hit cruise control during the indoor season. Never slowing down, the sophomore is coming off the indoor title with his time of 45.39. Teammate Darold Williamson also had an outstanding indoor season and will look to make the finals this year during the outdoor season.

Not many people know about him since he competes at the Division III level, but you should know the name Andrew Rock of Wisconsin La Crosse by now. The senior enters his last collegiate season with a best time of 45.29 which he won at the NCAA Division III Championships.

Otis Harris of South Carolina, who clocked 44.57 to earn second at the Division I final last year, will not be back this season after all. Harris did not compete indoors and will redshirt the outdoor season as well for South Carolina.

More names you should be aware of include: Jerry Harris of TCU, Jason Barton and Lewis Banda of Arizona State, Obra Hogans of Seton Hall, Reggie Witherspoon of Florida, Kelly Willie and Pete Coley of LSU and Richard James of Long Island.

:: 110 meter hurdles ::

It was the Antwon Hicks show during the indoor season and the Mississippi junior should be able to carry it over to the 110's after claiming the 60 hurdle title in Arkansas. Hicks is coming off failing to make the final last season in Sacramento.

Just like Mississippi State, the Cincinnati program could not compete during the NCAA indoor championships which left David Payne sitting on the sidelines watching the meet where he could have perhaps been in the final. Payne placed third in the 110 hurdles last season with his time of 13.53 and should be in the running for the title once again.

David Oliver of Howard had a very consistent indoor season which saw him place fifth indoors in the 60 hurdles and will look to get back to the outdoor finals once again after running 13.60 to grab fourth.

With the top time of 13.32 set last season, Jabari Greer of Tennessee did not compete this indoor season to focus more on the NFL draft and may not compete during the outdoor season as well.

More names you should be aware of include: Josh Walker and Kerron Clement of Florida, Shamar Sands of Auburn, Shannon Armstrong of Wichita State, Nenad Loncar of Nebraska, Joel Brown of Ohio State and Selim Nurudeen of Notre Dame.

Rickey Harris is one of few to clock under 49 seconds in the hurdles (Kirby Lee/The Sporting Image)

:: 400 meter hurdles ::

This could be Florida's dominating event of the season. Although he has been inconsistent at times, Rickey Harris should still be considered the favorite for the title. Placing second last year with his time of 48.83, Harris will look to end his collegiate career with another title.

Another Gator, this one a freshman, by the name of Kerron Clement could make some serious headlines. The 2003 Gatorade National High School Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year holds a best of 49.77 in the event and also clocked 45.90 to take fifth in the indoor 400 meters.

Dwight Ruff of Florida emerged as one to watch immediately after his fifth place finish in the 400 hurdles last season with his time of 49.60. The Gators will look to get some major points in this event for their run at a national title.

Don't count out the defending indoor champions of LSU. Bennie Brazell placed fourth in the event last season with his time of 49.38. A key figure in the relays as well, Brazell will have his work cut out for him but has shown to shine when it counts.

The newest phenom over the intermediate hurdles doesn't even compete at the Division I level. Bershawn Jackson of St. Augustine's College, who compete in Division II, holds a personal best of 48.23 in winning at Madrid, Spain last summer. The USATF runner-up should be right back at it again this season in what could be the performance of the season.

With his time of 48.79 set last season as a freshman, Ken Ferguson of South Carolina will not compete outdoors to make it a complete season redshirt in which he also sat out the indoor season.

More names you should be aware of include: Mikael Jakobsson of Minnesota, Greg Flint of BYU, Victor Okorie of Middle Tennessee State and LaRon Bennett of Georgia.

:: 4x100 meter relay ::

It should be another close race as LSU returns all four of their legs to repeat for the title. The same four (Kelly Willie, Robert Parham, Pete Coley and Bennie Brazell) also represent the 4x400 meter relay in which they also claimed the title last season. No other school has stepped up to stop the Tigers and the experience they produced from last season will pay off again this season.

Mississippi State's squad failed to make the final last season, but should boast one of the fastest times in the country again this season. With the loss of Pierre Browne due to graduation, the Bulldogs should still have plenty to work with for their run to the title.

It will take a sub-39 second performance to take home the title and not many schools have proven to show that. However, anything can happen in the relays, especially with the 4x100, as Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Florida A&M, TCU and Houston all have the capabilities to claim their stake as the fastest school in the land.

Mitch Potter ran for the U.S. 4x400 World Championship relay (Kirby Lee/The Sporting Image)

:: 4x400 meter relay ::

Just like in the 4x100 meter relay, LSU looks to defend their title with the same four legs who took them across the line in 3:02.01 in Sacramento. Is this the year for a new collegiate record? Many seem to think so, but it will take more than just four fast legs to accomplish that. The handoffs are probably the key to producing such a fast time.

Baylor is coming off their indoor title as the foursome of Jamen Saziru, Jeremy Wariner, Mark Teter and Darold Williamson could just be the team to beat after their strong performances all season long.

Minnesota is always tough as the Golden Gophers placed second indoors and outdoors. It's always nice to have Mitch Potter and Adam Steele on board who helped lead the U.S. to gold at the World Outdoor Championships in the 4x400 meter relay.

The collegiate indoor record holders at Arizona State have shown signs of even faster times this outdoor season as well.

More schools you should be aware of include: Florida, Texas Tech, Texas, Seton Hall and Auburn.

WOMEN

:: 100 meters ::

Muna Lee of LSU enters the outdoor season with the indoor 60 meter title under her belt, including a second-place finish in the 100 meters last season and a personal best of 11.04. The only question remains is if Lee's body can handle all the rounds of a championship meet in which she will also compete in the 4x100 meter relay and 200 meters.

Veronica Campbell of Arkansas exploded on to the national scene. Last season, she clocked 11.00 in the 100 meters in the Commonwealth Games and will be a force once again this season. In 2000, Campbell earned the first of what could be many Olympic medals when she took a silver medal for her participation on Jamaica's 4x100-meter relay team.

Miami's Lauryn Williams has always been one to look out for in the 100 and this season should prove no different. Taking fifth in the 60 meters this past indoor season and third in the 100 meters last season, the multiple Big East Champion has what it takes to emerge as a champion.

It wasn't a surprise to Tennessee when Toyin Olupona placed second in the 60 meters to Muna Lee at Arkansas. The Canadian sprinter hopes to carry that momentum to the outdoor season and beyond for the Lady Vols and her country at the Olympics.

More names you should be aware of include: Connie Moore of Penn State, LaVerne Jones of Oklahoma, Fana Ashby of Auburn and Monique Tubbs of Jacksonville.

Lauryn Williams and Muna Lee will battle once again in both the 100 and 200 (Kirby Lee/The Sporting Image)

:: 200 meters ::

Veronica Campbell's strongest event just could be the 200 as she proved on her home track during the indoor meet with her collegiate record time of 22.43. Could Campbell set a new collegiate outdoor record? Only time will tell.

It appears to be the same group as in the 100 meters, which is why Muna Lee should not be forgotten. Her second place performance of 22.76 set outdoors just wasn't fast enough, but the Tigers will look for all the points they can from Lee for another outdoor team title.

Connie Moore of Penn State placed third here both this past indoor season and outdoor season. The senior hopes to dip below 22.50 which looks like what it will take to win the title.

More names you should be aware of include: Lauryn Williams of Miami, Erica Whipple of South Carolina, Monique Hall and Stephanie Durst of LSU, LaVerne Jones of Oklahoma and Shana Robinson of Tulsa.

:: 400 meters ::

There is a superstar down in Texas and she goes by the name of Sanya Richards. It's her race to lose and if she opts out of the 200 meters like last outdoor season, watch out. The sophomore is coming off another amazing indoor season which saw her clock 22.49 to take second in the 200 meters and 50.82 to set a new collegiate record and win the 400 meters. The defending outdoor champion as well will be right at home as the outdoor meet is in Austin.

Dee Dee Trotter of Tennesse could have the best shot at knocking off Richards in the one-lap event. The junior placed third indoors and was right behind the Texas phenom while placing second at the outdoor meet last year. With her personal best of 50.66, nothing should be put past Trotter.

Although she had somewhat of a disappointing eighth place finish indoors, Nadia Davy of LSU did finish third during the outdoor season in Sacramento with her time of 50.66, which took a photo finish to determine second place with Trotter.

More names you should be aware of include: Tiandra Ponteen of Florida, Allison Beckford of Rice, Hazel-Ann Regis of LSU, Marsha Dawkins of Oral Roberts, Monique Henderson of UCLA and Charlette Greggs of Miami.

Sheena Johnson looks to defend her 400 hurdle title (Kirby Lee/The Sporting Image)

:: 100 meter hurdles ::

It could be the Texas two-step in the 100 meter hurdles this season as the Longhorns look to Raasin McIntosh and Nichole Denby for the title. McIntosh placed third, while Denby placed fourth last outdoor season behind recent graduates Perdita Felicien and Danielle Carruthers. This is where Texas will pick up the most team points in their run for a national title.

Priscilla Lopes of Nebraska has shown her way to the top with her time of 7.96 to win the 60 hurdles at the indoor championships. Lopes hopes to follow the footsteps of fellow Canadian and former champion Perdita Felicien who claimed the title last season.

Lolo Jones of LSU is always one to look out for as the former indoor champion placed fifth outdoors and second indoors as the lady Tigers will look to her once again for those all so important team points.

More names you should be aware of include: Lashinda Demus of South Carolina, Virginia Powell of USC, Sheena Johnson of UCLA, Andrea Bliss of Florida, RaNysha LeBlanc and Brittany Littlejohn of LSU.

:: 400 meter hurdles ::

UCLA's Sheena Johnson returns for her final collegiate season as the senior looks to defend her title while running a meet record time of 54.24. A sub-54 second performance is not out of the question for this Bruin.

The hurdles is her specialty and Raasin McIntosh will carry it over from the 100 meter hurdles as well. Placing second behind Johnson last season at 55.02, the Longhorns will once again look to McIntosh for the important team points in the event.

Although she did not compete at the SEC or NCAA outdoor championships last season, Lashinda Demus of South Carolina will be a major threat to deal with. The 2003 NCAA indoor 400 meter champion and Penn Relays champion in the 400 meter hurdles holds a personal best of 54.70 which is the World Junior record.

Tiffany Ross of South Carolina, who was as an NCAA All-American in both 100 and 400 meter hurdles, will not compete outdoors to make it a complete season redshirt in which she also sat out the indoor season

More names you should be aware of include: Nicole Ireland of San Diego State, Alyssa Aiken of Texas, Shauna Smith of Wyoming, Elizabeth Bayne of Pittsburgh and LeBren Martin of Cal Poly-SLO.

Sanya Richards and Texas will be tough to beat in the 4x400 relay (Kirby Lee/The Sporting Image)

:: 4x100 meter relay ::

This is where the team points could get very interesting. A dropped baton, lane violation or any other mishap could be the difference between a national title and second place. LSU returns all four senior legs from last season (Stephanie Durst, Monique Hall, Lolo Jones and Muna Lee) in which they claimed the title in 42.55 which nearly broke their own school and collegiate record set back in 1989.

Texas should provide some spark here as well as the Longhorns placed third last season at 42.86. They will have to replace their anchor from last season in Aleah Williams, but don't put anything past Sanya Richards who may take that spot or stick with the second leg.

South Carolina will have to compete without Tiffany Ross and Aleen Bailey, but the lady Gamecocks always seem to show up when it counts.

More schools you should be aware of include: Auburn, Miami, TCU, Penn State and Georgia.

:: 4x400 meter relay ::

Will it be a battle between Texas and LSU once again? The indoor meet told the same story, along with the outdoor meet last season as Texas came out on top both times. With Sanya Richards on anchor for Texas, all they have to do is give her the lead and she can take care of the rest which she also proved at the World Outdoor Championships in Paris last summer.

LSU will be right on their tail once again and will need the perfect races from all four ladies to claim the title. South Carolina placed third behind Texas and LSU this past indoor season and did the same last outdoor season.

More schools you should be aware of include: Miami, Florida, Tennessee, Arkansas, UCLA and Arizona State.