Weekend Preview: Huge Weekend Awaits Collegiate Track & Field Fans

One of the biggest weekends of collegiate indoor track & field is upon us.

Let us check the calendar real quick: January 27. Yup. That checks out.

From The USTFCCCA InfoZone: Meets & Results | Records & Lists

Collegiate and divisional records in danger, which can be said every week.

In fact, we saw three collegiate records set over the past two weeks alone: Britton Wilson of Arkansas in the Women’s 600 Meters; Masai Russell of Kentucky in the Women’s 60-Meter Hurdles; and Julien Alfred of Texas lowered her own record in the Women’s 60 Meters.

Don’t be surprised if we see several others across the nation this weekend.

One (or two) might come from the Razorback Invitational, where the whose who of perennial powers descend upon the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas: the host Razorbacks welcome the likes of Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida State, Ole Miss, Stanford, BYU, Southern California and Arizona State. That’s just naming a few programs.

Recent history has shown that the “Track Capital of the World” isn’t just for blistering marks in the sprints and awe-inspiring efforts in the field events. Mid-distance and distance runners have made quick work on that 200-meter oval with collegiate records falling in the mile and distance medley relay. Fans could see some quick 3000-meter races, especially on the men’s side. Double national-leader Ky Robinson of Stanford (mile and 5000) headlines a field that also includes teammates Charles Hicks and Cole Sprout, as well as BYU’s Casey Clinger.

Take a gander at the Texas Tech Open & Multi, because that’s where the Red Raiders welcome the likes of Texas, Georgia, Oregon and Ohio State, in addition to NCAA Division II power West Texas A&M and NJCAA stalwart South Plains (Texas). The meet started on Thursday with the heptathlon and pentathlon and continues through Saturday. One name to look out for is Kyle Garland of Georgia, who set the collegiate record in the decathlon last year and is entered in the heptathlon. Garland is already ahead of collegiate record (and world record!) pace in the seven-eventer.

Both the John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston or the Dr. Sander Invitational at the Armory should impress, too. Tennessee standout Dylan Jacobs will compete in what promises to be a speedy 5000-meter race that could see him improve on his 13:14.04 PR that has him ranked No. 7 in collegiate history. Several NCAA DIII athletes will target the divisional record in the 3000 of 7:54.48, namely Alex Phillip of John Carroll. NC State phenom Katelyn Tuohy is slated to make her debut in the mile in New York City and could be primed for an all-time mark (Tuohy’s 1500-meter PR is 4:06.84).

Be sure to check back throughout the weekend as we’ll recap some of the biggest moments across each of the five collegiate divisions.