The Michigan men's distance medley relay team of (from left) Nick Willis, Nate Brannen, Stann Waithe and Andrew Ellerton at the Penn Relays (© Kirby Lee)
Philadelphia, USAThe University of Michigan erased any doubts about its victory over Arkansas in the men’s distance medley relay in the NCAA indoor championships at the 111th Penn Relays at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field on 29 April.
The Wolverines coasted to victory in 9:22.57, powered by a 3:55.1 1600m anchor by New Zealand 2004 Olympic 1500m semi-finalist Nick Willis, for the No.8 time in meet history and fastest since 1991. Arkanas was second in 9:28.79.
In the NCAA indoor championships in March, Arkansas defeated Michigan by three hundredths of a second but were later disqualified after it was ruled that Arkansas Said Ahmed had made illegal contact with Michigan’s Nate Brannen at the finish of the 1600m anchor.
“It’s not the way that you want to win it,” said Brannen, who ran the 1200m leadoff leg at Penn. “It’s good to have something like this and have people talk about it but I’d rather beat them fairly and squarely.’’
Another Battle
Arkansas, which set the meet record of 9:20.10 in 1989, and Michgan have split their last four races at Penn. They looked like they were in for another close duel through three legs.
Michigan’s Brannen (2:53.4 for 1200m), Stann Waithe (46.2 for 400m), and Andrew Ellerton (1:47.9 for 800m) were matched by Arkansas’ Adam Perkins (2:55.4), Terry Gatson (45.5) and James Hatch (1:47.8).
Willis, though, who turned in the fastest 1200m split of 2:49.7 in meet history in the 2003, powered away from Arkansas’ Ahmed over the final lap and crossed the finish line with a smile and thrusting his right arm skyward.
Willis didn’t run on the Wolverines distance medley in the NCAA indoor meet but downplayed any animosity between the schools.
“We’re friends with all the guys on the Arkansas DMR team,” Willis said. “It’s just the ones who aren’t in the race are doing all the talking. There might be a rivalry between the schools but to be honest, it’s a compliment to us. They are such a great school with so many national titles to be mentioned in the same sentence is an honor to us.’’
More chances for Arkansas
Arkansas won’t have to wait long for redemption. The Razorbacks will be seeking their 10th title in 11 years in the 4x1 Mile on Saturday, the final day of the three-day Penn meeting.
The Razorbacks will also compete in the 4x100m and 4x200m relays with defending NCAA 100m and 200m champions Tyson Gay and Wallace Spearmon Jr. Spearmon ran the World’s fastest time of the season at 19.97 in the Mt. San Antonio College Relays on 17 April.
Saturday’s competition will be highlighted by the USA vs The World competition with 2004 Olympic gold medallists Justin Gatlin, Shawn Crawford and Felix Sanchez and Olympic silver medallists Lauryn Willliams and Allyson Felix participating in the 4x100m, 4x400m and sprint medley relays.
Home Field Advantage for Chaput
Brian Chaput won the men’s javelin for the third year in a row at 79.62m on his home field. Chaput finished second in the U.S. Olympic Trials and NCAA championships as Penn senior last year.
Texas Tech swept the men’s and women’s sprint medley relays in 3:15.08 and 3:47.50, respectively. The Red Raider men were anchored by defending NCAA 800 champion Jonathon Johnson and the women used a strong final leg by Althea Chambers.
In women’s competition, Georgia Tech junior Chaunte Howard, a 2004 U.S. Olympian in the High Jump, won the for the third year in a row and anchored a shuttle hurdles relay that finished second to South Carolina, 53.10 to 53.70.
South Carolina won the 4x100m relay in 43.40 anchored by freshman Shalonda Solomon, the 2004 World Junior 200m champion. Stanford defended its title in the 4x1500m with three returning members from its 2004 team with Sara Bei, Arianna Lambie, Katy Trotter joined by Trotter’s twin Amanda.
Canadian Olympian Priscilla Lopes of Nebraska was the top qualifier for the 100m Hurdles final in 13.01.
Kirby Lee for the IAAF
Day 2 Results: click
