Tyson Invitational Preview: Distance Events

by Scott Bush, Trackshark.com

As usual, the Tyson Invitational will showcase many of the world's best distance runners this coming weekend.  Top professional and NCAA talent highlight all of the distance races, each having deep fields that should produce some phenomenal races.  2008 Olympians Nick Willis, Galen Rupp, Nick Symmonds, Christian Smith, Christin Wurth-Thomas and Anna Willard headline.

Men's Collegiate 5,000m
Meet Record: Alistair Cragg (IRL) - 13:32.01 - 2008

Last weekend at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games, Galen Rupp (Oregon) lost to Ethiopian Bekana Daba (adidas) in the men's 3,000m 7:41.88-7:44.69.  This weekend Rupp gets his chance at redemption as he takes on Bekana once again, this time in the 5,000m. 

Rupp has been very active this indoor season, running an early season mile, anchoring his team's DMR two weeks ago in Washington and racing in Boston last weekend in the 3k.  His indoor progression leaves him yet to run the 5k and many wonder just how fast the Olympian can run.  Daba and Rupp should battle and a sub-13:25 effort is not out of the question.  Both are fit and race ready.  Do not be surprised if the meet record of 13:32.01 set by former Razorback Alistair Cragg last year is taken down.

Along with Rupp and Daba are NCAA cross country runner-up Sam Chelenga (Liberty) and Ethiopian Markos Geneti (adidas).  Chelenga, who's been fairly quiet this indoor season, won the 3k at Penn State last weekend in 8:00.99, winning easily by twelve seconds.  Geneti finished third at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games, finishing just over two seconds back from Rupp in 7:46.74.  Both should challenge up front at some point during the race.

Additional collegiate talent fill the field.  Arkansas' Shawn Forrest ran 7:51.07 for 3,000m two weeks ago, while Auburn's Girma Mecheso (14:01.24 5k) and Elkanah Kibet (8:03.83 3k) are entered as well. 

Participants: Galen Rupp (Oregon), Sam Chelenga (Liberty), Shawn Forrest (Arkansas), James Strang (Arkansas), Colby Wissel (Kansas), Girma Mecheso (Auburn), Elkanah Kibet (Auburn), Markos Geneti (adidas), Bekana Daba (adidas), Steven Sambo (Rend Lake CC), Jonathan Pierce (USA).

Women's 3,000m
Meet Record: Sentayehu Ejigu (ETH) - 8:55.17 - 2004

Last weekend at the U.S. Cross Country Championships Delilah DiCrescenzo (Puma) ran to a third place finish, her highest showing in a national competition.  This weekend, DiCrescenzo gets to test her limits once again at the Tyson Invitational, this time headlining the 3,000m event.  Three weeks ago DiCrescenzo placed second at the Terrier Invitational in Boston, running a 9:16.40 3k tune-up race.  She lost to Irene Kimaiyo (Puma), who is also entered in the race Saturday.

While DiCrescenzo and Kimaiyo are the only two professional runners in the field, they will certainly feel the pressure from a handful of the top collegiate women.  Lillian Badaru (Texas Tech), who often gets overshadowed by teammate Sally Kipyego, will be looking for the win after running 16:21.59 for 5,000m earlier this indoor season.

Behind her there are three Arkansas runners in the field, who will have the support of the hometown crowd.  Catherine White, Denise Bargiachi, and Christine Kalmer all look to set personal bests in the event and possibly win the race.

Despite so much talent, perhaps the most favored athlete in the field is Holly Knight (Auburn).  Knight has time and again over the past two years shown that she is one of the top, if not the top, runner in the SEC and she'll have her shot to prove it once again at the University of Arkansas this weekend. 

Participants: Delilah DiCrescenzo (Puma), Irene Kimaiyo (Puma), Catherine White (Arkansas), Lillian Badaru (Texas Tech), Holly Knight (Auburn), Denise Bargiachi (Arkansas), Christine Kalmer (Arkansas), Alex Becker (Tulsa), Genevieve LaCaze (Florida), Wendi Robinson (Indiana), Sarah Medeback (Georgia).

Men's 800m
Meet Record: Beranhu Alemu (ETH) - 1:45.85 - 2005

The men's 800m field is loaded with talent and should be quite the race.  Olympian Nick Symmonds (Nike OTC) won the Reebok Boston Indoor Games 1,000m race last weekend in 2:20.52 and has to be considered the favorite heading into Saturday's race.  However, 2008 NCAA Indoor Champion Tyler Mulder (Northern Iowa) is entered in the field, as his Khadevis Robinson (Nike). 

Symmonds has shown time and again over the past two years that he is the strongest talent American talent in the 800m distance, but Robinson may have something to prove this time around, making his first 800m race of the 2009 track season.  Robinson has added training partners to his routine for the first time in a few years, which could benefit him immensly.  Meanwhile, Mulder ranks second in the NCAA with his 1:48.79 effort last weekend at the Meyo Invitational.

A few others to keep an eye on are Matt Scherer (Nike OTC) and David Krummenacker (adidas).  Krummenacker was fourth at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games last weekend with a 2:21.98 effort, while Scherer opened up his season with a fine 1:49.16 performance.  Both are proven competitors, with big race experience.

Participants: Nick Symmonds (Nike OTC), Khadevis Robinson (Nike), Tyler Mulder (Northern Iowa), Matt Scherer (Nike OTC), David Krummenacker (adidas), Alex McClary (Arkansas), Moise Joseph (Haiti), Jamaal James (LSU).

Women's Mile
Meet Record: Christin Wurth-Thomas (USA) - 4:27.18 - 2008

Three Olympians, perhaps the great NCAA runner ever, and two of the best young American talents in the country are all assembled in this year's women's mile at the Tyson Invitational.  Olympic 1,500m runner and former Razorback standout Christin Wurth-Thomas heads the field, opening up her season at the meet and eyeing her 4:27.18 meet record set a year ago.

Following on her shoulder is one of the deepest distance fields seen this year.  Olympic steepler Anna Willard (Nike) should make a run at victory, working on getting some speed into her early season preparation, while 800m Olympian Alice Schmidt (adidas) moves up to test her skills in the longer distance.  Schmidt ran 2:03.05 last weekend in the 800m at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games. 

Behind the trio of Olympians comes a trio of collegiate stars.  Perhaps the best runner in NCAA history, Sally Kipyego (Texas Tech) looks to test her talents in the field, moving down from her usual 3k and 5k races.  Kipyego enters Saturday's competition riding a wave of positive momentum after breaking the collegiate 3k record last weekend with her runner-up 8:48.77 performance at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games.

Sarah Bowman (Tennessee) and Brie Felnagle (North Carolina) are favorites to mix it up for the victory as well.  No one is running better than Bowman currently, running a 2:04.58 800m effort two weeks ago and a 4:35.35 mile effort a week before that.  She's really hit her stride in her final collegiate indoor campaign.  Meanwhile, Felnagle won the 3k at the Armory Collegiate Invitational last weekend in 9:04.58, a solid tune-up for this weekend's race.

Participants: Christin Wurth-Thomas (Nike), Brie Felnagle (North Carolina), Sally Kipyego (Texas Tech), Anna Willard (Nike), Sarah Bowman (Tennessee), Treniere Clement (Nike), Katie Waits (Reebok), Alice Schmidt (adidas), Marina Muncan (New Balance), Courtney Babcock (Mountain West Track Club).

John McDonnell Mile
Meet Record: Bernard Lagat (USA) - 3:49.89 - 2005

The marquee event of the Tyson Invitational, the mile this year will be named after coaching legend, and recently retired Arkansas coach, John McDonnell.  The talent in this year's edition is fantastic, led by Olympic 1,500m bronze medalist Nick Willis (Reebok), American mile record holder Alan Webb (Nike) and rising collegiate star Dorian Ulrey (Arkansas). 

Willis enters the meet as the heavy favorite to win the event.  Since the Olympics he's been a roll, coming up big numerous times and showing that he's taken that step into becoming a consistent contender on the international stage.  Last weekend at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games, Willis took home the victory with an impressive 3:53.54 effort.

Meanwhile, Webb seems to be slowly rounding into form, placing well back at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games with his fourth place 3:57.64 effort.  However, he needs to start somewhere this year after ending his '08 season on such a poor note and fans will certainly be encouraging him to regain the lost glory of being America's top middle distance runner.

The loudest cheer at the starting line could very well be for Ulrey.  The Razorback standout has been on a tear this indoor season, running 3:57.60 earlier in the season at the Razorback Invitational, while clocking a 3:54 1600m leg at the Washington Invitational two weeks ago, leading his DMR team to victory over a mighty Oregon squad.  If any athlete in the field is showing the necessary talent to upset Willis currently, it's Ulrey.

A few other participants should mix it up for a top three finish at somepoint as well.  Chris Lukezic (Reebok) placed third at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games with a 3:56.04 mile effort, while Rob Myers (Reebok) has broken four minutes this season as well. 

The biggest X-factor in the field is Olympic 800m runner Christian Smith (Nike OTC).  Smith ran to a runner-up finish last weekend in the 1,000m race at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games.  His effort of 2:21.06 could only be bested by fellow Olympian Nick Symmonds.  This week Smith moves up in distance to test his talents in a race that he's excelled at numerous times, including a NCAA victory in Arkansas in 2006.

The stars will be lined up in Arkansas this weekend and as usual the times should be blazing.

Participants: Nick Willis (Reebok), Alan Webb (Nike), Dorian Ulrey (Arkansas), Chris Lukezic (Reebok), Andy McClary (Arkansas), Rob Myers (Reebok), Christian Smith (Nike OTC), John Richardson (Reebok), Max Smith (Puma), Adam Perkins (USA).