It is a little more difficult to decide exactly what the meet results are telling you when the meet contested odd distances (namely, 300 and 600 meters), but I'll do my best to put some of the pieces together for you.
We'll start by looking at distances that weren't odd distances. And, perhaps the first thing to note here is that Ryan Eddings took down Javan Lanier twice--once in prelims and once in finals--in the 60 meter dash. The results seems to say something about the outdoor season ahead, but must also be tempered by the fact that Lanier had a couple of races on his legs from the night before at the Air Force Open. We'll keep watching this matchup, as it has potential to become a very nice showdown.
Isaiah LaPioli had a very nice season intro at the Air Force Holiday Open a month ago and back it up with a solid win at 300 meters on Saturday, clocking a 37.69. LaPioli should be on your 400 meter watch list.
LaPioli could not, however extend his domination to 600 meters. Though LaPioli was second there, the winner by seven seconds was Luke Desmond. All I have to say about that is that anyone who can run 1:27 for 600 meters out of the gate on Balch's tight turns is going to be serious threat at 800 meters this spring. That time boggles the imagination just a little.
Alex Miller took a tight win over Thomas Robillard in the 60 meter hurdles. Both were a little more comfortably ahead of Paulison Fosu and Matt Hanson. Overall, the indication would appear to be that Robillard and Fosu have gained a step or so over the off season. It will be intriguing to see how these battles develop over the next few weeks, and to see who joins the fray. Max Gilbertson, who sat this meet out, seems one likely to join the fray.
Though relegated to the 19-and-over results, Javan Lanier and Jayce Hall had the top long jumps of the meet. Lanier has established himself as a regular over 22 feet, and he figures to do some reshuffling of the 5A long jump order this spring.
Turning our attention to the girls, Arria Minor won both prelims and finals of the 60 meters. I'm not sure whose colors she will be wearing this spring, but there is some speed to be seen there. And, eight girls under eight seconds for 60 meters is a nice start to the season.
Minor also doubled down on the 300, placing ahead of notables such as Lauren Gale, Heide Baron, and Mia Coats. Only it wasn't just "placing ahead." Minor had better than six-tenths of a second on second-place Gale. We recall that Gale turned a 25-flat 200 the night before.
Becca Schulte had the 600 all to herself, winning by a margin of six second with a 1:38 and change. Conrad Crist's biggest problem with Schulte this spring will be a familiar one--which events?
It appears that the girls 60 meter hurdles had to be hand-timed, meaning we more or less toss the times out the window for this meet. Rhyan Pettaway, however, took the win.
Maya Evans took the long jump title over Audra Koopman, but both were a considerable distance off of PR kind of territory.
Next weekend, the scene shifts to the Cadet Field House at the Air Force Academy. Among other things, that projects that we'll see high jump, triple jump, shot put, and standard distances. We should also see a much larger selection of athletes in competition.
But, this Saturday was an intriguing tease of what's ahead nevertheless.