What To Watch For: 2017 Mullen Invitational

Will Adam Stark still be the state's leader when the final heat of the Mullen 400 is complete?

Spring break is done. It's time to get serious about track and field.

And, the most serious meet of this weekend (not for a moment to suggest that there aren't other serious meets this weekend) is the Mullen Invitational.

Below is a sampling of the highlights we anticipate for tomorrow's meet:

  • Mia Manson and Erika Willis in the pole vault. The pair went back-and-forth during indoor season. And, though they haven't met yet in outdoor season, the can-you-top-this? continues in outdoor season. It should be some great pole vault competition.
  • Rylee Anderson and RaeAnn Queener in the high jump. Anderson has already cleared 5-10 this season and you have to ask, "Is six feet possible?" There will be a whole lot of people moving to the north end of the track if the bar goes to six feet. RaeAnn Queener, who has gone 5-5 and 5-4 in two meets this season, would be the featured high jumper at a lot of meets. But, she's still a threat to get 5-6.
  • Jacob Dack versus Nico Heineke Magri in the shot put. Will the 3A big man or the 5A big man prevail in this contest of strength and finesse?
  • Alexis LaLiberte, Sierra Suazo, and Gina Coleman in the discus. Could 150 feet be in danger?
  • Semaye Johnson and Alexis Carroll in the 100 hurdles. Watch the center lanes here. Assuming no hurdles go flying, we should be deep into the 14s for this one.
  • Adam Stark, Nik Chappee, and Darrien Wells in the boys 400. Adam Stark's 48.88 is the top mark of the season so far, but that mark doesn't figure to survive the weekend.
  • Tanner Norman, Cal Banta, and Hayelom Fitsum in the 1600. Fitsum is about due to bust a big one in the 1600. None of these guys are in their specialty event (being the 800 for Banta and Fitsum, and the 3200 for Norman), making this a rather intriguing kind of showdown.
  • Arria Minor versus the clock in the 100 and 200. If Minor's on, nobody but the clock threatens her. How fast can Minor go? Mullen was something of a national awakening meet for Minor last year.
  • Adam Dawson in the discus. Like Minor, if Dawson is on on Saturday, he has no rivals. But, can Dawson stretch the tape measure to 200? We haven't seen that since Mason Finley stalked the ring for Buena Vista.
  • Maya Evans in the long jump. 20 feet is always a possibility when Evans approaches the board. And, this is the debut meet of the season for Evans.
  • Angel Heredia and Nolan Kembel in the 300 hurdles. Kembel owns the season's best time, but you also have to know Heredia is still just warming up his act. It's conceivable these guys push each other into the 37s, which is very, very early for that kind of time.
  • Jequan Hogan in the triple jump. Hogan ranks among the national leaders in the event. Every time he jumps, you have to believe 50 is within the realm of possibility.

All these, and so many more, events promise to keep spectators up and down in their seats all afternoon. Make sure you don't spend all your time staring at the track; the field events have plenty to offer at this meet. 

And, if you can't be there, you can still sign up for MileSplit live coverage of the event!

Meet action begins at 8 AM.