This past weekend was an exciting time for the sport of track and field. The track was filled with incredible performances on the track and in the field around the world. The L.A. Grand Prix dominated the day on Friday night and on Saturday, while all eyes were on the action that was taking place in Rabat on Sunday. While there were many incredible times, marks and results from both meets, here are a few thoughts and takeaways that I had from both meets.
Ryan Crouser is the GOAT, no if, ands or butts. Appreciate greatness while it lasts, because it doesn’t last forever. Crouser broke his own world record in the shot put with a throw of 23.56m, and dig this – he said that he’s only been training at 75%. That leads me to believe that 24m, or 80 feet (whichever you prefer) is on the horizon, and nobody is going to stop him.
Fred Kerley is the real deal. It’s hard to bet against the talented 100m world champion, especially since he’s shown time after time that he’s willing to compete against the best, anytime and anywhere. In Rabat, against a loaded field that included Trayvon Bromell and Ferdinand Omanyala, Kerley came away a winner in the men’s 100m, winning the race with his time of 9.94. He heads to Italy to compete in the 100m at the end of the week. Is it possible that we see the long anticipated matchup between him and Marcell Jacobs? We’ll know soon and very soon.
Marileidy Paulino is a name to watch when it comes to the women’s 400m. While the anticipation of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s return to the event is on everyone’s mind, Paulino ran the fastest time in the world in the women’s 400m with her time of 48.99 at the LA Grand Prix. She won the silver medal at last year’s World Championships, as well as the Olympic Games in Tokyo. She’ll be a contender to win the gold in Budapest this year.
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn is a technician and must-see TV when it comes to the women’s 100m hurdles. She ran a new world-leading time of 12.31 seconds in the event on Saturday against incredible competition. Don’t be shocked if you see the same group of athletes in the finals of the women’s 100m hurdles in Budapest, and don’t be shocked if Camacho-Quinn comes away as the winner against them.
Shericka Jackson has the second fastest time ever in the women’s 200m. Each week, she seems to show signs of improvement, as she has her eyes set on the women’s 200m world record. She won the Rabat DL women’s 200m with a new season’s best time of 21.98 seconds against an impressive field of sprinters. Look out for Jackson in the women’s 100m as well going forward.
Be sure to check out this episode of Track Talk for a recap of both the L.A. Grand Prix, as well as the Rabat DL.
