2009 Tyson Invitational - Star Watch

by Tom Borish, Trackshark.com

Bianca Knight

As seen in the video above, Bianca Knight as strong ambitions for the Tyson Invitational this weekend. The current collegiate record holder in the 200 meters at 22.40 last year as a freshman at Texas looks to break the world record of 21.87 set by Merlene Ottey of Jamaica back in 1993. While the world record may be a stretch for Knight to accomplish, no one expected her to run that fast last season on the same track during the 2008 NCAA Indoor Championships. Just a week later after setting the all-time collegiate record, Knight signed a pro contract with adidas. Knight will have just under an hour of rest as she also plans to compete in the 60 meters.

Jenn Stuczynski

After setting a new American indoor record clearance of 15-09.75 (4.82m) last weekend at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games, Stuczynski already earned her paycheck of $25,000 after setting the record. She had a great attempt at the World indoor record of 16-02.75 (4.95m) set by Elena Isinbaeva of Russia set last year on the very same weekend. Let's not forget that Stuczynski holds the American outdoor record of 16-01.75. The former basketball star looks to shine even brighter with a third outstanding weekend in a row in the pole vault.

Galen Rupp and Sam Chelenga

How fitting that these two athletes would be placed together in the 5,000 meters at the Tyson Invitational after their battle at the NCAA Cross Country Championships this past fall. Oregon's Galen Rupp comes off an impressive indoor debut in the 3,000 meters at the Boston Indoor Games with his time of 7:44.69. Liberty's Sam Chelenga opened his indoor campaign last week as well, running 8:00.99 to win the 3,000 meters at Penn State. Stepping up to the 5,000 meters at the Tyson Invitational this weekend should provide a great preview of what's to come at the NCAA Indoor Championships as both are expected to double in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters.

Michael Rodgers

After winning the 60 meters at the past two Visa Championships Series meets, including clocking 6.51 seconds for the fastest time in the world this year, Michael Rodgers has broken through by making a name for himself. Even after several false starts in each of the races the past few weeks, Rodgers has been calm, cool and collective in the sprint. If Rodgers can get out well along with a clean start, don't be surprised if he clocks in the mid 6.4 range. Rodgers will also compete in the 200 meters for the first time this season.

Adam Nelson

Owning the second-best throw in the world this year certainly isn't anything to criticize, but when you're Adam Nelson only one thing matters in the shot put: winning. Nelson came through during the Millrose Games with his heave of 68-02.50 (20.79m) to win the event on his last throw to edge out Beijing silver medallist Christian Cantwell. Nelson's biggest threat will be Reese Hoffa at the Tyson Invitational and looks to go beyond the magical mark of 70-feet for the first time this season.

Nick Symmonds

Looking like his old self from the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Nick Symmonds took home the 1,000 meter title at the Boston Indoor Games last weekend in 2:20.52. In what looks to be another great start to the season for Symmonds, he'll face NCAA Indoor Champion Tyler Mulder of Northern Iowa, Khadevis Robinson and David Krummenacker among others.

Renny Quow

Renny who? The seventh place finisher in the 400 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The owner of a personal-best time of 44.82. The South Plains College sophomore from Trinidad and Tobago, that's who. The former World Junior Champion has been off to a fast start this indoor season, winning the 600 yard run at Millrose and then the 400 meter dash at Boston. As Xavier Carter will make his 2009 debut in the same event at Tyson, this race should be hot from start to finish.

Xavier Carter

As noted in the Renny Quow highlight, Xavier Carter will make his indoor season debut at the Tyson Invitational in the 400 meters. No other athlete has as much expectations this season as Carter does. After a stellar collegiate career at LSU including setting one of the fastest 200 meter times in history, Carter looks to make a splash in what some consider his best event, the 400 meters.

Sally Kipyego

Fresh off her collegiate record run of 8:48.77 set at the Boston Indoor Games last weekend, Kipyego is set to compete in the mile run at the Tyson Invitational. When you have a field that will include Anna Willard, Christin Wurth-Thomas, Brie Felnagle, Alice Schmidt, Sarah Bowman, Treniere Clement and others set to toe the line, it will be interesting to see just how much speed Kipyego has in her tank at this point of the season. Although her plans are to double in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters at the NCAA Indoor Championships, this should be a great test for Kipyego once again who lost to Kara Goucher by only a few seconds in the 3,000 meters last weekend.

Nick Willis

If there is one event to watch this weekend at the Tyson Invitational, it's the John McDonnell Mile run. Willis entered 2009 with a high that not many runners have experienced while winning the bronze medal in the 1,500 meters at the Beijing Olympics. After a narrow defeat to Bernard Lagat in the mile run at Millrose, Willis picked up his first win of the season in Boston last weekend with his time of 3:53.54. Willis will face American record holder Alan Webb once again who clocked 3:57.64 for fourth place last weekend. Add in Dorian Ulrey of Arkansas -- who's already qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in three events -- along with Chris Lukezic, Christian Smith, Rob Myers and several other sub-4 talent, then you have the perhaps the deepest event that Tyson will have to offer over the weekend. Wills will look for the win in the event for the second weekend in a row.

- Tyson Invitational Coverage on Trackshark