Mt SAC Relays - Rooney, Sanders and Rutherford engage the action (& rest of weekend action)

The early warm-up outdoor season picks up from a British perspective as we're swinging towards the peak of the week with the main interest and action building up around the Mt SAC Relays at Walnut, California, where Brits will be turning up in numbers over the next few days, as well as the London marathon on the domestic scene.

Nicola Sanders, Osaka's 400m silver medallist, is making her eagerly anticipated opening of the season and quite surprisingly straight over her specialty rather than a distance around. She lines up in the women's main 400m heat on Saturday, along with fellow Brit Marilyn Okoro, and is facing a competitive early tussle against top American hurdler Sheena Tosta, ensuring of some very good competition to draw her to a relative fast early time. Nicola looks to have enjoyed a good winter, as well as in a buoyant frame of mind, and I guess that something in the high 51 or low 52 secs would shape a solid setout to her campaign.

Okoro, by sharp contrast, will be venturing over both distances either side of her main event, the 800m, and if her speed is always a reliable ally to get around in the 400m she will need to step up her game by a couple of gears on last weekend to survive against the likes of in-top-form Shalane Flanagan, the world cross-country bronze medallist, in the 1500m.

There is also a Great Britain women's 4x400m relay team entered but the make-up of it is yet to come out, as there will be a men's equivalent put out headed by European bronze medallist Martyn Rooney, in his opener as well, who will be looking for a first runout to blow off some of the winter cobwebs. He is running the third leg as Richard Davenport will be leading off to Graham Hedman on the second, with returning sub 45 secs man Andrew Steele on the anchor.

Lond jump UK record holder Greg Rutherford also enters the frame as he will be settling in his blocks to gauge his speed over 100m at this stage, reportedly looking on fire in training, before swinging to the long jump next weekend. I'm very intrigued to see what his first race will produce where Tyrone Edgar also figures. The latter will be involved in a British 4x100m outfit running the second leg, picking up from Marlon Devonish and handing over to Ricky Fifton with young Tremayne Gilling at the final fourth.

The women's short relay features former Olympic 200m finalist Abi Oyepitan and UK 100m record holder Montell Douglas, who will be also both doubling up over 100 and 200m, as well as former World Student Games 200m medallist Kadi Ann-Thomas. It's so pleasing to see them all back fully fit and it looks like the women's sprinting could be enjoying full strength along the season.

Plenty of interest will be lying in the men's discus that contains the first duel between Britain's arguably two top throwers as Brett Morse, fresh from a UK U23 record of 63.71m last weekend, goes in as firm favourite taking on Berlin shot finalist Carl Myerscough, a useful marker of a PB of 65.10m. I would expect some fireworks in this one and very likely a new U23 mark from the former.

Others to watch out for are Andy Vernon, Ryan McLeod, Scott Overall and Ross Millington all in the men's 5000m, where Tom Lancashire is also out on a season debut for some overdistance work, while Mark Draper is interestingly enough tackling the 10000m, well beyond his usual range. UK pole vault record holder Kate Dennison is also on show in a much earlier than usual premiere and Richard Davenport goes in the men's 400m hurdles.

Starting lists:
http://www.mtsacrelays.com/confirmations/2011/uoprogram.pdf

Results:
http://www.flashwest.com/11Meets/11MtSACrelays/

Brits competing at the Mt SAC Relays:

MEN
100m Greg Rutherford, Tyrone Edgar, James Alaka
200m James Alaka
400m Nathan Woodward
800m Tim Bayley, Sam Evans, Andrew Graham
1500m Chris Gowell, Kris Gauson, David Bishop, Rob Mullett, Sam Evans, Tom Farrell
5000m Andy Vernon, Ryan McLeod, Scott Overall, Tom Lancashire, Rory Fraser, Ross Millington, Tom Boardman, Luke Cragg, Mitch Goose, Mike Skinner, Tom Marshall, Ross Clarke, Angus McDonald, Darren Gauson, Callum Hawkins
10000m John Beattie, Lewis Timmins, Mark Draper, Keith Gerrard
110mh Gianni Frankis
400mh Richard Davenport
3000mSC Rob Mullett, Joe Wade, Tom Wade
Pole Vault Max Eaves
Long jump Nick Newman
Discus Brett Morse, Carl Myerscough
4x100m Marlon Devonish, Tyrone Edgar, Ricky Fifton, Tremayne Gilling (James Alaka with Washington)
4x400m Richard Davenport, Graham Hedman, Martyn Rooney, Andrew Steele

WOMEN
100m Abi Oyepitan, Kadi Ann-Thomas, Montell Douglas
200m Montell Douglas, Abi Oyepitan
400m Nicola Sanders, Marilyn Okoro, Kim Wall, Laura Wake
800m Tara Bird, Lucy Yates
1500m Marilyn Okoro, Kirsty Legg, Lucy Yates
5000m Natalie Gray
10000m Ruth Senior, Felicity Milton, Katie Clark
400mh Meghan Beesley
Pole Vault Kate Dennison
4x100m Montell Douglas, Anyika Onuora, Abi Oyepitan, Kadi Ann-Thomas
4x400 (to be named)

There has been an encouraging opening, lower-key, day for the large contingent of Brits in action at Walnut as most athletes on show performed well yesterday, involving a few PBs.

In the steeplechase Invitation Elite race, Rob Mullett transferred his recent breakthrough form on the roads over the barriers to shatter his PB by nearly seven seconds to a new mark of 8:41.24 from the off.

That was also an early UK-leading mark in the event that makes the B standard of 8:32.00 for Daegu look more inviting now. Interestingly, his previous best of 8:48.14 was set a year ago today at the same venue.

The race was a runaway win for Derek Scott in 8:31.52 as Mullett came third and not that far off finished Tom Wade in also a big PB of 8:48.60 for eighth, erasing his former best of 8:53.75 from the UK European Trials last summer.

His twin brother, Joe, enjoyed his first ever trip under 9 mins to also a PB of 8:55.74 for twelfth in the Olympic Development race so it was all good news for the family. On a ranking note, the three above have made the first three markers under 9min in the UK lists this season.

Former world U20 'chase finalist Ruth Senior occupied second on her debut over the far longer 10000m in 33:42.10, doubling as a PB. Felicity Milton, however, is still struggling and trailed well behind in 35:06.60.

23-year-old Morpeth man Lewis Timmins recorded a huge PB of 29:26.64, first time inside 30 mins, in the men's Invitation Elite 10000m for a good start of his own, with Craig Hopkins also following suit under the same benchmark in 29:48.11 in the first heat of the Open races. John Beattie, Keith Gerrard and Mark Draper did not show up.

I must say that's a pretty long list of athletes heading to Mt. SAC. It wouldn't surprise me if UKA has responded to pressure from coaches who've wanted to send their athletes out to California at this time of year when you can combine warm weather training with good early season competition. Walnut is reputed to be a particularly good venue for throws so I'm really looking forward to seeing how Brett Morse does.

Here's the main heat of the men's 3000m 'chase yesterday:
http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/238152-2011-Mt-SAC-Relays/video/484342-M-3k-Steeple-Elite

Some further good British results from the opening events of the second day at Walnut where Nathan Woodward got his season off with intent to a big PB of 46.82 secs over the flat 400m, scratching his previous mark of 47.18 secs from last May in Pavia (Italy). Doing so, he convincingly won the second heat of the open races from Jameson Strachan (47.17).

That is definitely a statement from the U23 hurdler, still 21, that he is not only going to be a serious medal contender at the respective age group European championships but also lay a serious claim to a place on the British team to Deagu.

Going back to yesterday's 10000m races, John Beattie, Keith Gerrard and Mark Draper have all swapped for the 5000m later today (deep tonight for Europe).

In the first section of the open 400m, Nathan Wake, still an U20 this season, came fifth in 48.52 secs in also an opener to the outdoor season.

Laura Wake, not 20 until early next month, started off to an outdoor PB of 54.30 secs for fourth in the opening section behind Joy Eaton, who set 53.46 secs.

Lucy Yates was sixth in the first heat of the open women's 800m in 2:09.09 so I guess she won't be too pleased with that but U23 Sam Evans will be content with a PB of 3:47.30 as runner-up in the third section behind winner Matt Cronrath in 3:46.69.

You can watch the second day of action here:
http://d3fyhswbdc6kgl.cloudfront.net/mtsac_livepage.html

The second session of the MtSAC Relays kept on an upward curve through the evening for the large contingent of Brits to peak in a lengthy string of fabulous PBs in the men's 5000 towards the end of the day, led by a resurgent Andy Vernon who agonizingly missed narrowly a world B qualifying standard on his season debut.

The 25-year-old finished strongly a battling third in the men's main race in a PB of 13:27.85, erasing his previous mark of 13:28.60 at the same venue a year ago today, close behind winner Aaron Braun, who set 13:27.01, and runner-up Jorge Torres (13:27.58). Doubling as a new outdoor UK-leading mark, that was just 0.85 off the Daegu lower qualifying marker but Andy must have taken plenty of heart on such a start to even challenge the A standard down the season.

Men's Invitation Elite race:
http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/238152-2011-Mt-SAC-Relays/video/484619-M-5k-H01-Invite

Behind him, several places back in 10th, Mark Draper showed that he is eventually getting it together over the distance to draw a big PB of 13:34.63, knocking over nine seconds off his previous best of 13:43.75 at Njimegen last May.

He was followed on a place behind by looking-strong again Rory Fraser, who edged a PB of his own in 13:39.37, as Ryan McLeod enjoyed a breakthrough run in 13:41.35 (PB) and so did young miler Ross Millington on his first ride under 14 mins ever in 13:44.10. The latter showed plenty of promise in a 7:54.08 clocking over 3000m indoors earlier in the year.

Incidentally, those times filled the top five places in the UK lists that promise a lot more when the big guns step onto the track and the season picks up.

John Beattie must have been among the very few to leave the arena rather disappointed as he narrowly missed 14mins by 0.07 secs along with Tom Lancashire and Scott Overall who dropped out.

In the Olympic Development Elite race, Keith Gerrard edged under 14 mins for the first time in his career in 13:58.33, stepping down after initially entered in the longer distance, but Mike Skinner also failed to finish.

Angus McDonald was 10th in the second of the open races in 14:09.59 where U20 Callum Hawkins produced another impressive run on the trot to set a big PB of 14:11.60, down from 14:17.57 last month. Along with the likes of Jonathan Hay and Richard Goodman they should form a formidable trio at the European U20 Champs in summer.

Miler Darren Gauson trailed well behind in a rare appearance over the distance in 14:19.53 that was still a huge PB.

Mitch Goose set 14:14.26 in the first open section while the results of the third aren't out yet.

Natalie Gray also got off to a robust outdoor opener by way of a PB of 15:52.73, a UK-early-leading time, in a very good quality race that saw Molly Huddle prevail in a fast 15:10.63 from runner-up Jenny Simpson (nee Barringer) in 15:11.49 while top miler Christin Wurth-Thomas came well behind in fourth in 15:21.75.

U23 Katie Clark ran a substantial PB of 16:36.16 in the open races.

Kris Gauson scored an excellent win in the men's Olympic Development Elite race in a big PB of 3:40.59 from Jeremy Rae (3:41.11), setting firmly his sights on a time well under 3:40 now, as David Bishop placed third in also a PB of 3:41.12. Their former bests held at 3:42.13 (2009) and 3:43.73 (2010) respectively.

Andrew Graham and Chris Gowell finished well behind in 10th and 11th with 3:45.19 (SB) and 3:45.26 (SB) respectively.

More later on...

Russell Brown, the surprise package of the indoor season Stateside, is stretching further his startling run of form through the intermediate environment transition spring phase as he upset Chris Solinsky, who has yet to taste a win outdoors, in the main race of the men's 1500m.

The global top mile marker indoors came through strong down the home stretch to edge out his more illustrious Oregon/Nike teammate, stepping down for some early quality speedwork, in a sound PB of 3:35.70 from the off to the latter's 3:35.89.

Nevertheless, that was still a big new lifetime mark by nearly one and a half second so, despite defeats in both Melbourne and Walnut, the American 10000m record holder looks poised to improve substantially on his last season exploits.

Incidentally, also Oregon/Nike unit Matt Tegenkamp came home well behind in sixth in 3:40.06.

The men's main race:
http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/238152-2011-Mt-SAC-Relays/video/484608-M-1500-H01-Invite-Brown-Solinsky-Batty-2011-Mt-SAC-Relays

World cross-country bronze medallist Shalane Flanagan continued relentless on her sound competitive trail to claim the women's equivalent in 4:11.67 from a stout close second Sheila Reid, who made huge ground round the final lap but could not compete an upset in 4:11.85.

Marilyn Okoro trailed home a distant last but at least well improved on last weekend in 4:30.28.

The women's race:
http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/238152-2011-Mt-SAC-Relays/video/484618-W-1500-H01-Invite-Flanagan-2011-Mt-SAC-Relays

I've just heard that James Campbell has thrown an early UK-leading distance of 78.41m in the javelin at Cosford, improving from 77.27m last weekend. At this rate, he looks as though he's going to send his spear over 80m very soon!

Nicola Sanders seems to have pulled out late of the women's 400m Elite race late, won comprehensively by Keshia Baker in 51.98 secs. Sheena Tosta, the other top name on show, was also a late withdrawal from the race.

Marilyn Okoro did far better than the 1500m yesterday to finish fourth in 53.15 secs, a SB and an early UK-leading mark, with Kim Wall seventh in also a SB of 53.95 secs.

Much better for the men's relay who were runner-ups again but in a substantially faster 39.09 secs this time round through the already mentioned formation of Devonish, Edgar, Fifto and Gilling.

There has been some top quality sprinting at the MtSAC relays earlier on as Carmelita Jeter blasted off to a sizzling 10.99 secs (-0.1) to destroy the women's Elite field in the 100m, a thorough global leading mark, as Consuela Moore came a distant second in 11.31 and Ginnie Crawford third in 11.36.

UK record holder Montell Douglas trailed last in 11.66 secs, a SB and fastest time in Britain so far but it's good to see her back in one piece.

By sharp contrast, the men's respective race turned a thriller as Norwegian Jaysuma Saidy Ndure pipped Mike Rodgers by the narrowest of margins in an equal fastest time in the world of 10.06 (1.7m/sec) to the latter's setting 10.07 secs, third fastest this season. That was an impressive start by both sprinters without a doubt.

James Alaka applied well to get fifth in a SB of 10.34 secs to go atop the UK rankings this season and claim the scap of late-entrant Dwain Chambers who drew home eighth in 10.36 (SB) in a tight finish at the back of the race.

In the Developmental race, Christian Malcolm was quickly back from a slight injury during a relay race last week to get third in a season opener of 10.54 secs (-1.1) not far behind winner Desmond Jackson (10.46).

UK long jump record holder Greg Rutherford suffered a slight groin injury and had to trail last in 10.71 secs.

Very good race by Meghan Beesley who remained composed on the outside to weather the frantic early pace coming from the centre lanes round the first 200m and come through strong in the second half to grab the runner-up spot in 57.06 secs in the 400m hurdles, a UK-leading mark. On the evidence of that showing, she looks as though she could mix it with the big top trio of Shakes-Drayton, Danvers and Child in the pursuit of places for Daegu.

In the men's discus, Carl Myerscough rather surprisingly got narrowly the better of Brett Morse through a season opener of 61.06m for second place in the competition, where the latter had to settle for third with 60.97m, in the incorporated British early battle. I'm aware that Morse has had a few niggles this week but it's encouraging to see that the top end of the event is quite competitive and hopefully they're going to push each other over 65m into the season.

Vikas Gowda was the winner with 61.56.

Very good opener for Richard Davenport, the nearly 'forgotten man' of the British hurdles, who seems to have now totally put behind years of misfortune and disappointment and has mounted a solid competitive trail again. He came second in the main heat of the men's 400m hurdles in a PB of 49.97 secs, his first ever ride under the 50 secs barrier, to go straight to the top of the UK and the European lists. Remember, he still holds the UK U20 record in the event at 50.20 secs from the World U20 Champs in 2004.

At the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational, Florida-based Angelita Broadbelt-Blake moved up a gear to a big SB of 13.32 secs (1.9m/sec) for fourth well behind winner Tiki James, who set 12.91.

The Brit had also run a windy 13.07 (3.7m/sec) in the heats earlier on in a race overwhelmed by a stunning early season 12.35 secs from indoor season revelation Kelly Wells, who pulled out of the final race later on.

That was some fiercesome hurdling from her and I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing what sort of times she's going to turn in when the season peaks, as with David Oliver who delivered a comfortable winner of 13.09 (4.6m/sec).

Full results:

On the infield at the MtSAC Relays, UK record holder Kate Dennison turned considerably better compared to her recent indoor outings to post a useful starting mark of 4.32m at the third attempt, before failing all three times at 4.42m.

That proved to be the winning height on countback for Kylie Hutson over Lacy Janson.

Commonwealth bronze medallist Max Eaves got off his outdoor season to 5.32m, cleared at the second attempt, before failing thrice at 5.52m. That was enough only for eighth way behind winner Scott Roth's first-time 5.72m.

The arguable highlight was Jesse Williams's impressive first-time 2.34m to claim a very competitive men's high jump before bowing out at 2.37m, easily the world's top marker outdoors this season. The man looks on fire and I'm expecting to see him engage in some thrilling battles with Ivan Ukhov in some dizzy heights as the season progresses.

Tora Harris was second at 2.31m, a SB and second highest in the world, as Dustin Jonas snatched third on countback from Edgar Rivera-Morales (MEX) at 2.28m. Athens 2004 fourth placer Jamie Nieto had to settle for fifth at 2.24m.

Out on the edge, reigning world champion Britney Reese powered out to a world-leading mark of 6.83m (1.5m/sec) in her final attempt, having also set 6.82m (0.9m/sec) in the fourth round. Brianna Glenn was a very competitive second due to a fourth-round 6.72m (1.2m/sec).

Gianni Frankis, the European U23 silver medallist, was seventh in a windy 13.91 secs (3.4m/sec) in the men's 110m hurdles, won by Omo Osaghae in 13.27.

In the development race, Oscar Spurlock (USA, U23) ran a fast legal 13.33 secs (1.7m/sec).

Tara Bird finished last in the main women's 800m in 2:05.21, a season opening, in a race comfortably won by Maggie Vessey (USA) in 2:02.51.

I haven't got the results of the men's 4x400m yet but as I've picked up Martin Rooney must have put up a very promising display out there.

There was a great start-off to the season for European champion Andy Turner who overcame a sore achilles to sweep to a fast early season UK and European-leading time of 13.37 secs (0.6m/sec) in winning the 110m hurdles at the Beach Invitational in Lond Beach, California.

That was easily inside the UKA A standard and augurs well for a move well into the sub13.2 territory and real world class later on into the season.

At the same meet, Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu made a winning return over her specialty in the 400m in a useful 53.09 in windy conditions to creep ahead Marilyn Okoro to the top of the UK lists.

Also celebrating a winning opener, and double for that matter, was former Olympic 200m finalist Abi Oyepitan who won both sprint distances, setting 11.65 secs over 100m (0.6m/sec) and a B standard 23.21 on a perfect tailwind of 2.0 m/sec.

Gemma Bennett added a fifth victory for the Brits in a 13.49 secs over 100m hurdles into a strong headwind of -1.5 m/sec.

The performance of the meet deservedly goes, although windy, to Deun White who seared to 20.11 secs in the men's 200m (3.3m/sec).

Results:
http://www.longbeachstate.com/sports/c-track/stats/2010-2011/beachinv.results.html

Ohuguogu also ran 23.98 secs (1.0m/sec) to win the 200m at the Brian Clay Invitational, where Gemma Bennett got the 100m hurdles in a windy 13.48 secs (2.5m/sec).

Steve Mullings, Jamaica, ran a massive PB and early season global-leader of 9.90 secs riding on a perfect assisting wind of 2.0m/sec. Tyson Gay confirmed on Twitter that the time was legal.

Britain's good run for runners-up in the men's 4x400m in 3:04.41 with Martyn Rooney going 45.2 in the second leg. There were apparently last minute changes in the make-up and order of the team as I noticed Rhys Williams coming in on the third leg and Rob Tobin doing the anchor, who weren't in the original line-up. Andrew Steele was on the lead-off.

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/238152-2011-Mt-SAC-Relays/video/485036-M-4x400-H01-Invite

Richard Davenport's race to a new PB of 49.97:

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/238152-2011-Mt-SAC-Relays/video/484943-M-400-H01-Invite

Some more middle distance news from across the Atlantic with indoor British mile revelation Chris O'Hare, 20 years of age, initiating his outdoor run in a PB of a winning 1:49.98 over 800m at the John Jacobs Inv in Oklahoma. That goes, by implication, as his first sub 1:50 run ever.

American Rakieem Salaam, who impressed indoors, mounted the top of the global charts in a PB of 20.27 (0.4m/sec) in the 200m, while reigning world champion Ryan Brathwaite (BAR) picked up his first win on the road in 13.58 secs (1.8m/sec) over 110m hurdles and veteran Jamaican Danny McFarlane edged 49.91 secs in the 400m hurdles.

Results:
http://www.tulsahurricane.com/sports/c-track/stats/2010-2011/collegiateresults.html

Jordan Neil, also an U23, was third over 1500m in 3:45.18 at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Inv, his second fastest ever, while Matt Graham won the 5000m in 14:38.18 at the De Paul Division I Inv in Chicago.

Andy Baddeley left it (very) late as he found his way screened by bodies and had to take a wide final turn to overhaul American U20 sensation Lukas Verzbicas right on the line, by hardly a shade, and defend his title at the Boston AA Mile.

But a win is always a win and there's no better way to get your racing underway heading towards the outdoor season and 'Badders' may have also felt the effects off the back of a four-week training stint in Kenya.

Nevertheless, he should sit down and ponder why he's leaving himself with so much to do in the late stages over the 1500 or thereabouts whereas he always seems to get it right tactically when it comes to longer events. Incidentally, his winning time was 4:16.7.

http://www.universalsports.com/news-blogs/article/newsid=530077.html

This is the finish of the race:
http://www.athleticos.org/speaker/4676-Andy-Baddeley/video/485206-Lukas-Verzbicas-and-Andy-Baddeley-battle-at-the-finish-2011-Mens-Boston-Marathon-BAA-Road-Mile-Finish-Close-finish

"Nevertheless, he should sit down and ponder why he's leaving himself with so much to do in the late stages over distances like the 1500"

Absolutely correct!

As already mentioned in another thread, new British asset Shara Proctor leapt to a very promising season opener of 6.68m (0.5) in winning the long jump at the War Eagle Invitational in Auburn, Alabama, obtaining a first B standard for Daegu in late August. Although, by the look of things, she looks very likely to have reached well beyond the A standard by then.

If anything to go by as concerns her prospects this season, that was a mere 3cm short of her PB of 6.71m, set when placing sixth at the World Championships in Berlin two years ago, and a mere cm shy of her best through the whole last season.

Her series was 6.30w (2.2), foul, 6.68 (0.5), foul, 6.53 (0.6), pass.

A close second came Jamaica's Jovanne Jarrett in a SB of 6.65m (0.1m/sec).

Performer of the meet was definitely 21-year-old American Lakya Brookins who shattered her PB (11.20) into a global runner-up mark of 11.10 secs in effectively windless conditions (0.1m/sec), while Natasha Hastings wasn't bad herself either as she totally dominated the women's 400m in the third fastest time in the world in 50.98 secs.

Veteran Jamaican Vonette Dixon was a convincing victor in the 100m hurdles in a SB of 12.96 secs (0.1m/sec), equal fifth fastest in the world, from Josanne Lucas of Trinidad who came behind in a SB of 13.03 secs.

Results:
http://auburntigers.cstv.com/sports/c-track/stats/2010-2011/final_results.html

It's nice to see Katarina Johnson-Thompson getting off to a low-start key this weekend with a handtimed 12.2 secs over 100m at the Tom O'Mahoney Memorial yesterday, preceded by a brace of turn-ups in the throws on Saturday with 10.37m in the shot and 31.83m in the javelin at the Liverpool Throws and Jumps Open.

Mike Floyd went second in the UK lists of the hammer with 69.49m, his best ever around this early phase of the season, while Laura Douglas won the women's edition at 59.22 from Rachael Gair, who set 58.30m.

At the Lee Valley, Sam Harrison-coached Kike Oniwinde, an U20, leapt to the doorstep of 50m with a big PB of 49.35m in the javelin.

Last, up at Grangemouth, Andy Frost threw 66.38m in the hammer at the Division I of the Scottish Athletics League.

Also good to see of Faye Harding who looks to endeavour to rekindle her career. She was seventh at the Aussie Champs in the 400m in 54.69 secs.

I forgot also to mention Ese Okoro's PB of 58.80 secs in the 400mh from the off in Azusa at the weekend. Her previous best was 59.18 from the UK European Trials last summer. She's an U23 by the way.

Yasmine Regis shows to have started her season in buoyant mood as she has been quick to extend her early mark to a UK-leading 13.68m (1.2m/sec) at the altitude of El Paso in Texas. It will be interesting to see how she comes along and whether she's going to reach over 14m later into the summer.

Chris Discombe narrowly failed to make the fourth Brit under 9 mins in the men's 'chase as he put in a 9:00.56 clocking (PB) at the Australian Champs in Melbourne.

Here's the 400m race involving Marilyn Okoro, who got off to a rather slow start and had to work her way through in the second 200m, and Kim Wall at the MtSAC:

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/238152-2011-Mt-SAC-Relays/video/484789-W-400-H01-Invite

Jesse Williams, USA, on his impressive early season 2.34m at the MtSAC on the weekend:

http://www.registerguard.com/web/sports/26141489-41/williams-track-field-oregon-jump.html.csp

My own view? Mark this name, this guy looks set to soar to dazzling heights this summer!

Going a little back to last weekend, I forgot to mention U20 Richard Shuttleworth's 67.47m in the javelin at Loughborough out of his very first throw at the Charnwood Open, which looks very encouraging to lift his sights towards the 70m region when the season warms up. By the way, that was a PB to scratch his previous figure of 65.48m from last year.

At Grangemouth, in the Scottish League Division One, U20 Martyn Paterson edged a surprise win over also U20 Greg Louden, a 47.69 secs performer last year, in a PB of 48.88 secs to the latter's 48.91 secs in a very close race.

In the respective women's league in Edinburgh, Stacey Downie got off to a big PB of 23.95 secs in the 200m, rewriting her four-year-old previous marker of 24.18, a few days after her 24th birthday. Interesting to see how far she could go.

At the same venue, Susan McKelvie opened up this season with 60.96m in the hammer, third farthest in the UK so far.

I've also forgotten to mention the comeback of Alex van der Merwe through a mark of 69.48m in the javelin in Texas, his best for two years.

Morse was unlucky at the Mt sacs, he was given a ffoot foul when video evidence suggests it was nowhere near - and that was his last throw that looked to be a certain pb, which would have been nice! He got a pb later in the week anyway but it would have been nice to do it there