by John Dye

Mile

With the top two US milers not entered (Alan Webb and Tristan Colangelo), the race is wide open. The winner could come from any of a solid field of eastern US milers: Mason Ward OH, Jason Jabaut NY, Brian Turner NE, Justin Romaniuk NY, Paul Hallman PA, Brian McGovern CT, Scott Munro PA. Danny Mervyn, St. Malachy's Ireland, could also take over.

3000

Dan Coval against the field. Foot Locker cross country finalist, Pennsylvania champion, 1999 US#2. But there are some worthy challengers - Matt Emond MA, Ian Dickinson GA, John Huber NY.

400 Hurdles

Should be all Rickey Harris, Centreville VA sr. Florida-bound star has won this race two years running, setting the Penn Relays record last year in 50.63.

Harris is conquering everything in sight this year - US 60m indoor record 7.62 at Nike Indoor Classic - Arcadia Invitational most outstanding award (for 110H and 200m wins) - US leader this season in 110 hurdles in 13.51.

If there is a challenge, it could come from Jamaican Ryan Clarke, Kingston College, who won the Jamaican championship in 52.63. But that is two seconds slower than Harris' Penn Relays record.

High Jump

No obvious favorite. Home state PA jumpers Mike Newhard and Ivan Schmidt are in 7 foot territory, as is Paul Klemic NJ. Also in the mix are the top two jumpers in the recent Jamaican national championships: Jermaine Ricketts and Christopher Morrison, both going 6-8.75 there.

Long Jump

Based on their performance in the Jamaica championships, three Jamaicans pose a strong challenge: Aundre Edwards 24-10.50, Antholow Dawkins 23-9.5, and Paul Thompson 23-8.25. Two Virginians are also in the 24-foot class and should be right there: Brandon Royster and Dexter Faulk.

Triple Jump

Allen Simms, Eleanor Roosevelt MD sr, is the defending champion and the one to beat. He is the US leader this season with a fine 51-9 mark which is 2 feet better than his winning jump in 1999.

Pole Vault

US#2 Logan Odden is travelling all the way from Huntington Beach CA to compete here, and if he stays on form he should have a rewardinig trip. Second seeed is Kevin Dare (15-8 this year), who won't have far to travel from Nittany Lion country in State College PA. No one else would seem to be in the hunt for the top prize.

Shot Put

Jeff Chakouian, Seekonk MA sr, was US#2 indoors off his 63-11 toss at the Nike Indoor Classic this year, and is top seed here. Since US#1 Kevin Bookout is not here, Chakouian is the class of the field. But there are several worthy contenders who could upset: David O'Rourke NJ, Dorian Scott NJ, Chris Parson MD, and Chris McKelvy PA (1999 Nike Indoor Classic champion).

Discus Throw

No obvious favorite, but Vikas Gowda could live up to his top seed. The 6' 5" Gowda is a football quarterback at Frederick MD High School and the son of Shiva Gowda, an Olympic decathlete (Tokyo) for India.

Javelin Throw

Home staters Matt Moyer and Dave McGill are listed as the top two seeds, but they will be sorely tested by Leigh Smith, Cardinal Gibbons NC sr, who was the national outdoor champion last year and has already done well this year in collegiate competion.