MEN’S TRACK: A closer look at the Big 12

Austin Thomas —

Colorado: Colorado has always had a solid group of distance runners. Although in somewhat of rebuilding year, the team still has a deep and talented pool of athletes competing from the mile to the 5,000-meter. Kenyon Neuman is ranked sixth in the 5,000-meter run.

Baylor: In recent years Baylor has developed a young, talented group of sprinters, like Whitney Provost, who ranks 20th nationally in the 60-meter dash and 19th in the 200-meter dash, and Trey Harts who ranks seventh in the 60-meter and 14th in the 200-meter. Baylor also returns the 2008 National Champion 4×400 meter relay, which ranks first in the nation.

Oklahoma: The Sooners have talented athletes in all facets of the sport, ranging from the 60-meter dash to the 5,000-meter run. Oklahoma also brings a very talented group of jumpers and throwers such as Shardae Boutte and Will Claye, who rank second and thirdnationally in the triple jump, and K.P. Singh, who ranks 12th nationally in the weight throw.

Oklahoma State: Talented freshman German Hernandez leads this Cowboy team. Hernandez ranks first nationally in the mile and second nationally in the 3,000-meter. Hernandez is not all the Cowboys have. Hernandez’s teammate John Kosgei ranks eighth nationally in the 3,000 meter.

Texas: The Longhorns are a balanced team with speed and power throughout the roster. Jacob Hernandez, the reigning 800-meter champion, sticks out. Hernandez ranks fifth nationally in the 800 and his teammate Tevan Everett ranks second. Texas also brings very talented relays to the table, having both its 4×400 meter relay and distance medley relay ranked among the top in the nation.

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders have a strong sprinters squad. Gil Roberts, ranked 15th nationally in the 200-meter and second in the 400-meter and Omo Osaghae, ranked third nationally in the 60-meter hurdles, headline the team.

Texas A&M: Texas A&M has a deep and balanced team. The Aggies hit hard and fast with Gerald Phiri and Chris Dykes, both ranked in the top-15 nationally in the 200-meter, and then follow with a tremendous team of jumpers, some of the best in the nation, with five nationally ranked jumpers in the triple jump alone and also a ranked jumper in the long jump. A&M also finishes its meets well with a talented 4×400 meter relay team that ranks 11th nationally.

Kansas: Kansas has a core of young distance runners lead by Colby Wissel who ranks 15th nationally in the 5,000-meter run. Along with distance runners, Kansas also has a very talented Pole Vaulter in Jordan Scott. Scott is ranked fourth nationally with a jump of 5.5 meters.

Missouri: Missouri’s Chris Rohr headlines this team. Rohr is ranked first nationally in the weight throw, with a throw of 22.71 meters almost half a meter ahead of the next athlete. Although Rohr is the standout, Missouri has a few other talented athletes, such as Brian Hancock who is ranked 19th nationally in the pole vault.

Nebraska: The Cornhuskers have a nationally ranked athlete in almost every event, ranging from the 200-meter dash all the way to the heptathlon. Nebraska especially has a talented group of hurdlers, which currently hold the sixth and seventh spot nationally. Nebraska also has the best High Jumper in the nation with Paul Hamilton, who has a jumped a whole foot and a quarter higher than second position.

Kansas State: The Wildcats have a talented pair of sophomores who compete in the heptathlon. Moritz Cleve and Rok Derzanic both rank in the top five nationally, Cleve sits at fourth and Derzanic sits a fifth. Kansas State also has a talented high jumper, Scott Sellers, who is ranked seventh nationally.