NJSIAA Meet of Champions 2008

Brian Leung and Doug Smith run one for the ages

Brian Leung (NJ) leads Doug Smith (NJ) at the NJ MOC's 3200m run Brian Leung (NJ), Doug Smith (NJ) and Chris Derrick (IL) ran the top three times in the nation for 3200m this past weekend.  Leung and Smith went head-to-head in Jersey, while Derrick ran tough at the Proviso West Invitational.  We talked to all three athletes, as they gave us their thoughts on their respective races.  See what each had to say.

Brian Leung and Doug Smith Talk About the MOC 3200m The buzz at the Bubble on Saturday was about the Boys 3200m Leung vs Smith. "Who'll break whom?" "Who can kick with whom?", So forth and so on. At the end, a picture said it all. 2 extraordinary athletes laid out on the brick colored surface at the Bennett Center, having left it all on the track after one of the grear duels in recent history. MileSplit's National Page Editor Scott Bush caught up with Brian and Doug to get their thoughts on an instant classic. Continued...Click on Headline  

Video: Nick Vena's Winning Throw   Story by: Joe Napoli   Toms River, NJ-   The big battle in the boy’s shot put @ the NJ Meet of Champions was between Scotch Plains Senior Mike Alleman and Morristown Freshman Nick Vena. They did not disappoint the crowd of more then 250 people that packed the throwing area of the Bennett Indoor Complex… “The Bubble”. In the first round Vena opened up with a rhythmic throw of 56’-6” and Alleman followed with a powerful 62’-4” to dispense any formalities about outside competition. In round two things started to heat up as the freshmen Vena broke the 64’ barrier for the first time throwing 64’-1”. Alleman responded well gliding through the circle and sending the 12 lb shot put 63’-3 1/4”. The crowd was really staring to come alive now. Round three did not produce longer throws with Vena hitting 63’-1” and Alleman fouling out the front of the circle with a long 64+ effort. As the event went on more and more spectators started to show up to see this magnificent battle unfold. Continued... Click On Headline

The weekend started with some great results taking place at the University of Kentucky and the New Jersey Meet of Champions.  Head-to-head match-ups are the name of the game, and so many impressed.  See what is taking place across the country as the weekend rolls forward. ***Jared Hall (OH) beats Isaiah Ward (MI) 1:52.19-1:52.21 in Ohio!!!***Brian Leung (NJ) runs 8:59.77 to Doug Smith's (NJ) 9:01.86 at 3200 in NJ, Chris Derrick runs 9:03.1 in Illinois at 3200m!!!***Rachel Laurent (LA) vaults a U.S. #1 of 13-09.25 at Louisiana Indoor Champs!!!***Nick Vena (NJ) throws SP 66-00.75 at New Jersey Meet of Champions, a big U.S.#1!!!***Becky O'Brien (ME) throws U.S. #1 SP of 50-11 at USATF Indoor Champs, 6th Overall!!!***Chanelle Price (PA) & Tasha Stanley (MD) don't advance to Sunday's 800m finals!!!***William Wynne (GA) U.S. #2 for 60m hurdles in 7.73, U.S. #1 400m in 47.82!!! Video***Christian Taylor (GA) jumps 25-00 in long jump at University of Kentucky!!! VideoTop Boys Highlights- Jared Hall (OH) runs 1:52.19 at Akron (OH), a new U.S.#1 - Brian Leung (NJ) runs 8:59.77, a U.S. #1, at NJ MOC in 3200m - Nick Vena (NJ) throws U.S#1 in NJ MOC with 66-00.75 shot put - Christian Taylor (GA) leaps 25-00 feat at Kentucky, furthers U.S.#1- William Wynne (GA) runs U.S.#2 for 60m hurldes in 7.73 at UK, then comes back and run new U.S.#1 for 400m at 47.82.- Erik Kynard (OH) jumps 7-00 in high jump at Kentucky- Juan Steward (PA) runs U.S.#3 at 200m in 21.67 at Penn StateTop Girls Highlights- Rachel Laurent (LA) vaults 13-09.25 at LA State Champs, U.S.#1 - Becky O'Brien (ME) throws U.S.#1 at 50-11 in SP at USATF Indoors- Chanelle Price (PA) & Tasha Stanley (MD) don't advance in 800 in MA- Brittany Long (GA) speeds to U.S.#1 for 60m in 7.36 at Kentucky  - Chalonda Goodman (GA) runs U.S.#2 for 200m in 23.70 at UK  - Madeline Morgan (AL) runs 4:52.70 in the mile at Kentucky, U.S.#2- Jacquelyn Coward (TN) runs 8.25 at 60m hurdles at UK

 Jasmin Stowers (SC) leads the way in Kentucky this weekend(Photo by Don Rich)A big weekend of stellar head-to-head match-ups and intense championship meets are upon us.  While the USATF Indoor T&F Championships will capture many of the national headlines this weekend, which include a handful of prep athletes, meets in Kentucky, New Jersey and Pennsylvania highlight the weekend.Keep an Eye On...- Coward (TN) v. Stowers (SC) in 60m hurdles at UK- Alleman (NJ) v. Vena (NJ) in shot put at NJ MOC's- Price, Rankin, O'Brien, Morris, Stanley at USATF Indoor T&F Champs.- Krais, Shump, Lane compete at Penn State University

 Doug Smith (left) and Brian Leung clash in New Jersey this weekendThis coming weekend in New Jersey, two of the top distance runners in the country will go head-to-head for 3200m at the NJ Meet of Champions.  U.S. #1 Brian Leung (NJ) squares off against U.S. #2 Doug Smith (NJ), as both runners look to be atop the rankings and become the first athlete under nine-minutes this season.  We caught up with both athletes this week and talked to them about their early season success, their goals and much more.Interview with Doug Smith (NJ)Interview with Brian Leung (NJ)