Walnut, CA- The Mt. SAC Relays is the season opener for many of America’s best track & field athletes. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) the meet’s headliner for the past decade (Marion Jones) was a no-show, claiming that she wasn’t ready to make her season opener yet. In her prime Marion would run a rare 400m race and often blast one of the fastest times of the year. Despite her absence, the meet was filled with great performances….most of which didn’t involve a baton. 400m specialist Lashawn Merritt stepped down to the 200m and ran a PR 20.23. If his training is in place, this type of speed should lead to some fast 1-lap times later in the year. Not to be upstaged though, Tori Edwards returned from a short doping ban to win the women’s furlong in 22.98. Glider-turned-spinner, Jill Camarena, continued her domestic dominance as she won the shot put by over a meter. The best performance (IMO) though was turned in by 2-lapper Khadevis Robinson. He led the event from the gun running at a crisp but even pace and crossed the finish line in a world leading 1:44.98. Hopefully this fast early season time is a sign of things to come for America’s most talented 800m runner and not a sign of a mistimed peak.
