media_artricles :: 2013

Lendore tipped for NCAA gold

Deon Lendore is the favourite for gold in the men's 400 metres event, at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Indoor Track and Field Championships, in Arkansas, USA, on the weekend.

The Trinidad and Tobago quartermiler is at the top of the 2013 world indoor performance list, thanks to his 45.15 seconds scorcher at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships, two weekends ago. The clocking, produced in the preliminary round, is a T&T indoor record, as well as a Texas A&M University record. Lendore went on to win the SEC title with a 45.23 run in the finals.

The 45.15 clocking moved Lendore into 10th spot on the all-time world indoor performance list and fifth on the all-time collegiate indoor list.

Lendore also anchored Texas A&M to victory in the SEC Championship men's 4x400m relay. The 20-year-old athlete produced a stunning 44.50 seconds anchorleg split—one of the fastest ever recorded on an indoor track—to steer his team to victory in three minutes, 04.18 seconds.

Following his superb performances at the Conference meet, Lendore was named United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Athlete of the Week for the second time, SEC Men's Runner of the Year, and South Central region Men's Track Athlete of the Year. The Olympic men's 4x400m bronze medallist was also added to The Bowerman official men's watch list. The Bowerman Trophy is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a collegiate track and field athlete.

Lendore is one of five T&T athletes listed for action in individual events at the NCAA Indoor Championships. His Texas A&M teammate, Wayne Davis II will bid for the men's 60m hurdles title. Portland State University's Geronne Black competes in the women's 60m dash. University of Arkansas student Sparkle McKnight lines up in the women's 400m. And Hilenn James will represent University of Georgia in the women's shot put.

Lendore, Davis, Black and McKnight will face the starter on Friday in the preliminary round of their respective events. The finals of those events as well as the women's shot put will be contested on Saturday. The 4x400m relays are also on the day two schedule. Lendore will be in the spotlight in the men's event, while the women's 4x4 is likely to feature McKnight and Texas A&M's Janeil Bellille.

Top