Blanton Sets American Junior National Record

NORMAN, Okla. - When the time flashed on the board last Friday, everyone knew a 10.07 was a special time in the 100-meter dash. At the time, though, no one realized how special it actually was.

The time posted by Sooner freshman DaBryan Blanton in last weekend's NCAA Midwest Regional Championship is the new American Junior record, according to Track and Field News, it was learned today.

Blanton's time at that meet plus his performances throughout the spring have prompted Trackwire to list him as the favorite to win the NCAA title in the 100-meter dash at the NCAA Championships next week in Sacramento.

Blanton won the Big 12 100-meter dash title with a 10.25, taking the lead in the race out of the blocks and holding it throughout. He dropped that time to 10.07 in the regional prelims but did not run in the finals because of a mild injury. He has been cleared to compete next week after undergoing treatments this week.

A pair of Sooner pole vaulters are ranked sixth and 10th in the Trackwire Dandy Dozen ranking. Sophomore Austin Landreth is ranked sixth and senior Michael Westlund is ranked 10th in the final poll which was released today.

The Trackwire 25 has the Sooner men's team ranked 21st heading into the NCAA Championship. The poll projects scores in the upcoming NCAA meet, factoring in injury reports and other variables collected from coaches and NCAA-qualifying competitions across the country. The Dandy Dozen is a power ranking of the top 12 athletes and relay squads in each NCAA event.

Blanton, Landreth, Westlund as well as four other Sooners and their coaches head to Sacramento on Sunday. Competition in the meet opens on Wednesday and continues through Saturday.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Blanton Sets American Junior National Record

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