Blanton Wins National Title in 60-Meter Dash

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- For nearly 12 months, there has been a weight on his shoulders, a weight that got heavier last June. In 6.59 seconds Saturday night, OU sophomore DaBryan Blanton tossed that weight aside and brought home OU's first national individual title in seven years by winning the 60-meter dash at the 2004 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Randal Tyson Track Complex.

"This was a huge win for DaBryan and he is so deserving," said OU sprints coach Shanon Atkinson. "He has had a lot put on him, a lot put on his shoulders. It started when he decided to concentrate on track instead of splitting time between track and football. And then the false start in the final of the 100 at the NCAA Outdoor when he went into the meet as one of the favorites. This win tonight lifts all that weight off both of our shoulders."

OU's other finalist Saturday night, senior Laverne Jones, finished fourth in the women's 60 to earn her second All-America certificate in this meet.

It may have been the strength that made Blanton a possible two-sport star that actually helped him win the race. He was behind after 30 meters but had taken the lead by the 40-meter mark. According to Atkinson, it was Blanton's strength that got him the lead.

"DaBryan stayed composed and he knew what he had to do to win. He used his strength and his speed to fight through the start and win the race."

Blanton agreed with his coach. "I knew where I was since I had the middle lane of the race. I could see the runners on either side of me and I knew what I had to do. At the 40-meter mark, I felt myself pulling away from the pack and then I hit the finish line first.

"This is what I came to OU to do -- to win national titles. This really feels good because we have worked so hard to get to this point. I didn't know if I would win a title this quickly but I knew that I was prepared to do what I have to do to win. And now, I'm already looking forward to the outdoor season, the Big 12, the NCAA and the Olympic Trials."

Jones entered tonight's final with the second fastest qualifying time and that put her in the middle of the track between Muna Lee, the defending champion and eventual winner, and Veronica Campbell, a former Barton County teammate who is world ranked in the 60. The first start of the race was called back because the starter didn't call "set" loud enough for everyone to hear. Jones got an amazing start on the second call to take an early lead. Eventually, Lee slipped past her to win the event with a 7.21. Two runners crossed at 7.28 and Jones was fourth with a 7.29.

"It was an exciting race and an exciting atmosphere," Jones said. "I am very happy with what I did here this weekend, especially tonight's race. I had a huge start and it was tough coming back from the two races in the 200 Friday night. Winning my heat in the 60 last night gave me a lot of confidence. It was great to be in the middle with two of the top sprinters on either side of me. I'm happy with how the indoor season has ended, especially as a senior. Now I want to go out and what I can do outdoors."

Blanton's title was the first national championship in seven years for the Sooner men and the first individual national title since Roxbert Martin won the indoor 400 in 1997. The last individual winner before that had come in 1988 when current OU throws coach Ed Wade won the indoor shot put title. Blanton also becomes OU's first ever 60-meter national champion.

For Jones, the meet was also one for the record book. She tied her school record in the 60 last night and with her second All-America honor in as many nights, she becomes the first woman in school history to earn individual All-America honors in two events in back to back years. Last year, she became the first woman to earn individual All-America honors in two events since 1982.

Atkinson praised both of his sprinters for their performance tonight. "These races are a reflection of how they have trained all year. They have made tremendous sacrifices, they have great work ethics and their attitudes are perfect. It's great to see a senior like Laverne have the opportunity to go out as a senior with strong performances at the NCAA meet. We wanted to finish in the top half of the race and she did just that. For DaBryan, the sky is the limit. We have to keep working hard, continue training like we have and get ready for the outdoor season.

"I am so proud of each of them for what they have accomplished this season," Atkinson added.

With Jones' points in the 60 and 200, OU was tied for 29th in the women's team standings. Blanton's win in the 100 gave the Sooner men a tie for 24th in the men's standings. LSU swept the team titles, taking the women's with 52 points and winning the men's with 44.50. Florida was the runner-up in both the men's and women's team standings. The Sooners had the fifth best team finish among Big 12 schools in the meet in both the men's and women's standings.

The Sooners will open the outdoor season in the next week. OU's combined event athletes will travel to the College Station Combined on Thursday and Friday. Other Sooners will head to the Dr Pepper Invitational in Waco, Texas, on Saturday. The rest of the team will open the outdoor season at either the UTEP Invitational or the Texas-Arlington Invitational on March 27.

Blanton Wins National Title in 60-Meter Dash

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