Jamaica's newest phenom Christopher Taylor rocked the "Champs" In Jamaica with 200/400 records

Here are some videos":

The 20.80:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeDG-adbs0s

and the 46.33

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xtzx7q3kvE

The best one though is the 45.27 from last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTrZxi5T4yI

Today, I was reminded we didn't put anything up about Taylor's run when it happened when I read in an article in the Jamaican Gleaner where a columnist urges people not to burn Taylor out.http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20160322/oral-tracey-protect-taylor-burn-outTaylor goes to Calabar - one of the track powers in Jamaica - and thus he had to do an awful lot for the team battle..

Keep an eye on HS senior Michael Norman. 20.24 and 45.19 last year.

In a HS dual met a week ago --his first meet of the year, I believe-- he ran 20.42. He "jogged" the 400 in 48.x.

It could be an impressive year for high school runners this year: US and elsewhere.

He did not race this guy (Michael Norman) who has a chance at sub-20/sub-45 this season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE9QN1G8w_0

coach d wrote:

He did not race this guy (Michael Norman) who has a chance at sub-20/sub-45 this season:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE9QN1G8w_0

Some more info on Taylor. He did much more than win the 200 and 400. He also ran legs on the winning 4 x 100 (40.29 a class 2 record) and 4 x 400 relays. The 4 x 400 was an alltime classic.

Taylor got the lead but the guy chasing him down was Kingston College's Akeem Bloomfield, the Jamaican junior national record holder who ran 44.93 at the Champs last year. This year, Bloomfield took it easy at champs as he wants to go to Rio. He skipped the short relays and the 200 and just won the Clay 1 Boys 400 easily in 46.12 and thus was way fresher.

Bloomfield got the stick way down - 10 meters or so - in third but ran an incredible first 200 and blew by Taylor. Could Taylor catch him?

Find out for yourself as you can watch the final leg replay below.

One paper siad it was like a battle between "David and Goliath" as Bloomfield is huge - 6'5 and Taylor pretty small (tilastapaja says 5'10 but he looks smaller than that).

For the record, I timed Bloomfield in 44.5 and Taylor in 45.6. I think Taylor negative split the 400!!!

In Virginia there is HS Senior Noah Lyles. He ran 10.13 and 20.18 last year. He also runs the 400 but not as fast as Christoper Taylor and Michael Norman.

The "Gods of Running" should align the stars and get the three of these young guys run against each other in the 200, and the 400 if we are allowed to request such greatness.

in California.... wrote:

Keep an eye on HS senior Michael Norman. 20.24 and 45.19 last year.

In a HS dual met a week ago --his first meet of the year, I believe-- he ran 20.42. He "jogged" the 400 in 48.x.

It could be an impressive year for high school runners this year: US and elsewhere.

Taylor almost 2 years older than Taylor

rabalac wrote:

in California.... wrote:

Keep an eye on HS senior Michael Norman. 20.24 and 45.19 last year.

In a HS dual met a week ago --his first meet of the year, I believe-- he ran 20.42. He "jogged" the 400 in 48.x.

It could be an impressive year for high school runners this year: US and elsewhere.

Taylor almost 2 years older than Taylor

Norman almost 2 years older than Taylor.

Noah Lyles older than both.

Taylor is also not as fast as Norman.

It's refreshing to see one of these 15 year old age group champs who actually looks 15. Scary.

It doesn't matter because Calabar is going to burn out Taylor before anything happens. That club is notorious for overracing their superstars... they need to be careful with this kid--he's only 15! If they cared for his longevity, they'd stop selfishly putting him in every freakin race. Several Jamaican articles have already pointed this out. Remember: Taylor is a monster, possibly the greatest raw talent EVER we've seen at the 400m. Don't ruin him for some stupid club races!!!

Taylor already beat Lyles at World's. Taylor v. Norman over 400 would be spectacular.

dudeskiii wrote:

It doesn't matter because Calabar is going to burn out Taylor before anything happens. That club is notorious for overracing their superstars... they need to be careful with this kid--he's only 15! If they cared for his longevity, they'd stop selfishly putting him in every freakin race. Several Jamaican articles have already pointed this out. Remember: Taylor is a monster, possibly the greatest raw talent EVER we've seen at the 400m. Don't ruin him for some stupid club races!!!

Thats the Jamaican system, race a lot then race some more, then go to Penn and race then come back to the island and race again.

Anyone know if Michael Normal will be running at Arcadia? What about Zach Shinnick?

malmo wrote:

It's refreshing to see one of these 15 year old age group champs who actually looks 15. Scary.

Indeed.

It'll be interesting to see how much more he improves. 45.2 at 15 is just ridiculous.

Boy do they start doping young down there

Joel Przybilla wrote:

[quote]dudeskiii wrote:

It doesn't matter because Calabar is going to burn out Taylor before anything happens. That club is notorious for overracing their superstars... they need to be careful with this kid--he's only 15! If they cared for his longevity, they'd stop selfishly putting him in every freakin race. Several Jamaican articles have already pointed this out. Remember: Taylor is a monster, possibly the greatest raw talent EVER we've seen at the 400m. Don't ruin him for some stupid club races!!!

Thats the Jamaican system, race a lot then race some more, then go to Penn and race then come back to the island and race again.[/quote/]

Sounds like NCAA track and field

Karma Police wrote:

malmo wrote:

It's refreshing to see one of these 15 year old age group champs who actually looks 15. Scary.

Indeed.It'll be interesting to see how much more he improves. 45.2 at 15 is just ridiculous.

The hell with scary Europe and even scarier Eugene, my next big track viewing trip will be to The Champs. Hear the atmosphere is wild: live reggae music: the mixed aroma of jerk chicken and weed (not to mention that emanating from the locals) sounds like FUN.

MortieMeek wrote:

Karma Police wrote:

Indeed.It'll be interesting to see how much more he improves. 45.2 at 15 is just ridiculous.

The hell with scary Europe and even scarier Eugene, my next big track viewing trip will be to The Champs. Hear the atmosphere is wild: live reggae music: the mixed aroma of jerk chicken and weed (not to mention that emanating from the locals) sounds like FUN.

Wow. I nominate you for the head of USATF. I've always said our sport's lack of popularity can't simply be overcome by marketing. There is no gimmick that can make our sport - that takes forever to play, doesn't have a winner and loser at most competitions (as most are just exhibitions or there are 20 of them when it does happen) and doesn;'t have a lot of luck involved that lets underdogs when regularly like soccer, baseball, football - super popular.

People have proposed gambling and booze which I wasn't opposed to. But i'm shocked no one has proposed what you are - particialy since medical marijuana is so hot right now.

You've figured out why the Jamaicans love track and field and pack the stadiums at the champs and penn relays every year. Weed. I guess if you are stoned, track is really interesting.

Let me know when you go, I'll join you.