Fernandez is a 'Manimal'

German Fernandez is back and in better form than ever. A few weeks back (see link) I introduced many of you to a young California track athlete that has set the running world on fire. Not this much hype has been thrown towards a high school track start since Alan Webb broke the Ryun's HS mile record back in 2001.

German just broke the 20+ year old record in the true 2-mile distance by two seconds, running a blazing 8:34. That is 4:17 mile splits, back to back. Or better yet, that's 1:04 for a 1/4 of a mile. Impressive? You better believe it. An also interesting note is that the third place finisher in this race will be German's teammate at Oklahoma State in the fall. I will place my prediction now, Oklahoma State will be a top contender in this falls NCAA championships...just throwin that out there. Watch the race below, if for nothing else to hear two of the funniest sport announcers I've heard in a long time...dude.

Records are meant to be BROKEN!

"Bolt" of Lightening
Usain Bolt of Jamaica came to the US this week with something to prove. He was out to prove that the 9.76 he ran in the 100m in Jamaica two weeks ago was not a fluke. Boy did he prove that. In what he calls "training" and "speed work" has led to a new 100m world record at 9.72. Set in NY, following a weather delay and a false start, who would have believed that a world record would be had? Bolt outclassed Tyson Gay (Current world champion and favorite in Beijing)and beat him by .13 seconds. The former world record holder, Asafa Powell, also Jamaican, will likely face Bolt at the end of this month at the Jamaica national trials. I know I will be tuned in. While your at it, check out how sickening fast and easy Bolt made this look...pure power!

Usain Bolt Seting new 100m Record


California Dreamin' of GOLD
There are runners, there are good runners, then there are those who just leave you speechless. There have been some great great GREAT individual performances in HS track and field over the years. Jim Ryan breaking the 4 minute barrier while as a HS. Alan Webb breaking his record then in 2001. You can insert so many great performances in this spot, but I think I have something that might just top them all. A truly remarkable double effort that left me gawking.

German Fernandez did what most HS athletes dream of...twice. He started off his final California State meet with a state meet record in the 1600m with a winning time of 4:00.29. There were some crazy times run in this race, with 5th place running a 4:16. That would have won state in a majority of classifications in several states. German then followed it up with a blazing 8:34 3200m to set a new HS record at that distance. CRAZY! I hope that he will have a good collegiate coach, because would love to see this kid run at the next level. But who knows, all it takes is one bad coach and German can become just another "amazing story" that was only reserved for HS. Good look, and DANG thats fast!

German Fernandez setting new National HS 3200m Record