Friday morning links...

We are one day away from the UW/WSU dual meet (photo courtesy University of Washington), and to get you started this morning, here's a link to the University of Washington's press release as well as Washington State's press release touting the meet.

If I had to pick one event to keep an eye on, it's probably the women's javelin, which features WSU's Marissa Tschida and Courtney Kirkwood against the Dawgs' Brooke Pighin.

Tschida leads the NCAA with a mark of 186-1, while fellow Cougar Kirkwood from Othello is ninth at 168-8, and Pighin tenth this season at 167-6.

I hope to post a dope sheet later today or early Saturday, projecting who will win this meet.

In the meantime, the heat sheets are posted here.

On the national front, USATF CEO Doug Logan posted a blog entry yesterday on the effect that Usain Bolt had on last week's Penn Relays.

As Logan writes, "What we are witnessing in Usain Bolt is a transformational athlete reaching his peak. As he engages those long levers in his legs, he accelerates down the track in a manner that always produces a "wow." Talk about a "moment!" He is Bubka over the bar; Beamon across the pit; Tiger sinking a putt; Crosby scoring a goal. Off the track, however, he is straight out of central casting. If he were a Hollywood actor searching for a stage name, he could not have selected a more appropriate surname. He has an elfin, mischievous and innocent quality to him that is so refreshing in this age of boorish and egotistical stars. He hears a few bars of music and cannot resist busting a move or two. He exudes a joie de vivre that engages young and old in these difficult and complicated times. The kid is the whole package! He makes American sprinting, and all of track and field, more exciting."

To read the blog, please click here.