Rutgers Track & Field: What To Watch For At Big Ten Outdoor Championships

The 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships begin today and run through this Sunday at Indiana University in Bloomington. Here are a few things to watch for from a Rutgers perspective, as well as full preview links, video’s and how to track live results, as well as stream the action live.

Will Men’s 4X400 Relay Team Bring Home The Title?

The four man team comprised of senior Jermaine Griffith, freshman Boaz Madeus, junior Izaiah Brown and freshman Taj Burgess set a school record of 3:04.67 at the Penn Relays last month. Brown and Griffith are veterans who have performed well at the Big Ten & NCAA Championships in the past. Burgess has broken out this season in his freshman campaign and this weekend will be his biggest test so far. This team has the talent to win the Big Ten title and it would be a big victory for Rutgers if they can do it.

Can Rudy Winkler Win The Hammer Title?

The grad transfer from Cornell and defending NCAA national champion in the Hammer sets his sights on his first attempt to win the Big Ten title. He earned weekly honors back in April when he shattered the school record with a throw of 72.02 meters (236’ 3”). He has the second best throw in the Big Ten this season, so it’s not a given, but Winkler has perhaps the best shot of any Rutgers athlete to win a conference title this weekend.

Update: Not only did Winkler win the title, he broke both the Rutgers and Big Ten Championship all-time records.

How Will Men & Women Teams place?

On the men’s side, other athletes to watch for are Burgess, Brown and Griffith in their individual events, including the 400 meters. Remember, Brown is a two-time Big Ten Indoor champion in the 400 and missed last seasons outdoor championship due to injury. However, Burgess has the second fastest time in the Big Ten this season, so it will be a fun event to watch from a Rutgers lense.

Others events of note include the long jump, as Rutgers has Tobi Tella, who has the seventh best conference mark this season, as well as Jarius Paul (ninth best). In the triple jump, freshman Malachi Davis makes his Big Ten championship debut and has the fifth best mark this conference season.

On the women’s side, Oniesha Clarke is competing in the 100 meters and long jump. She is probably the best hope for Rutgers to win a title. Rhonda Rogombe competed last year in the high jump at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships and is back this weekend as well. Freshman Dakota Gerges makes her Big Ten Outdoor Championship debut in the 400 meter hurdles. Redshirt freshman Lou Mailhe broke the school record in the steeplechase twice this season and competes this weekend for a Big Ten title.

How Many Will Qualify For NCAA Regionals?

Hopefully, Rutgers can have several athletes qualify for the NCAA Regionals in two weeks from now. The favorites to do so are Izaiah Brown, Taj Burgess, and Jermaine Griffith, both as a relay team and individually, as well as Rudy Winkler and Oniesha Clarke. It would be fantastic if they all, plus a few more, can make the cut.

For the full schedule of events this weekend, click here.

You can find live results of the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships here.

If you are looking on how to watch the events this weekend, FloSports via FloTrack will provide live coverage of the 2018 Big Ten Outdoor Championships here. BTN Plus also has coverage here. The Big Ten Network will air tape delay coverage on the of the championships on Wednesday, May 16, at 7 p.m. ET.

Big Ten headquarters for this championship event can be viewed here.

Full Previews From ScarletKnights.com & RVision:

Women’s

Men’s