USATF Preview--Men

First, a Warning!
Coming soon MIGHT be an ANGRY editorial CONDEMNING those who see making a US team for a World Championship meet as being of little--or no--import!
Of course, Collegians have a good excuse, as the Scheduling Gods dictated that these two meets be on the exact same two days--about 2000 miles apart!!
That said, here's my Men's Preview for the USATF meet, which also stands as the WC Trials!
It follows the same format as the NBIN and NCAA Previews!

FRIDAY's FINALS
WT (84-10.25)
Michael Lihrman came within a foot of Lance Deal's WR (and US and Meet Record!) as a Collegian last year!
That puts him within range of odds-on possibles to break it!
But he'll have veterans AG Kruger and Kibwe Johnson to contend with.
Since just two per nation make the team, the battle for second should be a doozy!!
Chuk Enekwechi is the absent Collegian who could have caused some trouble!

PV (19-6.50)
The US is at a low point in the Men's Pole Vault!
But the days of mid to high 19- foot Vaults might soon return!
The best bet to get there is Sam Kendricks.
He's young, he's tough, and best of all, he's fairly consistent!
Mark Hollis showed some promise a couple of years ago, but now 31, he may not have the time to fulfill it!
Mike Arnold should challenge him for the 2nd spot!

LJ (28-2.25)
Marquis Dendy should top Marquise Goodwin, but will get the real test from Jeff Henderson!
The MR is doable with the right conditions, but I think it will last another year!
Will Claye is among the MIA's!

HJ (7-9.75)
Erik Kynard has what it takes to get this MR--and maybe the American Record, but not here!
However, he should get the win, leaving Bryan McBride and Rick Robertson to battle for the other spot!

3000 (7:42.81)
Why are most Distance MR's so SLOW??
Awww, you know the reason.
Just watch most of Mo Farah's or Ed Cheserek's races to see those reasons demonstrated
That said, this is a VERY--DEEP--field!
(See, I used another word other than LOADED!!)
Besides depth, it provides several fascinating scenarios to look out for!
Will Galen Rupp feel those 26.2 miles he ran just 4 weeks ago??
Can 41 year old Bernard Lagat make ANOTHER US team??
Is Ryan Hill THE man to beat??
And that leaves Eric Jenkins, Evan Jager, Lopez Lomong, Trevor Dunbar, Garrett Heath,  Andy Bayer, and Hassan Mead as just names on a start-sheet??
HA!!
Have a blast watching this CROWDED race unfold!
(They're running it as one heat--with 17 starters!!  Roller Derby Time!!)

SATURDAY's FINALS
3000 Walk (No MR, as far as I can tell!  There IS a MR for the 5000 Walk!!)
John Nunn is going to Rio in the 50000 meters Walk!
Here, he'll be feeling like it's a 60 meter sprint, with just 3K to navigate!
He'll have Tony Peters for company---or vice versa!

SP (72-11.25)
Where are all of America's best Shot studs??
Christian Cantwell ain't here.
Neither is Joe Kovacs.
Also MIA--albeit with a good excuse--is Collegian Ryan Crouser, who just happens to have the best mark in 2016 so far--in the WORLD!!
Doing their patriotic duty are Reese Hoffa and Kurt Roberts.
They should have a Field Day--so to speak!
Jon Jones could surprise.

400 (44.63)
Lashawn Merritt isn't here.
He should be!
Without America's best, we're left with a fairly good crew.
David Verburg and Vernon Norwood probably should be seen as the best bets to return to Portland for next week's WC's!
But Michael Berry, Calvin Smith, and Brycen Spratling might interfere!

TJ (58-3.25)
This MR would be a  Hop Scotch-type leap for Christian Taylor, whose OUTdoor best is almost 18 inches further!
Oh, that's right!
He's also MIA!!
Omar Craddock is here, even though he has a Wild Card pass for the WC!
So Chris Bernard and Chris Carter could constitute one of the few 3-person teams!

800 (1:46.60)
For a National Championship meet from the best T&F country in the World, this MR is PATHETIC!!
Take it down, someone!!
The wheels are here--at least 4 of them!
Boris Berian, Mark Wieczorek, Casimir Loxsom, and Erik Sowinski will by vying for the two team places!
Of course, it would be even better if Duane Solomon, Nick Symmonds, and even a couple of those hot Collegiate studs were here!!
I sure as heck hope they DESTROY this Meet Record!!

1500 (3:40.80)
Another REALLY terrible MR!!
A High School kid has run just 1.13 slower this year!!
Well, the ammunition is here--at least SOME of it!
With Matthew Centrowitz scratching from the 3000, that gives him an extra boost to take this record down!
He might NEED to run a 3:36 or so, to avoid the bullets coming from Garrett Heath, Robby Andrews, Ben Blankenship, Cory Leslie, John Gregorek, and Christian Soratos!

60H (7.37)
This MR is TOUGH!!
It will still be here in 2017!
With Aries Merritt mysteriously scratching, and David Oliver MIA, and a few others also not here, that leaves a weak field to try for the WC twosome!
Jeff Porter and Jarrett Eaton seem to be the best bets!

60 (6.39)
No Justin Gatlin or Tyson Gay.
(Though SOME would say that's a GOOD thing!!  LOL)
But new Pro Trayvon Bromell is here, ready to test his new Professional wheels against the likes of Marvin Bracy, Joe Morris,  Trell Kimmons, and Wild Carder Michael Rodgers, who goes automatically to the WC, leaving the 2 spots open for contention!

Women's Preview--the last of SIX--coming next!