2017 NCAA Preview--WOMEN

As promised, this Preview will be shorter than the Men's.
Reason being, there's no need to repeat all the preliminary intro stuff here!
Just refer to my Men's Preview!
As for the schedule, it's basically exactly the same as the Men's, except on different days!!

There's no Multi on Day One!
Other than that, Thursday's schedule follows the Men's EXACTLY!!
The Women begin their Heptathlon on Friday--during the Men's Finals day!!
Then they follow the Men's Finals schedule (on Saturday!!) to the letter!!
Got that??
Good---so let's get to the MEAT!!
(Apologies to Vegetarians!!  LOL)

HT  (MR  234-8, 24th A-T Performer  220-11)
Maggie Ewen WILL become the first Collegiate to whip the Hammer out past the 240 foot line!!
She's been banging on the door all season, and should do it here!!
Even if she misses that mark, the MR's a GONER!!
Brooke Andersen had a good throw this year, but it's about 18 feet short of Ewen's best!
Julia Ratcliffe has a 230+ throw from years past, but nowhere near that in 2017!
She might surprise, however!
(On my DDD)  Ewen, Ratcliffe, Andersen

PV  (MR  15-5, 24th A-T Performer  14-7.25)
Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day---PLEASE!!
Predicted wet skies might stop the THREE 15 footers (Lexi Weeks, Emily Grove, Annie Rhodes)---FOUR if you include INdoor 15 foot gal Tori Weeks!!---from making this the BEST-EVER Collegiate competition!
Yes, the best, even considering the monumental duel between Sandi Morris and Demi Payne in 2015!!
There are no guaranteed winners here, not with the solid depth, which includes 14-11 Vaulters Olivia Gruver and Sydney Clute!!
While Lexi's Olympic Games experience might put her slightly ahead, she's been slow to get back to her 2016 form!!
But Eugene might be the venue where it happens!
Want a few MORE names---all of whom could surprise?
Add Kristina Owsinski, Desiree Freier, Helen Falda, Liz Quick, Kally Long, Lakan Taylor, and Duke's Madison Heath!!
No predictions here!
Just have a BLAST watching this incredible field of athletes!!
(On my DDD)  L & T Weeks, Rhodes, Grove, Clute & Gruver

JT  (MR  204-0, 24th A-T Performer  185-7)
Maggie Malone, the MR holder, is gone, but her sister Audrey is here.
However, she's not the favorite, as Rebekah Wales seems likely to win!
Don't bet your last dime on her, as the field is fairly level!
Watch for Eva Vivod, Irena Sediva, Mariya Vucevenic, and Katelyn Gochenour to provide some challenge!
Haley Crouser could join the fray!
No MR here!
(On my DDD)  Sediva, Vucevenic, Vivod, Wales & A Malone

LJ  (MR  22-9.25, 24th A-T Performer  22-0.75)
Here's another field event with FIVE solid contenders!!
Pick and choose among Quanesha Burks, Sha'Keela Saunders, TJ Master Keturah Orji, HSR holder Kate Hall, and TJ Icon Mike Conley's daughter Sydney!!
A shocker could be Rogui Sow!!
Add another classy TJ'er--Yanis David--for good measure--pun intended!!
(Go with Burks, if you must!!)
(On my DDD)  Burks, Saunders, Sow

SP  (MR  63-5, 24th A-T Performer  59-0.25)
I've said this before, and I'll repeat myself--Raven Saunders could throw 55 feet---or 65 feet--and neither would completely surprise me!!
Luckily, she's come through more often than not, so look for Saunders to not only win, but take down her own MR too!!
After the Raven, watch for Danniel Thomas, Erin Farmer, and Jessica Woodard.
Emmonnie Henderson closed in on 59 feet recently.
Janeah Stewart, Brittany Mann, and Multi-Event Thrower Maggie Ewen will be in the mix for points!
(On my DDD)  Saunders, Thomas, Farmer & Woodard

10000  (MR  32:28.57, 24th A-T Performer  32:29.89)
Check out how close the MR is to the 24th best Collegiate!!
Just like the Men!
And as with the men, it's sad that the ladies mostly choose to negative split their race, giving a MR shot 40-60 odds at best!!
Unless Anna Rohrer decides to make up for teammate Molly Seidel's absence!!
The Brit (who attends San Francisco State) Charlotte Taylor could surprise, but look for Alice Wright  and Sharon Lokedi to provide the main challenge!
Erin Clark is good, and Bethan Knights has some speed.
Winny Koech, Annie Bothma, and Chelsea Blaase are others to watch!
(On my DDD)  Rohrer, Blaase, Wright & Taylor

Heptathlon  (MR  6527, 24th A-T Performer  6021)
As with the Men's fave, Lindon Victor, the Women have a strong fave too--likely to go on to the World Championships via the USATF meet!!
Thus, we must ask whether Kendell Williams might want to save something for the Nationals (and London!!), or decide she'd rather take that one final shot at the MR--which happens to be the Collegiate Record as well!!
Taliyah Brooks, Payton Stumbaugh, and Freshman Nina Schultz should all score 6000 points!
In fact, Schultz's PR of 6021 took away the Collegiate Frosh Class record held by---Kendell Williams!!
(On my DDD)  Williams, Brooks, Stumbaugh & Schultz

HJ  (MR  6-5, 24th A-T Performer  6-2.75)
As with the Men, one of the weakest events!
No MR in sight---not even close!
But key on Madeline Fagan and Tatiana Gusin as your likely winners!!
Logan Boss and Kaysee Pilgrim have cool names, but not enough oomph to do more than score a couple of points!
(On my DDD)  NONE

DT  (MR  210-10, 24th A-T Performer  198-2)
This is another of Maggie Ewen's point scorers, but the faves here are Kellion Knibb and Jamaican Shadae Lawrence, sister of Shardia Lawrence, a TJ'er!!
Both have exchanged the yearly lead, and are hard to choose between!
But I'll take Lawrence!
(On my DDD)  Knibb, Lawrence, Ewen

4X100 Relay  (MR  42.36, 24th A-T School  43.58)
Oh, those Ducks!!
What an INCREDIBLE race this COULDA been!!!
Then those Waddlers had to fuck up in that "meet" called the Regionals!!
So we're left with co-CR holders LSU to claim the SOLE CR of 42.12!
People are talking about a time in the 41's!
They're also questioning whether they go for safe (& slower!) exchanges, or hit the gas and ROAR, damn the torpedo's!!
I'm seeing a 41.9 here, folks!!
Texas A&M and San Diego State have solid anchors, but they're likely to be left in LSU's wake!!
(On my DDD)  All the Relays have MANY Schools competing here who are on my list!!

TJ  (MR  47-8, 24th A-T Performer  45-1)
I have a real conundrum here!
We have Keturah Orji, who owns this MR, as well as a PR of 48-3.25 from taking 4th in Rio!!
We also have Keturah Orji who has yet to top 47 feet this year!!
Yes, she's a 100% sure bet to win, but getting her own MR might be tough!!
Her closest competition has a PR over three feet less!!
Yanis David and Shardia Lawrence (See my DT Preview above!) each have 45 footers to their name!
(On my DDD)  Orji

1500  (MR  4:06.19, 24th A-T Performer  4:10.55)
Here's a class field, but without that one clear favorite!
There's several who have recent PR's in the 4:11 to 4:14 range!
I'm taking a chance here, and going with Oregon Frosh Katie Rainsberger!
She has the genes, the record (Best Frosh, by far, in 2017---XC, INdoors & OUTdoors!!), and she'll have that home-grown Hayward Field MAGIC to propel her!!
But at the bell, expect a LARGE pack to include Kaela Edwards, Christine Aragon, Rhianwedd Price, Helen Schlactenhaufen, Nikki Hiltz, Dani Jones, Jessica Harris, and Kristin Nelson!!
Might want to watch for Amy Eloise-Neale, Millie Paladino, Megan Moye, and Christine's sister, Danielle Aragon!!
If they come by 1100 in 3:05 to 3:08, look for a BIG invasion of the A-T list!!
(On my DDD)  Price

3000SC  (MR  9:24.41, 24th A-T Performer  9:47.91)
Mountain Racer Allie Ostrander ran her 1st-ever SC in 9:55 awhile back!
Her 5 foot bod cleared each hurdle (and water jump) cleanly, and suddenly we had a new "find"!!
Despite Elinor Purrier's superior PR (9:47), I'm seeing Allie O as the NCAA Champion!!
But no MR---not yet!!
Vying for points only might be Claire Borchers, Paige Stoner, Sage Hurta, Brianna Ilarda, Tori Gerlach, and Sarah Edwards!
Watch for Maddie Boreman as a possible shocker!!
(On my DDD)  Purrier

100H  (MR  12.39, 24th A-T Performer  12.75)
The US (& the World!) won't be hurting for top-tier 100H'ers any time soon---not with THIS little group of wannabe's!
I'm not seeing a MR, but a 12.50-ish time isn't out of the question--wind legality depending!!
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn might have a SLIGHT edge, but she can't falter if she wants to stay ahead of Tobi Amusan, Rochelle Burton, Devynne Charlton, Dior Hall, or Ebony Morrison!!
Stir in Ducks Alaysha Johnson and Sasha Wallace for good measure!
Might want to keep your eyes on Frosh Brittley Humphrey, Anna Cockrell, and HSR holder in the INdoor 60H, Tonea Marshall!!
(On my DDD)  JCQ, Amusan, Hall & Johnson

100  (MR  10.78, 24th A-T Performer  11.05)
Are you missing key Duck (& Selfie Queen) Hannah Cunliffe??
Yeah, me too!
But not to fret---we have a top tier group of Women here, ready to rumble!!
And Aleia Hobbs, despite her amazing 10.85 PR, may NOT be the favorite here!!
The remaining UO gals, Ariana Washington and Deajah Stevens, will be right up there, as should SD Stater Ashley Henderson, who's THIS close to a sub-11 time!!
Deanna Hill, Aliyah Brown, Teahna Daniels, and surprising Destiny Carter shouldn't be completely overlooked!!
And yes, given a max 2.0 wind (or high 1's), this venerable MR (and CR!!) could actually GO!!
(On my DDD)  Hobbs, Stevens, Henderson & Carter

400  (MR  50.10, 24th A-T Performer  50.83)
Don't bet your last dollar on a MR, or a sub-50!
But this race could be one of the most exciting, as there're a few who could be forcing a photo inspection to determine who won!!
Kendell Ellis and Shakima Wimbley seem to be the top pair, but Chrisann Gordon is one to watch, as is Daina Harper!
And yes, that Old Duckie Magic might propel Elexis Guster and Mackenzie Dunmore to greater effort, making the likely UO team victory even more a sure bet!!
(On my DDD)  Ellis, Wimbley, Gordon

800  (MR  1:59.11, 24th A-T Performer  2:01.37)
Home Girl Raevyn Rogers, CR holder at 1:59.10, seems an ironclad winner---right??
Not according to THIS blogger!!
If Jazmine Fray runs like she did INdoors (New 800 CR, a fast 1000, etc!), Rogers could have a real battle on her hands!
And Hanna Green has the cred for a sub-2 also!!
If they hit 400 in 58 or faster, look for these 3 to possibly ALL dip under the 2:00 barrier!!
Danae Rivers (Maybe better as a Miler?), Siofia Cleirigh-Buttner, Ruby Stauber, Shea Collinsworth, and Brooke Feldmeier should be close at the bell!
Watch especially for speedy Olivia Baker to shock and awe!!
(On my DDD)  Rogers, Green, Baker

400H  (MR  53.21, 24th A-T Performer  54.94)
Canadian Sage Watson has been HOT all year--INdoors & OUTdoors!!
She has the strength (INdoor 500 CR holder!) and the fastest Collegiate time this season---so far!!
But Amelie Iuel also has some wheels.
Jade Miller, Symone Black, and Ariel Jones are good too.
But I'd keep a VERY close eye on Frosh Anna Cockrell!!
If it weren't for Sydney McLaughlin, she would now be the co-HSR holder for this event!!
(On my DDD)  Watson

200  (MR  22.04, 24th A-T Performer  22.42)
Here's another event where Hannah Cunliffe won't be TOO missed (except maybe by her fellow Duckies!!)---AND where a most venerable MR (AND Collegiate Record) COULD topple!!
Yes, Dawn Sowell just MIGHT lose BOTH of her historic CR's here!!
Up front should be the Eugene Faves--Ariana Washington and Deajah Stevens---pick and choose!
But don't blink when watching Ashley Henderson, Kyra Jefferson, Aliyah Brown, Deanna Hill, or Brittany Brown!!
Of course, not ALL of the best will make the 8 lane final!!
So the Semi's will be all-important!
And that's where the rise (or fall!!) of ladies like Teahna Daniels, Kortnei Johnson, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, or Harvard Intelligentsia Gabrielle Thomas will happen!!
(On my DDD)  Stevens, Washington, D Hill & Jefferson

5000  (MR  15:15.08, 24th A-T Performer  15:29.0)
Allie Ostrander is listed here too, and if she appears, will be a key person to watch!
But hard-kicker Karissa Schweizer is the consensus fave here, and after a fantastic TRI-Season (XC, INdoor & OUTdoor Track), seems headed for a clean win, and maybe a Meet Record!!
If she puts pedal to metal from the gun and never looks back, even the Collegiate Record of 15:07.64 (held by then Jenny Barringer--nee Simpson!!) is up for grabs!!
Erin Clark, Tessa Barrett, Allie Buchalski, Katherine Receveur, Gina Sereno, Sarah Disanza, and Fiona O'Keefe are ones to watch.
Key Duck points could be gotten from Samantha Nadel!!
(On my DDD)  NONE

4X400 Relay  (MR  3:24.21, 24th A-T School  3:29.41)
UO actually might win this---in MR time!!
Keep in mind that 800 gal Rogers split a 50.19 at Regionals!!
But USC has Kendell Ellis, while Miami has Shakima Wimbley, and Texas has Chrisann Gordon!
Nonetheless, I'm giving the MR 70-30 odds of going down---with the Ducks bringing a victorious meet to a glorious close!!

Hope you all enjoy the meet, and use these Previews as your main guide throughout!!
See you in a few days with all the great Records & Marks sure to come!!