USATF Preview (MEN & WOMEN)

With a heavy-hearted reluctance, I decided to do a Preview of the World Championships Trials for the United States, aka the USATF meet!
I'm sad for a few reasons!
One, that horrible shooting spree at a Florida HS!
Schools (& homes & churches & stores & streets!!) need to be safe havens!
But they're not!
And I'm sad for a much less somber reason---the number of Top Americans who, for one reason or several, decided to forego a chance to represent TeamUSA in the biggest meet of the year (For the US, that is!!), the WC's!

So this Preview will be a bit different than previous ones.
I'll still place the events in order of the Finals!
But instead of listing EVERY Meet Record, I'll list only those I see as having a strong chance of being broken!
I'll also tell you---Call it my SHAME list!---who is NOT here---for whatever reason!
(There ARE a few events with GREAT fields---but the key word is "few"!!)
Onward!

Friday Finals

Pentathlon--Women
We have the best here, so no complaints!
It's Kendell Williams vs Erica Bougard!
The altitude in Albuquerque COULD allow for some sensational marks, but I see the 4805 MR as safe!
Watch for Alex Gochenour and Emilyn Dearman, who is listed as having an OUTdoor Heptathlon score of 5924!
But I've never heard of her!!

Saturday Finals

WT--Men
Conor McCullough and Colin Dunbar should duke it out!
And that's all she wrote, folks!

TJ--Women
Keturah Orji is MIA!!
Yes, she's a Collegiate, but the WC's ends 5 days before the NCAA's begin!
In the World Leader's absence, expect Tori Franklin to have it easy.
Andrea Geubelle is in for the Silver!

Heptathlon--Men
Devon Williams and Jeremy Taiwo should be the Top 2 at the end of the 1000!
Yawn.
(BTW, Taiwo has the Meet Record at 6273 points--from 2015!)

PV--Men
Aaah!
We have Sam Kendricks!
He might have some serious challengers in Birmingham, but not here!
Devin King, Scott Houston, and Andrew Irwin will be trying for 19 feet (if they get that far!).
MIA is the best Collegiate--Chris Nilsen!

LJ--Men
Even though Jarrion Lawson leads the Men here, this is a weak event!
Marquis Dendy and Jarvis Gotch--if they're in shape--could reach 8 meters!

SP--Women
The headline here are the MIA's--plural!!
Shot Diva Michelle Carter--who apparently is off somewhere Diva'ing!!
Dani Bunch, who's been MIA all season!
Raven Saunders, who has a damn good excuse--She's dealing with some big personal problems!
Let her be!
But then there's Maggie Ewen--yet another World Leader---not here!
Another Collegiate who feels it's better to prepare for her Conference meet than to travel to England to wave the American Flag after she Podiums!!
BTW, Jeneva Stevens and Felicia Johnson are the best bets here!

HJ--Men
The 2 best will be either partying in their dorms, or studying for a test!
They're NOT here!!
The pair of Collegiates--who lead the US list this year!--are Trey Culver and Vernon Turner!
Erik Kynard will try to imitate Erik Kynard.
Watch for Brad Adkins and Jeron Robinson!

3000--Women
I'll give this group a B+ for being MOST of America's best!
Yes, there's no Jenny Simpson or Molly Huddle or Emily Infeld, but that's OK.
We have someone who just MIGHT be the best---Simpson & Co notwithstanding!
Shelby Houlihan's splits (4:23 & 4:13, estimated) in her 8:36.01 last week (See previous post!) were outstanding!!
And she won the 2 Mile here last year--albeit in a Slug vs Snail "race"!!
There's also Emma Coburn, Marielle Hall, Lauren Paquette, and Katie Mackey!

3000--Men
Paul Chelimo, Shadrack Kipchirchir, and Emmanuel Bor should be the last 3 standing!
Ryan Hill might tap on their shoulders!
No serious names are missing, since Bernard Lagat is On the Road(s) at Age 43!!

Sunday Finals

WT--Women
The WR holder--Gwen Berry--is here!
And she's been on FIRE in 2018!!
A WR, MR, AR??
Could be, could be!!
Felicia Johnson, Jeneva Stevens, and Jessica Ramsey  are the other goodies!
MIA is the best Collegiate--who's ALSO been HOT this year!--Jeneah Stewart!!

LJ--Women
Brittney Reese will be all alone at the Top---assuming she hits the board!!
Sha'keela Saunders, Quanesha Burks, and maybe Jasmine Todd could get in the 22's!!
Tianna Bartoletta and Collegiate Kate Hall aren't here!

3000 Walk--Men
Nick Christie and Emmanuel Korvera could have a good little tussle!
Teen Cameron Haught isn't here!
(Haven't seen him all season!!)

PV--Women
What should I say?
Sandi Morris is present--but might be hurting!
Jenn Suhr is LISTED as an entrant!
We'll see if she wants to rack up another USATF title at Age 36!!
Katie Nageotte had a recent No-Height--but doesn't seem worried!
Then there's Kristin Hixson, Megan Clark, Morgann LeLeux, Annie Johnigan, and Kristin Brown!
But NO Demi Payne!!
(Where in the World is Waldo??)
Also MIA are the 2 best Collegiates--Olivia Gruver and Lexi Jacobus!!
THEY could have made things REALLY interesting!!

HJ--Women
Is Chaunte Lowe retired?
Anyway, not to worry--Vashti's here!!
Ms Cunningham--who might medal in Birmingham!--should have a siesta!!
But Inika McPherson and Nicole Greene are good--with the latter PR'ing this year!!
Where is Brigetta Barrett?

SP--Men
This tank is EMPTY!!
The JUST-engaged Joe Kovacs ain't here!
Neither is Ryan Crouser!
Or Collegiate Frosh sensation Jordan Geist!
Darrell Hill--at least on paper--seems the best here!
Ryan Whiting and Jon Jones will be happy to reach 20 meters!

3000 Walk--Women
The Biggies are present--Maria Michta-Coffey and Miranda Melville!
50K Heroine Katie Burnett is also here, but can she sprint??
HS'er Lauren Harris is entered too!
But why not Taylor Ewart, the HSR holder in the 1500, Mile, and 3000 Walks??

TJ--Men
Will Claye and Omar Craddock should make the runway burn a little!
Chris Carter, Chris Benard, and Don Scott are also here!
MIA is the best--Christian Taylor!

400--Men
Is Fred Kerley in shape?
I haven't seen his name in any results this year---or at least nothing that would make me go WOW!
If he's in trouble, watch for Michael's Cherry & Berry!
But also watch Marqueze Washington, who just ran 45.24 (See earlier post!).
Brian Herron, one of the Twin Terrors of HS sprinting, is here!
So why also isn't Herron's TT, Tyrese Cooper??
Michael Norman--who just happens to have the 2nd best time in the World in 2018!!--ain't here either!
Neither is Lashawn Merritt--but that might not matter as much as in earlier years!!

800--Women
Ajee Wilson, the AR holder, vs Raevyn Rogers, the CR holder!!
(Though the latter is a Pro now!!)
Kaela Edwards--also listed for the 1500!--might challenge!
Watch for Hanna Green.
Samantha Watson isn't here!
Can Ajee (Or Raevyn??) get Maria Mutola's MR of 1:58.41--dating from 1995??

800--Men
Boris Berian scratched!
Maybe because of his DYING in his recent "duel" with Donavan Brazier (See previous post!)??
Brazier IS here--and with Albuquerque's altitude, could finally nail Johnny Gray's AR of 1:45.00.
(The Meet Record is an easy 1:46.60!!)
Erik Sowinski and Casimir Loxsom might challenge!
What will Drew Windle and Clay Murphy run?

1500--Women
Shelby Houlihan will be doubling??
She'll need her fierce kick to control Kate Grace, Colleen Quigley, and Alexa Efraimson!
Also doubling are Kaela Edwards and Katie Mackey!
Ms Simpson and Brenda Martinez are the key MIA's!
IF the pace is fast, Mary Slaney's 2000 Meet Record of 4:03.08 might go down!

400--Women
This is one WILD line-up!!
Even though Collegiates Kendell Ellis, Sydney McLaughlin, and Lynna Irby aren't present, they'll hardly be missed!!
Here's the list---
Shakima Wimbly, Georganne Moline, Phyllis Francis, Quanera Hayes, Natasha Hastings, Courtney Okolo, and Jaide Stepter!!
WHEW!!
(Too bad there won't be 7 lanes!  They'll have to run two time "heats"!!)
Sanya Richard-Ross's MR of 50.71 could--and likely will--fall!!

1500--Men
No Matthew Centrowitz, who isn't doing INdoors this year!
WIMP!!
Will Leer ain't here--and that rhymes!!)
Expect Kyle Merber to do battle with Craig Engels and Paul Chelimo---who is doubling back from the 3K!
Ben Blankenship and Shadrack Kipchirchir might keep the fires stoked!
The MR is a measly 3:40.80!
With the WC Q time being over a second faster, will they try for it??

60H--Women
When you have altitude--and the WR holder in the OUTdoor 100H--as well as the Co-AR holder in the 60H--in Kendra Harrison, who needs Collegiate Dior Hall??
If she doesn't crush a hurdle or 2, the WORLD Record could be in dire jeopardy!!
That 7.68 needs to GO!!
But she better keep an eye out for consistent Christina Manning--no slouch at lucky (??) 7.77!!
The Usual Suspects (minus Lolo Jones, Nia Ali, and Dawn Harper-Nelson) are here!
Sharika Nelvis, Kristi Castlin, Jasmine Stowers, and Queen Harrison--the latter of whom has been struggling to dip into the 7's!!
The MR is "just" 7.74!

60H--Men
MIA is the FASTEST American of 2018--and 2nd fastest in the WORLD---Grant Holloway!!
WHY??
Jarrett Eaton is fast, however, as are Aries Merritt, Devon Allen, and Aleec Harris!

60--Women
Tori Bowie is the Star here!
She should have NO trouble winning--barring some disaster!!
Behind her should come Teahna Daniels, Javianne Oliver, Felicia Brown, and Dezerea Bryant!
MIA's include Ms Bartoletta, as well as English Gardner!
But why isn't newbie Pro (& College Drop-Out!!) Hannah Cunliffe here?
Or the fastest Collegiate of 2018--Mikiah Brisco??

60--Men
Finishing the meet COULD be a Meet, American, and WORLD Record!!
(Ironically, one of Mo Greene's 6.39's is the MR here!!)
Will Christian Coleman use ALL 5000+ feet of Albuquerque's altitude to his advantage??
He shouldn't have anyone close at the tape!
But expect Noah Lyles to PR again!
Ronnie Baker has had some fast times too--relatively speaking, that is!
THIS is Mr Coleman's Show!!

Enjoy the meet!
Will have the results--as well as all the weekend's marks--soon after it's finished!
Late Sunday??

See you soon!