Welcome to the WILDEST Weekend in Non-Pro T&F for INdoors---when the NCAA and NBIN Championship meets take place (though the NBIN extends to Sunday).
Much to cover here, so a few quick guidelines---
This NCAA Preview covers both the Men and the Women!
Events will be listed according to their place in the schedule--based on Finals ONLY!
Records listed are the MEET Records!
I will indicate as to whether the MR is also the Collegiate Record!
Odds given are to whether the Meet Record can be broken!
Some leading contender's names will be offered!
These are NOT predictions of the Winners!!
Men's events go first!
MEN
Long Jump (Meet Record--27-10.25)
He doesn't have the leading 2018 Collegiate mark!
But you can't ignore the potential of Grant Holloway!
With a PR of 26-5, it wouldn't shock me to see him top 27 feet!
But Zack Bazile is a proven quantity, as are Ja'Mari Ward and KeAndra Bates!
Charles Brown and Corun Knight are others to watch!
This MR is safe!!
Pole Vault (CR & MR--19-4.75)
Chris Nilsen finally topped 19 feet--by a sliver!
Unless he's ready to burst upward, this MR will remain!
There's a few knocking on 19's door--Matthew Ludwig, Trey Oates, Audie Wyatt, Jake Wooten, and Deakin Volz--some knocking louder than others!
Shot Put (CR & MR--71-3.50)
This could be the Collegiate equivalent of a leading DL event, or even a WC or OG!!
The top 3 are Jordan Geist, Mostafa Hassan, and Josh Owotunde!
Geist--the Freshman!--leads with his early season 70 footer!
But the other 2 are an inch away from that barrier!
And the SP is an explosive event--in many senses!
MR odds are 45-55!!
Watch also for Adrian Piperi, Kord Ferguson, and Denzel Comenentia!
5000 (MR--13:25.11)
30-70 odds.
Would be 90-10 IF the history of Championship distance races didn't lean toward MoBot & King Ches emulation!
That said, Justyn Knight should be able to run as he pleases for the W.
Mike Tate, Jacob Thomson, Gil Kigen, Vince Kiprop, Hassan Abdi, and Rory Linkletter will play Follow the Leader!
DMR (MR--9:27.27)
Ignore most of the seed times, as they were ILLEGALLY attained on Oversize Tracks!
But Oregon does have the wheels to nail this MR!
Give them 70-30 odds!
Stanford, Virginia Tech, New Mexico, and Utah State are other teams to watch!
Heptathlon (CR & MR--6499)
The Records are going to be the same in 2019!
Tim Duckworth is the Brit to watch!
Add Karl Saluri as a Podium favorite!
Hunter Veith and Scott Filip could top 6000 points!
Weight Throw (MR--80-10.25)
This could be a Record-breaking competition!
With not 1, but 2 or 3 hammering down (Sic!) the 80 foot wall!
Denzel Comenentia, Joseph Ellis, and Josh Davis are closest!
If they avoid 3 fouls in the first 3 rounds, they won't have to worry about Alton Clay, Daniel Haugh, or Grant Cartwright!
Odds are 60-40!
High Jump (CR & MR--7-9.25)
Trey Culver and Vernon Turner cleared 7-7.75 early!
Turner is a Freshman!!
Can one or both add 1.50 inches here??
Give this one 25-75 odds!
Maybe 7-8, or even 7-8.50--but not the Record!!
Only Randall Cunningham and Keenon Laine are anywhere near this ballpark!!
Mile (MR--3:54.74)
Josh Kerr is another Brit with Gold dreams!
And he has reason!
But these affairs being what they are (See above!), give him 40-60 odds!
(Also, he might have already run a DMR leg!!)
Reed Brown, Sam Worley, Jonah Koech, Sam Prakel, Patrick Joseph, and Mick Stanovsek should be the group behind Kerr!
(Lots of Ducks there!! Quack! Quack!!)
60 (CR & MR--6.45)
Safe!!
Best time coming in is Andre Ewers's 6.52.
But he may not even be the favorite!
Jeryl Brazil, Jaylen Bacon, and Kenzo Cotton could cut him off at the gate!
Divine Oduduru is better in the 200!
400 (CR & MR--44.57)
Is Michael Norman healthy?
(A quiet rumor says he might NOT be!)
If Norman and Akeem Bloomfield run like they did in the Conferences, we could see a 44-plus!
Record odds are 10-90!
Can the Australian Steven Solomon crush his own National Record?
Watch also for Kahmari Montgomery, Nathan Strother, Obi Igbokwe--and a real Dark Horse--Mylik Kerley!
Triple Jump (MR--57-0)
A weak event, so no MR!
Ke Andre Bates could lead the way here, but he might not reach even 55 feet!
Jordon Scott, Scotty Newton, Jeremiah Green, and O'Brien Wasome could make for a good contest, but not a Record-breaking one!
60H (7.45)
Grant Holloway.
He COULD have won the World Championship race--if he'd been there!
He WILL win here--with 85-15 odds for a new PR!
Of course, that would mean a new MR and CR as well!!
Look at the clock to see if a 7.3 pops up at the line!!
Barring total disaster, Chad Zallow, Trey Cunningham, and Reubin Walters don't stand a chance!!
800 (MR--1:45.33)
Kenyan Michael Saruni has already run faster!
The CR of 1:44.84 is in danger here, so give this MR 80-20 odds!!
Daniel Kuhn and Isaiah Harris have speedy 600 times, so watch for them to push the early pace!
It could come down to who has the lead on the penultimate curve!
Robert Heppenstall and John Lewis are others to watch!
200 (CR & MR--20.10)
Pay no heed to Divine Oduduru's seed time!
It comes from TFRSS's Conversion Factory!!
His real PR is 20.18!
So close, but still, the Records should survive!
Give them 45-55 odds anyway!
Ncincititi Titi might have a chance for Best Name, but not for the W!
Watch for Mustaqeem Williams, Rai Benjamin, Elijah Hall, Nick Gray, Andrew Hudson, and Andre Ewers to spin their wheels!
3000 (MR--7:45.94)
This being his final Collegiate INdoor race, Justyn Knight might put pedal to medal and take this MR down!
He's capable!
Because of this factor, give him 65-35 odds!!
Besides, he'll have a fresh Grant Fisher (DMR duty only??) to face!
Colby Gilbert, Oliver Hoere, Ben Saarel, and Andy Trouard are ones to watch!
4 X 400 Relay (MR--3:02.80)
This is the most anticipated event for many--and not because of its possible affect on the Team race!
For them, it's not a question of IF--but by HOW MUCH--will the MR and CR be broken!!
A sub-3??
Give THAT 10-90 odds!
But the CR?
Up the ante to 85-15!
USC, Florida, Texas A&M, LSU, Houston, and Arkansas should all be in the final!
Toss a coin.
Now it's on to the---
WOMEN
Shot Put (CR & MR--64-2.25)
With Raven (POE-etry in Motion) Saunders gone, new SP find Maggie Ewen should have it easy!
She's added quite a bit to her pre-season PR!
But she's not Saunders--not yet!
So give her odds of 5-95!
Unless she X's out (Fat chance!!), she'll have little fear of Emmonnie Henderson, Janeah Stewart, Stamatia Scarvelis, Lena Giger--or Frosh Alyssa Wilson, who also hasn't shown Raven-esque tendencies--yet!
Pentathlon (CR & MR--4703)
Taliyah Brooks has been given CR odds by at least one source!
But not by me!
Still, barring major problems, she should win this thing!
Nina Schultz has topped 4500---barely!
Further down the scale come Michelle Atherley, Tyra Gittens, Holly Hankenson,, and Georgia Ellenwood!
A dark horse might be Georgia Soph (via Germany) Louise Grauvogel!
High Jump (CR & MR--6-6)
ZERO odds!
That said, Logan should be the Boss here!
(Good one, eh??!! LOL)
Nicole Greene has shown steadiness at 6-2--but no higher!
Might she shoot up??
Watch also for Chelsie Decoud, Zarrea Willis, and Madeline Fagan!
Long Jump (CR & MR--22-8)
Kate Hall could well lead another Georgia sweep, but she's yet to find her HSR-level shape!
Let her get back to that 22-5 before we start giving her the Collegiate Record!!
Taliyah Brooks and TJ-specialist Yanis David might give battle to Georgians Tara Davis and Keturah Orji.
Look also for Darrielle McQueen!
5000 (MR--15:14.18)
As with the Men, don't expect a Record here!
Yet--we have the first face-off of Ednah Kurgat and Karissa Schweizer!
If they didn't have other events to follow, I'd given them 90-10 odds of not only getting the MR, but the CR--and edging dangerously close to the 15 minute line!!
Forget that!!
Only Kurgat pushing the pace early will bring Schweizer out of her Team/Win/Points zone!!
Weini Kelati is another who likes to lead!
Watch too for Sharon Lokedi, Elly Henes, Erin Clark, and Jessica Drop!
DMR (MR--10:50.98)
Schweizer stormed a 4:25 leg on an earlier DMR!
BUT---Missouri doesn't even have a team here!!
The Ducks have some wheels, but not enough for a MR!
Neither does Stanford!
Clemson, Virginia Tech, New Mexico, and Boise State might keep things hopping!
Triple Jump (MR--46-9)
Another One-Namer!
Main question for Keturah Orji is---Can she top her 47-8 CR--or even her 48-3.25 OUTdoor American Record mark!!
(Of course, that would count as an INdoor Record ONLY!!)
Yanis David and Marie Josee Ebwea-Bile are Orji's clean-up crew!
90-10 odds!
Pole Vault (MR--15-2.25)
Olivia Gruver and Lexi Jacobus have topped this MR!
But given the quirkiness of this event, give them 40-60 odds!
Lexi's sister, Tori Hoggard, is the only other 15 footer here--but I'd give better odds for Swede Lisa Gunnarsson to reach that height!
Lucy Bryan, Rachel Baxter, and Desiree Freier will be happy to reach the mid-14's!
Mile (MR--4:27.18)
In the absence of Karissa Schweizer (other events!), Elinor Purrier is the consensus favorite!
Even to take down this MR---and maybe even Jenny Barringer Simpson's Collegiate mark!
But serious contention could come from Dani Jones and Elise Cranny!
Millie Paladino, Nikki Hiltz, Rhianwedd Price-Weimer, and Haley Meier are a few to watch.
If Purrier has Records in mind, give her 75-25 odds!
Weight Throw (CR & MR--83-10.25)
While 80 feet might be surpassed--by more than one entrant!!--the Records are safe!
15-85 odds!
Yet Annette Echikunwoke stormed to within 2 feet of that mark earlier this season!
And like the other Throw, it's an explosive event!!
Janeah Stewart and Sade Olotoye are quite dangerous!
Add Kaitlyn Long for spice!
60 (MR--7.09)
Hannah Cunliffe removed herself from College a few weeks ago!
Otherwise, her 7.07 would make this MR tremble!
But still it might--with Mikiah Brisco's early season 7.08 there as threat!
Another to watch--closely--is Aleia Hobbs, who has 10.85 OUTdoor 100 speed!!
Their "competition" is far behind--at least in numbers!
Kortnei Johnson, Ashley Henderson, Jonielle Smith, and Makenzie Dunmore of UO are the other key names to watch!
400 (CR & MR--50.46)
Ohhhhh, Babyyyyy!!!
Either this is the BEST event of the meet---or the most disappointing!!
Sydney McLaughlin and Lynna Irby--both Frosh!!--destroyed their PR's in the SEC!!
They have hot 200 wheels also!
Only a stumble (or--quiver in fear after the WC's!!--a DQ!!) could prevent one or both from SMASHING this Record---and maybe edging toward the 49's!!
90-10 odds!!
WATCHING them race--from far behind!!--could be Kendell Ellis, Sharika Barnett, and Shae Anderson!
60H (MR--7.79)
Forget any Records!!
5-95 odds---or lower!
And don't spend your last buck on Dior Hall, who has only a slim PR lead over her competition!
Jasmine Camacho-Quinn should be Hall's most serious challenger!
But watch for Duck Alaysha Johnson, former HS sensations Tonea Marshall and Anna Cockrell, and Georgia's Tara Davis, who made a big breakthrough a bit ago--but only to 8.03!
She'll need to get into the 7's to contend!
800 (MR--2:01.09)
The MR could go--give it 45-55 odds!
But Samantha Watson, who entered her Frosh year after a sensational HS career, hasn't quite stepped up to that level yet!!
The potential is definitely there--but a 2:02--for Watson--is nothing to brag about!
Her main foe could be Jazmine Fray!
Rachel Pocratsky and Danae Rivers have hit high peaks this year!
Watch too for Siofre Buttner, Kamryn McIntosh, Agnes Abu, and Jazmine Staebler!!
200 (CR & MR--22.40)
As I noted in a much earlier post (Years ago??), all 4 Class Records are in the 22.40's!!
There's been talent to burn, but--so far--only the Junior Class Record has fallen since 2008!!
Can Lynna Irby--2018's 200 leader at 22.66--be the next to climb that wall??
Biggest problem for Frosh Irby is that Bianca Knight--holder of that 22.40--was a Frosh also when she set it!!
Give her 10-90 odds!
Besides, she has to contend with Sydney McLaughlin--among others--just to win!!
Deanna Hill, Mikiah Brisco, Gabrielle Thomas, Kortnei Johnson, Ka'Tia Seymour, JCQ, Ashley Henderson, and Payton Chadwick are all in the 22.8 to 23.1 Area Code!
3000 (MR--8:42.03)
That MR should sound familiar!
It's the one Ms Schweizer broke in that great Millrose race!!
And if it weren't for her other races here, I'd give her good odds of taking Ms Simpson down--again!!
But being tired--as she might well be!!--give this just 10-90 odds!!
Ednah Kurgat, Weini Kelati, Sharon Lokedi, and Allie Ostrander should be coming off earlier races!
Add Amy Eloise-Neale, Vanessa Fraser, Lilli Burdon, and Christina Aragon to the recipe--and stir!
4 X 400 Relay (CR & MR--3:27.03)
Once again, have no idea whether this race's outcome will affect the team battle!
But there's enough speed here to challenge this Record!
Give it 60-40 odds!
USC, Oregon, Tennessee, LSU, Purdue, and Florida should be the key contenders.
But don't expect Kentucky--even with Sydney McLaughlin on anchor!!--to be close at the tape!!
Well, friends, that wraps up my NCAA Preview!!
Following in a few hours will be my NBIN Preview!!
See you soon!
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